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SECTION 1:  IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

General Operation

1.

Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety 
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, 
understand, and follow all instructions on the 
machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be 
completely familiar with the controls and the proper 
use of this machine before operating it. Keep this 
manual in a safe place for future and regular 
reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2.

This machine is a precision piece of power 
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise 
extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been 
designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not 
use it for any other purpose.

3.

Never allow children under 14 years old to operate 
this machine. Children 14 years old and over 
should read and understand the operation 
instructions and safety rules in this manual and 
should be trained and supervised by a parent. Only 
responsible individuals who are familiar with these 
safe operation rules should use this machine.

4.

Thoroughly inspect the area where equipment is to 
be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, 
toys and other foreign objects which could be 
tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade. 
Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. 
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of 
material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and 
the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a 
wall or obstruction which may cause discharged 
material to ricochet back toward the operator. 

5.

To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object 
injury, stay in the operator zone behind the handles 
and keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at 
least 75 feet from the machine while it is in 
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

6.

Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes 
during equipment operation and while performing 
an adjustment or repair. Thrown objects which 
ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.

7.

Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover 
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are 
recommended. Never operate this machine in bare 
feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) 
shoes.

8.

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or 
under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade can 
amputate hands and feet.

9.

A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause 
blade contact or thrown object injuries.

10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being 

pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping 
or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are 
falling; release the handle immediately. 

11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you 

are walking. If you must back the mower away from 
a wall or obstruction first look down and behind to 
avoid tripping and then follow these steps:

a. Step back from the mower to fully extend 

your arms.

b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure 

footing.

c.

Pull the mower back slowly, no more than 
half way toward you.

d. Repeat these steps as needed.

5.

Do not operate the mower while under the influence 
of alcohol or drugs.

6.

Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on 
units so equipped while starting engine.

7.

The blade control handle is a safety device. Never 
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes 
the safety device inoperative and may result in 
personal injury through contact with the rotating 
blade. The blade control handle must operate 
easily in both directions and automatically return to 
the disengaged position when released.

8.

Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be 
sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause 
serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing 
your footing, release the blade control handle 

WARNING: 

This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger 

the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual 
before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal 
injury. When you see this symbol—HEED ITS WARNING.

WARNING: 

Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit 

chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

WARNING: 

This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this 

manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in 
serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to 
observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Summary of Contents for 12A-998Q766

Page 1: ...h a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws if any If a spark arrester is used it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator In the State of California the above is...

Page 2: ...rts Choose from the options below Visit troybilt com for many useful suggestions Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here Click on the appropriate button and...

Page 3: ...rotating parts or under the cutting deck Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet 9 A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries 10 Many injuries oc...

Page 4: ...ooting or balance 2 Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge 3 Do not mow on wet grass Unstable footing could cause slipping Children Tragic accidents can occur if the ope...

Page 5: ...to improper performance and compromise safety 4 Mower blades are sharp and can cut Wrap the blade or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them 5 Keep all nuts bolts and screws tight to be...

Page 6: ...N T I N G A 1 5 S L O P E WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees a rise of approximately 2 1 2 feet every 10 feet A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury If...

Page 7: ...er Assembling Handle Lift up and pull back on the upper handle to raise the handle into the operating position See Figure 3 Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle bracket ass...

Page 8: ...u want to mulch the grass clippings For bagging purposes you will have to attach the grass bag and its adapter in place of the mulching baffle Remove three wing nuts holding the mulching baffle or sid...

Page 9: ...em Release the clutch control to disengage the drive system Release the clutch control to slow down when approaching an obstacle making a turn or stopping Shift Lever The shift lever is located on the...

Page 10: ...r will automatically revert to the RUN position Refer to the engine manual for further details Your lawn mower is equipped with a constant speed throttle which is set at full throttle for best perform...

Page 11: ...pe out of the way of the bag Continue to hold the lower handle and raise the rear of the grass bag up toward your chest The grass bag will open and the grass clippings will disperse When replacing the...

Page 12: ...lock pins in the larger holes to lock the wheels for straight ahead operation Place pins in smaller holes to allow casters to rotate freely for turning Drive Clutch Control The adjustment wheel is loc...

Page 13: ...to remove it now Engine Care A list of key maintenance jobs required for good performance by the mower is given below Follow the engine manufacturer s Owner s Operator s Manual packed separately with...

Page 14: ...g sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine crankshaft See Figure 18 Remove the blade and t...

Page 15: ...gainst the engine Drain the fuel tank or place a piece of plastic beneath the cap to prevent gasoline leakage Place shift lever in the first position and tip the mower on its side with air filter faci...

Page 16: ...assembly Pinch both sides of the belt together so that the belt is not in the pulley groove and the lower pulley can be pushed towards the engine See Figure 24 Figure 24 Pivot the control arm back to...

Page 17: ...4 Clean fuel line 5 Clean adjust gap or replace 6 Wait a few minutes to restart do not prime Engine runs erratic 1 Spark plug wire loose 2 Blocked fuel line or stale fuel 3 Vent in gas plugged 4 Wate...

Page 18: ...ute non OEM V Belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 27 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 48 49 51 50 52 53 54 56 55 100 62 63 64...

Page 19: ...53 738 0137A Shld Screw 340 ID x 285 OD 54 748 0318 Wheel Rachet 55 736 0270 Bell Washer 265 ID x 75 OD 56 710 0751 Hex Cap Screw 1 4 20 x 620 57 737 3000 Grease Fitting 58 736 0931 Flat Washer 203 ID...

Page 20: ...l 998Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 7 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 47 14 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 48 59 60 63 62 61 49 64 58...

Page 21: ...rew 1 4 20 x 625 28 714 0474 Cotter Pin 29 712 3025 Hex Jam Nut 5 16 24 30 736 0425 Bell Washer 325 ID x 930 OD 31 756 0656 Pulley 32 736 3084 Flat Washer 510 ID x 1 120 OD 33 712 0896 Hex Jam Nut 1 4...

Page 22: ...22 NOTES...

Page 23: ...23 NOTES...

Page 24: ...ts and normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure d Service completed by someone other than an authorized service dealer e Troy Bilt does not extend any warranty for products s...

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