American 1204-14GC Push Reel Lawn Mower Owner’s Manual

American 1204-14GC Push Reel Lawn Mower

SAFETY RULES

• Read all instructions in this manual before using mower.
• Inspect your lawn for any debris or foreign objects and remove them before mowing.
• Never place your hands, fingers or feet inside the reel. Although not powered by motor, when the wheels turn, the reel cuts.
• Never mow when the grass is wet enough to be slippery.
• Don’t place your hands or feet near a moving part of the mower.
• Don’t operate the mower while barefoot or wearing sandals.
• Walk slowly, never run. Always be sure of your footing when operating the mower.
• Never intentionally strike or ram trees, fences, etc. This can cause injuries or severely damage the mower.
• Remember that this mower is a precision piece of lawn care equipment. Treat it as such by exercising caution when using it.
• Make sure your mower is in safe operating condition. Don’t attempt to operate the mower if it is damaged; have it repaired first.

How to Assemble

PACKING LIST:

1. Reel Mower
2. 4 Piece Handles (See Figure 1)
3. Instruction Manual
4. Handle Assembly Hardware Package

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THESE PARTS BEFORE YOU START

Handle

Enclosed in carton are the: mower handle parts (2 upper handlebar pieces and 2 lower pieces) and hardware package.

• Lay out the parts of the handle as shown in figure 1.
• Fasten the 2 lower handle pieces to the upper portion of the handle using the 2-M6X55 bolts and wing nuts.
• Fasten the 2 upper handlebar pieces together using the M6X45 bolt and wing nut.
• Lubricate the inside of the 2 handle grips with soapy water (for easier application) and slide onto the handle.

How to Assemble

Attaching the handle to the mower

DO NOT attempt to attach the handle to the bolts on the roller assembly at the rear of the mower. This is incorrect! (refer to figure 3) As you follow the instructions below, refer to figure 2 for more information.

• After assembling the handle, fit the holes at the end of the lower portion of the handle on the left and right side, over the short posts extending out from the side plates.
• When the handle is in place over the posts, snap the “E” rings onto the slotted posts on both sides to prevent the handle from coming off.

How to Order Parts

Specify the following information when ordering parts:

1. Complete model number (found on the identification decal on the rear of the cutter bar).
2. Cutting the width of your unit
3. Number of the kit needed (see kits list).

Parts, Customer Service or Warranty Claims

To order replacement part kits or accessories, call our customer support hotline at 1-800-633-1501, or go to americanlawnmower.com

• For questions, help, and warranties please contact customer support.** ALL PARTS ARE SOLD FACTORY DIRECT. ALL SHIPPING CHARGES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PURCHASER

Kits List

Usage and Care

General Care

Minimum care is required to assure smooth operation of your mower

• To avoid damage to the mower or cutting blades, keep the area to be mowed free from any debris.
• To prevent unnecessary wear on blades, pull mower rather than push when moving mower on concrete or paved surfaces.
• For best performance, apply a light coating of oil or WD-40 to the blades after every use.

For questions, help, and warranties, please contact customer support.

Minor cutting height adjustments

The cutting height on these units can be adjust-ed simply by adjusting the roller assembly. Model 1204-14GC can be adjusted from 1/2″ (1.27 cm) to 1 3/4″ (4.45 cm) and Model 1304-14GC can be adjusted from 1″ (2.54 cm) to 2 1/4″ (5.72 cm). Keep in mind that the same adjustment must be performed on both sides of the mower. As you follow the instructions below, refer to fig-ure 4 for more information.

• To achieve the lowest cutting position, loosen and remove the nuts on both sides of the roller assembly.
• Position the bolt through the bottom hole of the plastic roller bracket and the top hole of the mower side plate. Retighten nuts on both sides.
• To achieve the highest cutting position, loosen and remove the nuts on both sides of the roller assembly.
• Position the bolt through the top hole of the plastic roller bracket and the bottom hole of the mower side plate. Retighten nuts on both sides.

Other cutting heights can be obtained by positioning the bolts through other hole locations.

Mower blade adjustment

The blades have been preadjusted before leaving the factory. Do not adjust unless absolutely needed. Misalignment can occur resulting in blades that are too loose or too tight. If this happens, you will notice a rough, uneven cut or a hard-pushing mower. All adjustments are made from the rear of the mower (opposite from the bar with the logo decal). Each end of the cutting bar can be adjusted separately. As you follow the instructions below, refer to figure 5 for more information.

• The cutting bar blade (located under the reel) pivots. The front screws move the cutter bar away from the blades, while the rear screws move the cutter bar toward the blades.
• Adjusting the screws is a very sensitive procedure. 1/16th of a turn is considered a major adjustment.
• Before tightening one adjusting screw, be sure to loosen the opposing screw an equal amount. Loosening the blades The cutting bar blade must be moved further from the cutting reel.
• Loosen both back screws equally by turning them counterclockwise.
•  Tighten both front screws equally by turning them clockwise.

Tightening the blades

The cutting bar blade must be moved closer to the cutting reel.

• Loosen both front screws equally by turning them counterclockwise.
• Tighten both back screws equally by turning them clockwise.

Checking adjustments

• Turn mower upside down.
• Insert piece of paper (i.e., writing or newspaper) between the cutter bar and the reel blades, and carefully turn the reel blades by hand.

All blades should slice the paper evenly the entire length of the cutter bar while the reel turns smoothly. If the mower has an intermittent cut, adjustment should be made to appropriate side of the blades to attain proper cutting action.

Sharpening the cutting blades

When the mower is properly lubricated and adjusted, sharpening should not be necessary for several years. However, the following steps will allow you to do the procedure yourself at relatively little expense.

• Remove the “E” rings, wheels and pinion from both sides of the mower (refer to figure 6).
• Remove both pawls from the rectangular slots in reel shaft and reverse their positions (refer to figure 7).
• Reverse the placement of the pinion gears.
• Place the left pinion on the reel shaft. Replace the wheels and “E” rings.
• Spread a thin layer of lapping compound on the front edge of the reel blades.
• Adjust the cutter bar blade so it has light but firm contact with the reel blades across the full width of the cutter bar (refer to figure 8). CAUTION: Do not overtighten the adjusting screws, as this could damage the cutter bar. Both screws must be tight on the final adjustment.
• Push the mower backward on a smooth sur-face (such as a sidewalk or paved driveway). Continue to do this until the reel blades rotate relatively free and front edge of the cutter bar blades are polished.
• Remove wheels; reverse pinions and pawl is on the right. CAUTION: Clean any grinding compound or debris from the cutter bar blades, reel blades, pinion and pawl. Lubricate axle and pinion with a light film of wheel bearing grease and replace wheels and “E” rings.

NOTE: It is recommended to use an industrial or valve lapping compound between 100-240 grit. This is usually available at an industrial or automobile supply store. If professional sharp-ening is required, consult your local yellow pages for lawn mower repair services.

Customer Responsibilities

Always use care when operating your lawn mower and keep clear of moving parts. Avoid striking or running into solid objects or debris in the area to be mowed. Be sure the mower is clear and follow a regular maintenance schedule in order to provide efficient and safe operation. A well-cared-for lawn mower will last long and operate more efficiently.

LIMITED WARRANTY

There are no warranties that extend beyond the product description except that the lawn mower sold thereunder is warranted as follows:

1 YEARS LIMITED WARRANTY

For 1 years from purchase, The Great States Corporation/American Lawn Mower Company will replace free of charge to the original buyer, any part(s) found defective in material and/or workmanship. THERE IS NO OTHER EXPRESS  WARRANTY. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULARPURPOSE ARE LIMITED TO 1 YEARS FROM THE PURCHASE AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AND AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUDED. THIS IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES UNDER ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES. Warranty is limited to manual push walk- behind applications and specifically excludes any non-manual powered propulsion of any kind or any commercial/non-residential applications. ANY NON-RESIDENTIAL USE OF THIS PRODUCT VOIDS ALL WARRANTY Consumer Hotline:1-800-633-1501 This warranty is not transferable and only applies to product sold directly from an authorized retailer. ,Proof of purchase original dated sales receipt must accompany all warranty claims.

California Proposition 65 Warning:

This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
WARNING: Some dust and debris created by the use of this tool could contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• chemicals in fertilizers
• compounds in insecticides, herbicides and pesticides
• arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber. Your risk from exposure to these chemicals varies, depending on how often you do this type of work.

To reduce your expo-sure, work in a well-ventilated area and with approved safety equipment, such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

WARNING :Cancer and Reproductive Harm – www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Model

Assembly Instructions

• Step 1: Insert the long end of the L shaped  steel tube downward into the front catcher frame; repeat for opposite side.
• Step 2: Connect the short side of the L shaped steel tube with the side catcher frame.
• Step 3: Snap the formed plastic groove over the connected catcher frame.
• Step 4:Push wire support foot through loop sewn into bottom of pan. This will support top rail.

You are now ready to attach catcher to your lawn mower. There are 2 different variations. The correct one for you depends on the style and type of your mower.

Attachment Option “A” for mower with rear roller assembly for 14″,16″ & 18″(36CM, 41CM & 46CM) mowing width. Refer to figure 1 for 14″, 16″ & 18″(36CM, 41CM & 46CM) mowers.

• Step 1: Remove the wing nuts holding  roller bracket to mower.
• Step 2: While holding the bracket in place, remove bolt and slide bolt into slot of catcher hook. Replace bolt into desired hole of bracket and side plate.
• Step 3:Replace and retighten wing nut, adjusting catcher hook as you go to be as straight as possible.
  • Step 4: Repeat for the opposite side.

NOTE:

Step 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be skipped if your mower is equipped with new roller bracket with built in hook.

• Step 5: Attach the corresponding grass catcher in different sizes to the hooks of mower’s roller brackets on both sides as per different mowing widths.
• Step 6: Adjust the strap to its appropriate length and then attach hook to handle to suit your height and technique.(Figure 2)

Attachment Option “B” for 16″, 18″ & 20″ reel mowers with rear trailing wheels and rear support tube. Refer to figure 3

• Step 1: There are two sections of formed plastic grooves at the front underside of the catcher. Snap the formed section over the support tube, between the trailing wheels of the mower.
• Step 2: Adjust the strap to its appropriate length and then attach hook to handle to suit your height and technique.

California Proposition 65 Warning:

This product contains chemicals known to the States of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive harm

• www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>