MTD 244-600A User Manual

s Operating

Service Instruction

10(t

Manual

• ASSEMBLY

• OPERATION

• REPAIR PARTS

Model No.

244-600A

WARRANTY

For one year from date of purchase, MTD Products Inc will replace for the original purchaser, free
of charge, F.O.B. factory or authorized service firm, any part or parts found to be defective in material
or workmanship. All transportation charges on parts submitted for replacemtmt under this warranty
must be paid by the purchaser. This warranty does not include replacement of parts which become
inoperative through misuse, excessive use, accident, neglect, irnproper maintenance or alterations by
unauthorized persons. This warranty does not include the engine, motor, battery battery charger or any
component parts thereof. For service on these units, refer to the applicable manufacturer's warranty.

The above warranty will apply only to the original owner and will be effective only if the warranty

card has been properly processed. It will not apply where the unit has been used commercially.

Warranty service is available through your local authorized service dealer or distributor. UNDER

NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE RETURN OF A COMPLETE UNIT BE: ACCEPTED BY THE
FACTORY UNLESS PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED.

MTD PRODUCTS INC

PRINTED IN U.S.A. ^ FORM NO. 770-48S8

• 5389 WEST 130th STREET • P. 0. SOX 2741 CLEVELAND OHIO 441II

IMPORTANT

SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES - WALK BEHIND EDGER

TRAINING

1. Read the Operating and Service Instruction Man
ual carefully. Be thoroughly familiar with the con
trols and the proper use of the equipment.

2. Never allow children to operate a power edger .

3. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,

particularly small children and pets.

PREPARATION

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment
is to be used and remove all stones, sticks, wire,
bones and other foreign objects.

2. Do not operate equipment when barefoot or

wearing open sandals. Always wear substantial
footwear.

3. Check the fuel before starting the engine. Do not

fill the gasoline tank indoors, when the engine is

running, or while the engine is still hot. Wipe off

any spilled gasoline before starting the engine.

4. Never attempt to make a wheel height adjustment
while engine (motor) is running.

5. Edge only in daylight or in good artificial light.

6. Never operate equipment in wet grass. Always be

sure of your footing; keep a firm hold on the han
dle and walk, never run.

5. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormal
ly, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately
for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of

trouble.

6. Stop the engine (motor) whenever you leave the
equipment, before cleaning the mower housing,
and when making any repairs or inspections.

7. When cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make cer
tain the blade and all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent accidental starting.

8. Do not run the engine indoors.

9. Never operate edger without proper guards,
plates or other safety protective devices in place.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

OPERATION

1. Do not change the engine governor settings or
overspeed the engine.

2. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all

times.

3. Stop blade when crossing gravel drive, walks, or
roads.

4. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine
(motor), remove the wire from spark plug, thor
oughly inspect the mower for any damage, and

repair the damage before restarting and operat
ing the mower.

1. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness.

2. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.

3. Never store the equipment with gasoline in the

tank inside of a building where fumes may reach
an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool
before storing in any enclosure.

4. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of
grass, leaves, or excessive grease.

5. Check the grass catcher bag frequently for wear
or deterioration. Replace with new bag for safety
protection.

ASSEMBLY

STARTING INSTRUCTIONS

Your new edger is shipped preassembled with the excep
tion of the handle, rear wheels, and throttle control.

1. Remove the edger and all parts from the carton. Make
certain that all loose parts and literature are removed
from carton before carton is discarded.

2. Assemble the lower handle into the slots in the rear of
the frame. Line up the holes in the handle with the holes
in the frame and insert the axle bolt through the wheel,
bellevilie washer, frame, handle, lockwasher and secure

with hex nut as shown on the parts drawing.

3. Assemble the upper handle assembly to the lower han

dle with four carriage bolts, lockwashers and nuts.

4. Assemble the clutch rod to the clutch handle and pivot

bracket assembly and secure with cotter pins.

5. Check the lubrication section of this manual for proper

engine lubrication care.

CONTROLS

ENGINE — One lever operates the choke, regulates the

engine speed and stops the engine. Ref. No. 73.

DEPTH CONTROL ADJUSTMENT - The clutching and

declutching of the belt is accomplished by moving the
clutch handle. To declutch pull the handle towards you
as you operate the edger. The farther you push the handle
forward the deeper the cut. To operate the clutch handle,
move it to the left so the pin clears the clutch plate. Ref.
No. 4.

CAM LEVER — The cam lever releases the blade guard

assembly so it can be rotated to any position. The cam
lever can be tightened by adjusting the hex nut on the

stud (ref. no. 29).

BLADE PLANE ADJUSTMENT-The cutting blade can be

adjusted from vertical to horizontal position by releasing
the lever on the pivot bracket assembly and rotating the
spindle housing. The notches will hold it in any position.
Ref. No. 24.

WHEEL HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT - Loosening the

lever on the front of the frame will allow you to move the

front wheel bracket assembly to either side of the frame.

Ref. No. 58.

WHEEL VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT - By releasing the

lever on the R. H. side of the frame you can raise and lower
the front wheel of your ed'ger. Additional adjustment can
be made by unscrewing the axle bolt and using the differ
ent holes in the end of the wheel bracket assembly. Ref.

No. 24.

By becoming founiliar with all the controls and adjust
ments before you operate your edger you will be able to
easily adjust your edger to a variety of cutting and trim
ming conditions. While the engine is running, DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS except with
the engine control or the depth control adjustment.

1. Fill the crankcase v/ith oil. See Lubrication section of
this manual.

2. Fill the gasoline tank with "regular” gasoline.

3. Move the depth control adjustment lever back as far
as it will travel and engage the pin in the clutch plate

(ref. no. 4).

4. Set the engine control in the “choke” position.

5. Grasp the starter handle and pull out the cord rapidly.
Return it slowly to the engine. If the engine does not
start after two pulls, move the engine control to the
“fast” position.

LUBRICATION

ENGINE — Fill sump vrith oil. Use a high quality detergent

oil classified “For Service MS”. Nothing should be added
to the recommended oil. SUMMER—Use SAE 30. WIN­TER-(Below 40° F.) Use SAE 5W-20 or SAE 10W.

Directions: Place the engine level. Remove filler plug.

FILL THE OIL SUMP TO POINT OF OVER
FLOW. Pour slowly.

WHEELS — The wheel bearings are lifetime fortiflex and

require no lubrication.

CUTTER HEAD BEARINGS - The two ball bearings in the

cutter head are lubricated and sealed at the factory and
require no lubrication. Lubricate all- other moving parts
with engine oil.

MAINTENANCE

BLADE REMOVAL — Use a wrench on both sides of the

blade when removing it for replacement.

BELT REMOVAL — To remove the V-Belt, remove the belt

guard on the engine pulley and the belt guard on the
spindle housing. Replace with a % x 31.2" V-Belt. (Part
Number 754-142.)