MTD 25A-580A062 Owner’s Manual
YARD
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Edger
Model Series 580
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 attester meeting applicable local or
state laws (if any). If a spark attester 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. 770-10397A
(10/00)
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3
Assembling The Edger ....................................................................................... 5
Know The Edger ................................................................................................. 6
Operating The Edger .......................................................................................... 7
Making Adjustments ........................................................................................... 8
Maintaining and Servicing The Edger ................................................................. 10
Off-season Storage ............................................................................................ 12
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................ 12
Model Series 580 Parts List ............................................................................... 13
Warranty Information .......................................................................................... Back Cover
FINDINGMODELNUMBER
This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new edger. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the
unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
equipment and copy the informationfrom itinthe space provided below. The information on the
model plate is very important if you need help from the MTD Customer Support Department.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the
You can locate the model number by looking on the surface of the base plate in the rear of the edger. 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.
(Model Number) (Sedal Number)
P.O. BOX 368022
P"ODUCTS'NCJ
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 will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.
SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES
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: 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 therulesfor safeoperation 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.
4,
TRAINING
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. 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 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 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. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object
injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets
at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
PREPARATION
1. 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
blade. Thrown objects can cause serious personal
injury.
2. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
during operation and while performing an
adjustment or repair to protect your 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. Shirts and pants that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Never operate this machine in bare
feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas)
shoes.
Never attempt to make any adjustments while the
engine is running, except where specifically
recommended in the operator's manual.
5.
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. Neverfuet 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 ½ inch below bottom of filter 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 unit to another area.
Wait five minutes before starting the engine.
i. Never store the machine or fuel container
inside where there is an open flame, spark or
pilot light as on awater heater, space heater,
furnace ,clothes dryer or other gas
appliances.
j. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes
before storing.
OPERATION
1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts.
Contact with the rotating blade can amputate hands
and feet.
2. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never
bypass its operation. Doing so, makes the machine
unsafe and may cause personal injury.
3. Never operate without blade guard, debris shield
and blade control handle in place and working.
4. Neveroperatewithdamagedsafetydevices.
Failuretodoso,canresultinpersonalinjury.
5. Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorly
ventilatedarea.Engineexhaustcontainscarbon
monoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.
6. Donotoperatemachinewhileundertheinfluence
of alcoholordrugs.
7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea
burn.Donottouch.
8. Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibility
orlight.Alwaysbesureofyourfootingandkeepa
firmholdonthehandles.Walk,neverrun.
9. Donotoperatethismachineifithasbeendropped
ordamaged.Returnmachinetoyournearest
authorizedservicingdealerforexaminationand
repair.
10.Donotoperatethismachinewithadamagedor
excessivelyworncuttingblade.
11.Neverattempttoclearmaterialfromtheblade
guardwhiletheengineisrunning.Shuttheengine
off,disconnectthesparkplugwireandground
againsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.
12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto
edgeattoofastofarate.
13.Stayalertforunevensidewalks,terrainetc.Always
pushslowlyoverroughsurfaces.Donotusethis
machineongravelsurfaces.
14.Donotoperatemachineinrainorwetsoil
conditions.
15.Alwaysoperatemachinefrombehindthehandles
andpositionyourselfwherethedirectlineofsight
tocuttingbladeisblockedbyguards.
16.Alwaysstopenginewhenedgingortdmmingis
delayedorwhentransportingmachinefromone
locationtoanother.
17.Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Stop
theengine,disconnectsparkplugwireandground
againsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.
18.Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadeforthis
machinebythemanufacturer.Failuretodoso,can
resultinpersonalinjury.
19.Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis
manual,usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactan
authorizedMTD service dealer or telephone 1-800-
800-7310.
MAINTENANCEANDSTORAGE
1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against
the engine to prevent unintended starting.
3. 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.
4. Do not change the engine governor setting or over-
speed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
5. The blade, blade guard and debris shield are
subject to wear and damage. For your safety
protection, frequently check all components and
replace with original equipment manufacturer's
(O.E.M.) parts only. "Use of parts which do not
meet the original equipment specifications may
lead to improper performance and compromise
safety!"
6. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
7. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for
gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.
8. 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.
9. Always referto the operator's manual for proper
instructionson off-season storage.
_lb 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.
Rotating cutting blade may throw objects
causing personal injury. Aiways wear eye
protection during operation. Keep area
clear of bystanders and do not operate
without guards in place. Read Operator's
Manuai before use.
Figure 1
4
SECTION2: ASSEMBLINGYOUREDGER
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.
Contentsof Carton
One Edger Assembly
One Plastic Bag Containing:
Edger Operator's Manual
Registration Card
Briggs & Stratton Operator!Owner Manual
One Clutch Rod (747-1164) with
One Ferrule (711-0392)
Two Flat Washers (736-0264) and
Two Hairpin Clips (714-0104) in place
Groundingthe Engine'sSparkPlug
Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug
and ground it on the top of the engine by placing its
rubber boot snugly over a bolt head. See Figure 2.
Rubber Boot
Spark Plug Wire
styles vary by model.
Upper Handle
Lower Handle
Figure 3
Remove the flat washer and hairpinclip from the
ferrule found on the upper portionof the clutch rod.
Save this hardware as itwill be reinserted.
Insert the ferrule located on the upper portion ofthe
clutchrod into the hole on the blade clutch/depth
controllever. Secure with the flat washer and
hairpin clip removed earlier. See Figure 4.
Blade Clutch t
Depth Control Lever
Bolt Head
Figure 2
Positioningthe EdgerHandles
Remove and discard any packaging cardboard that
may be present between the upper handle and the
lower handle.
Pivot the upper handle upward until it snaps into
place.
Tighten the wing knobs which are located on both
the left and right sides of the handle. See Figure 3.
Ferrule
Flat Washer
\
Hairpin Clip Clutch Rod
NOTE:Handlestyles vary by model.
Figure 4
Remove the flat washer and hairpin clip from the
lower portion of the clutch rod. Save this hardware
as it will be reinserted.
Insert the lower end of the clutch rod into the hole in
the pivot arm found on the left side of the edger.
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