MTD 24A-020D401, 020 Owner’s Manual
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
CHIPPER
SHREDDER
VACUUM
Model
020
IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
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_overed land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark attester meeting
applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained ineffective working order by the operator.
In the State of California the above isrequired 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.
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10197
(3/99)
SECTION 1: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER
This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new chipper shredder vacuum. It will help you assemble,
prepare and maintain your unit. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start to prepare your
chipper-shredder vacuum for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information from it in this
Operator's Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your dealer or
the MTD customer support department.
• Every chipper shredder vacuum has a model plate. You can locate it by standing behind the unit in the
operating position and looking down behind the engine. See Figure 1.
This is where your model number will be.
This is where your serial number wilt be.
Copy the model number here:
OHIO 44136
Copy the serial number here:
Figure 1
SECTION 2: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT
• LOCATE YOUR MODEL NUMBER AND SERIAL NUMBER -- Record this information in the space
provided. To find your unit's specific model number and serial number, see SECTION 1: FINDING
YOUR MODEL NUMBER.
• If you are having difficulty assembling this product or if you have any questions regarding the controls,
operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.
• Customer Support can be reached by dialing: 1- (330) 220-4MTD
(4683)
or
1- (800)-800-7310
• Please have your model number and serial number ready when you call.
• Although both numbers are important, you will be asked to enter only your serial number before your
call can be processed.
SECTION 3: 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 YOUR CHIPPER SHEDDER VACUUM. FAILURE TO
COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU
SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED 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: Your chipper shredder vacuum was manufactured 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 unit is capable of amputating fingers and
hands and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.
1. GENERAL OPERATION
• 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 the machine before operating it. Keep this •
manual in a safe place for future and regular refer-
ence and for ordering replacement parts.
• Your chipper shredder vacuum is a powerful tool,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme cau-
tion at all times. Your unit has been designed to
chip/shred, vac, and blow (if equipped with attach-
ment) vegetation found in a normal yard. Do not
use it for any other purpose.
• Never allow children under 16 to operate the unit.
Children 16 years and older should only operate
under close parental supervision. Only responsible
individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe
operation should be allowed to use your unit.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, par-
ticularly small children. Stop the engine when they
are in the vicinity of the unit.
• When feeding material into this equipment, be
extremely careful that pieces of metal, rocks, bot-
tles, cans or other foreign objects are not included.
Personal injury or damage to the machine could
result.
• Always wear approved safety glasses or safety
goggles, during operation and while performing an
adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign
objects that may be thrown from the machine.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close fit-
ting slacks and shirt. Shirt and slacks that cover the
arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are recom-
mended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jew-
elry, and secure hair above shoulder length. They
can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a
unit in bare feet, sandals or sneakers. Wear gloves
when feeding material in the chipper chute.
Do not operate the unit while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
Do not over reach. Keep proper footing and bal-
ance at all times.
Never place your hands or any part of your body or
clothing near rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis-
charge opening at all times. Never insert your
hands or any part of your body or clothing into the
nozzle, chipper chute or discharge opening as the
rotating impeller can cause serious injury.
If it is necessary for any reason to unclog the feed
intake or discharge openings or to inspect or repair
any part of the machine where a moving part can
come in contact with your body or clothing, stop the
machine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug
wire from the spark plug and move it away from the
spark plug before attempting to unclog, inspect or
repair.
Never operate unit without vacuum bag or if
equipped with blower chute properly affixed to unit.
Large open end of bag must be securely closed to
prevent objects from being blown out rear of bag.
If operating in the blower mode (optional blower
chute attachment may be included with your unit):
Do not stand or walk in front of blower dis-
charge or aim it at bystanders, pets, vehicles,
etc. Objects thrown out the discharge can
cause personal injury or property damage.
• Do not direct blower discharge against a wall
or other vertical obstruction. Discharged mate-
rial may ricochet back at operator.
Adjust vac nozzle height to highest position to
reduce likelihood of heavier objects (e.g., small
stones, pieces of glass or metal) being picked
up and thrown out the discharge. Raising noz-
zle to highest position also maximizes air
intake for improved blowing performance.
• Neverattempttoremoveoremptyvacuumbag
when engine is running. Shut the engine off and
wait for the impeller to come to a complete stop
before removing the bag. The impeller continues to
rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut off.
Never place any part of the body in the impeller
area until you are sure the impeller has stopped
rotating.
• Keep all guards and safety devices in place and
operating properly.
• Do not allow an accumulation of processed mate-
rial to build up in the discharge area as this will pre-
vent proper discharge.
• When feeding material into the chipper, do not
stand with your face or body directly in front of the
chipper chute. Stand to one side. Material being
feed may bounce back out of the chute.
• If the cutting mechanism strikes a foreign object or
if your machine should start making an unusual
noise or vibration, immediately stop the engine, dis-
connect the spark plug wire and move the wire
away from the spark plug. Allow the machine to
stop and take the following steps.
Inspect for damage
Repair or replace any damaged parts.
Check for any loose parts and tighten to
assure continued safe operation.
• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.
• Do not allow leaves or other debris to build up on
engine's muffler. The debris could ignite and cause
a fire.
• Do not operate engine if air cleaner or cover over
carburetor air intake is removed, except for adjust-
ment. Removal of such parts could create a fire
hazard.
2. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of small children. Children are often attracted to
the chipping and vacuuming activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the work area and under the
watchful eye of a responsible adult other than the
operator.
• Be alert and turn the unit oft if a child enters the
area.
• Never allow children under the age of 16 to oper-
ate the chipper shredder vacuum.
3. SERVICE
• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Store fuel and oil in approved containers, away
from heat and open flame, and out of the reach
of children.
• Check and add fuel before starting the engine.
Never remove gas cap 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 unit 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 hot water heater, clothes dryer
or furnace.
Never run your machine in an enclosed area as the
exhaust from the engine contains carbon monox-
ide, which is a odorless, tasteless and deadly poi-
sonous gas.
To reduce fire hazard, keep engine and muffler free
of leaves, grass, and other debris build-up. Clean
up fuel and oil spillage. Allow unit to cool at least 5
minutes before storing.
Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make cer-
tain the impeller and all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep wire away
from spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Do
not use flammable solutions to clean air filter.
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.
After striking a foreign object, immediately stop the
engine, disconnect the spark plug wire from the
spark plug, and thoroughly inspect the unit for any
damage. Repair damage before starting and oper-
ating unit.
Do not alter or tamper with the engine's governor
setting. The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of the engine. Overspeeding the
engine is dangerous and will cause damage to the
engine and to other moving parts of the machine.
Check the vacuum bag frequently for wear.
Replace if worn or damaged.
Keep vacuum bag free of debris when not in use.
i_ WARNING - 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.
TO AVOID SERIOUS ]NJURY
READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL.
KEEP HANDS OUT OF INLET AND DISCHARGE OPENINGS
WHILE MACHINE IS RUNNING. ROTATING BLADES ARE
INSIDE.
TURN ENGINE OFF AND ALLOW IMPELLER TO COME TO
COMPLETE STOP BEFORE REMOVING BAG.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAR A CLOG OR JAM WITH THE
ENGINE RUNNING.
DO NOT OPERATE UNIT WITHOUT BAG OR OPTIONAL
BLOWER CHUTE IN PLACE.
DO NOT STAND OR WALK IN FRONT OF BLOWER CHUTE
OR AIM iT AT BYSTANDERS. OBJECTS THROWN OUT OF
DISCHARGE CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
DO NOT OPERATE WHEN CHILDREN OR OTHERS ARE
AROUND.
WEAR APPROVED SAFETY GLASSES. $30259
KEEP HANDS OUT OF INLETS WHILE ENGINE iS
RUNNING. ROTATING BLADES ARE INSIDE. $30258
J
Figure 2 Safety labels found on your unit
SECTION 4: ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT
GASOLINE or OIL in the engine. After assembly,
see separate engine operator's manual for
proper fuel and engine oil recommendations.
NOTE: To determine right and left hand sides of
your chipper shredder vacuum, stand behind the
unit, in the operating position.
UNPACKING CHIPPER SHREDDER
VACUUM
Remove staples, break glue, or cut tape at carton
end and peel along top flap to open carton. Remove
loose parts included with unit (i.e., operator's man-
ual, etc.). Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down
flat. Remove styrofoam blocks from under unit and
remove bag and handle assembly. Check for any
other loose parts before discarding carton.
Rope
Guide
(If Equipped)
Win,
LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON
See Figure 3
Handle Assembly
Bag
Blower Chute Assembly (If Equipped)
Oil (Not Shown)
Operator's Manual
Safety Glasses (Not Shown)
Nuts
ng
Screw
Figure 3
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