MTD 25A-532A062 Owner’s Manual

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Model Series

530

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 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.

MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO.770-1057A

12/97

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 YOUR EDGER. 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 edger 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. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or

others.

1. TRAINING AND PREPARATION

• Read the operator's manual carefully. Be
thoroughly familiar with the controls and proper

use of the equipment. Know how to disengage the
blade control and stop the unit quickly.

• Never allow children to operate equipment. Never
allow adults to operate equipment without proper

instruction.

• Keep the area of operation clear (at least 50 feet)
of all persons, especially small children and pets.

• Use the edger only as manufacture intended and
as described in the operator's manual.

• Do not operate edger after it has been dropped or
damaged.

• Return product to nearest authorized service
facility for examination and repair. Do not operate

product with damaged or excessively worn cutting
blade.

• Dress properly-always wear safety glasses or
goggles. Always wear safety footwear, and pants
or slacks that cover your legs to reduce the risk of

injury that may be caused by flying debris. Do not

wear loose clothing or jewelry that can be caught

in moving parts. Use of gloves and substantial

footwear is recommended when working outdoors.

Do not operate edger when barefoot or wearing

sandals or open-toed shoes. Wear boots,

preferably with steel-toe caps.

• Objects struck by the blade can cause severe

injuries to persons. The work area should always
be carefully examined and cleared of all stones,

sticks, wires, bones and other foreign

• objects, prior to edging.

• Never attempt to make any adjustments, other
than depth of cut, while engine is running.

• The use of accessory attachments not
recommended by the manufacturer may cause
hazard and will void warranty.

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

Turn engine off and disconnect spark plug wire:
When not in use.

Before servicing, cleaning and the like.
Before changing accessories.
Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable
Extinguish all smoking materials and other

possible sources of ignition.

• Use a fuel container acceptable for the purpose.

• Never add fuel to a running or hot engine.

• Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill
fuel tank indoors.

• Replace gasoline cap securely.

• If fuel is spilled, move product and fuel container
from area and do not create a source of ignition.
Wipe up spilled fuel.

2. OPERATION

• Make sure all nuts, bolts, and screws are kept
tightly in place, especially the blade and all guards.

• Start the engine carefully. Make certain the blade
is disengaged before attempting to start. Keep
hands, feet, clothing, and the like well away from
cutting blade and moving parts.

DANGER: ROTATING CUTTING BLADE

• Keep both hands on handles when blade is
rotating.

• Keep feet away from cutting area.

• Makesureengineisoffandsparkplugwireis
disconnectedwhenclearingjammedmaterialfrom

blade.

• Donotattempttoremovecutmaterialnorhold

materialtobecutwhenengineisrunningorwhen

cuttingbladeismoving.

CAUTION: CUTTING BLADE COASTS AFTER

ENGINE IS TURNED OFF.

• Stay alert. Watch what you are doing. Use
common sense.

• Do not operate edger when fatigued or under the

influence of alcohol, drugs or heavy medication.

• Never operate the product without good visibility or

light.

• Keep good footing and balance at all times. Do not
overreach or stand on unstable support.

• Do not force or abuse product. It will do the job

better and safer at the rate for which it was

designed.

• Do not operate engine above speed necessary to
do the job.

• Do not run the engine indoors; exhaust fumes are
dangerous.

• Never direct discharge of material towards

bystanders nor allow anyone near the area of
operation. Use care in directing discharge to avoid
glass enclosures, automobiles, and the like.

• Stay alert for uneven sidewalks, holes in terrain or
other similar conditions when using product.
Always push slowly over rough ground. Do not use
the product on graveled surfaces.

• Do not operate edger in rain or wet locations.

• Always operate edger from behind the upper

handle and position yourself where line of sight to

cutting blade is blocked by guards.

• After striking a foreign object, shut off the engine,

make absolutely sure the blade and all moving

parts have completely stopped, disconnect the
spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting, then
thoroughly inspect the unit for any damage. Such

damage must be repaired before restarting and
operating the edger. Remember, heavy vibration is
generally a sign of trouble.

• Always stop engine when edging or trimming is
delayed or when walking from one location to

another.

• Stop the engine, wait for blade and all moving

parts to stop before cleaning, adjusting, repairing

or inspecting the product.

• Always disconnect spark plug wire to prevent
accidental starting.

• Muffler and engine become hot during operation
and can cause a burn. Allow to cool down before

touching.

• Take all possible precautions when leaving the

product unattended. Disengage the blade, stop the

engine and disconnect spark plug wire.

3, MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

STORE PRODUCT INDOORS

• When not in use, store product indoors in a dry
place, locked or otherwise inaccessible to children.

• Maintain product with care.

• Follow maintenance instructions given in this
manual for your product.

• To reduce the risk of injury and engine failure, do
not allow excessive grass, leaves or other debris

to accumulate on or in the edger. Wipe engine

housing clean after each use.

• Keep air filter clean.

• Follow instructions for changing accessories.

• Replace any missing or damaged labels
immediately.

• Do not operate unit if blade is excessively worn or

damaged.

• Replace with blade which meets original

equipment specifications.

• Do not attempt to repair edger. Have mechanical
repairs made by qualified dealer or repairman. See

that only identical replacement parts are used.

l_ 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.

_WARNING

_JL CAUTION

Figure 1 Safety labels found on your unit

SECTION 2: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new edger. It will help you assemble, prepare and

maintain your edger. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start to prepare your edger 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 edger has a model plate. You can locate it by standing in the operating position behind the unit
and looking down at the rear of the frame.

• The model plate will look like Figure 2.

This is where your model number will be.

This is where your serial number will be.

Copy the model number here:

CLEVELAND OHIO 44136

Copy the serial number here:

Figure 2

SECTION 3: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

If you are having difficulty assembling this product or if you have any question regarding the controls,

operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department. You can reach them by
calling:

1-800-800-7310

Before you call, make sure that you have your model and serial numbers ready. By having the model and
serial numbers ready, you help the Customer Support Representative give you faster service. To find your

unit's model and serial number, see SECTION 2: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER.

SECTION 4: SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT

GASOLINE or OIL. After setting up the unit,
service engine with gasoline and oil as

instructed in the separate engine manual
packed with your unit.

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the

edger is observed from the operating position.

TO REMOVE UNIT FROM CARTON

Spark Plug Spark V-Slot

Wire Plug on Engine

1. Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut

tape at carton end and peel along top flap to
open carton.

2. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e.,
owner's manual, etc.).

3. Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat.

4. Remove packing material (if any).

Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton
thoroughly for loose parts.

HOW TO SET-UP YOUR EDGER:

1. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark
plug and ground it against the engine. See
Figure 3.

2. Raise the upper handle till it snaps into place.

NOTE: Do not crimp the cables when lifting the

handle.

3. Tighten the wing nuts which are already on the
handle.

Blade De

Control

Spark Plug

Spark

Plug

Figure 3

Wire

ATTACHING THE STARTER ROPE

The rope guide is already attached to the right side
of the upper handle of your edger. See Figure 4.

1. With the spark plug wire disconnected and
grounded, stand behind the unit, hold the blade

control handle against the upper handle and
pull the starter rope out of the engine.

2. Slip the rope through the rope guide. Tighten
the wing nut holding the rope guide to the upper
handle.

NOTE: The starter rope will not pull out of the

engine unless the blade control handle is squeezed
against the upper handle

Blade Control

Handle

Rope Start

Eye Bolt

Wing

Rope

Guide

Upper

Handle

Lower

Spark

Win(

Nuts

Figure 4