MTD 25B-554F201 Owner’s Manual

Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty

Lawn Edger m 550 Series

MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHiO 44136-0019

PrintedIn USA FormNo.769-03489A

(September18,2007)

ToTheOwner

ThankYou

Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Edger manufactured by MTD LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent

performance when properly operated and maintained. Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.

It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the recommended safety practices at all times. Failure to do so could

result in personal injury or property damage. All information in this manual is relative to the most recent

product information available at the time of printing. Review this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine,

its features and operation. Please be aware that this Operator's Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various

models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated in this manual may not be applicable to all models. MTD LLC

reserves the right to change product specifications, designs and equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.

Table of Contents

Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 3

Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 6

Features & Controls ................................................. 8

Operation ................................................................. 9

This product has met the rigid safety standards of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and an independent testing

laboratory. If you have any problems or questions concerning the machine, phone your local authorized MTD service dealer or contact us directly. MTD's Customer Support telephone numbers, website address and mailing address can be found on this page. We want to ensure your complete satisfaction at all

times. Throughout this manual, all references to right and left side of the

machine are observed from the operating position The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related

issues with regards to performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's

Owner's/Operator's Manual, packed separately with your machine, for more information.

Maintenance &Adjustment ................................. 12

Service ..................................................................... 14

Troubleshooting ..................................................... I5

Warranty ................................................... Back Page

RecordProductInformation

Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and record the information in the provided area to the right. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operator's position and looking

down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary, should you seek technical support via our web site, Customer Support Department, or with a local authorized service dealer.

MODEL NUMBER

DDDDDDDDDDD

SERIAL NUMBER

[3N[3N[3N[3N[3ND

CustomerSupport

Please do NOT return the machine to the retai/er or dealer without first contacting our Customer Support Department.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

0 Visit us on the web at www.mtdproducts.com

0 Call a Customer Support Representative at (800) 800-7310 or (330) 220-4683 0 Write us at MTD LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019

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!

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

WARNING! Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components

contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER! This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices 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 machine is capable of amputating fingers, hands,

toes and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions

could result in serious injury or death.

Training Preparation

1. 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. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering

replacement parts.

2. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it.

3. This machine is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times. Your machine has been designed to perform one

job: to edge lawn. Do not use it for any other purpose.

4. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand

the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an

adult.

5. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use this

machine.

To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay in operator zone behind handles and keep children,

bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from lawn edger while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone

enters area.

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.

4. Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running, except where specifically recommended in the

operator's manual.

SafeHandling OfGas01ine:

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. Neverfillcontainersinsideavehicleoronatruck

ortrailerbedwithaplasticliner.Alwaysplace containersonthegroundawayfromyourvehicle

beforefilling.

c. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck

ortrailerandrefuelitontheground.Ifthisisnot possible,thenrefuelsuchequipmentonatrailer withaportablecontainer,ratherthanfroma

gasolinedispensernozzle.

d. Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefuel

tankorcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilfuelingis complete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.

e. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandother

sourcesofignition.

f. Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammable

vaporswillaccumulateinthearea.

g. Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhileengineis

hotorrunning.Allowenginetocoolatleasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

h. Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktonomorethan1/2

inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoprovideforfuel expansion.

i. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

j. Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineand

equipment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingengine.

k. Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainernearan

openflame,sparkorpilotlightasonawaterheater, spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryerorothergas

appliances.

I. Toreducefirehazard,keeplawnedgerfreeofgrass,

leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoilorfuel spillageandremoveanyfuelsoakeddebris.

m. Allowalawnedgertocoolatleastfive(5)minutes

beforestoring..

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. Never operate with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.

5. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

6. Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.

Never operate this machine without good visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm

hold on the handles. Walk, never run.

9. Do not operate this machine if it has been dropped or damaged. Return machine to your nearest authorized

servicing dealer for examination and repair.

10. Do not operate this machine with a damaged or excessively worn cutting blade.

11. Never attempt to clear material from the blade guard while the engine is running. Shut the engine off, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against

the engine to prevent unintended starting.

12. Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to edge at too fast of a rate.

13. Stay alert for uneven sidewalks, terrain etc. Always push slowly over rough surfaces. Do not use this

machine on gravel surfaces.

14. Do not operate machine in rain or wet soil conditions.

15. Always operate machine from behind the handles and position yourself where the direct line of sight to cutting blade is blocked by guards.

16. Always stop engine when edging or trimming is delayed or when transporting machine from one location to another.

17. Never leave a running machine unattended. Stop the engine, disconnect spark plug wire and ground

against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

18. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.

19. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact

Customer Support for assistance or the name of your nearest service dealer.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to power

equipment such as lawn edgers. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

1. Keep children out of the edging area and under watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.

Be alert and turn lawn edger off if a child enters the area.

Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small children.

Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the

lawn edger.

4 I SECTION 2 -- IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.

Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand

the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an

adult.

MaintenanceandStorage

1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless

and deadly gas.

2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the

spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original equipment manufacture's (O.E.M.) blade only,

listed in this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!"

4. Lawn edger blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

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

6. Never ta roper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

7. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine.

Thoroughly inspect the lawn edger for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating the lawn edger.

8. Never attempt to make a wheel adjustment while the engine is running.

9. Many components on your new edger can wear with continued use. For safety protection, frequently check all edger components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer's (O.E.M.) parts only,

listed in this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!"

10. Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe

operating speed of the engine.

11. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.

12. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for used gas, oil, etc.. Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm

the environment.

SparkArrestor

_L ARNING! This machine is equipped with an

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 attester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, RO. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered,

brushcovered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).

AverageUsefulLife

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years, or 70 hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful Life, buy a new machine or have the machine inspected annually by an

authorized service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety systems are working properly and not worn excessively.

Failure to do so can result in accidents, injuries or death.

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.

SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!

SECTION 2 -- IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES S

Assembly& Set-Up

Contents of Carton

One Edger One Engine Operator's Manual

NOTE:This machine is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL. After setting up the edger, service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate Engine Operator's Manual packed with your machine.

NOTE: Reference to the right or left hand side of the edger is observed from the operating position.

One Edger Operator's Manual One 18 oz. Bottle Engine Oil

Assembly

Handle

Remove and discard any packaging cardboard that may be present between the upper handle and the lower handle.

1. Pivot the upper handle upward until it snaps into place. See Fig. 3-1.

Starter Rope

1. Locate the rope guide found on the right side of the upper handle. Loosen, but do NOT remove, the wing knob which

secures the rope guide to the upper handle. See Fig. 3-2.

Figure 3-1

2. Tighten the hand knobs, which are located on both the left and right sides of the handle.

Figure 3=2

2. Stand behind the edger and hold the blade control against the upper handle.

3. Gently pull the starter rope out of the engine.

_ ARNING! The edger blade WILL rotate when the

starter rope is pulled.

NOTE:The starter rope will not pull out of the engine unless the blade control (refer to Fig. 3-2) is depressed against the upper handle.

4. Slip the starter rope through the top of the rope guide. Retighten the wing knob which secures the rope guide to the upper handle.

Adjustments

BevelAdjustment

The angle of the edger blade can be adjusted by placing the bevel adjustment in one of three positions for edging. See Fig.

3-3.

Figure 3-3

Set-Up

(;as& OilFill-Up

Service the engine with gas and oil as instructed in the Engine Operator's Manual package seperately with your edger. Read

instructions carefully.

gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the

_ ARNING! Use extreme caution when handling

vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine

indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

SECTION 2 -- ASSEMBLY& SET-UP 7

ControlsandFeatures

Recoils Starter

Curb H eight--._..____

Adjustment Lever

Depth Control Lever

Bevel Adj

Figure 4=1

Edger controls and features are described below and illustrated in Fig. 4-1.

i_ WARNING! Be familiar with all the controls and

NOTE: For detailed information on all engine controls, refer to the seperate Engine Operator's Manual.

their proper operation and know how to stop the

machine and disengage it quickly.

StarterRope/ RecoilStarter

The starter rope/recoil starter is used to start the engine.

Primer

The primer is used to pump gas into the carburetor and aid in starting the engine. Use it to start a cold engine, but do not use it to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown.

CurbHeightAdjustmentLever

The curb height adjustment lever is found on the rear portion of the edger. When placed in an applicable notch, it aids in

stabilizing the edger while edging grass along a curb.

8lade Control

Located on the upper handle, the blade control must be depressed against the upper handle in order to operate the

edger. Releasing the blade control stops the engine and the edger blade.

8lade DepthControl Lever

The blade depth control lever is located on the right side of the upper handle. It is used to control the depth of the cut. The further forward the blade depth control lever is moved, the deeper into the soil the edger blade will cut.

BevelAdjustmentLever

The bevel adjustment lever is located on the front, left portion of the edger, behind the edger blade. It is used to vary the angle

of the edger blade between one of three positions for edging, trenching or beveled edging.

Operation

Starting the Engine

To start the edger's engine, proceed as follows:

1. Attach the spark plug wire to the spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.

2. Move the blade depth control lever back to the START position in the adjacent (top) notch.

3. Depress the primer bulb three times, pausing two to three seconds between each push. In cold weather (below 50°F /19°C), it may be necessary to depress the primer bulb four

or five times. NOTE: Using the primer to restart a warm engine after a

short shutdown is usually not necessary. Doing so may result in a flooded engine.

4. Standing behind the edger, depress the blade control and hold it against the upper handle with your left hand.

i_ WARNING! This blade control mechanism is a

safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation.

5. With your right hand, grasp the recoil starter handle and slowly pull the rope outward until engine reaches the start

of its compression cycle (the rope will pull slightly harder at this point).

6. After slowly allowing the rope to recoil, pull the rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep a firm grip on

starter handle throughout the entire stroke.

7. Allow the starter handle to slowly return to the eyebolt. NOTE: If the engine fails to start after three pulls, depress

the primer an additional two times before pulling the starter rope again.

Edging

WARNING! The rotating cutting blade may throw

objects and cause personal injury. Keep the area clear of bystanders and do not operate it without

the guards in place.

concrete, asphalt, rocks or the like. The blade can

_ WARNING! Do not lower the blade if it is over

To begin edging, proceed as follows:

strike the supporting surface, resulting in personal injury or property damage.

Move the edger to an area to be edged, making sure that the left rear wheel is on a hard surface and the blade is over

the area to be cut. See Fig. 5-1.

Stopping TheEngine

To stop the edger's engine, release the blade control.

Figure 5-1

2. With blade control lever in START position, make a pass along the area to be edged before proceeding to the next notch. The further forward blade depth control lever is

moved, the deeper or lower the blade will cut into the ground. Several passes may be necessary to obtain the desired depth of cut. Do not lower the blade more than one depth notch at a time without making a pass.

3. For best results, proceed slowly along the path being edged. Slowly moving edger back and forth through the

cutting area, again making sure to keep the left rear wheel on the hard surface and the blade in the cutting path, close to but not touching the edge of the hard surface.

4. Once you have finished edging the selected area, raise the blade control lever back into the START position, move to

the next area to be edged, and proceed again from step 1.

EdgingAlong ACurb

The right, rear wheel of the edger can be lowered into one of five positions to ease the task of edging along a curb. To adjust the height of curb wheel, proceed as follows:

1. Lower the right, rear wheel by moving the curb height adjustment lever slightly to the left. See Fig. 5-2.

Beveling

In order to achieve a bevelled edge, set the bevel adjustment lever (refer to the Assembly & Set-Up Section) in the first (left hand) or third (right hand) notch to place the edger blade in

position for beveling. See Fig. 5-3.

Right=Hand Position Left-Hand Position

Figure 5=2

2. Pivot the right, rear wheel into an applicable position in relation to the height of the curb to be edged along. See

Fig.5-2

:3. Releasethe curb height adjustment lever to lock the wheel

in position. See Fig. 5-2.

Figure 5-3

SECTION S-- OPERATION

Trenching(Ifequipped)

You can utilize the edger's optional trenching feature in order to create a wider cutting path for such things as laying wire for landscape lighting.

WARNING! Disconnect the spark plug wire and

ground against the engine before performing the

following steps.

WARNING! The edger blade is sharp. Wear leather work gloves to protect your hands when working

around the edger blade.

Use two wrenches (one wrench to prevent the hex bolt head from spinning and the other to unthread the flange

nut) to remove the flange nut that secures the edger blade, leaving the edger blade in place. See Fig. 5-4.

Figure 5-4

2. Install the additional edger blade supplied with your machine and the flat washer. See Fig. 5-4.

3. Secure with the flange nut removed earlier. Use a torque wrench to tighten the flange nut to between 37 foot-lbs.

and 50 foot-lbs. NOTE: Make certain that the drive belt is seated correctly

on the blade spindle and that it is riding smoothly on the spindle sheaves and is not pinched between them. Repeat

the first three steps if belt is pinched.

SECTION S -- OPERATION 11

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