ARIENS 911193 – LM21S CLASSIC (01) PDF DOCUMENT

For the ARIENS 911193 – LM21S CLASSIC, always use gasoline that meets the following guidelines:

• Clean, fresh gasoline.

• A minimum of 87 octane/87 AKI (91 RON). High altitude use may require a different octane. Consult your engine manual.

• Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is acceptable.

• Use of any gasoline other than those approved may void the engine warranty.

IMPORTANT: Excessively oxygenated or reformulated fuels (fuel blended with alcohols or ethers) can damage the fuel system or cause performance problems. If any undesirable operating problems occur, use a gasoline with a lower percentage of alcohol or ether.

Do not modify the fuel system to use different fuels. Never mix oil and gasoline.

Before proceeding, read and understand the entire Safety section. The carton should contain the following items:

• Mower Unit

• Side Discharge Cover

• Side Discharge Deflector

• Literature Pack

• Mulch Plug

• Grass Bag

Follow these assembly steps:

1. Unfold and adjust the handlebar. See the “HANDLEBAR HEIGHT” section for instructions. NOTE: DO NOT bend the speed control rod when unfolding the handlebars.

2. Fill the engine crankcase with oil. See the engine manual.

3. Set-up the mower for bagging, side discharge, or mulching. See the “MOWER SET-UP” section.

4. Fill the fuel tank. See the “FILLING THE FUEL TANK” section.

5. Connect the spark plug wire.

6. Check the engine/blade control feature. Try starting the engine without the engine/blade control held against the handlebar. The engine must not start. If the engine starts, stop the engine and bring the unit to your dealer for adjustment or repair.

The controls and features are as follows:

1. Engine/Blade Control

2. Wheel Drive Control

3. Adjustable and Folding Handlebars

4. Swivel Wheel Lock (Not applicable to 911193)

5. Grass Bag

6. Rear Door

7. Fuel Tank and Cap

8. Height Adjustment Pins (Not applicable to 911193)

9. Muffler and Muffler Guard

10. Oil Fill/Dipstick

11. Cutting Height Levers (2 Rear Wheel Adjusters, 2 Front Wheel Adjusters)

12. Primer Bulb

13. Air Filter

14. Side Discharge Cover

15. Side Discharge Deflector

16. Mulchmaster™ Plug

17. Handlebar Adjustment Holes

18. Recoil Starter Handle

19. Speed Control Rod

Engine/Blade Control: The engine/blade control must be held against the handlebar to start the engine and blade. The engine/blade control feature on the mower stops the engine and blade within 3 seconds whenever the operator releases the handlebar. Check this feature frequently. If it fails to operate, disconnect the spark plug wire and adjust or have it repaired before using the unit.

Recoil Starter Handle: When pulled, the handle will turn the engine over.

Speed Control (self-propelled models): The speed control rod changes the mower’s forward travel speeds.

• Fast – Push the rod all the way forward.

• Slow – Pull the rod all the way rearward.

Start mowing slowly and use the speed control rod to gradually increase speed to a safe, comfortable walking pace. The speed control rod should hold the desired speed. If not, adjust the speed control bell crank.

Wheel Drive Control (self-propelled models): The engine must be running for the wheel drive to propel the unit. To drive forward, slowly squeeze and hold the wheel drive control against the handlebar. To stop, release the wheel drive control.

DANGER: Avoid injury from the rotating blade. ALWAYS shut off the engine before adjusting cutting height.

CAUTION: On self-propelled models, both rear wheels must be set at the same height or the traction drive may not work properly.

To change the cutting height, move the cutting height levers one notch at a time on each wheel to set the desired height. Each wheel on the mower must be set at the same height for a level cut.

CAUTION: Do not operate the mower unless either the side discharge cover or side discharge deflector is installed. Thrown objects may cause damage or injury. Never operate the unit with the rear door open unless the grass bag is in place.

To Bag:

1. Shut off the unit.

2. Install the side discharge cover.

3. Lift the rear door.

4. Hook the grass bag frame on the mounting flange.

5. Lower the rear door. If necessary, lift the rear of the grass bag frame to lock in position. There should be no openings between bag and mounting surface after installing the bag. If necessary, clear debris from the bag mounting surface.

To Mulch:

1. Shut off the unit.

2. Remove the grass bag and install the side discharge cover.

3. Open the rear door and insert the Mulchmaster plug with the beveled face to the left.

4. Close the rear door. NOTE: The rear door must close flush.

To Side Discharge:

1. Shut off the unit.

2. Remove the grass bag.

3. Install the Mulchmaster plug.

4. Remove the side discharge cover and keep the hardware.

5. Attach the side discharge deflector to the studs on the mower. Make sure the deflector covers the discharge opening.

6. Secure with the cover hardware from step 4.

Manual Start Procedure:

1. Check each item under “Before Each Use” in the MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.

2. For engines with a primer, push the primer bulb 2 or 3 times for a cold engine. It is unnecessary to prime a warm engine.

3. For engines with a throttle, place the throttle control in the choke position. Once the engine has started, place the throttle in the high-speed detent.

4. With the engine/blade control held against the handlebar, grasp the starter handle and pull slowly until it pulls harder. This is the compression stroke. Let the rope rewind slowly.

5. Pull the rope with a rapid continuous full arm stroke to start the engine. Allow the rope to rewind slowly. IMPORTANT: DO NOT let the starter handle snap against the bracket.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the engine starts. If the engine does not start, see TROUBLESHOOTING.

Emergency Stopping:

1. Release the engine/blade control.

2. Release the wheel drive control (self-propelled models).

3. Allow all moving parts to stop before leaving the operator’s position.

Normal Shut Off:

1. Release the wheel drive control and allow the unit to stop completely (self-propelled models).

2. Release the engine/blade control.

• Cut grass when it is dry.

• Keep mower blades sharp.

• Do not set the cutting height too low. For tall grass, mow twice.

• Do not mow too fast.

• Mow with the engine at full throttle. Discharge clippings into areas already cut.

• Vary the cutting pattern with each mowing.

• To prevent dirt and grass from collecting on the mower pan, avoid operating over bare ground with only patches of grass.

• For best mulching performance, cut no more than 1 inch (2.54 cm) of grass per cutting.

NOTE: Some working conditions (heavy loads, high ambient temperatures, dusty conditions, or airborne debris) may require more frequent service.

★ After first 5 Hours of operation.

CAUTION: DO NOT sharpen mower blades while on the unit. An imbalanced mower blade will cause excessive vibration and eventual damage to the unit. Check mower blade balance before reinstalling blades. NEVER weld or straighten bent blades.

To check the blade:

Check that the blade mounting bolt is secure and torqued to 37.5 – 50 lbf-ft (51 – 68 N•m). Check the blade for cracks and dull cutting edges. Sharpen if necessary. Check the blade for rounded or broken ends, thinned metal or other damage. Replace if necessary.

To remove the blade:

1. Stop the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2. Block the blade to prevent rotation.

3. Remove the bolt, lock washer, flat washer and blade from the shaft.

To install the blade:

1. Replace the blade, flat washer, lock washer and bolt on the shaft.

2. Torque the bolt to 37.5 – 50 lbf-ft (51 – 68 N•m).

3. Connect the spark plug wire.

To sharpen the blade:

1. Remove the mower blade from the unit.

2. Sharpen the mower blade by removing an equal amount of material from each end. DO NOT change the angle of the cutting edge or round the corner of the mower blade.

• More than 1/2 in. (1.27 cm) of metal is removed: Air lifts become eroded. Discard the blade.

• Blade is bent or worn: Discard the blade.

3. Check mower blade balance. Slide the mower blade on an unthreaded bolt. A balanced blade should remain in a horizontal position. If either end of the mower blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.

4. Install the mower blade on the unit.

5. Tighten the bolts to a torque of 37.5 – 50 lbf-ft (51-68 N•m).

To remove the drive belt:

1. Disconnect the spark plug wire.

2. Set the right rear wheel to its lowest cutting height and the left rear wheel to the third cutting height. This position provides clearance between the friction disc and drive sheave.

3. Remove the belt from the idler, then the drive sheave, and finally, the engine pulley.

4. Pull the belt through the opening under the mower pan and over the blade.

5. Make sure the idler pulley turns and the idler arm moves freely.

6. Reinstall the drive belt in reverse order.

IMPORTANT: Be sure the belt seats in sheave and pulley grooves with the idler touching the back (flat) side of the belt.

7. Adjust the rear wheels to the same cutting height.

To adjust the engine/blade control:

1. Loosen the cable nuts away from the bracket.

2. Squeeze the z-bend bracket at the engine end of the cable toward the front of the unit and hold it in place.

3. Pull the cable down from the bracket until there is no slack in the cable.

4. Tighten the lower cable nut to 3 mm below the bracket. Release the z-bend bracket.

5. Tighten the upper cable nut until the bracket is secure between the cable nuts.

6. Engage the engine/blade control. Measure the distance between the middle of the z-bend and the cable bracket. The measurement should be 1.125 – 1.375″ (2.8 – 3.5 cm) for Kawasaki Engines.

7. If the correct measurement cannot be set, contact your local dealer.

NOTE: When the wheel drive control is disengaged, the gap between the friction disc and the aluminum drive plate should be approximately .030″ (0.7mm).

Check the adjustment with the engine off and with the engine on:

1. With the engine off and the wheel drive control disengaged, push the mower forward in both fast and slow speed settings. If the mower pushes freely, the gap between the friction disc and aluminum drive plate is sufficient. If the mower is difficult to push or the rear wheels drag, increase the gap.

2. With the engine on, the mower should start moving as soon as the wheel drive control begins to pull on the cable. If the wheel drive control requires a long travel before the mower begins to pull, decrease the gap.

To increase the gap between the friction disc and the aluminum drive plate:

1. Loosen the lower cable nut on the wheel drive control cable, and then tighten the upper cable nut against the adjuster bracket.

To decrease the gap between the friction disc and the aluminum drive plate:

1. Loosen the upper cable nut on the wheel drive control cable, and then tighten the lower cable nut against the adjuster bracket.

IMPORTANT: NEVER spray the unit with high-pressure water or store the unit outdoors. Store the mower in a cool, dry, protected location.

Cleaning: Clean the unit thoroughly with mild soap and low-pressure water. Brush off dirt and debris from all surfaces. Touch up all scratched surfaces to prevent rust.

Inspection: Inspect the mower and repair or replace worn or damaged parts to avoid delays when beginning use again. Regularly check all hardware and keep fasteners tight.

Grass Bag: Wash out the grass bag and allow it to dry before storage. The grass bag may be stored in position on the mower.

Engine: When storing for extended periods of time, remove all fuel from the tank and carburetor (run dry). Refer to the engine manual.

Fuel System: Gasoline left in the fuel system for extended periods without a stabilizer will deteriorate, resulting in gum deposits. These deposits can damage the carburetor and fuel system. Prevent deposits by adding a quality fuel stabilizer to the fuel. To treat the fuel system for storage:

1. Add fuel stabilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Run the engine for at least 10 minutes after adding the stabilizer to allow it to reach the carburetor.

NEVER store the engine with fuel in the fuel tank inside of a building with potential sources of ignition.