19" MULCHING MOWER INSTRUCTION MANUAL MM875 KEY INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW: · Lifetime 3 in 1 deck-Mulching, Bagging and Discharging (Chute sold separately). · Do not operate mower unless handle is locked into position. · For best cutting results, keep blade sharpened and balanced. · Inspect and thoroughly clean your mower after each use (a deck with caked grass will degrade performance). · Make sure mowing area is clear of other persons or pets prior to starting operation. SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Cat No. MM875 Copyright © 2000 Black & Decker Form No. 243624-00 REV. 2 AUGUST 2002 Printed in U.S.A. BEFORE RETURNING THIS PRODUCT FOR ANY REASON PLEASE CALL 1-800-54-HOW-TO (544-6986) IF YOU SHOULD EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR BLACK & DECKER PRODUCT, CALL 1-800-54-HOW-TO (544-6986). BEFORE YOU CALL, HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AVAILABLE, CATALOG NO., TYPE NO., AND DATE CODE. IN MOST CASES, A BLACK & DECKER REPRESENTATIVE CAN RESOLVE YOUR PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE. IF YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION OR COMMENT, GIVE US A CALL. YOUR FEEDBACK IS VITAL TO BLACK & DECKER. WARNING: Important Safety Warnings and Instructions WARNING: When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury, including the following. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS TO REDUCE RISK OF INJURY: · Before any use, be sure everyone using this tool reads and understands all safety instructions and other information contained in this manual. · Save these instructions and review frequently prior to use and in instructing others. known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are: · compounds in fertilizers · compounds in insecticides, herbicides and pesticides · arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, wear approved safety equipment such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles. WARNING: Some dust created by this product contains chemicals WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.OR ALL TOOLS GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL TOOLS SAFETY WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS: DOUBLE INSULATION REPLACEMENT PARTS: When servicing use only identical Black & Decker replacement parts. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS: POLARIZED PLUGS To reduce the risk of electric shock, this equipment has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This equipment must be used with a suitable polarized 2 wire or 3 wire extension cord. Polarized connections will fit together only one way. Make sure that the receptacle end of the extension cord has large and small blade slot widths. If the plug does not fit fully into the extension cord, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, obtain a suitable extension cord. If the extension cord does not fit fully into the outlet, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not modify the lawnmower plug or extension cord in any way. THIS TOOL CAN BE DANGEROUS. Follow all warnings and Safety Instructions in this manual. The operator is responsible for following warnings and instructions in this manual and on unit. Restrict use of this power tool to persons who read, understand and follow warnings and instructions in this manual and on unit. · AVOID DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. Don't use lawnmowers in damp or wet locations. Don't use lawnmowers in the rain. · KEEP CHILDREN AWAY. All other persons and pets should be kept at a safe distance from work area. · STORE IDLE LAWNMOWER INDOORS. Lawnmowers should be stored indoors in dry, secured area ­ out of reach of children. · DON'T FORCE LAWNMOWER. It will do the job better and with less likelihood of a risk of injury at the rate for which it was designed. · USE RIGHT APPLIANCE. Do not use the lawnmower for any job except that for which it is intended. · DRESS PROPERLY. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Rubber gloves, long pants and substantial, non-skid footwear are recommended when working outdoors. Do not go barefoot or wear sandals. · USE SAFETY GLASSES AND OTHER SAFETY EQUIPMENT. Use safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields, complying with applicable safety standards and, when needed, a face shield. Also use face or dust mask if operation is dusty. This applies to all persons in the work area. Also use a hard hat, hearing protection, gloves, safety shoes and dust collection systems when specified or required. Safety glasses or the like are available at extra cost at your local dealer or Black & Decker Service Center. · DON'T ABUSE CORD. Never carry lawnmower by cord or yank it to disconnect from receptacle. Keep cord from heat, oil, and sharp edges. · DON'T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. · MAINTAIN LAWNMOWER WITH CARE. Keep cutting edge clean and sharp for best performance and to reduce the risk of injury. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. Inspect lawnmower cord periodically and if damaged, have it repaired by authorized service facility. Inspect extension cords periodically and replace if damaged. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease. · DISCONNECT LAWNMOWER. Disconnect the lawnmower from the power supply when not in use, before servicing, and when changing accessories such as blades and the like. · KEEP GUARDS in place and in working order. · AVOID UNINTENTIONAL STARTING. Don't carry plugged-in lawnmower with finger on switch. Be sure switch is off when plugging in. · BEFORE USING, always visually inspect to see that the blade, blade fasteners and cutter assembly are not worn or damaged. Replace worn or damaged blades and fasteners in sets to preserve balance. Inspect the mower cord - ensure it is in good condition. Cord insulation must be intact with no cracks or deterioration. · EXTENSION CORDS. Make sure your extension cord is in good condition. Cord insulation must be intact with no cracks or deterioration. Plug connectors must be undamaged. When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. An undersized extension cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating, which can shorten the life of the motor. The table shows the correct size to use depending on cord length and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next heavier gage. The smaller the gage number, the heavier the cord. Minimum Gage for Cord Sets Volts Total Length of Cord in Feet 120V 0-25 26-50 51-100 101-150 240V 0-50 51-100 101-200 201-300 Ampere Rating More Not more American Wire Gage Than Than 0 -6 18 16 16 14 6 - 10 18 16 14 12 10 - 12 16 16 14 12 12 - 16 14 12 Not Recommended · indicates the Mower is "DOUBLE INSULATED" · OUTDOOR USE EXTENSION CORDS WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock, use only with an extension cord intended for outdoor use, such as an extension cord of type SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW-A, SJW-A, SJOW-A, SJTW-A, or SJTOW-A. · GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuits or outlets to be used for the gardening appliance. Receptacles are available having built in GFCI protection and may be used for this measure of safety. · STAY ALERT. Watch what you are doing. Use common sense. Do not operate lawnmower when you are tired, ill or under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. · CHECK DAMAGED PARTS. Before further use of the lawnmower, a guard or other part that is damaged should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended function. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and any other conditions that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by an authorized service center unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in this manual. · REPAIRS AND SERVICE. Repairs, maintenance and any adjustments not specified in this manual should be performed by Black & Decker authorized service centers or other qualified service organizations, always using identical replacement parts. · USE OF ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS. The use of any accessory or attachment not recommended for use with this lawnmower could be hazardous. Note: Refer to the accessory section of this manual for further details. ADDITIONAL WARNINGS FOR MOWERS · THOROUGHLY inspect the area where the lawnmower is to be used and remove all stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects that could be thrown by the blade. Objects struck by lawnmower blade can cause severe injury to persons. · DO NOT operate the lawnmower when barefoot or wearing open sandals. · NEVER attempt to make a wheel height adjustment while the motor is running or while the lawnmower is plugged in. · DO NOT put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times. · RELEASE switch lever to turn mower off when crossing gravel drives, walks, roads, or when flipping handle. · IF MOWER stalls, release switch lever to turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and unplug the cord before attempting to unclog the chute or remove anything from under the deck. · AFTER STRIKING a foreign object, release switch lever to turn mower off, wait for the blade to stop and unplug the mower, thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower. · IF THE lawnmower should start to vibrate abnormally release switch lever wait for blade to stop and unplug mower, check immediately for cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble. · RELEASE SWITCH lever to turn mower off, wait for the blade to stop and unplug the mower whenever you leave the equipment, before removing the grass catcher, discharge chute or unclogging or cleaning the mower housing, and when making any repairs or inspections. · MOW ACROSS the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. Do not mow excessively steep slopes. · KEEP HANDS and feet away from cutting area. · KEEP BLADES sharp. · IF YOU are using a grass catcher, check it frequently for wear and deterioration. If excessively worn, replace with new bag for your safety. · USE EXTREME CAUTION when reversing or pulling mower toward you. ASSEMBLING THE GRASSBAG (FIGURE 3A,3B,3C,3D) 1. UNPLUG MOWER, AND WAIT FOR BLADE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. 2. Before starting to assemble the grassbag to the frame, check that the grassbag and frame are similar to figure 3A. 3. Slide the grassbag onto the frame as shown in figure 3B. 4. Assemble the top clips to the frame as shown in figure 3C, then assemble the two side clips and the bottom clip last. 5. Completely assembled grasscatcher see figure 3D. 3A 3B 3C 3D SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ASSEMBLING YOUR MOWER, CHECK THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING IN THE SHIPPING CARTON. SEE FIGURE 1. A. Mower B. Upper Handle C. Lower Handle D. Mulch Insert (inside mower under rear door) E. Grassbag and Grassbag Frame MULCHING The mower is designed to mulch or bag the grass depending on whether mulch insert is in (mulching) or the mulch insert is out and the grass catcher is in place (bagging). No further assembly steps are required if you are mulching. PROCEED TO OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. 1 D A C B GRASS CATCHER INSTALLATION (FIGURE 4A,4B,4C) (If you wish to bag the clippings rather than mulch, perform these steps) 1. UNPLUG MOWER, AND WAIT FOR BLADE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. 2 Raise the rear discharge door and hold it up as shown in Figure 4A. 3 Locate your hand in the handle pocket as shown in Figure 4A, lift and pull out the mulch insert completely. 4. Pick up the grass catcher by the handle and lower the grass catcher between the lawnmower handles as shown in Figure 4B. Position the grass catcher hanger hooks on the lawnmower as shown in Figure 4C. The rear discharge door is spring loaded. When you release it the door will rest against top of bag assembly. E UNPACKING THE MOWER 1. Your mower carton contains the mower, 2 handles (attached), mulch insert and a grass bag and frame assembly. 2. Your mower has been completely assembled at the factory except for the grass bag. Remove the grassbag, grassbag frame, mower and fillers from the carton. Warning: Never operate the mower unless the hanger hooks on the grass catcher are seated properly on the lawnmower and the rear discharge door rests firmly against the top of the grass catcher. 4A 4B UNFOLDING AND ADJUSTING THE HANDLE (FIGURE 2) 1. UNPLUG TOOL, AND WAIT FOR BLADE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. 2. Raise the handle section into place and secure by tightening the ...