MTD 20 User Manual

Operator’s Manual

Chipper Shredder

Vacuum

Model Series 020

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-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 authorized engine service dealer or contact the service
department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

MTD PRODUCTS LLC., P.O. Box 361131, Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO.

770-10535F.fm

(7/2004)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices 3
Assembling Your Yard Vacuum 5
Know Your Yard Vacuum 6
Operating Your Yard Vacuum 7

Content Page

Maintaining Your Yard Vacuum 8
Troubleshooting 11
Illustrated Parts List 12
Warranty Back Cover

FINDING MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new yard vacuum. It will help you assemble, prepare
and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before assembling your new equipment, copy the information from the model plate in the space
provided below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position and looking
down at the rear of the equipment. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s
web site and/or seek help from Customer Support or an authorized service dealer. A sample
model plate is also shown below.

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

www.mtdproducts.com

MTD LLC
P. O. BOX
CLEVELAND,OH
330-220-4683
800-800-7310

361131

44136

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Please DO NOT return the equipment to the retailer from where it was purchased without first contacting
Customer Support.

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.

The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!

To reach the Customer Support Department, please call 1-800-800-7310.

The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!

Engine
Manual

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.

2

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT 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 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: 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.

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.

General Operation

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. Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation.
Know how to stop the machine and disengage them
quickly.

3. Never allow children under 16 years old to operate this
machine. Children 16 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.

4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without
proper instruction.

5. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at least 75
feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.

6. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.

7. Do not put hands and feet near rotating parts or in the
feeding chambers and discharge opening. Contact with
the rotating impeller can amputate fingers, hands, and
feet.

8. Never attempt to unclog either the feed intake or
discharge opening, remove or empty vacuum bag, or
inspect and repair the machine while the engine is
running. Shut the engine off and wait until all moving
parts have come to a complete stop. Disconnect the
spark plug wire and ground it against the engine.

Preparation

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to
be used. Remove all rocks, bottles, cans, or other foreign
objects which could be picked up or thrown and cause
personal injury or damage to the machine.

2. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to
protect eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause
serious injury to the eyes.

3. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes or jewelry can be
caught in movable parts. Never operate this machine in
bare feet or sandals. Wear leather work gloves when
feeding material in the chipper chute.

4. Before starting, check all bolts and screws for proper
tightness to be sure the machine is in safe working
condition. Also, visually inspect machine for any damage
at frequent intervals.

5. Maintain or replace safety and instructions labels, as
necessary.

6. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious
personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on
yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin
and change clothes immediately.

a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other

sources of ignition.
c. Never fuel machine indoors.
d. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the

engine is hot or running.
e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before

refueling.
f. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than

1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to provide

space for fuel expansion.
g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and

equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5

minutes before starting the engine.
i. Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light

(e.g. furnace, water heater, space heater, clothes

dryer, etc.)
j. To reduce a fire hazard, keep machine free of

grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up

oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked

debris.
k. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before

storing.

3

Operation

1. Do not put hands and feet near rotating parts or in the
feeding chambers and discharge opening. Contact with
the rotating impeller can amputate fingers, hands, and
feet.

2. Before starting the machine, make sure the chipper
chute, feed intake, and cutting chamber are empty and
free of all debris.

3. Thoroughly inspect all material to be shredded and
remove any metal, rocks, bottles, cans, or other foreign
objects which could cause personal injury or damage to
the machine.

4. If the impeller strikes a foreign object or if your machine
should start making an unusual noise or vibration,
immediately shut the engine off. Allow the impeller to
come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire,
ground it against the engine and perform the following
steps:

a. Inspect for damage.
b. Repair or replace any damaged parts.
c. Check for any loose parts and tighten to assure

continued safe operation.

5. Do not allow an accumulation of processed material to
build up in the discharge area. This can prevent proper
discharge and result in kickback of material through the
feed opening.

6. Do not attempt to shred or chip material larger than
specified on the machine or in this manual. Personal
injury or machine damage could result.

7. Never attempt to unclog either the feed intake or
discharge opening while the engine is running. Shut the
engine off, wait until all moving parts have stopped,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the
engine before clearing debris.

8. Never operate without vacuum bag and discharge chute
properly attached to the machine. Never empty or
change vacuum bag while the engine is running.
Zippered end of vacuum bag must be kept closed at all
times during operation.

9. Never operate without either the inlet nozzle or optional
hose attachment properly attached to the machine.
Never attempt to attach or change either attachment
while the engine is running.

10. Keep all guards, deflectors and safety devices in place
and operating properly.

11. Keep your face and body back and to the side of the
chipper chute while feeding material into the machine to
avoid accidental kickback injuries.

12. Never operate this machine without good visibility or
light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold
on the handles.

13. Do not operate this machine on a gravel surface.

14. Do not operate this machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.

15. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do
not touch.

16. Never pick up or carry machine while the engine is
running.

Maintenance And Storage

1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.

2. Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at frequent
intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition.
Also, visually inspect machine for any damage and
repair, if needed.

3. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, stop the engine
and make certain the impeller and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it
against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

4. Do not change the engine governor settings or
overspeed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

5. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.

6. Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading,
transporting, and storage of this machine.

7. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water
heater, furnace, clothes dryer, etc.

8. Always refer to the operator’s manual for proper
instructions on off-season storage.

9. If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.

10. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas,
oil, etc. to protect the environment.

Your Responsibility

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.

NOTE: Not all safety labels may apply to your Yard
Vacuum.

4

SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER

Removing Unit From Carton

• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut
tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open.

• Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e.,
operator’s manual, grass bag, safety glasses etc.)

• Cut along corners, lay carton down flat, and remove
packing material and bottle of oil, if any.

• Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton
thoroughly for loose parts.

Loose Parts In Carton

1. Handle Assembly

2. Bag

3. Blower Chute (on models so equipped)

4. Safety Glasses (not shown)

Handle

Knob

Blower Chute

(optional)

Carriage

Bolts

Wing
Nuts

Handle
Knob

• Insert carriage screw, removed earlier, through the
upper hole in the lower handle and secure with wing
nut. See Figure 2. Repeat on the other side.

Wing Nuts

Carriage Screw

Hairpin Clip

Weld Pin

Figure 2

Attaching The Bag

• Grasp bag handle with one hand and slide locking
rod on the mounting bracket with other hand toward
engine. Use end of mounting bracket as leverage
when sliding the locking rod. See Figure 3.

Carriage
Screw

Bag Handle Assembly

Figure 1

Before Assembly

• Before setting up your chipper shredder vacuum,
disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug
and ground to a stud on the engine.

Attaching The Handle

• Unfold the upper handle until it aligns with the lower
handle as shown in Figure 1.

• Tighten both handle knobs securing the two
handles. See Figure 1. Make sure both carriage
bolts are seated properly on the handle.

• Remove carriage screws and wing nuts, called out
in Figure 1, from the lower handle.

• Remove hairpin clips from the handle brackets on
the chipper shredder vacuum. See Figure 2.

• Place bottom hole of the lower handle over weld pin
on the handle bracket as shown in Figure 2. Secure
with a hairpin clip removed earlier. Repeat on the
other side.

Bag

Clip

Bag
Handle

Stud

Straps

Stud

Locking Rod

Figure 3

• Slip bag over the rim of the discharge opening and
release locking rod to secure bag in place.

• Place the bag straps over the lower handle,
hooking them on the studs. See Figure 3.

• Snap bag clip to the top of the lower handle. See
Figure 3.

5