21in Walk-Behind Aerator

Check the engine oil level; refer to Checking the Engine-Oil Level.

Use only clean, fresh (no more than 30 days old), fuel from a reputable source.

Important: To reduce starting problems, add fuel stabilizer/conditioner to fresh fuel as directed by the fuel-stabilizer/conditioner manufacturer.

Fuel tank capacity: 3.8 L (1 US gallon)

Important: Do not use fuel additives other than a fuel stabilizer/conditioner. Do not use fuel stabilizers with an alcohol base such as ethanol, methanol, or isopropanol.

1. Clean around the fuel-tank cap and remove the cap from the tank. (Figure 9).

   

   Figure 9

   1. Fuel-tank cap

2. Fill the fuel tank with the specified fuel to within 6 mm (1/4 inch) or more from the top of the tank.

   Important: Do not fill into the filler neck. Do not fill the tank more than 6 mm (1/4 inch) from the top of the tank because the gasoline needs room to expand.

   

   Figure 10

   1. Air gap—6 mm (1/4 inch) or more (fuel level to the top of the tank)

3. Install the cap to the fuel tank, and wipe up any spilled gasoline.

1. Ensure that the spark-plug wire is connect to the spark plug.

2. Open the fuel-shutoff valve ().

   

   Figure 11

   1. Fuel filter
   2. Fuel valve—OFF position

3. Set the throttle lever as follows:

   • If the engine is cold, move the throttle control all the way forward to the CHOKE position (Figure 12).

     

     Figure 12

   • If the engine is warm, move the throttle control to the FAST position (Figure 13).

     A warm engine requires little or no choke to start.

     

     Figure 13

4. Pull the starter handle lightly until you feel resistance, then pull it sharply. Allow the rope to return to the handle slowly.

5. If you moved the throttle control to the CHOKE position, when the engine starts—move the throttle control toward the FAST position.

   Note: The throttle setting governs the maximum drive speed of the machine.

1. Release the traction control handle, and allow it to return to NEUTRAL.

2. Move the throttle lever all the way rearward to SLOW position (Figure 14).

   

   Figure 14

• To move forward, press the control lever forward (Figure 15). The further forward you push it, the faster the machine will travel.

• To move in reverse, pull the control lever rearward (Figure 15). The further rearward you pull it, the faster the machine will travel.

  Warning

  The aerator tines are sharp and can puncture your feet or other body parts.

  Use extreme care when moving in reverse so that you do not allow your feet to go close to the tines. Watch for and avoid obstacles you could trip over.

• To turn the machine, move slowly and press down on the handles; turn the machine in the desired direction then resume normal operation.

• To make zero turns, pull up on the tine ground engagement lever and raise the tines.

  Important: Do not make a zero turn when the tines are down. Turning with the tines down will result in turf tearing.

• To stop, release the control lever (Figure 15).

Figure 15

1. Forward
2. Neutral (Stop)
3. Reverse

1. Drive the machine to the desired location and stop it.

2. Push the tine control lever down and forward to raise the rear wheels and engage the tines.

   

   Figure 16

   1. Tine control lever—tines disengaged from the ground
   2. Tine control lever—tines engaged into the ground

3. Drive the machine to aerate the desired area.

   Note: The machine aerates in both forward and reverse.

4. When finished, stop the machine and pull the tine control lever rearward and up to lower the rear wheels and lifts the tines out of the ground.

   Important: Do not drive the machine across pavement or other hard surfaces without first raising the tines. Crossing hard surfaces with the tines lowered will damage the tines.

The removable weights are heavy. Use care when lifting them. Make sure that you can grasp them securely before lifting them. Use caution when positioning your hands so that you do not set the weight down on your hands or fingers.

To ensure that the tines penetrate fully into the soil, you can add weight to the back of the machine. The machine has 3 weight pockets that hold the weights (Figure 17). When placing weights, ensure that you have a balance the weights across the machine. If you use only 1 weight, place it in the center pocket, and if you use 2 weights, place them in the side pockets.

Note: If you added extra optional weight(s) to the machine, raising the tines requires significant effort.

Figure 17

1. Weight

A coring depth of 6.35 cm (2-1/2 inches) is recommended, but you can change the depth as follows:

1. Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to stop.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Loosen the nuts securing the wheel stop on the right side of the machine (Figure 18).

   

   Figure 18

   1. Wheel stop
   2. Nuts
   3. Indicator hole
   4. Indicator notches

4. Lower the wheel stop to reduce the coring depth; raise the wheel stop to increase the coring depth.

5. Tighten the nuts securely to lock the wheel stop in place.

6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the wheel stop on the left side of the machine. Use the visual indicator notches in the wheel stop and indicator holes in the frame to set the wheel stops to the same height on each side (see Figure 18).

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

1. Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to stop.

2. Raise the tines to the transport position.

3. Attempt to lock the transport latch pin into the lower arm; refer to Figure 19.

   

   Figure 19

   1. Transport latch pin—unlocked
   2. Push into lower arm.
   3. Rotate latch pin over handle.
   4. Transport latch pin—locked

   Note: If the pin engages and locks, the tine-control lever is correctly adjusted. If the pin does not engage or lock, then perform steps 4 through 8.

4. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

5. Note the location of the pin in relation to the bushing.

6. Loosen the jam nuts on the adjuster bolt (Figure 20).

   Note: If the transport latch pin aligns below the bushing, rotate the bolt counterclockwise until you can lock the pin.If the transport latch pin aligns at the top of the bushing, rotate the bolt clockwise until you can lock the pin.

   

   Figure 20

   1. Jam nut
   2. Adjuster bolt

7. Tighten the jam nuts and verify that the transport latch pin locks and unlocks.

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

1. Move the 2 handle-lock rings rearward (Figure 21).

   

   Figure 21

   1. Handle-lock rings

2. Fold the handlebar toward the engine.

1. Extend the handlebar (Figure 22).

   

   Figure 22

   1. Handle-lock rings
   2. Carriage bolt

2. Move the 2 handle-lock rings forward into the slot in the lock ring is full engaged with the carriage bolts of the upper and lower handle halves.

• For best performance and maximum tine penetration, water the turf thoroughly the day before aerating.

• Clean the area of debris before using the machine.

• Mark and avoid shallow obstacles such as sprinkler heads and invisible fence wires.

Important: Do not operate or drive the machine on roadways.

1. Drive the machine onto a trailer, stop the machine, shut off the engine, close the fuel valve, and disconnect the spark-plug wire.

   Important: If you do not close the fuel valve, the engine may flood when you haul the machine.

2. Move the transport locking pin (Figure 23) on the handle into the TRANSPORT position.

   

   Figure 23

   1. Transport latch pin—Unlocked position
   2. Push into the lower arm.
   3. Rotate the latch pin over the handle.
   4. Transport latch pin—Locked position

3. Lift the handle to lock it in the transport position.

4. Slide the transport latch pin through the bushing in the top of the lower arm.

5. Rotate the transport latch pin down and lock the end over the handle tube.

6. Close the fuel-shutoff valve.

7. Secure the machine to the trailer with chains or straps using the tie-down/lift loops (Figure 24).

   

   Figure 24

1. Park the machine on a level surface.

2. Shut off the engine.

3. Disconnect the spark-plug wire.

4. Wait for the engine to cool.

Important: When machine maintenance is complete, connect the spark-plug wire.

1. Remove the 2 knobs that secure the tine access cover to the tine housing (Figure 25).

   

   Figure 25

   1. Knobs (rear access cover)
   2. Tine housing

2. Tilt the cover slightly and remove the rear access cover from the machine.

1. Align the tabs of the tine access cover with the opening in the tine housing (Figure 26).

   

   Figure 26

   1. Knobs (rear access cover)
   2. Tine housing

2. Align the threaded shaft of the knobs with the threaded inserts in the housing.

3. Secure the cover to the housings with the knobs.

1. If you need to work on the underside of the machine, tip it backward (Figure 27).

   Important: Do not tip the machine forward or you will fill the air cleaner with gasoline.

   

   Figure 27

2. Support the front of the machine with a jack stand.

Grease Specification: NGLI grade No. 2 multi-purpose

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance

2. Remove the rear access panel; refer to Removing the Tine Access Cover.

3. Lubricate the grease fittings with a grease gun and the specified grease; refer to the Lubrication Chart for the fitting locations.

   Lubrication Chart

   Fitting Location	Initial Number of Pumps	Number of Places
   1. Tine Shaft Bearings	1	2
   2. Tine Assembly Idlers	1-2	2

4. Install the rear access panel; refer to Installing the Tine Access Cover.

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance.

2. Tip up the front of the machine, and support it with jack stands; refer to Raising the Front of the Machine.

   Important: Do not tip the machine forward or you will fill the air cleaner with gasoline.

3. Rotate the front wheels and apply oil or chain lubricant onto the chain links of the lower spans of the front drive chains (Figure 28).

   

   Figure 28

   1. Tine-drive chains
   2. Front drive chains

4. Check the front drive chains (Figure 28) for wear, damage, and proper tension.

   Note: If chains pop or snap, replace the sprockets and chains.

5. Rotate tine shafts and apply oil or chain lubricant onto all the links of the lower spans of the tine-drive chains (Figure 28).

6. Check the chains on both sides of the machine for wear, damage, and proper tension.

   Note: The chains should be able to move up and down 6 mm (1/4 inch) maximum.

   Note: If chains are not tight enough or they pop or snap, adjust the chain tension; refer to Adjusting Tine-Drive Chain Tension.

7. Inspect all chain sprockets for wear and replace them as required.

8. Wipe up any oil that spilled and lower the machine to the ground

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

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance

2. Remove the air-cleaner cover, and clean it thoroughly ().

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

   

   Figure 29

   1. Air-cleaner cover
   2. Air-filter element
   3. Foam pre-cleaner

3. Remove the foam pre-cleaner and wash it with a mild detergent and water, then blot it dry (Figure 29).

4. Remove and inspect the air-filter element (); if it is excessively dirty, replace it.

   Important: Do not try to clean the air-filter element.

5. Assemble the foam pre-cleaner onto the air-filter element.

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

6. Wipe dirt from the air-filter base with a moist rag.

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

7. Install the filter element onto the filter base, and install the and air-cleaner cover.

Service Classification: American Petroleum Institute (API) SJ or higher

Oil Viscosity: SAE 10W-30

Oil Type: detergent oil

1. Move the machine to a level surface.

2. Clean around the dipstick (Figure 30).

   

   Figure 30

   1. Dipstick
   2. Filler neck
   3. Full mark
   4. Add mark

3. Loosen dipstick cap counterclockwise, and remove the dipstick from the filler neck.

4. Wipe the dipstick clean with a clean cloth.

5. Insert the dipstick into the filler neck—do not rotate the cap—then remove dipstick.

6. Read the oil level on the dipstick.

7. If the oil level is below the add mark on the dipstick, remove it, and slowly add enough of the specified oil into the filler neck to raise the oil level to the full mark on the dipstick.

   Important: Do not overfill the crankcase with oil and run the engine; engine damage will result. Drain the excess oil until the oil level reaches the upper limit mark on the dipstick.

8. Insert the dipstick into the filler neck, and tighten the dipstick cap.

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance

2. Ensure that the muffler is cool.

3. Check the spark arrester for any breaks in the screen or welds.

   Note: If the spark arrester is worn or damaged, replace the arrester.

4. If the screen is plugged, remove the spark arrester, shake the loose particles out of it, and clean the screen with a wire brush (soak in solvent if needed). Replace the spark arrester when finished.

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance.

   Important: Replace the fuel filter when the engine is cool.

2. Close the fuel-shutoff valve.

3. Place a small drain pan under the fuel filter.

4. Squeeze the ends of the hose clamps together and move them away from the filter (Figure 42).

   

   Figure 42

   1. Fuel filter
   2. Fuel valve

5. Remove the filter from the fuel hoses.

6. Install the hoses onto the fittings of the new filter (Figure 42).

7. Secure the hoses to the fittings with the hose clamps.

8. Open the fuel-shutoff valve, and check for leaks.

Air pressure specification: 83-97 kPa (12-14 psi)

Note: To get the most accurate measurement, check the air pressure when the tires are cold.

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance.

2. Measure the air pressure in the tires.

3. If the air pressure is higher than or less than 83-97 kPa (12-14 psi), remove air from or add air to the tire.

Figure 43

1. Valve stem

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance.

2. Ensure that the tines are raised.

3. Raise the front of the machine and support it; refer to Raising the Front of the Machine.

4. Pull down on the tine-drive chain near the opening in the frame with 9 kg (20 lb) of force (Figure 44).

   Note: If a chain deflects more than 3 mm (1/8 inch), adjust the chain tension; refer to Adjusting Tine-Drive Chain Tension.

   

   Figure 44

   1. Flex in the chain

5. Repeat step 4 at the other tine-drive chain.

6. Lower the machine and install the spark-plug wire.

1. Loosen the nut securing the idler sprocket of the chain you are tensioning (Figure 45).

   

   Figure 45

   1. Idler sprocket
   2. Nut

2. Pull down on the idler sprocket until the slack is taken out of the chain.

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

4. Pull down on the chain near the opening in the frame with 9 kg (20 lb) of force (Figure 44).

   Note: The chain should deflect 3 mm (1/8 inch) or less.

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance.

2. Raise the front of the machine; refer to Raising the Front of the Machine.

3. Push on the drive belt midway between the pulleys with 9 kg (20 lb) of force (Figure 46).

   

   Figure 46

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

   Note: If the belt deflects more than 3 mm (1/8 inch), tension the belt; refer to Adjusting Belt Tension.

1. Loosen the nut that secures the idler pulley (Figure 46).

   

   Figure 47

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

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

4. Push on the drive belt midway between the pulleys with 9 kg (20 lb) of force.

   Note: The belt should deflect 3 mm (1/8 inch) or less.

1. Prepare the machine for maintenance; refer to Preparing for Maintenance.

2. Ensure that the tines are raised.

3. Squeeze the traction-control handle to the handlebar until the transaxle is fully engaged.

   

   Figure 48

   1. Traction-control handle
   2. Cable
   3. Top/bottom adjustment nuts

   Note: If the traction-control handle the handlebar, continue as follows:

4. Measure the gap between the traction-control handle and the handlebar.

   Note: The traction-control handle is correctly adjusted if the gap is 3 mm (1/8 inch).

5. If the gap between the traction-control handle and the handlebar is less that 3 mm (1/8 inch), adjust the traction-control handle; refer to Adjusting the Traction-Control Handle.

1. Release the traction-control handle.

2. Loosen the top adjustment nut 1 turn and tighten the bottom adjustment nut.

   

   Figure 49

   1. Traction-control handle
   2. Cable
   3. Top/bottom adjustment nuts

3. Squeeze the traction-control handle to the handlebar.

4. Measure the gap between the traction-control handle and the handlebar.

   Note: The traction-control handle is correctly adjusted if the gap is 3 mm (1/8 inch).

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 until the gap is 3 mm (1/8 inch).

Important: Do not use brackish or reclaimed water to clean the machine.

Important: Do not pressure wash the machine.

Important: Avoid using excessive amounts of water near the control panel, engine, and transaxle.

1. Park the machine on a level surface, shut off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop.

2. Thoroughly wash the machine.

   • Wash the machine with mild detergent and water.

   • Use a garden hose without a nozzle to avoid forcing water past the seals and contaminating bearing grease.

   • Use a brush to remove caked-on material.

   • Use mild detergent to clean the covers.

3. After cleaning, apply a coat of auto wax periodically to maintain the glossy finish of the cover.

4. Inspect the machine for damage, oil leaks, and component and tine wear.