MTD 11A-439Q755 Owner’s Manual

Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty

OF A O AL

Model435Ashown

21=inch Rotary Mower- Model Series 430

IMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-

coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(if any).
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator.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.770-10179G

12/12/2005

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower, it wiil 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 .............................. 8

Troubleshooting ................................................ 12

Safety Labels .................................................... 13

Parts List ........................................................... 14

Warranty ............................................ Back Cover

Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ......................... 10

ThisOperatorsManualcoversarangeof productspecificationsfor variousmodels.Characteristicsandfeaturesdiscussedand/orillustratedinthis manualmaynotbe
applicabletoall models.MTDLLCreservestherightto changeproductspecifications,designs,andequipmentwithoutnoticeand withoutincurringobligation.

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREASSEMBLINGYOURNEW EQUIPMENT,please
locatethe model plateon the equipmentandcopy the
informationto the sample modelplate providedtothe right.

Youcan locatethe modelplate by standing at the operating
position and lookingdown at the rear of the deck. This infor-

mationwillbe necessaryto use the manufacturer'sweb site,
obtainassistancefrom the CustomerSupport Department,or

whencontacting an authorizedservicedealer.

Model Number Serial Number

MTD LLC
P. O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND,OH 44136

330-220-4683

,.wwwmtdpr°ductsc°m 800-800-7310

Customer Support

Please do IVOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou have difficultyassemblingthis productor have anyquestionsregardingthe controls, operation,or maintenanceof this
unit,youcanseek helpfromthe experts.Choose from the options below:

• Visit www.mtdproducts.com. Click onthe Service & Supportmenuoption.

Ser,,q,:° 8 Suppo_':

Product P.egistration

, , , , @i

• Phonea CustomerSupport Representativeat 1-800-800-7310.

• The engine manufactureris responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance,power-rating,specifica-

tions,warranty and service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packedseparatelywith
your unit, for moreinformation.

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WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents, andcertain vehicle compo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and

birth defects or other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas builtto beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operationin this
manual.As with any type of powerequipment,carelessnessor erroronthe part ofthe operatorcan
result in seriousinjury.This machine is capable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultin serious injury ordeath.

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.Theydonotunderstandthedangers.Neverassume
thatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.

1. Keepchildrenoutof the mowingareaand underwatchful
careof a responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.

2. Bealert andturn moweroffif achildentersthearea.

3. Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddown
forsmallchildren.

4. Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,
doorways,shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthatmayobscure
yourvisionofa childwhomayrun intothe 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 pantsthatcoverthearmsand
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 notholdonto the mowerifyouarefalling;releasethe
handleimmediately.

11.Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouare
walking.Ifyou mustbackthe mowerawayfromawallor
obstructionfirstlookdownand behindtoavoidtrippingand
thenfollowthesesteps:

a. Stepbackfrommowertofully extendyourarms.
b. Besureyouarewell balancedwithsurefooting.

c. Pullthe mowerbackslowly,no morethan halfway

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 slipandfall cancauseseriouspersonal
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 fewsecondsafter
the engineisshutoff. Neverplaceany partofthe 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 so canresult inpersonalinjury.

23. Ifsituationsoccurwhichare notcoveredinthis manual,

usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealerfor

assistance.Telephone[phone]for the nameofyour

nearestdealer.

Slope Operation

Slopesare amajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidents,which
can resultinsevereinjury.Operationonslopesrequiresextra

caution.Ifyoufeel uneasyon 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 avoidpersonalinjury orpropertydamageuseextreme
care inhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclothes,
whichcanignite.

2. Wash yourskin andchangeclothesimmediately.

3. Useonly anapprovedgasolinecontainer.

4. Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron atruckor trailer
bedwitha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe

groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

5. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailer

andrefuelit on theground.If thisis notpossible,then refuel
suchequipmentonatrailerwitha portablecontainer,rather
thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

6. Keepthe nozzleincontactwiththe rimof thefuel tankor

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,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

14.Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass,leaves,
orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageand
removeanyfuel soakeddebris.

15.Allowamowertocool at 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. Neverattemptto makeawheel orcuttingheightadjustment
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 partswhichdo
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,which if
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