MTD 11A-549R729 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

21" Hi-Wheel Mower

Model 549

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

ered, 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 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019,

MTD LLC,P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A. Form No.769-01515

(11/2004)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content

ImportantSafeOperationPractices
SlopeGauge
AssemblingYourLawnMower

KnowYourLawnMower
OperatingYourLawnMower

MakingAdjustments

Page Content Page

3 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 12

6 Servicing Your Mower 12

7 Troubleshooting 13
9 Illustrated Parts List 14

10 Warranty 16
11 Espanol 17

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 in the space provided below. A sample model plate is
also given below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position and
looking down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer's
web site and/or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized service dealer.

Copy the model number here:

P. O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND,OH 44136

www.mtdproducts.com 808-808-7310

330-220-4683

Copy the serial number here:

CUSTOMERSUPPORT

Please doNOTreturntheunit totheretailer fromwhereit waspurchased,withoutfirstcontactingCustomerSupport.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit mtdproducts.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and
you will get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is

immediately available.

_RSWeF you _:_ye

a mouse dick aw_y!

Neel lecal as.sistal_ce? Click _e_÷ t@ fi_

_uals Or_li_e

To reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1(800) 800-7310.

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_lEn ine

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.

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: 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.

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.

GeneralOperation

1. Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety
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
safe operation rules should use this machine.

4. Thoroughly inspect the area where 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 bystanders, helpers, children and pets at

least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

6. Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes
during equipment operation and while performing

an adjustment or repair. 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 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.

15.Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbe
sureofyourfooting.Aslipandfallcancause
seriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosing
yourfooting,releasethebladecontrolhandle
immediatelyandthebladewillstoprotatingwithin

threeseconds.

16.Mowindaylightorgoodartificiallight;walk,notrun.

17.Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives,
walkwaysorroads.

18.Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,
stoptheengineandcheckimmediatelyforthe
cause.Vibrationisgenerallyawarningoftrouble.

19.Shuttheengineoffandwaituntilthebladecomes

toacompletestopbeforeremovingthegrass

catcheroruncloggingthechute.Thecuttingblade
continuesto rotateforafewsecondsafterthe

engineisshutoff.Neverplaceanypartofthebody
inthebladeareauntilyouaresurethebladehas
stoppedrotating.

20.Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,
dischargecover,grasscatcher,bladecontrol
handleorothersafetyprotectivedevicesinplace
andworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamaged
safetydevices.Failuretodosocanresultin
personalinjury.

21.Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea
burn.Donottouch.

22.Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadebythe
originalequipmentmanufacturer(O.E.M).Failure

todosocanresultinpersonalinjury.

23.Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis
manual,usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyour

dealerforassistance.Call1-800-800-7310forthe
nameofyournearestdealer.

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 slope 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 children

will remain where you last 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
should read and understand the operation

instructions and safety rules in this manual and

should be trained and supervised by a parent.

SlopeOperation

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall
accidents which can result in severe injury. Operation
on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a
slope, do not mow it. Before operating this unit on a
slope or hilly area, use the slope gauge on page 6 to
measure slopes. 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 caution when changing direction.

,

Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or
bumps which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.

,

Always be sure of your footing. A slip 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 rotating

within 3 seconds.

Service

SafeHandlingofGasoline:

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 injurycan 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 fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or
trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place

containers on the ground away from your vehicle
before filling.

5. Ifpossible, remove gas-powered equipment from

the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. Ifthis

isnot 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 nozzle lock-open device.

7. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandother
sourcesofignition.

8. Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammable

vaporswillaccumulateinthearea.

9. Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhiletheengine
ishotorrunning.Allowenginetocoolatleasttwo
minutesbeforerefueling.

10.Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktonomorethan_/2
inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoprovidespacefor

fuelexpansion.

11.Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

12.Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineand
equipment.Moveunittoanotherarea.Wait5
minutesbeforestartingtheengine.

13.Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinside
wherethereisanopenflame,sparkorpilotlightas

onawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothes
dryerorothergasappliances.

14.Toreducefirehazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass,
leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoilorfuel
spillageandremoveanyfuelsoakeddebris.

15.Allowmowertocool5minutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService:

1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly

ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon

monoxide, an odorless 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. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at

frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,
visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent,

cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original
equipment manufacture's (O.E.M.) blade only,

listed in this manual. "Use of parts which do not
meet the original equipment specifications may
lead to improper performance and compromise

safety!"

4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when
servicing them.

5. Keep all 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 here. Use of parts which do not meet the

original equipment specifications may lead to

improper performance and compromise safety.

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 laws and regulations.

Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm

the environment.

YourResponsibility

• Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine.

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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). 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

o

and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.

SECTION3: ASSEMBLINGYOURLAWNMOWER

RemovingUnitFromCarton

• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut

tape at carton end and open carton.

• Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e.,

operator's manual, etc.)

• Cut along corners, lay the carton down flat, and

remove all packing material.

• Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton

thoroughly for loose parts.

LoosePartsinCarton

• Grass Bag

• Side Discharge Chute

• Rear Wheels

• Hardware Pack

• Bottle of Oil

HardwarePack

Please identify each piece
of the hardware pack as

shown here.

Carriage WingNut
Bolt

Make sure that carriage bolt through the upper and
lower handles on each side is properly seated.

Tighten the wing nuts. See Figure 2.

Carriage

Tighten these

wing nuts

Carriage

Bolt

Figure 2

Remove hairpin clip from the outer hole of the weld
pin on each handle brackets. Using a pair of pliers,
squeeze one leg of the lower handle against the

handle bracket. Insert the hairpin clip into the inner

hole on the weld pin. Repeat on the other side. See

Figure 3.

Bolt

Carriage Bolt

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower

is observed from the operating position.

SettingUpYourLawnMower

AssemblingHandle

• Lift up and pull back on the upper handle to raise
the handle into the operating position. See Figure

1. Make certain the lower handle is seated securely
into the handle bracket assemblies.

Lower Handle

/

Upper
Handle

Figure 1

Handle
B

Wing

Hairpin Clip

Figure 3

After moving the hairpin clip, insert the carriage
bolt, from the hardware pack, in the upper hole on
the handle mounting bracket and secure with
plastic wing nut from the hardware pack. See

Figure 3. Repeat on the other side.

Pin

Fastenthecabletothelowerhandlewiththetwo
cabletiesfoundonthelowerhandle.Pullthecable

tiestightandtrimofftheexcess.SeeFigure4.

• Slip the rope through the rope guide as shown
below. Tighten the wing nut holding the rope guide
to the upper handle.

Cable Tie

Lower
Handle

Figure 4

NOTE: Your mower is shipped with the handle in the

higher position. If you wish to lower the height of the
handle, refer to the Adjustment Section at this time.

AttachingRearWheels(If NotAIreadyAttached)

• Remove the hex flanged nut on the rear axle from
each side and place the rear wheel on the axle. See
Figure 5. Reinsert the flanged nut into the axle as
shown, and tighten securely. Repeat on other side.

\ \

Rear Wheel

Rear Axle

AssemblingGrassCatcher

NOTE: If the grass catcher came pre-assembled,

proceed to the next section. If # came unassembled,

follow the steps below to assemble # first, before
attaching to the mower.

Insert frame into grass bag with the black plastic
side on the bottom of bag. See Figure 7.
Slip the openings in the side of the plastic channel
on bag over the hooks on the grass catcher frame.
Secure bag to the frame by working the six plastic
channels on bag over frame. All of the plastic chan-

nels except the center top of the bag attach from
the outside of bag. The center top of the bag
attaches from inside the bag. See Figure 7.

Grass Catcher
Frame Insert frame

into bag

Figure 5

AttachingStarterRope

The rope guide is already attached to the right side of
the upper handle of your mower. See Figure 6.

Wing Nut

Upper Handle

J

Starter Ro

/

Rope Guide Lower Handle

Figure 6

With the spark plug wire disconnected and
grounded, hold the blade control handle against the
upper handle, and pull the rope out of the engine.

Grass Bag

Plastic
Channel

Grass Catcher
Assembly
Complete

/

Figure 7

AttachingGrassCatcher& Chute

_ ARNING: Never operate the mower

IMPORTANT:Make sure cable is routed to the outside of

the handle so that it is not in the way when attaching the

grass catcher.

unless the hooks on the grass catcher are

firmly seated on the chute pivot rod, and the

rear discharge door rests firmly against the top

of the grass catcher.

Liftthereardischargedooronthemower.
Placethehooks,foundonbothsidesofthegrass
catcherframe,overthechutedoorpivotrodatthe
rearofthemower.Releasethereardischargedoor.
SeeFigure8.

Rear Discharge Door

Grass

Figure 8

To remove the grass catcher, liftthe rear discharge
door on the mower, lift the grass catcher up and off

the pivot rod. Release the rear discharge door.

AttachingSide-Discharge Chute

• Remove the grass catcher and let the discharge
door close.

• On the right side of the mower, lift the mulching
plug and slide the two hooks of the side-discharge
chute under the hinge pin on the mulching plug
assembly. Lower the mulching plug. See Figure 9.

IMPORTANT:Do not remove the mulching plug at any

time, even when you are not mulching.

Mulching

Plug

\

Figure 9

UsingMulchPlug

• Lift the mulch plug and remove the discharge chute

up and away from the mower. Let mulch plug rest
against the deck. Operate mower without the grass
catcher. Refer to page 11.

SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER

Upper Handle--,

Side-Discharge Plug
Chute

\

BladeControl
Handle

Starter

Catcher

Mulching

Rear Cutting Height

ustment Lever

Front Cutting Height
Adjustment Lever

Figure 10

Readthisoperator'smanualandsafetyrulesbefore
operatingyourlawnmower.Comparetheillustrationin
Figure10withyourlawnmowertofamiliarizeyourself
withthelocationofvariouscontrolsandadjustments.

Savethismanualforfuturereference.

WARNING" The operation of any lawn

mower can result in foreign objects being
thrown into the eyes, which can damage your
eyes severely. Always wear safety glasses
while operating the mower, or while performing
any adjustments or repairs on it.

BladeControl Handle
The blade control handle is located on the upper handle

of the mower. The blade control handle must be
depressed in order to operate the unit. Release blade

control handle to stop engine and blade.

_ ARNING" This blade control mechanism is

a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its
operations.

Cutting HeightAdjustmentLevers

These levers are located on each wheel and are used
to adjust the cutting height. These levers have to be at

the same relative position to ensure uniform cut.

RecoilStarter

The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle.

Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to
start the unit.

GrassCatcher

The grass catcher, located at the rear of the mower, is

used to bag the grass clippings for disposal at another
site. Once the bag is full, it has to be removed from the
mower and emptied before any further mowing.

MulchingPlug

Instead of collecting grass clippings in a grass catcher,

this mower has the option of recirculating the clippings

back to the lawn. This is called mulching. Remove the
grass catcher and the side-discharge chute from the
mower, and operate with the mulching plug only for this

purpose.

SECTION5: OPERATINGYOURLAWNMOWER

StartingEngine

_ ARNING" Read, understand, and follow all

NOTE: You must service the engine with oil and
gasoline before starting the mower for the first time.

Check oil and gasoline levels and fill up as necessary

for subsequent starts.

instructions and warnings on the machine and
in this manual before operating.

Gas&OilFill-Up

• Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow
relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.

• Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in

the engine manual.

WARNING: Use extreme care when

handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never
fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is
hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars,
pipes and other sources of ignition.

BeforeStartingMower

• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain

the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire

(inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over

the metal tip on the spark plug.

• Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds
between each push. In cold weather around 55° F

or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a
warm engine after a short shutdown.

• Standing behind the mower, depress the blade
control handle and hold itagainst the upper handle.

• Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches the start of compression cycle

(rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the
rope rewind slowly.

• Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke.

Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the
rope rewind slowly.

WARNING: Be sure no one other than the

operator is standing near the lawn mower while

starting engine or operating mower.

WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in

enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an

odorless and deadly gas.

WARNING: Keep hands, feet, hair and

loose clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower.

10