Mower FAQ's

To obtain a rear discharge chute for your new 20" and 21"mower:

• You can request a chute to be sent at the time of registering your product online. To register click on the the "Warranty & Registration" tab in the Lawnboy Support Center. After you enter a qualifying model number in the registration form, hit the tab key, a check box will appear "Request Promotional Item". Click on the box and a new window will appear. Complete form and click the "Submit Form".
• If you are unable to place an order for the chute at time of registration, please contact us at 888-384-9939 for assistance.

Some of the most common reasons a mower may not start are listed below:

• Verify that either the grass bag or the mulch plug are securely in place. If they are not in correctly the mower will not start. (Insight and Insight Gold models only)

• Fresh fuel (less than 30 days old). Gasoline gets "stale" over time and fresh fuel ignites more easily. Stale gas can leave harmful deposits in your products fuel system.
   
  Today's gasoline does not have the same chemical makeup as years ago. Testing has shown that significant deterioration can begin in as little as 30 days. The first sign of old gas is it makes starting more difficult. This is because the most volatile components of the fuel are the first to deteriorate and are the ones that help an engine start easily.
  
  We recommend that you use a national name brand to ensure that you are beginning with good quality fuel. Use fuel with an octane rating of 87 or as close to 87 as you can. Higher octane fuels offer no benefit for our residential products and some high octane additive packages are not good for small engines. Only purchase what you expect to use within 30 days, or add stabilizer.
• Starting will be easier if the spark plug is in good condition. If in doubt, replace it. A new spark plug will be able to provide a better spark to ignite the fuel within the engine. You should also make sure the spark plug wire is attached to the spark plug.
• A clean air filter helps make it easier to start your machine. A dirty filter will make it much more difficult for the engine to draw in air. Clean or replace the filter if it is dirty. A clean filter will also help keep dust out of the engine and reduce wear.
• On electric start models the battery should be charged at the beginning and end of the season. One charge may be enough to last through the whole season. If not, additional charging during the season may be necessary.
• Review the starting procedures outlined in the Owner's Manual including the proper operation of the safety features of your unit.

For further assistance, please contact your local Lawn-Boy Authorized Service Dealer.

A majority of our Owner's and Parts Manuals are available for free download or for purchase. To obtain the correct manual, you will need the model and serial number of your machine.

Our parts are retailed exclusively through a worldwide network of independent dealers, home centers, and national retailers. Toro Parts, except Engine manufacturer parts, are available for most models online at www.shoplawnboy.com.

To purchase engine parts or parts that are not available online, please contact your nearest Toro Authorized Service Dealer.

Owner's manuals, Parts Catalogs and Service Manuals are available for most of our product models online. To ensure you obtain the correct manual or part number you will need the model and serial number of your machine.

To access our parts catalogs and manuals visit our Product Center and enter your model and serial number, click on Search then select Manuals or Look Up Parts.

Fuel and Oil Ratios for 2-cycle:

Review your machines Owner's Manual to determine the correct ratio.

• 16 to 1 = 8 oz. two cycle oil per one gallon fuel
• 32 to 1 = 4 oz. two cycle oil per one gallon fuel
• 50 to 1 = 2.6 oz. two cycle oil per one gallon fuel

Fuel Brand:

We recommend that you use a national name brand to ensure that you are beginning with good quality fuel. Use fuel with octane rating of 87 or as close to 87 as you can. Higher octane fuels offer no benefit for our residential products and some high octane additive packages are not good for small engines. Only purchase what you expect to use within 30 days, or add stabilizer. If you add a fuel stabilizer the day you buy the gasoline you can expect the fuel to stay fresh for 4-6 months. Fuel stabilizer is available from most Lawn-Boy Authorized Service Dealers.

Plastic vs. Metal Containers:

Metal cans have the potential to rust so plastic is always preferred as they can keep the fuel system from encountering rust flakes.

Stabilizer:

• Stabilizer is designed to help keep the fuel fresher longer. It has to be added the day the fuel is purchased otherwise it will not do the job. 

Stale or Fresh Fuel:

• Fresh fuel (less than 30 days old). Gasoline gets "stale" over time and fresh fuel ignites more easily. Stale gas can leave harmful deposits in your products fuel system.
  
  Today's gasoline does not have the same chemical makeup as years ago. Testing has shown that significant deterioration can begin in as little as 30 days. The first sign of old gas is it makes starting more difficult. This is because the most volatile components of the fuel are the first to deteriorate and are the ones that help an engine start easily.
  

Synthetic Oil:

• Yes, synthetic oil can be used in any of our units.
• Easier to start in cold weather (pertains to 4 Cycle snowthrowers and tractors).
• Still need to change the oil as often as recommended in the manual.

Most Walk Power Mowers we do not have a throttle control. A throttle control would allow you to vary the engine speed from idle all the way up to full speed. We have found, not having a throttle control actually increases engine life and product performance.

Here are some of the reasons full throttle operation is best.

• Cleaner cut on the grass
• More power, less likely to bog down
• Less stress on the engine
• Engine runs cooler (Full speed means more cooling air from the flywheel area)
• Slow engine speeds can result in hot spots on the cylinder

On units with throttle control we recommend full throttle operation while in use. Throttling down for a minute to talk to the neighbor is fine but that’s about the only time.

Note: See your Owner's Manual for further details on performing any of the maintenance mentioned, and please pay special attention to the safety warnings when following these procedures.

• Check blades for sharpness.
• Make sure the cutting deck is cleared of old clippings.
• Check pull cords to insure they are not frayed and are in good working condition.
• Check that attachments are connected and working properly.

To prepare the lawn mower for off-season or long-term storage, perform those items outlined in the maintenance section of your mower’s Owner's Manual. See your mower’s operator’s manual for specific details.

1. Fuel System Preparation: The most important part of off-season or long-term storage is proper preparation of the fuel system. The last fuel fill should be treated with a fuel conditioner (a separate fuel conditioner is not necessary when using Lawn-Boy Generation II 2-Cycle Ashless Oil with added fuel stabilizer in Lawn-Boy 2-cycle engines). The mower’s fuel tank should be drained using a hand pump, available through most hardware or home center retailers, or run dry. Then, repeatedly choke (if applicable), prime and start the engine until it absolutely will not start. This will ensure the fuel system is properly prepared and lessens the potential for varnish and gum deposits forming in the fuel system resulting in starting difficulties later on.

2. Cylinder/Piston Care:

4-Cycle engines

• Remove spark plug and add about one tablespoon of oil through spark plug hole.
• Slowly pull the starter rope several times to distribute the oil.
• Reinstall spark plug, but do not connect spark plug wire.
  
  

2-Cycle engines

• Slowly pull recoil starter until resistance is felt due to compression pressure, then stop.
• Release starter tension slowly to prevent engine from reversing due to compression pressure.
• This position closes both the intake and exhaust ports which prevents corrosion of the cylinder bore.

3. Tighten Fasteners and Clean

• Tighten screws, bolts and nuts as needed.
• Repair or replace damaged parts.
• Clean unit thoroughly.

4. Battery (if applicable)

• Fully charge battery prior to storage.
• Store mower in a cool, dry place.
  

5. Lubricate unit per the Owner's Manual.

6. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces.

• Touch up paint is available through your Lawn-Boy Authorized Service Dealer.

7. Storage

• Ensure engine has properly cooled.
• Cover unit and store in a clean, dry location out of the reach of children.
  

Note: Never store unit in house (living area) or basement where ignition sources may be present such as hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers and the like. Gasoline and fumes are highly flammable and explosive. Fumes can also be dangerous if inhaled.

Some of the most common reasons a mower may not start are listed below:

• Verify that either the grass bag or the mulch plug are securely in place.  If they are not in correctly the mower will not start.  (Insight and Insight Gold models only)

• Fresh fuel (less than 30 days old). Gasoline gets "stale" over time and fresh fuel ignites more easily. Stale gas can leave harmful deposits in your products fuel system.
   
  Today's gasoline does not have the same chemical makeup as years ago. Testing has shown that significant deterioration can begin in as little as 30 days. The first sign of old gas is it makes starting more difficult. This is because the most volatile components of the fuel are the first to deteriorate and are the ones that help an engine start easily.
  
  We recommend that you use a national name brand to ensure that you are beginning with good quality fuel. Use fuel with an octane rating of 87 or as close to 87 as you can. Higher octane fuels offer no benefit for our residential products and some high octane additive packages are not good for small engines. Only purchase what you expect to use within 30 days, or add stabilizer.
• Starting will be easier if the spark plug is in good condition. If in doubt, replace it. A new spark plug will be able to provide a better spark to ignite the fuel within the engine. You should also make sure the spark plug wire is attached to the spark plug.
• A clean air filter helps make it easier to start your machine. A dirty filter will make it much more difficult for the engine to draw in air. Clean or replace the filter if it is dirty. A clean filter will also help keep dust out of the engine and reduce wear.
• On electric start models the battery should be charged at the beginning and end of the season. One charge may be enough to last through the whole season. If not, additional charging during the season may be necessary.
• Review the starting procedures outlined in the Owner's Manual including the proper operation of the safety features of your unit.

For further assistance, please contact your local Lawn-Boy Authorized Service Dealer.

Please refer to your Owner's Manual for detailed instructions.

• Loosen the nut on the cable mount.
• Pull the upper handle back fully rearward.
• Pull the cable jacket downward until you remove the slack in the exposed cable.
• Push the cable jacket upward  3/8 to 1/2 inch (9 to 13mm).
• Tighten the nut firmly.
• Start the mower and check the adjustment.

Maintenance schedules vary by model. We recommend that you consult your Lawn-Boy Owner's Manual for further details on performing any of the maintenance mentioned below. You may also, contact your local Lawn-Boy Authorized Service Dealer.

Here is a list of basic maintenance procedures: (refer to your Owner's Manual for more specific information on your model)

• Check the blade and engine mounting fasteners making sure they are all tight.
• Clean/replace air filter.
• Drain and refill engine crankcase with fresh oil (4 cycle models).
• Clean built-up grass clippings and dirt.
• Clean grass clippings and debris under belt cover and drive belt (self-propelled models).
• Grease rear height adjuster brackets (self propelled models).
• Sharpen or replace blade.

For specific details on servicing the air filter on your mower consult your Owner's Manual or consult your local Lawn-Boy Authorized Service Dealer.

2-Cycle Engine (Air Filter made of foam/sponge like material)

Clean the air filter once every season or every 50 operating hours; clean it more frequently under dusty conditions.

Note: Do not operate the engine without the air filter element; extreme engine damage will occur.

• Remove the air filter.
• In a container wash the air filter in laundry detergent.
• Squeeze the filter to remove excess liquid and blot it dry with a paper towel or clean rag.
• With an oil can, saturate the air filter with SAE 30W oil. (The oil is what captures and prevents the particles from filtering through).
• Squeeze the filter to distribute the oil evenly. Blot the filter lightly with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
• Reinstall the filter with the cleanest side facing the carburetor.

4-Cycle Engine (Air Filter made of paper like material) Replace the air filter yearly; replace it more frequently in dusty operating conditions.

• Remove the air filter cover.
• Remove old air filter and insert new air filter.
• Install the cover.

For complete detailed step-by-step instructions, please consult your Owner's Manual.

Note: MAKE SURE THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY OR LOW ON FUEL. If the fuel tank is full, gas may leak out of the cap when tipping the mower.

• Run the engine for five minutes to warm the oil so it drains better. Warm oil flows better and carries more contaminants.
• Disconnect the spark plug.
• Place a shallow pan along side the mower and remove the dipstick.
• Tip the mower onto the side (dipstick side down) to drain the used oil out through the oil fill tube into the shallow pan.
• Let oil drain completely.
• Tip the mower back up on its wheels and slowly pour new oil into the oil fill tube until oil level reaches the FULL line on the dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL.
• Install the dipstick securely.
• Reconnect the spark plug.
• Dispose of the used oil properly at a local recycling center.

If you need further assistance, please contact your local Lawn-Boy Authorized Service Dealer for service.

• Make sure the blade is sharp (for best results, replace or sharpen yearly or when needed).
• Operate the machine at full throttle.
• Cut only 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.
• Mow only dry grass or leaves.

If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try one or more of the following:

• Walk at slower pace while mowing.
• Raise the cutting height on your mower.
• Cut the grass more frequently
• Overlap the cutting swaths instead of cutting a full swath with each pass.
• Set the cutting height on the front wheels one notch lower than the rear wheels. (For example, set the front wheels at 2 inches and the rear wheels at 2 3/8 inches.)
• Alternate mowing direction to keep the grass standing straight - this helps disperse clippings, which enhances decomposition and fertilization.
• Clean the clippings and dirt from the underside of the mower after each use. (Grass build up inside the mower will affect cutting quality.)

Try the following tips:

• If possible, wait until the grass is dry.
• Slow down ground speed.
• Clean under the deck often.
• Raise the height of cut.
• Mow more often.
• Use sharp blades.
• Check engine RPM's.

Try the following tips:

• Make sure the lawn mower is running at full throttle.
• Cutting height may be set too low.  Raise the cutting height.
• Slow down your mowing speed.
• Allow the grass to dry before mowing.
• Verify that the underside of the lawn mower deck is free of grass clippings and debris.

• Make sure lawn mower is running at full throttle.
• Check the blade to make sure it is sharp and balanced.
• Vary your mowing pattern.  Avoid using the same pattern repeatedly.
• Verify that the underside of the lawn mower deck is free of grass clippings and debris.