MTD 11A-54MY255, 11A-54MB055 Owner’s Manual

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
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