Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty
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Model034Dshown
22=inch Rotary Mower- Model Series 030
iMPORTANT
READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION
Warning: Thisunit isequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedon or nearany unimprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(if any).
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbythe operator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester
forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136-0019.
PRINTEDIN U.S.A
MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
FORMNO.769-00901B
01/24/2006
This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower, it will help you assemble,
prepare, and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Table of Contents
Slope Gauge ....................................................... 3
Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4
Setup and Adjustment ....................................... 6
Operating Your Lawn Mower ............................ 12
Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ......................... 14
Finding and Recording Model Number
BEFOREASSEMBLINGYOURNEW EQUIPMENT,please
locatethe model plateon the equipmentandcopy the infor-
mationto the sample model plate providedto the right. You
can locatethe model plate by standing atthe operatingposi-
tion and lookingdown atthe rearofthe deck.This information
will be necessaryto use the manufacturer'sweb site, to obtain
assistancefromthe CustomerSupport Department, or when
contactingan authorizedservicedealer.
Troubleshooting ................................................ 16
Safety Labels .................................................... 17
Parts List ........................................................... 18
Warranty ............................................ Back Cover
r
Model Number
Serial Number
MTD LLC
P.O= BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
330-220-4683
www.mtdproducts.corn
800-800-731 0
Customer Support
Please do IVOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was purchased, without first
contacting Customer Support.
Ifyou havedifficultyassemblingthis productor haveany questionsregardingthecontrols, operation,or maintenanceof this
unit,youcan seek helpfrom the experts. Choosefrom the optionsbelow:
• Visit www.mtdproducts.com. Click the Service& Supportmenuoption.
MTD _n_er#ati_e_ Awa_g Wi_ni¢-_ Prod_f_ O#r Compalr_'y
'.Service 8_Support
Product Registration
o
Phonea Customer Support Representativeat 1-800-800-7310.
o
The enginemanufactureris responsiblefor all engine-relatedissueswith regardsto performance, power-rating,specifica-
tions,warranty,and service. Please refertothe enginemanufacturer's0wner's/0perator's Manual, packedseparately with
your unit,for more information.
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WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents, andcertain vehiclecompo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductiveharm.
DANGER: This machinewas builtto beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation in this
manual.As with any type of powerequipment,carelessnessor error onthe part ofthe operatorcan
result in seriousinjury.This machine is capable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.
Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultin serious injuryordeath.
WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety
instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
i safetyand/or property
I ofyourselfand others.
Readandfollowall
instructionsinthis
manualbeforeat-
temptingto operate
i this machine.Failure
I to complywiththese
instructionsmayresult
i inpersonalinjury.When
youseethis symbol.
i HEED ITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe use
ofthis powermachine
to personswho read,
_understand
ano followthe warnings
and instructions
inthis manual
and on the machine.
Children
Tragicaccidentscanoccurifoperatorisnotalertto presence
ofchildren.Childrenare oftenattractedtomowerand mowing
activity.Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassume
thatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.
1. Keepchildrenoutof the mowingareaand underwatchful
careof a responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.
2. Bealert andturn moweroffif achildentersthearea.
3. Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddown
forsmallchildren.
4. Useextremecarewhenapproachingblind corners,
doorways,shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthatmayobscure
yourvisionofa childwhomayrunintothe mower.
5. Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycan
sufferburnsfroma hotmuffler.
6. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatea power
mower.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
understandoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis
manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyaparent.
General Operation
1. Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin its entiretybefore
attemptingtoassemblethismachine.Read,understand,
andfollowall instructionsonthe machineandin the
manual(s)beforeoperation.Becompletelyfamiliarwith
thecontrolsandthe properuseof this machinebefore
operatingit.Keepthis manualin asafeplaceforfuture
andregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacementparts.
2. Thismachineisa precisionpieceof powerequipment,
nota plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all
times.Yourunithas beendesignedto performonejob: to
mowgrass.Do notuseit for anyotherpurpose.
3. Neverallow childrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand
understandthe instructionsinthis manualandshould
betrainedand supervisedbya parent.Onlyresponsible
individualswhoarefamiliarwiththese rulesof safe
operationshouldbeallowedto usethis machine.
4. Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto
beused.Removeall stones,sticks,wire,bones,toys
andotherforeignobjects,whichcouldbetrippedover or
pickedupandthrownbythe blade.Thrownobjects can
causeseriouspersonalinjury.Planyourmowingpattern
toavoiddischargeof materialtowardroads,sidewalks,
bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterial
againsta wallor obstruction,whichmaycausedischarged
materialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.
5. Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,
stayinoperatorzone behindhandlesandkeepchildren,
bystanders,helpersandpetsatleast75feetfrom mower
whileit is inoperation.Stop machineifanyoneenters
area.
6. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringopera-
tionandwhileperforminganadjustmentor repairtoprotect
youreyes.Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcancauseserious
injurytothe eyes.
7. Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fitting
slacksandshirts. Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthe armsand
legsandsteel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperate
thismachinein barefeet,sandals, slipperyor light-weight
(e.g.canvas)shoes.
8. Do notputhandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor undercutting
deck.Contactwithbladecanamputatehandsandfeet.
9. A missingor damageddischargecovercancause blade
contactor thrownobject injuries.
10.Manyinjuriesoccuras a resultofthe mowerbeingpulled
overthefoot duringafall causedby slippingortripping.
Do notholdontothe mowerifyouarefalling;releasethe
handleimmediately.
11.Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouare
walking.Ifyoumustbackthe mowerawayfromawallor
obstructionfirstlookdownand behindtoavoidtrippingand
thenfollowthesesteps:
a. Stepbackfrommowertofully extendyourarms.
b. Besureyouarewellbalancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pullthe mowerbackslowly,no morethanhalfway
towardyou.
d. Repeatthesestepsas needed.
12.Donotoperatethe mowerwhileunderthe influenceof
alcoholordrugs.
13.Donotengagetheself-propelledmechanismon unitsso
equippedwhilestartingengine.
14.Thebladecontrolhandleis asafetydevice.Neverattempt
tobypassitsoperation.Doingso makesthesafetydevice
inoperativeandmayresult inpersonalinjurythrough
contactwiththe rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandle
mustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomatically
returntothe disengagedpositionwhenreleased.
15.Neveroperatethe mowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbesure of
yourfooting. A slipandfallcancauseseriouspersonal
injury.If youfeelyouare losingyourfooting,releasethe
bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthe bladewillstop
rotatingwithinthreeseconds.
16.Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.
17.Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksor roads.
18.Iftheequipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engineandcheck immediatelyfor the cause.Vibrationis
generallya warningoftrouble.
4
19.Shuttheengineoff andwait untilthe bladecomesto a
completestopbefore removingthe grasscatcheror unclog-
ging thechute.
The cuttingbladecontinuesto rotatefora fewseconds after
the engineisshutoff. Neverplaceany part ofthe bodyin
the bladearea untilyou aresurethe blade hasstopped
rotating.
20. Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrail shield,discharge
cover,grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandleor othersafety
protectivedevicesin placeandworking.Neveroperate
mowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failuretodo socan
resultin personalinjury.
21. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causeaburn.Do
nottouch.
22.Onlyuseparts andaccessoriesmadefor thismachineby
manufacturer.Failuretodo socanresult inpersonalinjury.
23. Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis manual,
usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealerfor
assistance.Telephone1-800-800-7310for the nameofyour
nearestdealer.
Slope Operation
Slopesare amajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidents,which
can resultinsevereinjury.Operationonslopesrequiresextra
caution.Ifyoufeeluneasyon aslope,do notmowit.Foryour
safety,usetheslopegaugeincludedas partofthis manualto
measureslopesbeforeoperatingthisunitona slopedor hilly
area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degrees,donot mowit.
Do:
1. Mowacrossthefaceof slopes;neverup anddown.Exercise
extremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.
2. Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks, hiddenobjects,or bumpswhich
can causeyouto slipor trip. Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
3. Alwaysbesureof yourfooting.A slip andfall cancause
seriouspersonalinjury.If youfeelyouarelosingyour
balance,releasethebladecontrolhandleimmediately,and
the bladewill stoprotatingwithin 3seconds.
Do Not:
1. Donot mowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,you
could loseyourfootingorbalance.
2. Donot mowslopesgreaterthan 15degreesasshownon
the slopegauge.
3. Donot mowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcause
slipping.
Service
Safe HandlingOf Gasoline:
1. To avoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextreme
care inhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclothes,
whichcanignite.
2. Wash yourskin andchangeclothesimmediately.
3. Useonly anapprovedgasolinecontainer.
4. Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron atruckor trailer
bedwitha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson the
groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.
5. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailer
andrefuelit on theground.If thisis notpossible,then refuel
suchequipmentonatrailerwitha portablecontainer,rather
thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.
6. Keepthe nozzleincontactwiththe rimof thefueltankor
containeropeningat alltimesuntilfuelingis complete.Do
notuseanozzlelock-opendevice.
7. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars, pipesandothersources
ofignition.
8. Neverfuel machineindoorbecauseflammablevaporswill
accumulatein thearea.
9. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhileengineishot or
running. Allowengineto coolat leasttwominutesbefore
refueling.
10.Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltankto nomorethanY2inch
belowbottomoffiller neckto provideforfuelexpansion.
11.Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
12.Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.
Moveunitto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestarting
engine.
13.Neverstorethemachineorfuel containernearanopen
flame,sparkor pilot lightas onawater heater,space
heater,furnace,clothesdryerorothergasappliances.
14.Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass, leaves,
orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageand
removeanyfuel soakeddebris.
15.Allowamowerto coolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.
GeneralService:
1. Neverrunanengineindoorsorin apoorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand
deadlygas.
2. Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe
bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe
sparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengineto prevent
unintendedstarting.
3. Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequent
intervalsfor propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefor
damage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn)Replacebladewiththe
originalequipmentmanufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listed
inthismanual."Useof partswhichdo notmeetthe original
equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformance
andcompromisesafety!"
4. Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor wear
gloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.
5. Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstightto besuretheequip-
mentis insafeworkingcondition.
6. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperopera-
tionregularly.
7. Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,discon-
nectthesparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengine.
Thoroughlyinspectthemowerforanydamage.Repairthe
damagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.
8. Neverattempttomakeawheelorcuttingheightadjustment
whiletheengineis running.
9. Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrail
shieldaresubjecttowear anddamagewhichcould expose
movingpartsor allowobjectsto bethrown.Forsafety
protection,frequentlycheckcomponentsandreplaceim-
mediatelywithoriginal equipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.)
partsonly,listedinthis manual."Useof partswhich do
notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"
10.Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor over-revthe
engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperating
speedoftheengine.
11.Maintainorreplacesafetylabels,asnecessary.
12.Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improper
disposaloffluidsand materialscanharmtheenvironment.
Operation
WARNING
Thissymbol points
out importantsafety
instructions,whichif
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
safety and/or property
of yourselfand others.
Readand followall
instructions inthis man-
ual before attemptingto
operatethis machine.
Failureto comply with
these instructionsmay
result in personalinjury.
Whenyou seethis
symbol.
HEED IT'S WARNING!
YourResponsibility
Restrictthe use
of this powermachine
to personswho read.
understand
and followthe warnings
and instructions
in this manua
and on the machine.
5
Adjustment
Referenceto right, left
front, or back of the
lawnmower is from
the operatingposition
only, unlessotherwise
stated.
Loose Parts
Cartoncontentsinclude:wheels,handles(upper&lower),bladecontrolhandle,chutedeflector,anda hardware
pack.Becertainto removeall loosepartsbeforediscardingthecarton. Forconvenienceofassembly,identifyand
separatethepiecesin the hardwarepackaccordingto Figure3-1below.A setof adjustablewrencheswill be needed
forassembly.
IMPORTANT:
This unit isshipped
without gasolineor oil
in the engine. Fill up
gasolineandoilas
instructedinthe accom-
panyingenginemanual
BEFOREoperatingyour
mower.
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Qty. 2
Qty. 1
Qty. 1
Figure3-1:Contentsof theHardwarePack.
6