MTD 370 THRU 389 Owner’s Manual

OWNER'S GUIDE

Model Series

370 - 389

Rotary Mowers

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Warning: This undis equipped with an internal combustionengine and should not be used on or near any unimprovedforest-
covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped witha spark attester meeting
applicablelocal cr state laws (it any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective workingorder by the operator.
In the State of Californiathe above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public ResourcesCode). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply onfederal lands. A sparkarrester for themuffler isavailable 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. 770-0420M

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAF E 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 Y3UR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE

INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS
WARNING.

DANGER: Your lawn mower wa., built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this

&

1. GENERAL OPERATION

manual. As with any type of powe" equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can

result in serious injury. This lawn rr ower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.

Failure to observe the following saf{_tyinstructions could result in serious injury or death.

• Read this owner's guide carefully in ts entirety -
before attempting to assemble this macfine. Read,

understand, and follow all instruction_ on the
machine and in the manual(s) before op.,ration. Be

completely familiar with the controls and the proper °
use of this machine before operating il. Keep this
manual in a safe place for future aid regular
reference and for ordedng replacement pats.

• Your rotary mower is a precision piec_ of power
equipment, not a plaything. ThereforE, exercise

extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
designed to perform one job: to mow gr_ss. Do not

use it for any other purpose.

• Never allow children under 14 years old t,) operate a
power mower. Children 14 years old and ,_ver should

only operate mower under close parental
supervision. Only responsible individual_ who are
familiar with these rules of safe operatior should be
allowed to use your mower.

• Keep the area of operation clear of _11 persons,
particularly small children and pets. S:op engine
when they are in the vicinity of your mo vet to help
prevent blade contact or thrown obect injury.
Although the area of operation should be completely
cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been

overlooked and could be accidentally thr 3wn by the
mower in any direction and cause sedo_Js personal

injury to the operator or any others allowed in the
area.

• Thoroughly inspect the area where the eluipment is
to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, \fire, bones,

toys and other foreign objects which coul t be picked
up and thrown by the mower in any direction and

cause serious personal injury to the ope ator or any
others allowed in the area Plan your mo_#ing pattern
to avoid discharge of material toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To Lelp avoid a

thrown objects injury, keep children, bys anders and

helpers at least 75 feet from the mower vhile it is in

operation.

Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation or while performing an adjustment or

repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that may

be thrown from the machine in any direction.
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. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or

jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never

operafe 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 opening at a{I times as the

rotating blade can cause injury.
Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being

pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hang on 1o

the mower if you are falling; release the handle

immediately.
Never pull the mower toward you while you are

walking. If you must back the mower away from a
wall or obstruction first look down and behind, and
then follow these steps:

Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.
Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way

toward you.
Repeat these steps as needed.

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

Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on
units so equipped while starting engine.

The blade control handle is a safety device. Never

attempt to bypass ils operation. Doing so makes the
safety device inoperative and may result in personal
injury through contact with the rotating blade. The
blade control handle must operate easily in both
directions and automatically return to the disengaged
position when released.

2

, Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be

sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious
personal injury. Keep a firm hold on the handle and
walk, never run. if you feel you are losing your
footing, RELEASE THE BLADE CONTROL HANDLE

IMMEDIATLEY and the blade will stop rotating within
three seconds.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Stop the blade when cress+ng 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 unUI the blade comes to
a complete stop before removing the grass catcher

or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues
to rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut
off. Never place any part of the body in the blade
area until you are sure the blade has stopped

rotating.

• Never operate mower without proper guards, grass
catcher, plates or other safety protective devices in

place.

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

• Only use accessories approved for this machine by
the manufacturer. Read, understand, and follow all

instructions provided with the approved accessory.

• If situations occur which are not covered in this

manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance. Telephone [phone]
for the name of your nearest dealer.

2. SLOPE OPERATION

For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this
manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a

sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees
as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on

that area or serious injury could result.

DO:

• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and 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 blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop in less than 3

8eoonds.

DO NOT:

• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments.
The operator could lose footing or balance.

• Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge.

• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could

cause slipping.

3. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the

presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
mower and the mowing activity. Never assume that children

will remain where you last saw them.

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

• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.

• Before and while moving backwards, look behind
and down for small children or other objects.

Never allow children under age 14 to operate the

mower. Children 14 years of age and above should
read and understand the operation instructions and
safety rules in this manual.

• Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your

vision of a child or hazard.

4. SERVICE

Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other

fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors
are explosive.

Use only an approved gasoline container.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is

running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.

Replace gaso!ine 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 machine 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
water heater, space heater, or furnace.

Never run an engine inside a closed area.
To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass,

leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel
spillage. Allow mower to coot at least 5 minutes

before storing.
Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make

certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped.

Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting.

Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at

frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually

inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked or

worn). Replace with blade which meet.' original
equipment specifications listed in this manuEL

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

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check th.,=irproper
operation regularly.

• After striking a foreign object, stop th_ engine,
remove the wire from the spark plug, and tl_oroughly

inspect the mower Ior any damage. R,=pair the
damage before starting and operating the m,,=wer.

• Never attempt to make a wheel or cuttil_g height
adjustment while the engine is running.

understand and lollow the warnings and nstructions in this manual and on the machine.

WARNING - YOUR RESPON.=;IBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,

Grass catcher components are subject to wear,

damage and deterioration, which could expose

moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For
safety protection, frequently check components and
replace with manufacturer's recommended parts,
when necessary.

Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when

servicing them.
Do not change the engine governor setting or

overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are

dangerous.

DANGER

Figure 1 Saety Labels Found On Lawn Mower

SECTION 2: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER

This Owner's Guide is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble, prepare and

maintain your mower. Please read and unde!_tand what it says.
Before you start to prepare your mower for i's first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information
from it in this Owner's Guide. The informati,)n on the model plate is very important if you need help from your
dealer or the MTD customer support departm, ,=nt.

- Every mower has a model plate. YOL can locate it by standing behind the unit in the operating position
and looking down at the cutting deck.

• The model plate will look like Figure 2.

I

[

XXX-X-XXX-X-XXX XXXXXXXXX <X

f MTD PRODUCTS I _IC

CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

Figure 2

This is where your model number will be.

This is where your serial number will be.

4

SECTION 3: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

If you are having difficultyassembling this product or if you have any question regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this mower, please call the Customer Support Department. You can reach them by calling:

1-800-800-7310

Before you call, make sure that you have bolh your model and serial number ready. By having the model and
serial number ready, you help the Customer Support Representative give you faster service. To find your units
model and serial number, see SECTION 2: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER.

SECTION 4: UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS

REMOVE UNIT FROM CARTON

• See Figure 3,

• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton.

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

• Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat.

• Remove packing material.

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

REMOVE MANUAL & LOOSE PARTS

Figure 3

DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE
Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it against the

engine by attaching rubber boot to a bolt or metal clip to the grounding post on the engine. See Figure 4.

Spark Plug

Figure 4

5

SECTION 5: SET-UP INSTRUCI"IONS

This guide covers models 370 - 379 single speed self propelled mowers and 380 - 389 six
speed self propelled mowers. Much of this guide pertains to both models. However,

there are some areas where only one, model is covered. Use only the information that is
appropriate for your model.

ITEMS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

• Pair of Pliers (Not necessary, but helpful,

• Motor Oil

• Fresh Gasoline

IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WlTHO JT GASOLINE or OILin the engine. Be certain to service engine

with gasoline and oil as instructed in the sepan tte engine manual before operating your mower.

NOTE: Reference to right er left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position.
SET-UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

Follow steps ! through 10 to set up your lawn mower.

Step 1. Remove grass bag from unit an,1set it

out of the way.

Grass Bag

Step 2. Lift upper handle. Align it with lower

handle.

Upper Handle

\