MTD 11A-424C062, 11A-423G143 Owner’s Manual

YARD

Operator's Manual

21" Rear Discharge

Push Mower

Model Series

410 through 429

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting
applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.

In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10110A

(9/99)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices .................................................................. 3

Slope Gauge ..................................................................................................... 6

Assembling Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 7

Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 10

Operating Your Lawn Mower ............................................................................. 11

Making Adjustments .......................................................................................... 12

Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 14

Off-Season Stoarge ........................................................................................... 15

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 16

Shroud Chart ..................................................................................................... 17

Parts List ............................................................................................................ 18

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

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.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the information from it inthe space provided below. The information on
the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or

an authorized dealer.

You can locate the model number by standing at the operating position and looking down at the rear
of the deck. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model
number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.

(Model Number) (Serial Number)

_)f_ MTD PRODUCTS INC

LEVELAND, OHIO 44136

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.

Call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-7310 to reach a Customer Support
representative. Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when you
call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial
number in order to process your call.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal
safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before
attempting to operate your lawn mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal

injury, when you see this symbol, heed its warning.

DANGER: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As

with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This
lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety
instructions could result in serious injury or death.

California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of

GeneralOperation

• Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,

understand, andfollow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be

completely familiar with the controls and the proper
use of this machine before operating it. Keep this

manual ina safe place for future and regular

reference and for ordering replacement parts.

• Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise •

extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not
use it for any other purpose. •

• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
a power mower. Children 14years old and over

should only operate mower under close parental
supervision. Only responsible individuals who are •
familiar with these rules of safe operation should be

allowed to use your mower.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
particularly small children and pets. Stop engine

when they are in the vicinity of your mower to help
prevent blade contact or thrown object injury.

Although the area of operation should be
completely cleared of foreign objects, an object may

have been overlooked and could be accidentally
thrown by the mower in any direction and cause

serious personal injuryto the operator or any others
allowed inthe area.

• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover •

the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are

recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or •

jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never
operate aunit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.

• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
during operation or while performing anadjustment

or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that
may be thrown from the machine in any direction. •

Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is
to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones,

toys and other foreign objects which could be
picked up and thrown by the mower in any direction

and cause serious personal injury to the operator or
any others allowed in the area. Planyour mowing

pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To help avoid a

thrown objects injury, keep children, bystanders
and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it

is in operation.

Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating

parts. Keep clear of discharge opening at all times
as the rotating blade can cause injury.

Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being

pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hang onto
the mower if you are falling; release the handle

immediately.

Never pull the mower toward you while you are

walking. Ifyou must back the mower away from a
wall or obstruction first look down and behind, and
then follow these steps:

a. Step back from the mower to fully extend

your arms.

b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure

footing.

c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than

half way toward you.

d. Repeat these steps as needed.
Do not operate the mower while under the influence

of alcohol or drugs.

Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on

units so equipped while starting engine.
The blade control handle is a safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the

safety device inoperative and may result in personal
injury through contact with the rotating blade. The

blade control handle must operate easily in both
directions and automatically return to the

disengaged position when released.

Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be

sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause

seriouspersonalinjury.Keepafirmholdonthe
handleandwalk,neverrun.Ifyoufeelyouare

losingyourfooting,RELEASETHEBLADE
CONTROLHANDLEIMMEDIATELYandtheblade

willstoprotatingwithinthreeseconds.

Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.
Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walks

orroads.

Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,

stoptheengineandcheckimmediatelyforthe
cause.Vibrationisgenerallyawarningoftrouble.

Shuttheengineoffandwaituntilthebladecomes

toacompletestopbeforeremovingthegrass
catcheroruncloggingthechute.Thecuttingblade

continuestorotateforafewsecondsafterthe
engineisshutoff.Neverplaceanypartofthebody

inthebladeareauntilyouaresurethebladehas
stoppedrotating.

Neveroperatemowerwithoutproperguards,grass

catcher,platesorothersafetyprotectivedevicesin
place.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea

burn.Donottouch.

Onlyuseaccessoriesapprovedforthismachineby

themanufacturer.Read,understand,andfollowall
instructionsprovidedwiththeapprovedaccessory.

Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis

manual,usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyour
dealerforassistance.Telephone[phone]

forthenameofyournearestdealer.

Donotadjustthethrottlecontrolwhiletheengineis

stillrunning.

SlopeOperation

• For your safety, use the slope gauge
part of this manual to measure slopes before

operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. Ifthe
slope is greater than 15 degrees as shown on the

slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that area or
serious injury could result.

Do:

Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction

on slopes.

• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.

• Always be sure of your footing. Aslip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are

losing your balance release the blade control
handle immediately and the blade will stop in less

than 3 seconds.

DoNot:

• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose footing or
balance.

• Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge.

included as

Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could

cause slipping.

Children

• Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not
alert to the presence of children. Children are often

attracted to the mower and the mowing activity.
Never assume that children will remain where you
last saw them.

• Keep children out ofthe mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the

operator.

• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the

area.

• Before and while moving backwards, look behind
and down for small children or other objects.

• Never allow children under age 14 to operate the
mower. Children 14years of age and above should

read and understand the operation instructions and
safety rules in this manual.

• Use extreme care when approaching blind comers,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure

your vision of a child or hazard.

Service

• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors

are explosive.

• Use only an approved gasoline container.

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine
is running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes

before refueling.

• Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any
spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may

cause a fire or explosion.

• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.

• Never refuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate inthe area.

• Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame or spark such as a gas

water heater, space heater, or furnace.

• Never run an engine inside a closed area.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel

spillage. Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutes
before storing.

• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the blade and allmoving parts have

stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep
the wire away from the spark plug to prevent

accidental starting.

• Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually

inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked or
worn). Replace with blade which meets original

equipment specifications listed in this manual.

Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesurethe

equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.

Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheir

properoperationregularly.

Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,
removethewirefromthesparkplug,and

thoroughlyinspectthemowerforanydamage.

Repairthedamagebeforestartingandoperating

themower.

Neverattempttomakeawheelorcuttingheight

adjustmentwhiletheengineisrunning.

Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,

damageanddeterioration,whichcouldexpose

movingpartsorallowobjectstobethrown.For
safetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsand

replacewithmanufacturer'srecommendedparts,
whennecessary.

Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthe

blade(s)orweargloves,anduseextracaution
whenservicingthem.

Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor

overspeedtheengine.Excessiveenginespeeds
aredangerous.

Restricttheuseofthispowermachinetopersons

whoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand
instructionsinthismanualandonthemachine.

USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.

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_1_ WARNING

Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10
feet). On steeper inclines, a riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-
behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting
in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.

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