MTD 11A-506L062 Owner’s Manual

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

22" Rotary Mowers

Model Series

500 Thru 519

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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 Califorffla 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 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO. 770-10334B

(11/01)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content Page

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

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

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

Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 9

Operating Your Lawn Mower ............................................................................. 10

Making Adjustments .......................................................................................... 10

Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 11

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 13

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

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It wilt 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 in the 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 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.

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

ENGINEINFORMATION

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-
rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's

Manual packed separately with your unit for more information.

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

WARNING: 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 this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may
result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer

and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine 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 machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.

Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

GeneralOperation

1. Read this operator's manual carefully in itsentirety
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 controls and the proper use of this
machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.

2. This machine 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.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the operation instructions and safety rules in
this manual and should be trained and supervised by a
parent. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with
these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use

this machine.

4. 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 tripped over or
picked up and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can
cause serious personal injury. Plan your mowing pattern
to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks,
bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material
against a wall or obstruction which may cause
discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.

5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay
in the operator zone behind the handles and keep
children, bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet
from the mower while it is in operation. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.

6. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.

7. 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. Never
operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or
light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.

8. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
cutting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands

and feet.

9. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.

10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled
over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the
handle immediately.

11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are
walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tripping
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.

12. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.

13. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so
equipped while starting engine.

14. The blade control handle is asafetydevice. 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.

15. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of
your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your footing, release the
blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.

16. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk, never
run.

17. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or
roads.

18. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop
the engine and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

19.

Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a

3

completestopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcheror
uncloggingthechute.Thecuttingbladecontinuesto
rotateforafewsecondsaftertheengineisshutoff.Never
placeanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntiIyouare
surethebtadehasstoppedrotating.

20.Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertraitshield,
dischargecover,grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandteor
othersafetyprotectivedevicesinplaceandworking.
Neveroperatemowerwithdamagedsafetydevices
Failuretodoso,canresult inpersonal injury.

21. Muffter aod engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do
not tauch.

22. Only cae parts and accessories made for this machine by
the manufacturer Failure to do so can resuIt in pereenal
injury.

23. If sitcations occur which are not covered in this manual,
use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer for
assistance. Telephone [phone] for the name of
your nearest dealer.

SlopeOperation

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and falI accidents
which can resuff in severe injury. Operation on slopes
requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not
mow it. For your safety, use the s_ope gauge included as part
of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on
a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees,

do not mow it.

Do:

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

2. Watch forholes, ruts, rocks, hiddenobjecta, orbumps
which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide

obstacles.

3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause
serious personal injury. If you feel you are _osing your
balance, release the btade control handle immediately,
and the blade will stop rotating within 3 seconds.

DoNot:

1 Do not mow near drop_offs, ditches or embankments you

could lose your footing or balance.

2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on
the s_ope gauge.

3 Do not mow on wet grass Unstable 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. They do not understand the
dangers. Never assume that chitdren wilt remain where you

Iast saw them.

1 Keep children out of the mowing area and under the

watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.

2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.

3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and
down for small children.

4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,

doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may
obscure your vision of a child who may run into the

mower.

5.

Keep children away from hot or running engines They

can suffer burns from a hot muffler.

6.

Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a
power mower. Children 14 years old and over shouId
read and understand the operation instructions and
safety rules in this manual and should be trained and
supervised by a parent.

Service

Safe HandlingOfGasoline:

1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious
personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on
yourself or your clothes which can ignite.

2. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

3. Use only an approved gasoline container.

4. Never tilt containers inside avehicle or on a truck or
trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on

the ground away from your vehicle before filling.

5. When practical, remove gas_powered equipment from
the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground, if this is not
possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a
portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser

nozzle.

6. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or
container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do
not use a nozzie lock-open device.

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

8. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors
wiil accumulate in the area.

9. Never remove gas cap or add fuet while the engine is hot
or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.

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. Ifgasotine is spiiled, wipe itoff the engine and equipment.
Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting
the engine.

13. Never stare the machine or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water

heater, space heater, furnace ,clothes dryer or other ges
appliancas.

14. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of graes, leaves,
or other debris build_up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and
remove any fuel soaked debris.

15. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.

General Service:

1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorlyventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odoriees and deadly gas.

2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain
the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to
prevent unintended starting.

3 Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequent

intervalsforpropertightness.Alsovisuallyinspectblade
fordamage(e.g.bentcrackedworn)Replaceblade
withtheor;ginalequipmentmanufacture's(O.E.M)blade
only,_istedinthismanual"Useofpartswhichdonot
meettheorigina_equipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"

4 Mowerbladesaresharpandcan cut. Wrap the blade or

wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

5 Keep alt nuts bolts and screws tight to be sure the

equipment is in safe working condition.

6 Never tamper with safety devices Check their proper

operation regularly.

7 After striking a foreign object, stop the engine disconnect

the spark plug wire and ground against the engine.
Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair
the damage before starting and operating the mower.

8 Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height

adjustment while the engine is running.

9 Grass catcher components discharge cover, and trail

shield are subject to wear and damage which could
expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown For
safety protection, frequently check components and
replace immediately with original equipment
manufacturer's (O.E.M) parts only, listed inthis manual
"Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment
specifications may Iead to improper performance and
compromise safetyF

10. Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed
the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of the engine.

11. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as

necessary.

12. Observe proper disposal _aws and regulations. Improper
disposal of fluids and mateMals can harm the

environment

I_i WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read

understand and foIIow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine

NOTE: Not aft safety labels shown may apply to your lawn mower.