21-inch Walk-Behind Aerator

• Read the Operator’s Manual and other training material. If the operator(s) or mechanic(s) can not read English it is the owner’s responsibility to explain this material to them.

• Become familiar with the safe operation of the equipment, operator controls, and safety signs.

• All operators and mechanics should be trained. The owner is responsible for training the users.

• Never let children or untrained people operate or service the equipment. Local regulations may restrict the age of the operator.

• The owner/user can prevent and is responsible for accidents or injuries occurring to himself or herself, other people or property.

• Evaluate the terrain to determine what accessories and attachments are needed to properly and safely perform the job. Only use accessories and attachments approved by the manufacturer.

• Wear appropriate clothing including safety glasses and hearing protection. Long hair, loose clothing, or jewelry may get tangled in moving parts.

• Inspect the area where the equipment is to be used and remove all objects such as rocks, toys, and wire which can be contacted by the aerator.

• Use extra care when handling gasoline and other fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive.

  • Use only an approved container.

  • Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine running.

  • Allow the engine to cool before refueling.

  • Do not smoke.

  • Never refuel or drain the aerator indoors.

• Check that the controls, safety switches, and shields are attached and functioning properly. Do not operate unless they are functioning properly.

• Never run an engine in an enclosed area.

• Only operate in good light, keeping away from holes and hidden hazards.

• Be sure all drives are in neutral before starting engine.

• Never operate without the shields, covers, or other guards securely in place. Be sure all interlocks are functioning properly.

• Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine.

• Raise the tines, stop the machine, and stop the engine before leaving the operator’s position for any reason.

• Stop the equipment and inspect the tines after striking an object or if an abnormal vibration occurs. Make necessary repairs before resuming operation.

• Keep hands and feet away from the tine area.

• Never carry passengers and keep pets and bystanders away.

• Be alert, slow down, and use caution when making turns. Look behind and to the side before changing directions.

• Slow down and use caution when crossing roads and sidewalks.

• Do not operate the aerator under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Lightning can cause severe injury or death. If lightning is seen or thunder is heard in the area, do not operate the machine; seek shelter.

• Use extreme care when loading or unloading the aerator into a trailer or truck.

• Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

• Always be aware of obstacles that may be in the area of operation. Plan your aeration path to avoid contact with any obstacle by you or the machine.

• Do not operate on slopes when grass is wet. Slippery conditions reduce traction and could cause sliding and loss of control.

• Do not make sudden turns or rapid speed changes.

• Reduce speed and use extreme caution on slopes.

• Remove or mark obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc. from the operating area. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

• Wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning, or repairing. Raise the tines, stop the machine, stop the engine, and disconnect the spark plug wire.

• Clean grass and debris from the tines, drives, mufflers, and engine to help prevent fires. Clean up oil or fuel spillage.

• Let the engine cool before storing and do not store near flame.

• Shut off the fuel while storing or transporting on trailers. Do not store fuel near flames or drain indoors.

• Park the aerator on level, hard ground. Never allow untrained personnel to service it.

• Use jack stands or safety latches to support the machine when working under it..

• Remove the spark plug wire before making any repairs.

• Keep hands and feet away from moving parts. If possible, do not make adjustments with the engine running.

• Keep all parts in good working condition and all hardware tightened. Replace all worn or damaged decals.

• Use only Toro-approved attachments. The warranty may be voided if the machine is used with unapproved attachments.

The machine has a rear access panel that you can remove as illustrated in to access and maintain the tines.

Figure 15

If you need to work on the underside of the machine, you can tip it back until it is resting on the rear guard (Figure 16). Do not tip the machine forward or you will foul the air cleaner with gasoline. Secure the machine with a jack stand before working under it.

Figure 16

1. Jack stand

1. Raise the tines, stop the machine, stop the engine, and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2. Remove the rear access panel; refer to Accessing the Tines

3. Manually rotate the 2 center tine assemblies until you can see the grease fittings (Figure 17).

   

   Figure 17

4. Wipe the grease fittings with a clean rag.

5. Install a grease gun onto the fitting and gently apply 2 or 3 pumps of #2 multi-purpose lithium base grease.

   Important: Excessive grease pressure may damage the seals.

1. Raise the tines, stop the machine, stop the engine, and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2. Raise the front of the machine to gain access to the chains (Figure 18) and block it in place.

   Caution

   If you do not securely block the up the front of the machine, the machine could fall on you during service, injuring you.

   Ensure that you place a jack-stand or block under the front of the machine to hold it up securely.

   Important: Do not raise the rear of the machine. Raising the rear of the machine will cause the engine to flood and the air cleaner to be fouled with gasoline.

   

   Figure 18

   1. Chain (left side shown)

3. Apply a general purpose oil (10W30) onto the lower chain span while rotating the front wheel to expose un-oiled chain links until the whole chain is oiled.

4. Repeat step 3 for the other chain.

5. Wipe up any oil that spilled and lower the machine to the ground when finished.

Important: Do not operate the engine without the air filter assembly; extreme engine damage may occur.

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

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Remove the cover and clean it thoroughly ().

   Note: Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from falling into the base.

   

   Figure 19

   1. Cover
   2. Foam pre-cleaner
   3. Paper air filter

4. Remove the foam pre-cleaner and wash it with a mild detergent and water, then blot it dry (Figure 19).

5. Remove and inspect the paper air filter (); discard it if it is excessively dirty.

   Important: Do not try to clean a paper filter.

6. Wipe dirt from the base and the cover with a moist rag.

   Note: Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from entering the air duct leading to the carburetor.

7. Install the foam pre-cleaner onto the paper air filter.

   Note: Use a new paper air filter if you discarded the old one.

8. Install the air filter assembly and cover.

1. Run the engine to warm the engine oil.

   Note: Warm oil flows better and carries more contaminants.

   Warning

   Oil may be hot after engine has been run, and contact with hot oil can cause severe personal injury.

   Avoid contacting the hot engine oil when you drain it.

2. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

4. Place a drain pan on the ground to the right of the machine.

5. Remove the dipstick (Figure 20).

   

   Figure 20

6. Remove the drain plug (Figure 21) and tip the machine so the oil flows to the pan.

   

   Figure 21

   1. Oil drain plug
   2. Oil filter

7. Tip the machine upright again, clean the oil from the frame with a rap and replace the drain plug.

8. Insert the dipstick into the filler neck and rotate the cap clockwise until it is tight.

9. Slowly pour oil into the oil fill tube, periodically checking the level with the dipstick, until the dipstick indicates that the engine is full. Do not overfill. (Max. fill: 20 oz. (0.55 l), type: SAE 30W detergent oil with an API service classification of SH, SJ, SL, or higher.)

   Note: If you overfill the engine, pour some oil out of it.

10. Install the dipstick securely.

11. Recycle the used oil according to local codes.

1. Drain the engine oil; refer to Changing the Engine Oil.

2. Place a rag under the oil filter (Figure 21) to catch any oil that may leak out as you remove the filter.

3. Remove the oil filter.

4. Use your finger to coat the gasket on the new filter with oil (Figure 22).

   

   Figure 22

5. Install the new filter and hand tighten it 2/3 turn only.

6. Insert the dipstick into the filler neck and rotate the cap clockwise until it is tight.

7. Slowly pour oil into the oil fill tube, periodically checking the level with the dipstick, until the dipstick indicates that the engine is full. Do not overfill. (Max. fill: 20 oz. (0.55 l), type: SAE 30W detergent oil with an API service classification of SH, SJ, SL, or higher.)

   Note: If you overfill the engine, pour some oil out of it.

8. Install the dipstick securely.

9. Connect the wire to the spark plug.

10. Run the engine for about 3 minutes.

11. Stop the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and check for oil leakage around the filter.

12. Check and add oil to compensate for the oil in the oil filter. Do not overfill.

13. Recycle the used oil filter according to local codes.

Use an NGK BPR6ES spark plug or equivalent.

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

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Clean around the spark plug.

4. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder head.

   Important: Replace a cracked, fouled, or dirty spark plug. Do not clean the electrodes because grit entering the cylinder can damage the engine.

5. Set the gap on the plug to 0.030 inch (0.76 mm) ().

   

   Figure 23

   1. Center electrode insulator
   2. Side electrode
   3. Air gap (not to scale)

6. Carefully install the spark plug by hand (to avoid cross threading) until it is hand tight.

7. Tighten the spark plug an additional 1/2 turn if it is new; otherwise, tighten it an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn.

   Important: A loose spark plug can become very hot and can damage the engine; overtightening a spark plug may damage the threads in the cylinder head.

8. Connect the wire to the spark plug.

1. Stop the engine and wait for it to cool down.

   Important: Drain gasoline from a cold engine only.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Close the fuel valve.

4. Clamp off the fuel line on either side of the fuel filter (Figure 24) to prevent fuel from leaking out when you remove the filter.

   

   Figure 24

   1. Fuel filter
   2. Fuel valve

5. Squeeze the ends of the hose clamps together and slide them away from the filter (Figure 24).

6. Remove the filter from the fuel lines.

7. Install a new filter and move the hose clamps close to the filter (Figure 24).

8. Remove the clamps from the fuel lines.

9. Open the fuel shutoff valve.

Maintain the air pressure in the tires as specified. Check the tires when they are cold to get the most accurate reading.

Pressure: 46 psi (317 kPa)

Figure 25

1. Valve stem

1. Raise the tines, stop the machine, stop the engine, and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2. Raise the front of the machine to gain access to the chains and block it in place.

   Caution

   If you do not securely block the up the front of the machine, the machine could fall on you during service, injuring you.

   Ensure that you place a jackstand or block under the front of the machine to hold it up securely.

   Important: Do not raise the rear of the machine. Raising the rear of the machine will casue the engine to flood and the air cleaner to be fouled with gasoline.

3. Pull down on each chain near the opening in the frame with 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force (Figure 26). If a chain contacts the bottom of the opening in the frame, tighten it as follows:

   

   Figure 26

   1. Flex in the chain
   2. Bottom of the frame opening

   1. Loosen the nut securing the idler sprocket of the chain you are tensioning (Figure 27).

      

      Figure 27

      1. Idler sprocket

   2. Pull down on the idler sprocket until the slack is taken out of the chain and there is more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) of space between the chain and the bottom of the opening in the frame when you apply 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force to the chain.

   3. Tighten the idler sprocket nut and torque it to 30 ft-lb (40.6 N-m).

1. Raise the tines, stop the machine, stop the engine, and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2. Raise the front of the machine to gain access to the pump drive belt and block it in place.

   Caution

   If you do not securely block the up the front of the machine, the machine could fall on you during service, injuring you.

   Ensure that you place a jack stand or block under the front of the machine to hold it up securely.

   Important: Do not raise the rear of the machine. Raising the rear of the machine will casue the engine to flood and the air cleaner to be fouled with gasoline.

3. Push on a span of the drive belt with 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force (Figure 28). If the belt flexes more than 1/2 inch (1.3 cm), tighten it as follows:

   

   Figure 28

   1. Pump drive belt
   2. Idler pulley
   3. Idler pulley nut

   1. Loosen the nut securing the idler pulley (Figure 28).

   2. Push the idler pulley to the left to tighten the belt .

   3. Tighten the idler pulley nut and torque it to 30 ft-lb (40.6 N-m).

1. Loosen the 2 bolts securing the cable attachment bracket and slide it as far as possible to the left then tighten the 2 bolts (Figure 29).

   

   Figure 29

   1. Bolts
   2. Cable attachment bracket

2. Adjust the traction drive cable at the lower anchor by moving the nut to the end of the thread and tightening the jam nut (Figure 30).

   

   Figure 30

   1. Nut
   2. Jam nut

3. Adjust the traction drive cable at the handle as follows:

   • Loosen and remove the linkage adjustment from the bracket (Figure 31).

   • Move the lower nut to the end of the thread (Figure 31).

     Note: Ensure that the bail will reach the handle after the transmission is engaged.

     

     Figure 31

     1. Lower nut

4. Adjust the reverse speed stop as follows:

   • Loosen the 2 nuts on the reverse speed stop (Figure 32).

   • Move the stop down to the midpoint or slightly past it and tighten the 2 nuts (Figure 32).

     Note: The reverse speed should be around 3.2 km/h (2.0 MPH).

     

     Figure 32

     1. Nuts

1. Raise the tines, stop the machine, stop the engine, and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2. Remove the rear access panel; refer to Accessing the Tines

3. Manually rotate the tines on the shaft, inspecting them for wear or damage.

4. If any are damaged or broken, remove the nut and bolt securing the tine to the tine assembly (Figure 33).

   

   Figure 33

   1. Tine assembly
   2. Tine
   3. Bolt and nut

5. Remove the tine and replace it with a new one. Ensure that the new tine is facing the same direction as the other tines on the assembly.

6. Secure the new tine with the bolt and nut you removed previously and torque them to 30 ft-lb (40.6 N-m).

7. When all tines have been inspected and replaced as needed, lower the machine to the ground and engage the hydrostatic drive.