MTD 12A-559K401 User Manual
Operator’s Manual
21” Self Propelled
Mulching Mower
Model No.
12A-559K401
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
Warning:
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.
This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO.
770-10145A
(12/99)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Maintaining Safe Operation Practices ...............................................................3
Slope Guage......................................................................................................6
Hardware Pack ..................................................................................................7
Unpacking..........................................................................................................7
Assembling Your Lawn Mower...........................................................................7
Know Your Lawn Mower ....................................................................................9
Operating Your Lawn Mower .............................................................................10
Maintaining Your Lawn Mower...........................................................................12
Service...............................................................................................................13
Off-Season Storage...........................................................................................16
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................17
Parts List............................................................................................................18
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
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. 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 standing behind the unit in the operating position and looking
down at the cutting 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.
(Model Number)
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
(Serial Number)
MTD PRODUC TS INC
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT
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 .
2
SECTION 1: MAINTAINING SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
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 INSTRUCTION S IN THIS MA NUAL B EFORE ATTEMP TING
TO OPERATE YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY
RESULT IN PER SONAL INJ URY. WHE N YOU SE E THIS SY MBOL, H EED ITS WARNING.
WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
DANGER
manual. As with any ty pe of power equipment, carelessnes s or error on the part of the oper ator can
result in serious in jury. This lawn mow er is capable of am putating han ds and feet and thro wing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the ru les for safe operation in this
GENERAL OPERA TION
• 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.
• Your rotary mower 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.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
a power mower. Children 14 years old and over
should only operate mower under close parental
supervision. Only responsible individuals who are
familiar with these rules of safe operation should be
allowed to use your mower.
• 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 blade contact or thrown object injury.
Although the area of operation should be
completely cleared of foreign objects, an object
may have been overlooked and could be
accidenta lly thrown by the mower in an y directi on
and cause serious personal injury to the operator or
any others allowed in the area.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or
jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never
operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
• 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.
• 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 picked up and thrown by the mower in any
direction and cause serious personal injury to the
operator or an y others al lowed in th e area. Pla n
your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material
toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like.
To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep
children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet
from the mower while it is in operation.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Keep clear of discharge opening at all times
as the rotating blade can cause injury.
• Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being
pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hang on to
the mower if you are falling; release the handle
immediately.
• Never pull the m ower towar d you while you ar e
walking. If yo u must back th e mower away from a
wall or obstruction first look down and behind, and
then follow these steps:
• Step back from the mower to fully extend your
arms.
• Be sure you are we ll balan ced with sur e footin g.
• Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way
toward you.
• Repeat these steps as needed.
• Do not operate the mower while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on
units so equipped while starting engine.
3
• 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.
• Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be
sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause
serious personal injury. Keep a firm hold on the
handle and walk, never run. If you feel you are
losing your footing, RELEASE THE BLADE
CONTROL HANDLE IMMEDIATELY and the blade
will stop rotating within three seconds.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks
or roads.
• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check immediately for the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
• Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes
to a complete stop before removing the grass
catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade
continues to rotate for a few seconds after the
engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body
in the blade area until you are sure the blade has
stopped rotating.
• Never operate mower without proper guards, grass
catcher, plates or other safety protective devices in
place.
• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.
• Only use accessories approved for this machine by
the manufacturer. Read, understand, and follow all
instructions provided with the approved accessory.
• If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance.
SLOPE OPERA TI ON
For your safety, use the slope 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
as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on
that area or serious injury could result.
DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes.
• 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 in less
than 3 seco nds.
• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps.
Tall grass can hide obstacles.
DO NOT :
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose footing or
balance.
• Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could
cause slipping.
CHILDREN
Tragic acci dents can oc cur if the op erator is not alert to
the presen ce of ch ildren. Childr en are o ften att racted to
the mower and the mowing activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under
the watchful care of a responsible adult other than
the operator.
• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the
area.
• Before and while moving backwards, look behind
and down for small children or other objects.
• Never allow children under age 14 to operate the
mower. Children 14 years of age and above should
read and understand the operation instructions and
safety rules in this manual.
• Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child or hazard.
SERVICE
• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors
are explosive.
• Use only an approved gasoline container.
• Never remove gas ca p or add fuel while the engine is
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.
• Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any
spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may
cause a fire or explosion.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
• Never refuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.
• Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame or spark such as a gas
water heater, space heater, or furnace.
• Never run an engine inside a closed area.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel
spillage. Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutes
before storing.
4
• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting.
• Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually
inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked or
worn). Replace with blade which meets original
equipment specifications listed in this manual.
• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
• We do not recommend the us e of pressure washers
or garden ho se to clean your unit. Th ey may cause
damage to electric components, spindles, pulleys,
bearings or the engine. The use of water will result in
shortened life and reduce serviceability.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
remove the wire from the spark plug, and thoroughly
inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the
damage before starting and operating the mower.
• Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height
adjustment while the engine is running.
• Grass catcher components are subject to wear,
damage and deterioration, which could expose
moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety
protection, frequently check components and replace
with manufacturer’s recommended parts, when
necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when
servicing them.
• Do not change the engine governor setting or
overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are
dangerous.
WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to p ersons who read,
understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
5
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE
Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely.
your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
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
F
O
L
D
O
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
N
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R
P
E
R
O
T
T
E
D
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,
A CORNER OF A BUILDING
OR A FENCE POST
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
A POWER POLE
WARNING
15
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5
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SECTION 3: HARDWARE PACK
Please identify each piece of the hardware pack as
shown in Figure 1.
Wing Nut 1/4-20 (2) Carriage Bolt 1/4-20 (2)
SECTION 4: UNPACKING
Figure 1
Removing Unit From Carton
• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut
tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open
carton.
• Remove loose parts included with unit (i.e.,
operator’s manual, oil, etc.).
• Cut corners and lay carton down flat. Remove
packing material.
• Roll or slid e uni t out of ca rton. C heck c arton
thoroughly for loose parts.
NOTE: Make sure not to crimp the cables while
removing the loose parts or the entire unit from the
carton.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower
and/or front or behind th e mower is obs erved from the
operating position.
SECTION 5: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Tools Required
• Pair of Pliers
• Funnel
• Set of adjustable wrenches
Disconnecting Spar k Plug
• Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the
spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it
against the engine. See Figure 2.
• Attach the spark plug wire to a bolt on the engine to
ground it.
Assembling Handle
• Remove grass bag from the unit and set it out of the
way. See Figure 3 (step 1).
• Remove any packing material which may be
between the upper and lower handles for shipping
purposes.
2. Lift lower handle
1. Move bag
away
Spark Plug
Wire
Figure 2
3. Lift upper
handle
Spark Plug
Figure 3
• Raise the lower handle in the direction shown in
Figure 3 (st ep 2) till it snaps in to plac e.
7
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