Page 2 - TABLE OF CONTENTS; FINDING MODEL NUMBER; ENGINE INFORMATION
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ...................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge......................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower ................
Page 3 - SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES; General Operation
3 SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES General Operation 1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be completely familiar with the c...
Page 5 - Your Responsibility
5 10. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel expansion. 11. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.12. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting...
Page 6 - SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE; WA
6 SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. 15° S IG H T AND HO L D T H IS L E V E L WIT H A VER T IC A L T R EE A PO WE R PO L E A CO RNE R O F A B U IL DING O R A F E N C E PO ST F O L D O N ...
Page 7 - SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER; Removing Unit From Carton; Before Assembly; Setting Up Your Lawn Mower
7 SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER Removing Unit From Carton • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and open carton. • Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., operator’s manual, etc.) • Cut along corners, lay the carton down flat, and remove all packing mat...
Page 8 - Attaching Rear Wheels; Attaching Starter Rope; Assembling Grass Catcher
8 • Remove hairpin clip from the outer hole of the weld pin on each handle brackets. Using a pair of pliers, squeeze one leg of the lower handle against the handle bracket. Insert the hairpin clip into the inner hole on the weld pin. Repeat on the other side. See Figure 5. • After moving the hairpin...
Page 9 - Attaching Grass Catcher To Mower; Converting To Side Discharge
9 Figure 9 Attaching Grass Catcher To Mower NOTE: Your lawn mower is equipped with both a mulching baffle and a mulching plug. While themulching baffle is located at the rear of the mower, themulching plug is located on the right of the cutting deck. The mulching baffle is already in place on the mo...
Page 10 - SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
10 SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER Read this operator’s manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 13 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. Blade Con...
Page 11 - SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
11 SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set with the wheels in a low cutting height position. For bestresults, raise the cutting position until it is determinedwhich height is best for your lawn. See the AdjustmentSection for details. Gas & Oil Fill-Up •...
Page 12 - Bagging Grass Clippings; SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS; Handle Height Adjustment
12 Bagging Grass Clippings You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings while you are operating the mower. • Attach grass catcher following instructions on page 9 of this manual. Grass clippings will automatically collect in the bag as you run the mower. • Operate the mower till the grass ...
Page 13 - SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN MOWER; Cleaning Mower; Engine Care
13 SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN MOWER Cleaning Mower The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned after each use to prevent any build-up of grass clippings, leaves, dirt, or other debris. If this debris is allowed to accumulate, it will result in rust and corrosion. NOTE: We do not recommen...
Page 14 - SECTION 8: SERVICING THE MOWER; Replacing Rear Flap
14 SECTION 8: SERVICING THE MOWER Replacing Rear Flap • To remove rear flap, cut off the flat end of the wire rod which secures it to the deck. See Figure 17. • Attach the new flap and new rod to deck, bending the ends of the new rod over to secure to deck. Figure 17 Blade Care Periodically inspect ...
Page 15 - Storing Your Lawn Mower; SECTION 10: TROUBLESHOOTING
15 SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE Storing Your Lawn Mower The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage. • Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions. IMPORTANT: We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer or garden hose to clea...
Page 16 - SECTION 11: PARTS LIST FOR MODEL 544
16 SECTION 11: PARTS LIST FOR MODEL 544 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 6 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 65 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 40 41 63 2 64 31 32 A A
Page 18 - MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR:
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by Troy-Bilt LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. Troy-Bilt LLC warrants this product against defects for a period of two (2) years commencing o...