Mountfield Emperor 40, Emperor 50 Operating Instructions Manual

Please Read These Instructions

Before Using Your Mower

Operating Instructions

for

Emperor 40 & Emperor 50

Cylinder Lawnmowers

Product Codes:

MPR14010
MPR15010

Call our Helpline if you have any problems:-

0845 600 2912

Open from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Saturday

10:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday

032078

2

Do not operate this machine before
it has been assembled correctly
and you have read and understood
these instructions.

Keep the instructions in a safe place for future use.

Threatened hazard or hazardous situation.

Not observing this instruction can lead to
injuries or cause damage to property.

Important information on proper handling.

Not observing this instruction can lead to faults
in the machine.

User information. This information helps you to
use all the functions correctly.

Symbols in this Owner’s Manual

Symbols used on the Machine

These instructions are intended as
a general guide and do not super­sede national or local codes in any
way. Contact local Authorities for
clarity of laws relating to operation
of this appliance.

KEEP HANDS

AND FEET

CLEAR

Read and understand this Owner’s Manual
before operating the machine.

Keep bystanders clear. Danger of flying
objects.

Always wear ear and eye protection when
using the machine.

Warning! Keep hands and feet clear of
rotating blade.

OPC Lever, see page 6.

Above. Roller clutch engagement. On or Off.

ON
EIN

OFF
AUS

Contents

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3

Proper Use

For safety reasons, the Cylinder Mower is not to be used by
children, young people, or any other persons who are not
acquainted with these directions for use.

Specific safety information Please read this
safety information and the directions for use
carefully and be sure to follow the instructions
to the letter.

Warning

Even though this machine has been designed to be safe in
use, it is essential to follow the Safe Working instructions
carefully to avoid accidents to persons or property.

Safety Precautions

UNDERSTAND YOUR CYLINDER MOWER
Read and understand the owner’s manual and labels affixed
to the Cylinder Mower. Learn its application and limitations as
well as the specific potential hazards peculiar to it.

DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND MEDICATION
Do not operate the Cylinder Mower while under the influence
of drugs, alcohol, or any medication that could affect your
ability to use it properly.

1. Your Cylinder Mower is a piece of power equipment, not
a toy, and should be operated with extreme caution at all
times.

2. Children should never be allowed to operate the Cylinder
Mower. Only persons acquainted with the rules of safe
operation set forth in this manual should be allowed to
operate the machine.

3. Read the complete manual to fully under-
stand the function of all the accessories and
controls.

4. Keep other people, children and pets well
away from the area of operation as there is
a risk of objects being thrown out during
operation.

5. Do not stand in front of the machine when
starting the engine or when the machine is
running.

6 Wear hearing and eye protection.

7. Do not operate the machine barefoot or with
open sandals. Quality footwear is recom-
mended.

8. Do not wear loose fitting clothing that could become
caught in the moving parts of the machine.

9. Do not place feet or hands on or near the blades while
the engine is running.

10. Do not attempt to adjust the blades when the engine is
running.

11. Do not leave the machine unattended when the engine is
running.

12. Check the fuel supply before starting the
engine. Do not fill the fuel tank with the
machine indoors, while the engine is run-
ning or while the engine is hot. Replace the
fuel cap securely, and wipe off any spilled
petrol before starting the engine.

Warning!

Petrol is extremely flammable; spilled fuel can cause a
fire or explosion.

13. Do not run the machine indoors. Engine
exhaust gases are deadly poisonous.

14. Do not touch the engine muffler during or
after operation of the machine. It is extreme-
ly hot and can cause severe burns.

15. Do not change the engine governor speed
setting. Over-revving of engine can damage
the machine and endanger the operator.

16. Before doing maintenance on the machine,
remove the spark plug wire and ground it to
the engine block for added safety.

17. Do not attempt to remove debris from the blades without
stopping the engine and removing the spark plug wire for
added safety. Make sure the blades have stopped com-
pletely before attempting to clear the debris.

18. Keep all bolts and fasteners on the machine tight and
check them at regular intervals.

19. Do not leave the machine exposed to the weather. Use
the grass catcher to cover the motor— even when stored
indoors.

20. Do not store the machine inside a building with petrol in
the tank where fumes can reach an open flame or spark.
Allow the engine to cool completely before storing inside
any enclosure.

Important!

The engine is shipped WITHOUT FUEL or OIL. After
assembly, fill engine with petrol and oil as
instructed in the separate engine manual packed with
your unit. Running your mower with insufficient oil will
damage the engine and invalidate your warranty.

Note!

Reference to right or left side of your Cylinder Mower
is viewed from the operating position.

80°C+

FLAM MABLE

FUEL

STOP

3

Proper Use

For safety reasons, the Cylinder Mower is not to be used by
children, young people, or any other persons who are not
acquainted with these directions for use.

Specific safety information Please read this
safety information and the directions for use
carefully and be sure to follow the instructions
to the letter.

Warning

Even though this machine has been designed to be safe in
use, it is essential to follow the Safe Working instructions
carefully to avoid accidents to persons or property.

Safety Precautions

UNDERSTAND YOUR CYLINDER MOWER
Read and understand the owner’s manual and labels affixed
to the Cylinder Mower. Learn its application and limitations as
well as the specific potential hazards peculiar to it.

DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND MEDICATION
Do not operate the Cylinder Mower while under the influence
of drugs, alcohol, or any medication that could affect your
ability to use it properly.

1. Your Cylinder Mower is a piece of power equipment, not
a toy, and should be operated with extreme caution at all
times.

2. Children should never be allowed to operate the Cylinder
Mower. Only persons acquainted with the rules of safe
operation set forth in this manual should be allowed to
operate the machine.

3. Read the complete manual to fully under­stand the function of all the accessories and
controls.

4. Keep other people, children and pets well
away from the area of operation as there is
a risk of objects being thrown out during
operation.

5. Do not stand in front of the machine when
starting the engine or when the machine is
running.

6 Wear hearing and eye protection.

7. Do not operate the machine barefoot or with
open sandals. Quality footwear is recom­mended.

8. Do not wear loose fitting clothing that could become
caught in the moving parts of the machine.

9. Do not place feet or hands on or near the blades while
the engine is running.

10. Do not attempt to adjust the blades when the engine is
running.

11. Do not leave the machine unattended when the engine is
running.

12. Check the fuel supply before starting the
engine. Do not fill the fuel tank with the
machine indoors, while the engine is run­ning or while the engine is hot. Replace the
fuel cap securely, and wipe off any spilled
petrol before starting the engine.

Warning!

Petrol is extremely flammable; spilled fuel can cause a
fire or explosion.

13. Do not run the machine indoors. Engine
exhaust gases are deadly poisonous.

14. Do not touch the engine muffler during or
after operation of the machine. It is extreme­ly hot and can cause severe burns.

15. Do not change the engine governor speed
setting. Over-revving of engine can damage
the machine and endanger the operator.

16. Before doing maintenance on the machine,
remove the spark plug wire and ground it to
the engine block for added safety.

17. Do not attempt to remove debris from the blades without
stopping the engine and removing the spark plug wire for
added safety. Make sure the blades have stopped com­pletely before attempting to clear the debris.

18. Keep all bolts and fasteners on the machine tight and
check them at regular intervals.

19. Do not leave the machine exposed to the weather. Use
the grass catcher to cover the motor— even when stored
indoors.

20. Do not store the machine inside a building with petrol in
the tank where fumes can reach an open flame or spark.
Allow the engine to cool completely before storing inside
any enclosure.

Important!

The engine is shipped WITHOUT FUEL or OIL. After
assembly, fill engine with petrol and oil as
instructed in the separate engine manual packed with
your unit. Running your mower with insufficient oil will
damage the engine and invalidate your warranty.

Note!

Reference to right or left side of your Cylinder Mower
is viewed from the operating position.

80°C+

FLAM MABLE

FUEL

Cylinder Mower General Arrangement

Contents of the shipping container

In the carton you will find…

• One cylinder mower— assembled.

• One grass catcher.

• Upper and lower handle assembly.

• Owner’s Manual— this publication.

• Engine Owner’s Manual.

• 4 Plastic cable ties.

• 6mm Nut and bolt for Roller clutch cable adjuster.

USING THE ‘CAM LOCK’ LEVERS.

Swing the upper handle to the operating position and lock it in
place by pushing the Cam
Lock Lever(s) upwards
towards the upper
handle.The firmness of the
locking action can be
adjusted by turning the nut
on the inside of the cam
lock bolt.

4

Choke control
lever

Throttle lever

Fuel cap

Ignition switch

Engine oil filler plug

Collector handle

Grass collector

Grass collector
adjuster bolts

Cutting cylinder/bottom
blade adjuster—
not visible

Air cleaner
assembly

Pull start cord

Upper handle

Roller clutch cable
adjuster

Roller clutch lever

Lower handle

Lower handle
fastening bolts

Chain cover

Cutting height
adjustment hand­wheel

Cam lock lever

Shaft cover

OPC (Operator Presence
Control) lever

Swing upward to lock

Assembly Instructions

The complete handle assembly must be attached to the main
mower body.
Fasten the lower handle to the mower with the lower handle
fastening bolts—see diagram above. There is a set of bolts
on each side, you’ll need two 13mm spanners, or sockets
and/or an adjustable wrench(s).

The camlock handles on some mowers are reversed
for shipping.

To turn them around unwind the nut to the end of the thread with

a 13mm A/F spanner/socket, pull the
camlock handle outwards and
rotate it 180. Retighten the nut
until the handle locks firmly in
place and it does not change
position when in use.

5

ATTACHING THE CABLES

All models have three cables that need to be attached.

1.The engine throttle control cable.

2. The roller clutch cable.

3.The OPC (Operator Presence Control) cable.

1. FITTING THE ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE.
The cable is shipped attached to the handle and must be fit-
ted and adjusted at the lower end. Feed inner cable ‘z’ fitting
through the small hole in the carburettor lever and lightly
clamp the the outer casing of the cable under the saddle
clamp as illustrated below.

Before fully tightening the saddle clamp, check the action of
the the throttle control lever by moving it back and forth.
When the ‘FAST’/ and ‘SLOW’/ positions of the throttle
lever are satisfactory tighten the saddle clamp firmly.

2. FITTING THE ROLLER CLUTCH CABLE.
This cable will be already attached to the mower at the lower
end. The clutch cable is the one that enters the mower under
the shaft cover. With the cable running above the cross bar of
the lower handle, feed the end of the ‘z’ fitting—at the top of
the flexible inner cable—though the small hole in the roller
clutch bail, found below the handle. Turn the ‘z’ fitting so the
cable is running alongside the upper handle.

Fit the cable anchor up under the handle tube and attach it to
the tube with the fastener provided.

It may be necessary to adjust the cable operation after fitting
the cable, see page 8 for details.

3. FITTING THE OPC CABLE.
The OPC (Operator Presence Control) cable is attached to a
switch box close to the engine output shaft. Route the cable
above the lower handle crossbar and feed the end of the ‘z’
fitting on the inner cable though the small hole in the OPC
lever—above the handle.

Clip the OPC cable anchor to the upper handle from above by
inserting it’s peg into the hole in the handle. Press it down
firmly until it locks into position.

FINISHING CABLE INSTALLATION.
Try folding the upper handle to ensure the cables are not
being strained. If necessary re-route cables that are unduly
stressed. When the cables are satisfactorily routed secure
them in place using the cable ties provided.

Throttle ‘z’ fitting for
Briggs and Stratton
engines

Briggs and Stratton
throttle saddle clamp