MTD 125-847F401 Owner’s Manual

Summer

Winter

Spring

Fall

ROTARY

MOWERS

• SET-UP

Thank you for purchasing an American-built product.

• OPERATION

- MAINTENANCE

iMPORTANT:

(Self-Propelled Model Shown)

Model Numbers

Read Safety Rules and

115-808L40!

Instructions Carefully

125-847F401

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

est-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 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 368022, Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

i

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-8832K

I

A. THIS SYMBOLPOINTSOUT IMPORTANTSAFETYINSTRUCTIONSWHICH,IF NOTFOLLOWED,COULDENDANGERTHE PERSONAL

A _. SAFETYAND/OR PROPERTYOFYOURSELFAND OTHERS.READAND FOLLOWALL INSTRUCTIONSIN THIS MANUAL BEFORE,,'

A'I-rEMPTINGTOOPERATEYOURLAWNMOWER.FAILURETO COMPLYWITHTHESEINSTRUCTIONSMAY RESULTIN PERSONAL,_

INJURY.WHENYOUSEETHIS SYMBOL-- _ HEEDITSWARNING. m=

DANGER: with any type of powerequipment,carelessnessor erroronthe partof the opera!orcan result in serious

I _ Your lawn mowerwas built to be operatedaccordingto the rules for safe operationin this manual. As I

,__,1. GENERALOPERATION

1. Readthisowner'sguide carefullyin itsentiretybeforeattempt-

ing to assemblethis machine. Read,understand,and follow all
instructions on the machineand in the manual(s) beforeopera-

tion. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper

use of this machine before operating it. Keepthis manual in a

safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering

replacementpans.

2. Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at al!

times, Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to

injury.This lawn moweris capableof amputatinghandsandfeet andthrowingOblects.Failureto observe

the followingsafetyinstructions couldresultin seriousInjuryor death. I

13. The blade control handle is a safety device.Neverattempt t(
bypassitsoperation. Doingso makesthe safety deviceinoper.

ativeand mayresult in personal injury through contact withthe

rotating blade.The bladecontrol handlemust operate easily i_
both directions and automatically return to the disengaged

position whenreleased.

14. Neveroperatethe mower in wet grass.Always be sure of youJ
footing, A slip endfall can causeserious personal injury. Kee_
a firm hold on the handle and walk, never run. Mow only in

daylight or ingood artificial light.

15. Stop the bladewhen crossing graveldrives,walksor roads.

mow grass.Do not use it for any other purpose.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power
mower. Children 14 years old and over should only operate

mower underclose parentalsupervision. Only responsibleindi-

viduals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation
should beallowed to useyour mower.

4. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly
small children and pets. Stop engine when they are in the

vicinity of your mower to help prevent bladecontact orthrown

object injury. Although the area of operation should be com-
pletely cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been

overlookedand could be accidentally thrown by the mower in
any direction and causeserious personal injury to the operator

or anyothers allowedin the area.

5. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be

16. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engineand check immediately for the cause.Vibration is gen-

erallya warning of trouble.

17. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a com-
pletestop beforeremoving the grasscatcher or uncloggingthe

chute. The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds
afterthe engineisshut off. Neverplaceany part of the body in

the bladearea until you are sure the blade has stopped rotat-

ing.

18. Neveroperate mower without proper guards, grass catcher.
platesor other safetyprotective devicesin place.

19. Muffler and engine become hot and cancause a burn. Do not

touch.

20. Only useaccessoriesapprovedfor this machine by the manu-
facturer. Read,understand,andfollow all instructions provided

used. Removeall stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other

foreign objects which could be picked up and thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to

the operator or any others allowed inthe area.Planyour mow-

ing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, side-

walks, bystandersand the like. To help avoid a thrown objects

injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least75 feet

from the mower while it is in operation.

6, Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation

or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes

from foreign objects that may be thrown from the machine in
any direction.

7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks
and shins. Shins and pants that cover the arms and legs end

steel-toed shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose fitting

clothes or jewelry. Theycan be caught in moving pans. Never

operatea unit in barefeet, sandals,or sneakers.

8. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating pans. Keep

with the approvedaccessory.

21. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use
careand good judgment. Contactyour dealerfor assistance.

,_11. SLOPEOPERATION

Foryour safety, usethe slopegaugeincludedas part of this manual

to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area.If the slope is greater than 15°, as shown on the slope gauge,

do not operatethis unit onthat areaor seriousinjury could result.
DO:

• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise
extremecaution whenchanging directionon slopes.

• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tall grass can
hideobstacles.

• Always besure of your footing. A slip and fall can causeserious

personalinjury.

DONOT:

clearof dischargeopeningat all times as the rotating bladecan
causeinjury.

9. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over
the foot during a tal!. Do not hang on to the mower if you are
falling; releasethe handleimmediately.

10. Neverpull the mower toward you while you arewalking. It you
must back the mower away from a wall or obstructionfirst

look down end behind,andthen follow thesesteps:

a. Step backfrom the mowerto futly extendyour arms.

b. Besure you areweft balancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward

you.

d. Repeatthesesteps as needed.

11. Donot operatethe mower whileunder the influence of alcohol

* Donot mow neardrop-offs, ditches or embankments.The opera-

tor could loosefooting or balance.

• Do not mow slopes greater than 15° as shown on the slope
gauge.

• Donot mow on wet grass. Reducedfooting could causeslipping.

_e_ III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the pres-

enceof children. Childrenare often attractedto the mower and the

mowing activity. Neverassumethat children will remain where you

last sawthem.

1. Keepchildren out of the mowing area and under the watchful
careof a responsibleadult otherthan the operator.

2. Bealert and turn mower off if a child entersthe area.

or drugs.

12. Disengage the self-propelled mechanism or drive clutch on
units so equippedbeforestarting the engine,

3. Beforeand while moving backwards,look behind anddown for
small children.

4. Neveratlowchildren underage 14to operatethe mower.

2