53cm Heavy-Duty Recycler®/Rear Bagger Lawn Mower

• For best results, use only clean, fresh (less than 30 days old), unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher ((R+M)/2 rating method).

• Oxygenated fuel with up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE by volume is acceptable.

• Ethanol: Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) by volume is acceptable. Ethanol and MTBE are not the same. Gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) by volume is not approved for use. Never use gasoline that contains more than 10% ethanol by volume, such as E15 (contains 15% ethanol), E20 (contains 20% ethanol), or E85 (contains up to 85% ethanol). Using unapproved gasoline may cause performance problems and/or engine damage which may not be covered under warranty.

• Do not use gasoline containing methanol.

• Do not store fuel either in the fuel tank or in fuel containers over the winter unless you use a fuel stabilizer.

• Do not add oil to gasoline.

Important: To reduce starting problems, add fuel stabilizer to the gasoline all season. Mix the stabilizer with gasoline less than 30 days old.

Note: The capacity of the fuel tank is 1.8 L (0.47 US gallon).

1. Move the machine to a level surface.

2. Remove the dipstick by rotating the cap counterclockwise and pulling it out (Figure 12).

   

   Figure 12

   1. Dipstick
   2. Full
   3. Add

3. Wipe the dipstick clean with a clean cloth.

4. Insert the dipstick into the oil-fill tube, but do not screw it in, then remove the dipstick.

5. Read the oil level on the dipstick (Figure 12).

   • If the oil level on the dipstick is too low (Figure 12), carefully pour a small amount of SAE 30 or SAE 10W-30 detergent oil into the oil-fill tube, wait 3 minutes, and repeat steps 3 through 5 until the oil on the dipstick is at the correct level.

   • If the oil level on the dipstick is too high (Figure 12), drain the excess oil until the oil on the dipstick is at the correct level; refer to Changing the Engine Oil.

   Important: If the oil level in the engine is too low or too high and you run the engine, you may damage the engine.

6. Install the dipstick into the oil-fill tube securely.

You can change the cutting height at each wheel by adjusting a cutting-height lever. Cutting heights are 25 mm (1 inch), 38 mm (1-1/2 inches), 51 mm (2 inches), 64 mm (2-1/2 inches), 76 mm (3 inches), 89 mm (3-1/2 inches), 102 mm (4 inches), 114 mm (4-1/2 inches).

1. Pull the cutting-height lever toward the wheel (Figure 13) and move the lever to the desired setting.

   

   Figure 13

   1. Rear cutting-height lever (2)
   2. Front cutting-height lever (2)

2. Release the cutting-height lever and seat it securely in the notch.

3. Adjust all the wheels to the same cutting-height setting.

1. Connect the spark-plug wire to the spark plug.

2. Firmly push in the primer (Figure 14), holding the primer bulb for 1 second.

   

   Figure 14

   1. Primer

3. Pull the blade-control bar to the upper handle and hold it (Figure 15).

   

   Figure 15

   1. Upper handle
   2. Blade-control bar

4. Pull the recoil-start handle lightly until you feel resistance, then pull it sharply, and allow it to return to the rope guide on the handle.

   Note: If the engine does not start, repeat steps 2 through 4.

To shut off the engine, release the blade-control bar.

Important: When you release the blade-control bar, both the engine and blade should stop within 3 seconds. If they do not stop properly, stop using your machine immediately and contact an Authorized Service Dealer.

• To engage the self-propel-drive: Pull the self-propel-drive bar to the handle and hold it (Figure 16).

  

  Figure 16

  1. Blade-control bar (shown engaged)
  2. Self-propel-drive bar
  3. Upper handle

  Note: The maximum self-propel-drive speed is fixed. To reduce the speed, increase the space between the self-propel-drive bar and the handle.

• To disengage the self-propel drive: Release the self-propel-drive bar.

  Note: The machine comes with freewheeling clutches that make it easier to pull the machine rearward. To disengage the clutches, you may need to push the machine forward about 2.5 cm (1 inch) or more after you release the self-propel-drive bar.

This machine comes from the factory ready to recycle grass and leaf clippings back into the lawn. To prepare the machine to recycle:

• If the grass bag is on the machine, remove it; refer to Removing the Grass Bag.

• If the rear-discharge plug is not installed, grip it by the handle, raise the rear deflector, and insert it into the rear-discharge chute until the latch locks into place (Figure 17).

  

  Figure 17

  1. Rear-discharge plug
  2. Rear deflector

Use the grass bag when you want to collect grass and leaf clippings from the lawn.

To ensure the best performance, keep the underside of the machine clean. Be especially careful to keep the kickers free of debris (Figure 19).

Figure 19

1. Kickers

1. Shut off the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Drain the fuel from the fuel tank.

4. Tip the machine onto its right side (air cleaner up) as shown in Figure 24.

   

   Figure 24

   1. Blade
   2. Accelerator
   3. Blade bolt and lock washer

Carefully examine the blade for sharpness and wear, especially where the flat and the curved parts meet (Figure 25A). Because sand and abrasive material can wear away the metal that connects the flat and curved parts of the blade, check the blade before using the machine. If you notice a slot or wear (Figure 25B and Figure 25C), replace the blade; refer to Removing the Blade.

Figure 25

1. Sail
2. Flat part of the blade
3. Wear
4. Slot formed

Note: For the best performance, install a new blade before the mowing season begins. During the year, file down any small nicks to maintain the cutting edge.

Carefully examine the accelerator for excessive wear (Figure 26). Because sand and abrasive material can wear away the metal (especially in the area shown as item 2 in Figure 26), check the accelerator before using the machine. If you notice that a tab on the accelerator has been worn down to a sharp edge or there is a crack, replace the accelerator; refer to Removing the Blade.

Figure 26

1. Accelerator
2. Wear area
3. Tab
4. Crack formed

1. Grasp the end of the blade using a rag or a thickly padded glove.

2. Remove the blade nuts, the accelerator, and the blade (Figure 25).

File the top side of the blade to maintain its original cutting angle (Figure 27A) and inner cutting edge radius (Figure 27B). The blade will remain balanced if you remove the same amount of material from both cutting edges.

Figure 27

1. Sharpen the blade at this angle only.
2. Maintain the original radius here.

1. Check the balance of the blade by placing the center hole of the blade over a nail or screwdriver shank clamped horizontally in a vise (Figure 28).

   

   Figure 28

   Note: You can also check the balance using a commercially manufactured blade balancer.

2. If either end of the blade rotates downward, file that end (not the cutting edge or the end near the cutting edge) until neither end of the blade drops.

1. Install a sharp, balanced Toro blade, the accelerator, and the blade nuts. The sail of the blade must point toward the top of the mower housing for proper installation.

   Note: Torque the blade nuts to 20 to 37 N∙m (15 to 27 ft-lb).

   Warning

   Operating the machine without the accelerator in place can cause the blade to flex, bend, or break, resulting in serious injury or death to you or to bystanders.

   Do not operate the machine without the accelerator in place.

2. Return the machine to the operating position.

1. Shut off the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Remove the belt cover (Figure 29) from the mower housing.

   

   Figure 29

   1. Belt cover

4. Lift off the cover and brush out all the debris around the belt area.

5. Install the belt cover.

6. Connect the wire to the spark plug.

Important: To prevent damage to the bearing seals, do not use a high-pressure water spray on the bearings.

Note: If you operate the machine in extreme conditions, cleaning the wheels more frequently than recommended will increase gear life.

1. Remove the flange lock nut and wheel assemble from the axle bolt (Figure 30).

2. Clean any debris from the wheel-gear area (Figure 30).

   

   Figure 30

   1. Axle bolt
   2. Wheel assembly
   3. Flange lock nut
   4. Gears

3. After cleaning, apply a small amount of anti-seize compound to the gears (Figure 30).

4. Assemble the wheel assemble to the axle bolt with the flange lock nut (Figure 30).