MTD 25A-253N401 Owner’s Manual
YaRD-MaN
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
22" String Trimmer
Mower
Model Number
25A-253N401
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-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 isused, 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.
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO. 770-10387
(2/00)
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3
Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 6
Assembling Your String Trimmer Mower ............................................................ 7
Know Your String Trimmer Mower ..................................................................... 8
Operating Your String TrimmerMower ............................................................... 9
Making Adjustments .......................................................................................... 9
Maintaining Your String TrimmerMower ............................................................. 10
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 13
Parts List ............................................................................................................ 14
FINDINGMODELNUMBER
This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new string trimmer 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 inthe space provided below. The information on
the model plate isvery important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or
an authorized dealer.
• You can locate the model number by looking down at the rear of the string trimmer mower. 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.
p,-
(Model Number)
YaRD-MaN,/[ MTDPRODUCTSINC
(Serial Number)
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT
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 willbe asked to enter the serial
number inorder to process your call.
2
SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES
WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, ifnot 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: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation inthis
manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part ofthe operator can
result in serious injury.This machine iscapable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
GENERALOPERATION
* Read this operator'smanual carefully in its entirety •
before attemptingto assemble this machine. Read,
understand,and followall instructionsonthe machine
and inthe manual(s)beforeoperation.Be completely
familiar with the controlsand the proper use of this •
machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a
safe place for future and regular reference and for
orderingreplacementparts.
• This machine 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 cut vegetation and
grass.Do notuse it for any otherpurpose.
• Never allow childrenunder 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 years old and over should
read and understandthe operation instructionsand
safety rulesinthis manualand should betrained and
supervisedby an adult. Only responsibleindividuals •
who are familiar with these rules of safe operation
shouldbe allowedto usethismachine.
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 tripped
over or picked up and thrown by the string trimmer
mower in any direction which could cause serious •
personal injury to the operator or any others allowed
in the area. Plan your trimming pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward building, walls, roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To help avoid
trimmer line contact or a thrown object injury, keep
children, bystanders, and helpers at least 75 feet
from the string trimmer mower while it is in operation.
Stop the string trimmer mower if anyone enters the
area. •
• Always wear safety glasses or safety gogglesduring
operationorwhileperforming an adjustmentorrepair,
to protect eyes from foreign objects that may be
thrownfromthe machinein anydirection.
• Wear sturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the
arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Never operate a unit in bare feet,
sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Keep clear of discharge area at all times as the
rotating trimmer head and lines can cause injury.
Never pull the string trimmer mower back toward you
while you are walking. If you must back the string
trimmer mower away from a wall or obstruction first
look down and behind, and then follow these steps:
• Step back from the string trimmer mower to fully
extend your arms.
Besureyou are well balancedwithsurefooting.
o
Pull the string trimmer mower back slowly, no
morethan halfway towardyou.
• Repeat these steps as needed.
Do not operate the string trimmer mower while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The trimmer head controlhandle is a safety device.
Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so
makesthe safetydeviceinoperativeand may resultin
personalinjurythroughcontactwiththe rotatinghead
or lines. The trimmer head control handle must
operate easily in both directionsand automatically
returnto the disengagedpositionwhenreleased.
Disengage the trimmer head before starting the
engine.
Never operate the string trimmer mower in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are
losing your footing, release the trimmer head control
handle immediately and the trimmer head will stop
rotating within a few seconds.
Trim or mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
Walk never run.
Stop the trimmer head 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 untilthe trimmer head
comes to a complete stop before replacingtrimmer
line, making any adjustmentor repairs.The trimmer
head continuesto rotatefor a few secondsafter the
engine isshutoff. Never place anypart ofthe bodyin
the trimmer head area until you are surethe blade
hasstoppedrotating.
• Never operate the trimmer-mower without proper
shields,guards,trimmerhead controlhandleor other
safety protectivedevicesin placeand working.Never
operate the trimmer-mower with damaged safety
devices.Failuretodoso, can resultin personalinjury.
• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn.Do nottouch.
• Only use parts and accessories made for this string
trimmer mower by the manufacturer. Failure to do so,
can result in personal injury.
• If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance. Telephone 1-800-800-7310 for
the name of your nearest dealer.
SLOPEOPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents
which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes
requiresextra caution.If you feel uneasyon a slope,do not
trim or mow it. For yoursafety,use the slopegauge included
as part of this manual to measure slopes beforeoperating
this uniton a slopedor hillyarea. If the slopeis greaterthan
15 degrees,donottrimormow it.
DO:
• Trim or mow across the face of slopes; never up or
down. Exercise extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
• 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 trimmer head control
handle immediately, and the trimmer head will stop
rotating within a few seconds.
DO NOT:
• Do not trim or mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose footing or
balance.
• Do not trim or mow slopes greater than 15 degrees
as shown on the slope gauge.
• Do not trim or mow on wet grass. Unstable footing
could cause slipping.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidentscan occur if the operator is not alertto the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
string trimmer mower and the trimming or mowing activity.
They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the trimming or mowing area and
under the watchful care of a responsible adult other
than the operator.
° Be alert and turn string trimmer mower off if a child
enters the area.
Beforeandwhile movingbackwards,lookbehindand
downfor smallchildren.
Use extreme care when approachingblind corners,
shrubs,trees, or otherobjectsthat may obscureyour
visionof a childwho may run intothe stringtrimmer
mower.
Keep children away from hot or running engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
Never allow children under age 14 to operate a string
trimmer mower. Children 14 years of age and over
should read and understand the operation
instructions and safety rules in this manual and
should be trained and supervised by an adult.
SAFEHANDLINGOFGASOLINE:
To avoid personal injuryor 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.
• Use only an approved gasoline container.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other
sources of ignition.
• Never fuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors wilt accumulate in the area.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.
• 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.
• Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
• If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes
before starting the engine.
• Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light as
on a gas water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes
dryer or other gas appliances.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep the string trimmer mower
free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean
up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked
debris.
• Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
GENERALSERVICE
• Never runan engine indoorsorin a poorlyventilated
area. Engineexhaust containscarbon monoxide,an
odorlessanddeadlygas.
• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certainthe trimmer head and all moving parts have
stopped.Disconnectthe spark plugwire and ground
againstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting.
• Checkthe trimmerhead and engine mountingboltsat
frequent intervalsfor proper tightness.Also, visually
inspecttrimmer head for damage. Replace withthe
originalequipment manufacture's (OEM) parts only,
listedin thismanual."Use ofpartswhichdonot meet
the original equipment specificationsmay lead to
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"
• Keep all nuts,bolts, and screwstightto be sure the
equipmentisin safeworkingcondition.
• Never tamperwith safetydevices.Check theirproper
operationregularly.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
disconnectthe spark plug wire and ground against
the engine. Thoroughly inspect the string trimmer
mower for any damage. Repair the damage before
startingand operating.
• Never attempt to replacethe trimmer lineor make a
cuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe engine isrunning.
• Never use other lengths,diameters, or materialsas
trimmerline. Doingsocan resultinpersonalinjury.
• Trimmer head components,guards, and shieldsare
subject to wear and damage which could expose
movingpartsor allowobjectsto be thrown.Forsafety
protection,frequentlycheckcomponentsand replace
immediately with original equipment manufacturer's
(OEM) parts only, listedin this manual. "Use of parts
which do not meet the original equipment
specificationsmay lead to improperperformanceand
compromisesafety!"
• Do not change the engine governor setting or
overspeedthe engine.
• Maintain or replace safety and instructionlabels, as
necessary.
• Observe proper disposal laws and regulations.
Improper disposalof fluids and materialscan harm
the environment.
understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,
NOTE: Not all safety labels shown may apply toyour stringtrimmer mower.
.......
KEEPSAFETYDEVICES TRIMMER HEADCONTROL.TRAILSHIELD.
I • On not adjust trimmer dimmoter trimmer lime
heed, install trimmer only,
j line or uorvioo unit "Follow steps shown for
while engine Is running, proper Installation.
• Use MTD replacement • R4dlor to your Oporator*s
,1SS (OEM-743-0110) Manual for detailed
Instructions.
REPLACEIMMEDIATE
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