Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty
OF A O AL
21=inch Rotary Lawn Mower- Model 54M
iMPORTANT
READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION
Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyuniiprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderby theoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester
forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contactthe servicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136-0019.
FORMNO.769-02396A
PRINTEDIN U.S.A
MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
9/29/2006
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 .............................. 8
Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ......................... 10
Trouble Shooting .............................................. 12
Safety Labels .................................................... 13
MTDLLCreservestherighttochangeproductspecifications,designs,andequipmentwithoutnoticeandwithoutincurringobligation.
Finding and Recording Model Number
BEFOREYOU BEGINTO ASSEMBLEYOURNEW
EQUIPMENT,pleaselocatethe modelplateon the
equipmentandcopythe informationto the sample
modelplateprovidedto the right.Youcan locatethe
modelplatebystandingat theoperatingpositionand
lookingdownatthe rearofthe deck.Thisinformation
willbe necessaryto usethe manufacturer'sweb
site,to obtainassistancefromthe CustomerSup-
portDepartment,or whencontactingan authorized
servicedealer.
Engine Appendix .............................................. 14
Engine Safe Operation Practices ................. 14
Operating Your Engine .................................. 16
Maintaining Your Engine ............................... 18
Parts List ........................................................... 22
Warranty ............................................. Back Cover
Model Number Serial Number
MTD LLC
P.O= BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
330-220-4683
www.mtdproducts.com 800-800-7310
Customer Support
Please do NOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was
purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.
Ifyou havedifficultyassemblingthisproductor haveanyquestionsregardingthe controls,operation,or
maintenanceof this unit,you canseek helpfromthe experts.Choosefromthe optionsbelow:
= Visitwww.mtdproducts.com
• Call a CustomerSupportRepresentativeat 1-800-800-7310.
2
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WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents,and certain vehicle compo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals known to Stateof Californiato cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductiveharm.
DANGER: This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation inthis
manual.As with anytypeof powerequipment,carelessnessor erroron the part of the operator
can resultin serious injury.Thismachine is capableof amputatinghandsand feet and throwing
objects. Failureto observethe following safety instructionscouldresult in seriousinjury ordeath.
WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety
instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
i safetyand/or property
I ofyourselfandothers.
Readandfollowall
instructionsinthis
manualbeforeat-
temptingto operate
i this machine.Failure
I to complywith these
instructionsmayresult
i inpersonalinjury.When
youseethis symbol.
i HEED ITS WARNING!
i Your Responsibility
Restrictthe use
ofthis powermachine
to personswho read.
i understand
andfollow the warnings
and instructions
I.
=nthis manual
and on the machine.
Children
Tragicaccidentscanoccurifoperatorisnotalertto presence
ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtomowerandmowing
activity.Theydonot understandthe dangers.Neverassume
thatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.
1. Keepchildrenoutof the mowingareaandunderwatchful
careof a responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.
2. Bealert andturn moweroff if a childentersthearea.
3. Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddown
forsmallchildren.
4. Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,
doorways,shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthatmayobscure
yourvisionofachild whomayrunintothe mower.
5. Keepchildrenawayfromhotorrunningengines.Theycan
sufferburnsfroma hotmuffler.
6. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operateapower
mower.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
understandoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis
manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya parent.
General Operation
1. Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin its entiretybefore
attemptingtoassemblethismachine.Read,understand,
andfollowall instructionsonthemachineandin the
manual(s)beforeoperation.Becompletelyfamiliarwith
thecontrolsandthe properuseofthis machinebefore
operatingit.Keepthis manualin asafeplaceforfuture
andregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacementparts.
2. Thismachineisaprecisionpieceof powerequipment,
nota plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all
times.Yourunithas beendesignedto performonejob: to
mowgrass.Do notuseitfor anyotherpurpose.
3. Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldand overshould readand
understandthe instructionsinthismanualandshould
betrainedand supervisedbya parent.Onlyresponsible
individualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesofsafe
operationshouldbeallowedto usethis machine.
4. Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto
beused.Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys
andotherforeignobjects,whichcouldbetrippedoveror
pickedupandthrownbytheblade.Thrownobjectscan
causeseriouspersonalinjury.Planyour mowingpattern
toavoiddischargeofmaterialtowardroads,sidewalks,
bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterial
againsta wall or obstruction,whichmaycausedischarged
materialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.
5. Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrownobjectinjury,
stayinoperatorzone behindhandlesand keepchildren,
bystanders,helpersandpetsatleast75feetfrom mower
whileitis inoperation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters
area.
6. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringopera-
tionandwhile performinganadjustmentor repairto protect
youreyes.Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseserious
injurytothe eyes.
7. Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacksandshirts. Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthe armsand
legsandsteel-toedshoesarerecommended.Neveroperate
thismachinein barefeet,sandals,slipperyorlight-weight
(e.g.canvas)shoes.
8. Do notputhandsorfeet nearrotatingpartsor undercutting
deck.Contactwithbladecanamputatehandsandfeet.
9. A missingor damageddischargecovercancauseblade
contactor thrownobject injuries.
10.Manyinjuriesoccuras a resultofthemowerbeing pulled
overthefoot duringa fall causedbyslippingor tripping.
Do notholdontothe mowerifyouarefalling;releasethe
handleimmediately.
11.Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouare
walking.Ifyoumust backthe mowerawayfroma wallor
obstructionfirstlookdownandbehindtoavoidtrippingand
thenfollowthesesteps:
a. Stepbackfrommowertofullyextendyourarms.
b. Besure youarewellbalancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pullthe mowerbackslowly,no morethan half way
towardyou.
d. Repeatthesestepsas needed.
12.Donotoperatethe mowerwhileunderthe influenceof
alcoholordrugs.
13.Donotengagetheself-propelledmechanismon unitsso
equippedwhilestartingengine.
14.Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice.Neverattempt
tobypassitsoperation.Doingso makesthe safetydevice
inoperativeandmayresult in personalinjurythrough
contactwiththe rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandle
mustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomatically
returntothe disengagedpositionwhenreleased.
15.Neveroperatethe mowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbesureof
yourfooting. A slipandfall cancauseseriouspersonal
injury.If youfeelyouarelosingyourfooting,releasethe
bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyand the bladewillstop
rotatingwithinthreeseconds.
16.Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.
17.Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksor roads.
18.Ifthe equipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engineandcheckimmediatelyforthe cause.Vibrationis
generallya warningoftrouble.
4
19.Shutthe engineoffand waituntilthe bladecomestoa
completestopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcherorunclog-
gingthechute.
Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotateforafewsecondsafter
the engineisshutoff.Neverplaceany partofthe body in
the bladeareauntilyouare surethe bladehasstopped
rotating.
20.Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,discharge
cover,grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandleorothersafety
protectivedevicesin placeandworking.Neveroperate
mowerwith damagedsafetydevices.Failureto doso can
resultin personalinjury.
21.Mufflerand enginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Do
nottouch.
22.Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadeforthis machineby
manufacturer.Failuretodoso can resultin personalinjury.
23. Ifsituationsoccur whichare notcoveredinthis manual,
usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyour dealerfor
assistance.
Slope Operation
Slopesare amajorfactorrelatedtoslip andfallaccidents,which
canresultinsevereinjury.Operationonslopesrequiresextra
caution.Ifyoufeeluneasyona slope,do notmowit.Foryour
safety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartof this manualto
measureslopesbeforeoperatingthisuniton a slopedorhilly
area.Ifthe slopeisgreaterthan15degrees,donotmowit.
Do:
1. Mowacrossthefaceof slopes;neverupand down.Exercise
extremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.
2. Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumps
whichcancauseyouto slipor trip. Tallgrasscan hide
obstacles.
3. Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A slipandfallcan cause
seriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeel youare losingyour
balance,releasethebladecontrolhandleimmediately,and
the bladewill stoprotatingwithin3seconds.
Do Not:
1. Do notmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,you
could loseyourfootingor balance.
2. Do notmowslopesgreaterthan 15degreesasshownon
the slopegauge.
3. Do notmowonwetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcause
slipping.
Service
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
1. Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme
carein handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthevaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjury can
occurwhengasolineisspilledonyourselfor your clothes,
whichcanignite.Washyourskinandchangeclothes
immediately.
2. Use onlyan approvedgasolinecontainer.
3. Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleor on a truck ortrailer
bedwitha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehicle beforefilling.
4. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truckor trailer
andrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnot possible,thenrefuel
suchequipmenton atrailer withaportablecontainer,rather
thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.
5. Keepthe nozzlein contactwiththe rimof the fueltankor
containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Do
not useanozzlelock-opendevice.
6. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars, pipesandothersources
ofignition.
7. Neverfuel machineindoorbecauseflammablevaporswill
accumulatein thearea.
8. Neverremovegascap oraddfuelwhileengineishot or
running. Allowengineto coolatleasttwo minutesbefore
refueling.
9. Neveroverfill fuel tank. Filltankto nomorethanY2inch
belowbottomoffiller neckto providefor fuelexpansion.
10.Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.
11.Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.
Moveunitto anotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestarting
engine.
12.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containernearanopen
flame,sparkor pilot lightasona waterheater,space
heater,furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.
13.Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeof grass,leaves,
orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageand
removeanyfuel soakeddebris.
14.Allowa mowertocool at least5 minutesbeforestoring.
GeneralService:
1. Neverrunanengineindoorsorina poorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless
anddeadlygas.
2. Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe
bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe
sparkplugwireandgroundagainstthe engineto prevent
unintendedstarting.
3. Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequent
intervalsfor propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade
fordamage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn)Replacebladewith
theoriginalequipmentmanufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,
listedin thismanual."Useof partswhichdo notmeetthe
originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improper
performanceand compromisesafety!"
4. Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor
weargloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.
5. Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstightto besurethe equip-
mentis insafeworkingcondition.
6. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper
operationregularly.
7. Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,discon-
nectthesparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengine.
Thoroughlyinspectthemowerforanydamage.Repairthe
damagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.
8. Neverattemptto makeawheelor cuttingheightadjust-
mentwhilethe engineisrunning.
9. Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrail
shieldaresubjecttowear anddamagewhichcould
exposemovingpartsor allowobjectstobethrown.For
safetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsandre-
placeimmediatelywithoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's
(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedin thismanual."Useofparts
whichdo notmeetthe originalequipmentspecifications
mayleadto improperperformanceandcompromise
safety!"
10.Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor over-revthe
engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperating
speedoftheengine.
11.Maintainorreplacesafetylabels,asnecessary.
12.Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improper
disposaloffluidsand materialscanharmtheenvironment.
Practices
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.
Whenyousee this
symbol.
HEED iT'S WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe use
of this powermachine
to personswho read.
understand
and followthe warnings
and instructions
in this manua
and on the machine.
5
NOTE:ThisOperator's
Manualcoversseveral
models.LawnMower
featuresvaryby
model.Notallfeatures
discussed(orengines
pictured)inthis manual
are applicableto all
LawnMowermodels.
NOTE: Stand behind
themoweras ifyou
were goingto operate
it. Yourrighthand cor-
respondstothe right
sideof the mower;your
left hand corresponds
tothe leftside ofthe
i mower.
i _ 1. Removeanypackingmaterial.Thefirststepin
assemblyistoattachthe rearwheels.
a. Placerearof themowerdeckonraisedblocks.
b. Removelocknutandwasher(ifequipped)from
pivotarmassembly,Figure3-1.(Onselectmodels,
thesemaybeincludedseparatelyinaplasticbag).
c. Slidewasher(ifequipped)followedbythewheel
(bothwithhollowsidein)ontopivotarm.See
Figure3-1.
d. Securewithlocknutremovedearlier.
e. Assembletheothersideinthe samemanner.
Removeblocksand lowerdeckwhencomplete.
2. Followthe stepsbelowto setupthe handle.
a. Pullupand backon upperhandleasshownin
,._ ..J
Figure3-1:Attachwheels.
Figure3-2:Unfoldhandleandtightenhardware.
Figure3-2. Makecertainthelowerhandleis
seatedsecurelyintothehandlemountingbrackets.
Donotcrimpcablewhileliftingthe handleup.
b. Tightenstarknobstosecureupperhandleto
lowerhandle.Makesurethateachcarriageboltis
seatedproperlyinthehandle.
3. Locatethe hairpinclipon the weldpinon eachsideof
lowerhandle.
a.
Removehairpinclipfromthishole.Usinga pair
ofpliers,inserthairpinclipinto theholeon pin
closesttothebracket.SeeFigure3-3.Repeaton
otherside.
b. Insertacarriageboltfromthehardwarepackinto
theupperholeonthehandlemountingbracket.
Securewithone plasticwingnut,alsoincludedin
thehardwarepack.Repeaton otherside.
4. The ropeguideisattachedtotheright sideof the
upperhandle.SeeFigure3-4.Loosenthewingnut
whichsecurestheropeguide.
a. Holdbladecontrolagainstupperhandle.
b. Pullstarterropeoutofthe engine.Releaseblade
control.
NOTE: Makesureto
route cable outsidethe
I lower handle. Do not
i crimpcable while lifting
i the handle up.
IMPORTANT
This unit is shipped
I without gasolineor
oil in the engine.Fill
Lpgasolineand oil
as instructed inthe
accompanyingengine
manual BEFORE
operatingyour mower.
HardwarePack
Wing Nuts(2)
Figure3-3:Securelowerhandleto mountingbrackets.
J
Figure 3-4: Pull recoil starter through rope guide and tighten.
6
c. Slip starterropeintoropeguide.
d. Tightenwing nut.
5. To securecablestothe handle,insertpostsoncable
ties intoholesprovidedon thelowerhandle.Pullcable
ties tightandtrimexcess.
6. Followstepsbelowto assemblethegrasscatcher.
Makecertainbagisturnedrightsideout before
assembling(warninglabelwillbe ontheoutside)
a. Placebagoverframesothat itsblackplasticside
is at thebottom.
b. Slip plasticchannelof grassbagoverhooksonthe
frame,Figure3-5.All theplasticchannelsexcept
centertopofbagattachfromoutsideofbag.
c. Attachcentertopofbagfrominsideof bag.
7. Followthestepsbelowtoattachthe grasscatcher:
a. Liftreardischargedoor.SeeFigure3-6.
b. Placegrasscatcheron thepivotrod.Letgo
ofdischargedoorsothatit restson thegrass
catcher.
Figure3-5:Assemblethegrasscatcher.
WARNING
_l_j_ll WARNING:Neveroperate mower unless the
on the pivotrod and the rear discharge door rests
firmly against top of thegrass catcher.
8. Yourmoweris shippedas a mulcher.Toconvertto
hooksonthe grasscatcherarefirmly seated
sidedischarge,makesuregrasscatcherisoff ofthe
unitandreardischargedoorisclosed.
a. On the sideof themower liftthemulchingplug
See Figure3-7below.
b. Slidetwohooksofsidedischargechuteunder
hingepinonmulchingplugassembly.Lowerthe
mulchingplug.Do notremovesidemulchingplug
atanytime,evenwhenyouarenotmulching.
f
Never operate mower
w thoutthemu ch ng
plug, the grass catcher,
or the discharge chute
properly installed,
\
Figure3-6:Attachthegrasscatcher.
NOTE:When adjusting
the cutting height,
al wheels must be
positionedatthe same
height.
Figure3-7:Liftmulchplugandinstallsidedischargechute.
Adjustments
An adjustingplateandthumbleverateachwheel
providescuttingheightadjustment.
1. Depresslevertowardswheel.
2. Moveittoanyoneof thepositionsfordesiredcutting
height.SeeFigure3-8.Makesurethateachwheelis
positionedatthesameheight.
3. Releaselevertowardsmowerdeck.
Figure3-8:Useleverstoadjustcuttingheight.
7
Know Your Lawn Mower
Y _ Blade Control
.g
You r LaWn
Mower
WARNING
This blade control
mechanism isa safety
device. Donot bypass
itsoperations,
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.
Recoil Starter
\
MulchingPlug
Figure4-1:The majorcomponentsonthe mower.
Nowthatyouhavesetupyourlawnmowerforoperation,
it'simportantto becomefamiliarwithitscontrols.
Blade Control
Thebladecontrolisattachedtothe upperhandle.
Depressandsqueezeit againsttheupperhandleto
operatetheunit.Releaseittostopengineandblade.
_lL ARNING:Thisblade controlisa safety
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers
Oneadjustmentleverislocatedateachwheelandis
usedto adjustthecuttingheight.Allfourwheelsmustbe
positionedatthesameheighttoensurea uniformcut.
Recoil Starter
Therecoilstarterisattachedtothe rightupperhandle.
Standbehindthe unitand pullthe recoilstarterto start
theunit.
Choke Knob
Pullthechokeknobtoactivatethechokeontheengine.
Useofthechokemaynotbenecessaryiftheengineis
warmor theair temperatureishigh.
device. Donot bypass its operations.
ChokeKnob
Fill
Cutting Height
AdjustmentLevers
(one at eachwheel)
Mulching Plug
Themulchingplugisusedformulchingpurpose.Instead
ofcollectingthegrassclippingsinthegrasscatcher,your
mowerhasthe optionof recirculatingthe clippingsback
tothelawn.Makesurethatthereardischargedooris
closedandthegrasscatcherisremovedfromunitwhile
mulching.
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
Referto the enginesection inthis manual for engine
information.
1. Addoil providedbeforestartingunitfor thefirsttime
outofthebox.
2. Servicethe enginewithgasolineasinstructedinthe
enginesectionof thismanual.
,_ WARNING:Useextremecarewhen handling
and thevapors are explosive.Neverfuel the machine
indoorsor while the engine ishot or running. Extin-
guish cigarettes, cigars, pipesand other sources of
ignition.
gasoline. Gasolineis extremelyflammable
8
_ WARNING:Theoperationof any lawn
thrownintothe eyes,whichcandamageyoureyes
severely.Nways wear safetyglasseswhileoperating
the mower,or whileperforminganyadjustmentsor
repairson it.
mowercan result inforeign objectsbeing
Starting Engine
,_ WARNING:Besureno one otherthan theoperatorisstandingnearthe lawnmower
whilestartingengineor operatingmower.
Neverrunengine indoorsor inenclosed, poorly
ventilatedareas.Engineexhaustcontainscarbon
monoxide,an odorless and deadly gas.Keephands,
feet, hairandlooseclothing awayfrom any moving
partsonengineandlawnmower.
1. Pullout thechokeknoblocatedontheleftsideofthe
upperhandle.SeeFigure4-2.
Note: Useof the choke may not be necessary if the
engine iswarm ortheairtemperatureishigh.
2. Standingbehindthemower,squeezeandholdthe
bladecontrolagainstupperhandle.
3. Pullthe recoilstarterlightlyuntilresistanceisfelt,
thenpull rapidlytoovercomecompression,prevent
kickback,and startthe engine.Repeatif necessary.
SeeFigure4-2.
Important: Donot allow the recoil starterto snap
back against the ropeguide.
4. Whenenginewarmsup,pushinthechokeknob.
Stopping Engine
1. Releasebladecontrolto stoptheengineandthe
blade.
2. Disconnectsparkplugwirefromsparkplugand
groundagainsttheengine.
,_ WARNING:Waitfor the blade to stop
completelybefore performinganyworkon
the moweror to removethe grass catcher.
Using Your Lawn Mower
Besurethelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orother
objectswhichcoulddamagethelawnmoweror the
engine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidentlythrownbythe
mowerinanydirectionand causeseriouspersonalinjury
totheoperatorandothers.
_ WARNING:Ifyoustrikea foreign object,stopthe engine.Removesparkplugboot
from thesparkplug,thoroughly inspect
the mowerfor anydamage,andrepairthe damage
before restartingand operating the mower.Exten-
sivevibration of themower during operation isan
indicationof damage.The unit shouldbe promptly
inspectedand repaired.
Figure4-2:Startingthe mower.
Oncetheengineisrunning,squeezeandholdblade
controlagainstupperhandletoengagetheblade.For
bestresults,donotcutwet grassandnevercutoff
morethanone-thirdofthetotal lengthof thegrass.
Using as a Mulcher
Formulchinggrass,removethegrasscatcher(orside
chutedeflector)fromthemowerandlowerthemulching
baffle.
Using the Grass Catcher
Youcanusethegrasscatchertocollectclippingswhile
youareoperatingthemower.
1. Attachgrasscatcherfollowinginstructionsinsetup
section.Grassclippingswillautomaticallycollectin
bagasyourunmower.Operatemowertillgrassbag
isfull.
2. Stopenginecompletelybyreleasingthebladecontrol.
Makesurethattheunithascometoa completestop.
3. Liftdischargedoorandpullgrassbagupandaway
fromthemowertoremovethebag.Disposeofthe
grassclippingsandreinstallthebagwhencomplete
Operating Tips
• Newgrass,thickgrass,orwetgrassmayrequirea
narrowercut.
o
Foreffectivemulching,donot cutwetgrass.
o
Adjustgroundspeedaccordingto conditionof lawn.
o
Ifthegrasshasbeenallowedtogrowinexcessof
fourinches,mulchingis notrecommended.Mow
usingthesidedischargetoreducethegrassheightto
3-1/4inchesor lessbeforemulching.
WARNING
The operation of any
lawn mower can re-
sult in foreign objects
being thrown into
the eyes, which can
damage your eyes
severely.Alwayswear
safety glasseswhile
operating the mower,
or while performing
anyadjustments or
repairs on it.
Be sure no one other
than the operator is
standing near the
lawn mower while
starting engine or op-
erating mower. Never
run engine indoorsor
in enclosed, poorly
ventilated areas. En-
gineexhaust contains
carbon monoxide, an
ododess and deadly
gas. Keep hands,
feet, hair and loose
clothing away from
any moving parts
on engine and lawn
mower.
9