CALIFORNIA TRIMMER RL20H Precision Reel Mowers User Manual

: June 13, 2024
: CALIFORNIA TRIMMER

CALIFORNIA TRIMMER RL20H Precision Reel Mowers

CALIFORNIA TRIMMER RL20H Precision Reel Mowers

Introduction

Read this information carefully to learn how to operate and maintain your product properly and to avoid injury and product damage. You are responsible for operating the product properly and safely.

You may contact Evergreen Turf Equipment directly for product and accessory information, help finding a dealer, or to register your product.

Whenever you need service, genuine California Trimmer parts, or additional information, please contact an Authorized Service Dealer or Customer Service and have the model and serial numbers of your product ready. They are located on the decal on the side frame as shown in this photo…
Introduction

Write the numbers in the space provided.

You may complete and mail the enclosed product registration forms (California Trimmer and Honda or Briggs Engine) or you can register on-line at:
http://caltrimmer.com
http://engines.honda.com
https://www.briggsandstratton.com
Should you require warranty service, take a copy of your sales receipt and a copy of your product registration card to the servicing dealer.

Carton Contents

In addition to this manual, the following are included…

California Trimmer Reel Lawnmower
California Trimmer Product Registration Card
Engine Owner’s Manual
Engine Emission System Warranty
Upper Handle Assembly (including clutch engagement lever and attached cable), roller lift handle & rod and fasteners to attach it to the lower handle)
Catcher Assembly (including bail rod, washers & cotter pins for attaching lift rod.

Assembly & Set-up

The unit has been carefully assembled with numerous adjustments and quality inspections performed by a team of trained factory technicians who take great pride in their work. To facilitate packaging and shipment, there are components that need to be installed.
Note: It is recommended that this unit be set up and checked by an Authorized Dealer.

Tools Required

2 x 1/2” wrenches / 1 x 7/16” wrench.
Phillips head screwdriver – Small pliers.

Fasten the upper and lower handles together with four 5/16”-24 bolts (#20), flat washers (#30) and lock nuts (#21). Note the washers (#30) are placed on the bolts (#20) before they are installed.
Attach the roller lift rod (#15) to the toggle (#22) using the cotter pin (#3).
The clutch activation lever and cable have already been fastened and connected. When installing the upper handle as described in section 1 above, ensure that the clutch cable routing is as shown in the image below.

Note: The clutch engagement lever may be slightly stiff at first however it will become smoother after some initial use.
Mount the throttle lever to the backside of upper handle as shown: NOTE: Place the nuts on the backside.
Secure the throttle wire using the holder clips on the handle. Note: _**Use 1 or 2 clips depending on the routing.

IMPORTANT: Check the movement of the throttle on the engine verifying that it travels freely and completely to the slow and fast positions when moving the lever.
Assembly & Set-up
**_

Mount the grass catcher bail to the grass catcher. Attach the bail ends to the grass catcher using the flat washers and clevis pins provided.
Note: The bail has slightly different lengths on each side, so align with the engine hook to determine the proper position. The grass catcher bin has three sets of mounting holes for the bail so an adjustment can be made according to the expected load, weight and ground clearance.

The bottom of the grass catcher has 2 brackets designed to rest on the caster bracket.

Key Components

The image below identifies key components of the California Trimmer Mower so take the time to familiarize yourself with them and their function.

Safety Instructions

The following safety alert symbols are use in these instructions in conjunction with important safety messages related to the operation of the unit and potential hazards. As you familiarize yourself with the various features and functionality of this mower, please take note of the subjects and specific instructions that include these images…

WILL cause serious or fatal injury if the instructions are not followed.

…CAN cause serious or fatal injury if the instructions are not followed.

Safety Labels

On the unit itself, there are additional labels that identify important safety issues. The following one refers to the hazards of the cutting blades.

The following labels identify important instructions related to the operation of the mower:

Safety Precautions

__ Understand the operation of all controls and learn how to stop the engine and mower quickly in case of emergency. Make sure the operator receives adequate instruction before operating this unit. When instructions refer to the left or right side, it means as standing at the normal operation position.

Training

__ Read all information contained in this manual carefully. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and proper use of the equipment.
Never allow children to operate mower.
Never try to mow across steep terrain.
Keep area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small children and pets.
Never operate the mower without proper guards / shields in place.
Thoroughly train anyone using the mower. Make sure all mower operators know the safety, operating and maintenance procedures.
Never leave the mower unattended with the engine running, especially while the blade is spinning.

Preparation

__ Thoroughly inspect the area where mower is to be used, and remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones and other foreign objects which might be picked up and thrown.
Do not operate mower when barefoot or wearing open sandals. Always wear substantial foot wear, and pants or slacks that cover your legs when operating mower.
Check fuel before starting engine. Do not fill gasoline tank indoors, or when engine is running. Wait until engine has been allowed to cool for several minutes.
Clean off any spilled gasoline before starting engine.
Disengage clutch drive before starting engine.
Do not use mower unless all guards are properly in place.
Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
Always be sure of your footing. Keep a firm hold on the handle and walk, don’t run.
Inspect the unit to verify the controls, safety switches and shields are attached and functioning properly. Do not operate unless they are functioning properly.

Engine Operation

A variety of engines are used on the California Trimmer Reel Mowers and their specific identification is provided as the last part of the overall unit’s model number. Example as follows: RL207H-GX120 (GX120 is the engine model no).
Review the complete operation and safety instructions provided in the owner’s manual of the respective engine manufacturer – which is included in the information packet of this unit.
NOTE: Any service, warranty or replacement parts issues for the engine must be directed to Authorized Service Dealers of the respective manufacturer.

Operating Controls

Clutch Lever
This initiates both the roller and reel cutting blade rotation. Squeeze the lever until engagement occurs and release to stop.
__ Do not start the engine while squeezing clutch lever.
Drive Roller Engagement
The drive roller propels the unit when it is lowered on to the ground. Once the engine is started and the clutch is engaged, the drive roller will be rotating.

Always move the lift lever into the disengaged position when stopping. Begin pushing the unit forward as the drive roller is lowered to the ground.

Engine Stop Switch.
Reduce the engine speed using the throttle lever, lift the drive roller and release the clutch lever before stopping the engine. Never stop the engine while the unit is moving or blades are rotating.
- Briggs & Stratton model 550 It is located on the right side of the engine.
- Honda model GX120/160 It is located on the front side of the engine.
Throttle Lever
The throttle lever controls the engine speed – as well as the blade and drive roller speed.

Pivot the lever right to increase, to the left to decrease On some units, the throttle also controls the engine stop switch as indicated previously.

Cutting Height Adjustment
The cutting height is determined by the position of the adjustment handle and the front caster axle.

The front caster wheel axle comes standard in the middle position. It can be removed and placed in the bottom position to achieve additional settings for higher cutting heights. NOTE: the top position would be used only for aftermarket caster wheels or front rollers that prevent access to the lower cutting heights in the middle position.

The height is changed by moving the adjustment handle into the positions of the bracket.

Height Adjustment Position (front to back)| RL20H (Standard)| RL20HC (High- Cut)
---|---|---
Caster Axle Mounting Position (Wheels)
Bottom| Middle| Bottom| Middle

1| 1-7/8″| 1-3/8″| 2-1/4″| 1-7/8″

2| 1-3/4″| 1-1/4″| 2-1/8″| 1-5/8″

3| 1-5/8″| 1-1/8″| 2″| 1-3/8″

4| 1-3/8″| 1″| 1-7/8″| 1-1/4″

5| 1-1/4″| 3/4″| 1-5/8″| 1-1/8″

6| 1″| 5/8″| 1-3/8″| 1″

7| N/A-1| 3/8″| 1-1/4″| 3/4″

8| N/A-2| 1-1/8″| 5/8″

N/A-1 = Adjustment arm contacts chain guard (top)
N/A-2 = Frame (front) contacts ground.
NOTE: Position #8 is not accessible on the Standard model.
Actual cutting height is affected by many factors including ground hardness, levelness and grass conditions. Using a Front Roller results in heights approximately 1/8” – 3/16” lower in each position.

Drive Roller Lift Height Adjustment
The adjustment bracket has multiple positions for the chain to be placed for adjusting the lift heigh of the roller from the lawn surface. IMPORTANT! Make sure the roller does not contact the frame when in the lifted position.

Mower Operation

Clothing and Safety Accessories
Always wear safety glasses and appropriate clothing when operating mower.
Starting
The clutch must be disengaged before starting the engine.
Start the engine carefully and always from behind the mower. Keep hands and feet well away from blade. If mower should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and check the cause as it’s generally a sign of trouble.
Engaging Clutch
Squeeze the clutch lever to start the reel and drive roller rotation. Note: The reel blade has been adjusted at the factory and there is slight contact with bed-knife.
Moisture in the grass provides lubrication for the reel blade. Always disengage the clutch (release the lever) to stop the reel blade if not cutting grass for an extended period of time.
Mowing
The drive roller provides the mower’s forward motion, and the lift handle controls its contact with the ground. The most effective way to ensure a smooth take off and to help eliminate any roller marks on grass, engage the clutch (lever) AFTER the roller is lowered onto the grass.
Avoid loss of control or tipping on slopes and sharp corners by reducing speed. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drive, walkways or roads.
If striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove wire from spark plug, thoroughly inspect mower for damage. Repair damage before restarting engine. Watch out for traffic when working near roadways. Stay alert for uneven sidewalks, holes in terrain or other hidden hazards when using mower. Never operate mower unless all guards are in place.
Turning
When approaching a sharp turn or repositioning to start a new cutting swath, release the clutch lever and pull the roller lift lever back to raise it off the grass and stop the forward motion of the mower. Push slightly downward on the handle to relieve weight off the front and turn mower.
Stopping
Release the clutch lever to disengage, lift the roller handle and stop the engine before leaving mower to empty the grass catcher, make repairs, inspections or adjustments, and when transporting. If the reel blade and roller continue to turn when the clutch lever is released, stop the engine immediately and refer to the belt adjustment in the next section.

Mower Maintenance

Inspection and maintenance is recommended after each 8 hours of use. The following topics are general practices that owners can do to keep the mower in good working condition. For service or repair issues beyond these, it is advised that the unit be inspected by an Authorized California Trimmer Dealer.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Operating in extreme conditions may require more frequent service intervals. Engine components may become dirty or plugged when operating in extreme heat, dust or other severe conditions.

ENGINE:
Check the oil level and air cleaner per the engine manufacturer’s instructions.
CLUTCH DRIVE SYSTEM:

The drive belt is a wear item so some adjustments will be needed to maintain optimum performance. If there are any cracks, splits or gouges in the belt, replace it immediately. Also check the idler bearings to verify they spin freely and smoothly.
- Adjusting:
  NOTE: Before starting (with the switch off), verify the clutch drive disengagement by pulling the recoil starter and if the reel blade and drive roller turn, belt drive adjustment is needed.
  Over time with extended use, it may be necessary to adjust the idler arm to ensure the belt is fully engaged with the clutch lever. Use the cable adjustment near the clutch lever to remove any excess slack and enable the idler arm to sufficiently engage the belt.

When disengaged, the belt tension is loose and it is in contact with the belt guide and belt guard to help prevent it from turning. If needed, the belt guide can be rotated to have more contact with the belt.

NOTE: When engaged (clutch lever fully squeezed), the belt guard and belt guide must not contact the belt.

  * Replacing Belt (Item #H0705 / 4L180): Remove cover, loosen belt guard and pivot away from belt. Remove belt from engine pulley, drive pulley and idler.

Remove nut, belt guide, 1 washer and 1 bearing from idler to create space to remove belt. Install new belt, re-assemble idler components and tighten with belt guide in proper position as shown.

Verify belt is routed correctly and properly placed in the engine pulley and drive pulley. Move belt guard back into position and tighten. Squeeze the engagement lever to verify function. Reinstall the cover and tighten.

WHEELS / SHAFTS / CHAINS
- Grease the reel blade shaft, the front caster wheels fittings and the fittings on the rear wheels after every 20 hours of operation. Use Multi-purpose bearing grease.
- Check shaft and reel drive chain (after removing covers)… lubricate if needed. 1/2″ – 3/4” of vertical movement is normal.
- Check roller chain tension once per month. Raise the roller to align its shaft parallel to the main drive shaft. This puts the roller at the furthest point of distance and there should be approximately 1/2” of vertical chain movement. To tighten, loosen the U-bolts and the set screw on each side then move the roller back evenly. Make sure the roller spacing is even across the back (with the silver frame) and the chain path alignment is straight to the shaft sprocket. Tighten the U-bolts and set screws to secure it in place.
- Lubricate all the drive chains (entire length) with chain lube or light oil and momentarily run the machine to incorporate before use.
- Check to ensure that all guards are in place and are tight before operating.
REEL BLADE / BED KNIFE
Reel blades and bed knife edges are sharp. Wear gloves when making any adjustments. Never stand in front of the unit or attempt any adjustments while the engine is running. Remove the reel drive chain before making any adjustments.
**If you are unable to properly adjust these, consult your dealer before proceeding.

CAUTION – DO NOT TIP MOWER BACK MORE THAN 20 DEGREES TO PREVENT OIL FROM ENTERING THE ENGINE CYLINDER AND CAUSING A FLUID LOCK.
** Reel mowers, unlike rotary mowers, use a scissor action to cut grass. The grass is cut as it passes between the edges of the reel blade and the bed knife located on the bottom of the mower frame.

This function of the mower is pre-set at the factory, but based on the type of grass and other use factors, further adjustment may be necessary. As the blade reel and bed knife wear, additional adjustment will be required. The clearance between the reel and the bed knife is controlled by two adjusters on the topside of the mower.

The adjusters raise and lower each side of the bed knife in relation to the reel, increasing or decreasing the clearance (from the blade) and should be moved as evenly as possible.
Turning the adjuster clockwise reduces the clearance between the bed knife and reel blade, while turning it counter-clockwise increases the clearance. When properly adjusted, there should be slight contact between the reel blade and bed knife across the full width.

With the unit tipped back slightly (less than 20 degrees) and secured in place, the blade /bed knife contact can be checked by manually rotating the blade forward and use a narrow strip of paper to check the cutting action.
NOTE: Excessive contact will cause overheating, loud screeching and possible damage to the parts. Insufficient contact will not allow for the grass to be cut. Any excessive noise means that the adjustment is too tight. It’s not recommended that the reel be engaged for extended periods of time when not cutting grass as the moisture provides a level of lubrication to the cutting surfaces while in use.

Replacement Parts

Mower replacement parts are available from Authorized California Trimmer Dealers. Parts manuals, service manuals and videos are available at our website: http://caltrimmer.com/ IMPORTANT: Never use parts or accessories not supplied by California Trimmer as they may cause diminished performance or unforeseen safety hazards.

LIMITED WARRANTY STATEMENT

Evergreen Turf Equipment, LLC hereby warrants California Trimmer Mowers manufactured by it to be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of two years after purchase for non-commercial / non-rental consumer use. This warranty applies only to non-engine components and functions. The engine warranty coverage is provided by the respective manufacturer and is subject to their specific requirements and conditions. If the product is used in a commercial application, the warranty period shall be one year, and if the product is used in a rental application, the warranty period shall be 90 days after purchase. Commercial under the terms of warranty is defined as use in conjunction with an income producing business or institutional application. Rental under the terms of warranty is defined as use for income producing rentals of the products by multiple end users in either personal or commercial applications. This warranty is limited to repair or replacement by Evergreen Turf Equipment or at the premises of California Trimmer Authorized Service Dealers, of such parts as appear upon inspection, to be defective in material and/or workmanship.

The above warranties are extended only to the first end user, and no warranty is made nor authorized to be made assignable on resale. Evergreen Turf Equipment makes no warranty with respect to replacement parts not manufactured or sold by it. Such parts are subject to the warranty policy of their respective manufacturers. For the name and address of your nearest Authorized Service Dealer, contact Evergreen Turf Equipment at: 1028 4th Street SW, Building A, Auburn WA 98001, 253-333-3345 or online at http://caltrimmer.com. To obtain performance of any obligation under this warranty for failure during the applicable warranty period, deliver the product, shipping prepaid, to Evergreen Turf Equipment, or to the nearest Authorized Service Dealer. Warranty coverage is conditioned upon the first end user furnishing Evergreen Turf Equipment or its Authorized Service Dealer with adequate written proof of the original purchase date. Evergreen Turf Equipment reserves the right to inspect the claimed defective part(s) to determine if the malfunction is the result of a defect covered by this warranty. This warranty will cover only defects arising under normal usage, and shall not apply, nor will Evergreen Turf Equipment assume any responsibility, if the failure was caused by the following:

Operation of product without proper lubrication.
Misuse, abuse, or negligence.
Accident or physical damage.
Repairs made by unauthorized parties and/or with unauthorized parts.
Improper unit set up or altered components.
Improper adjustments i.e. blades, drive system, levers, cables, etc.
Operation of engine at speeds above the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Failure to operate or maintain the unit in the manner specified by the owner’s manual.

Inspection, service and adjustments to normal maintenance items such as grease fittings, blades, drive chains, engagement levers, loose fasteners, etc. are not considered the responsibility of Evergreen Turf Equipment under this warranty.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES, OBLIGATIONS, OR LIABILITIES. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, OBLIGATIONS, OR LIABILITIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THE FIRST END USER (TWO YEARS FOR NONCOMMERCIAL/ RENTAL USE; 1 YEAR FOR COMMERCIAL USE; 90-DAYS FOR RENTAL USE). ANY ACTION FOR BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY HEREUNDER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTYOF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE MUST BE BROUGHT WITHIN A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS FROM THE END OF THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY PERIOD.

Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the previously stated limitations may not apply to you. No agent, representative, dealer, or employee of Evergreen Turf Equipment has the authority to increase or alter the obligations of this warranty.

IF THE PRODUCT IS USED PRIMARILY IN A COMMERCIAL OR RENTAL APPLICATION, EVERGREEN TURF EQUIPMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR GENERAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BODILY INJURIES, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH ABOVE, OR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF PRODUCTION, EXPENSE OF SUBSTITUTE EQUIPMENT OR OTHER COMMERCIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE. THE SAME LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY TOA PRODUCT USED FOR CONSUMER PURPOSES WITH RESPECT TO ALL NON-PERSONAL INJURY, GENERAL INCIDENTAL ANDCONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental of consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.