MTD 44m-self-propel-769-03023 Parts Manuals

For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

21” Rotary Mower — Model 44M

IMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

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 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

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

www.mymowerparts.com

FORM NO. 769-03023

12/19/2006

For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble,

prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Table of Contents

Slope Gauge........................................................ 3

Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4

Setup and Adjustment ....................................... 6

Operating Your Lawn Mower .............................. 8

Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ......................... 10

Trouble Shooting .............................................. 12

Off Season Storage and Safety Labels ........... 13

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

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO ASSEMBLE YOUR NEW

EQUIPMENT, please locate the model plate on the

equipment and copy the information to the sample

model plate provided to the right. You can locate the

model plate by standing at the operating position and

looking down at the rear of the deck. This information

will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s web

site, to obtain assistance from the Customer Sup-

port Department, or when contacting an authorized

service dealer.

Engine Appendix .............................................. 14

Engine Safe Operation Practices ................. 14

Operating Your Engine .................................. 16

Maintaining Your Engine ............................... 18

Parts List ........................................................... 22

Warranty .............................................Back Cover

Model Number Serial Number

Customer Support

Please do

purchased, without ﬁrst contacting Customer Support.

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

• Visit www.mtdproducts.com

• Call a Customer Support Representative at

NOT

return the unit to the retailer from which it was

1-800-800-7310.

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For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely.

Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes.

Slope

Gauge

WARNING

Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walkbehind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.

Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.

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Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.

For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

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.

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 this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol.

HEED ITS 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.

DANGER: This machine 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. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if operator is not alert to presence of children. Children are often attracted to mower and mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

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

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

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

4. 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 mower.

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

6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power

mower. Children 14 years old and over should read and

understand operation instructions and safety rules in this

manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

General Operation

1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entiret y before

attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand,

and follow all instructions on the machine and in the

manual(s) before operation. Be completely familiar with

the controls and the proper use of this machine before

operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future

and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2. 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

mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this

machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and

understand the instructions in this manual and should

be trained and supervised by a parent. Only responsible

individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe

operation should be allowed to use this machine.

4. 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. Plan your mowing pattern

to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks,

bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material

against a wall or obstruction, which may cause discharged

material to ricochet back toward the operator.

5. 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 mower

while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters

area.

6. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during opera

tion and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect

your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious

injury to the eyes.

7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting

slacks and shirts. Shir ts 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.

8. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under cutting

deck. Contact with blade can amputate hands and feet.

9. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade

contact or thrown object injuries.

10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled

over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping.

Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the

handle immediately.

11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are

walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall or

obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tripping and

then follow these steps:

a. Step back from mower to fully extend your arms.

b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.

c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way

toward you.

d. Repeat these steps as needed.

12. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of

alcohol or drugs.

13. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so

equipped while starting engine.

14. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt

to bypass its 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.

15. Never operate the 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

blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop

rotating within three seconds.

16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never run.

17. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.

18. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the

engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is

generally a warning of trouble.

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For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

19. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a

complete stop before removing the grass catcher or unclog-

ging 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.

20. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge

cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety

protective devices in place and working. Never operate

mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so can

result in personal injury.

21. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do

not touch.

22. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by

manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.

23. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual,

use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer for

assistance.

Slope Operation

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. 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, do not mow it.

Do:

1. Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise

extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

2. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps

which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide

obstacles.

3. 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 rotating within 3 seconds.

Do Not:

1. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you

could lose your footing or balance.

2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on

the slope gauge.

3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause

slipping.

Service

Safe Handling Of Gasoline:

1. 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.

2. Use only an approved gasoline container.

3. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.

4. Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

5. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or

container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do

not use a nozzle lock-open device.

6. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources

of ignition.

7. Never fuel machine indoor because flammable vapors will

accumulate in the area.

8. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or

running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before

refueling.

9. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch

below bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel expansion.

10. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

11. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment.

Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting

engine.

12. Never store the machine or fuel container near an open

flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space

heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.

13. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves,

or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and

remove any fuel soaked debris.

14. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.

General Service:

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. Mower 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 equip ment is in safe working condition.

6. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

7. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, discon nect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating the mower.

8. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjust

ment while the engine is running.

9. Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail

shield are subject to wear and damage which could

expose moving par ts or allow objects to be thrown. For

safety protection, frequently check components and re-

place immediately with original equipment manufacturer’s

(O.E.M.) par ts 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 gover nor setting or over-rev the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

11. Maintain or replace safety labels, as necessar y.

12. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper

disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment.

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 this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol.

HEED IT’S 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.

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Setup and

Adjustment

NOTE: Stand behind the mower as if you were going to operate it. Your right hand corresponds to the right side of the mower; your left hand corresponds to the left side of the mower.

NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set with the wheels in a low cutting height position. For best results raise the cutting position until it is determined which height is best for your lawn, refer to Adjustment section for instructions.

For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

1. Follow the steps below to position the handle.

a. Lift the upper handle up from the folded position

Figure 3-1: Unfold handle and tighten hardware.

Hardware Pack

Wing Nuts (2)

Figure 3-2: Secure handle to handle mounting brackets.

Carriage Bolts (2)

and pull it back to the extended position. See Figure 3-1. Do not crimp cables. The handle should click into this position.

b. Make sure the carriage bolt is seated properly in

the handle. Tighten star knobs to secure upper handle to the lower handle.

2. Follow these steps to secure the handle:

a. Remove the hairpin clip from the pivot rod. Using a

pair of pliers, insert hairpin clip into the other hole on the rod. Repeat on other side. See Figure 3-2.

b. Insert a carriage bolt from the hardware pack into

the upper hole on the handle mounting bracket. Secure with one plastic wing nut, also included in the hardware pack. Repeat on other side.

3. The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope guide. Refer to Figure 3-3.

a. Hold the blade control against upper handle.

b. Pull starter rope out of the engine. Release the

blade control.

c. Slip starter rope into rope guide.

d. Tighten wing nut.

4. Secure cables to the lower handle using the cable ties. See Figure 3-4. Insert posts on cable ties into holes provided on the lower handle. Pull cable ties tight and trim excess.

IMPORTANT

This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Fill up gasoline and oil as instructed in the engine operation section BEFORE operating your mower.

Figure 3-3: Pull recoil starter through rope guide and tighten.

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Figure 3-4: Use cable ties to secure cables to lower handle.

For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

5. Follow steps below to assemble the grass catcher:

a. Place bag over frame so that its black plastic side

is at the bottom. Check that the bag is turned right side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside). See Figure 3-5.

b. Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on the

frame. All the plastic channels except center top of bag attach from outside of bag.

c. Attach center top of bag from inside of bag.

6. To attach the grass catcher:

a. Lift rear discharge door. See Figure 3-6.

b. Place grass catcher on the pivot rod. Let go

of discharge door so that it rests on the grass catcher.

Adjustments

Cutting Height

An adjusting plate and thumb lever at each wheel provides cutting height adjustment. Each lever must be moved to the same position to ensure an even cut.

1. Pull the lever out and away from the mower. See Figure 3-7.

2. Move the lever forward or back for desired cutting height.

3. Release lever towards mower deck.

Figure 3-5: Assemble the grass catcher (if needed)

Setup and

Adjustment

WARNING

Never operate mower

unless the hooks on

the grass catcher are

firmly seated on the

pivot rod and the rear

discharge door rests

firmly against top of

the grass catcher.

Figure 3-6: Attach the grass catcher.

Figure 3-7: Use lever at each wheel to adjust cutting height.

CUTTING HEIGHT:

For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help prevent scalping of the grass.

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For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

Know Your Lawn Mower

Operating

Your Lawn

Mower

WARNING

The blade control is a

safety device. Never

attempt to bypass its

operations.

Drive Control

Recoil Starter

Blade Control

Oil Fill

Choke Control

Gasoline Fill

Cutting Height Adjustment Lever (one at each wheel)

Use extreme care

when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable

and the 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.

Keep hands and feet

away from the chute

area on cutting deck.

Refer to warning label on the unit.

Figure 4-1: The main components on the mower.

Now that you have set up your lawn mower, it’s important to become acquainted with its controls and features.

Blade Control

The blade control is attached to the upper handle of the mower. Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle to operate the unit. Release it to stop engine and blade.

WARNING: This blade control mechanism is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its

operations.

Drive Control

The drive control is located on the underside of the upper handle and is used to engage the drive. Squeeze it against the upper handle to engage the drive; release it to slow down or stop mower from propelling.

Cutting Height Adjustment Levers

One adjustment lever is located at each wheel and is used to adjust the cutting height. All four levers must be moved to the same position to ensure a uniform cut.

Recoil Starter

The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to start the unit.

Choke Control

The choke control is located on the left side of the handle and when activated, closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine.

Gas and Oil Fill-Up

1. Add oil provided before starting unit for the first time out of the box. Follow engine operation section for this. See Figure 4-1 above for location of the oil fill.

2. Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the engine operation section. See Figure 4-1 above for location of gas fill.

WARNING: Use extreme care when handling

gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the 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.

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For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

WARNING: The operation of any lawn mower

can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can damage your eyes severely. Always wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while performing any adjustments or repairs on it.

Operating

Starting Engine

WARNING: Be sure no one other than the op -

erator is standing near the lawn mower while

starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.

WARNING: Always keep hands and feet clear

of equipment moving parts. Do not use a pressurized starting fluid. Vapors are flammable.

1. Pull out the choke knob located on the left side of the

upper handle. See Figure 4-2.

NOTE: Use of the choke is not necessary if the engine is warm or the air temperature is high.

2. Standing behind the mower, depress the blade control

and hold it against the upper handle.

3. Pull the starter grip lightly until resistance is felt,

then pull rapidly to overcome compression, prevent kickback and start engine. Repeat if necessary. See Figure 4-2 .

IMPORTANT: Do not allow the starter grip to snap back against the rope guide. Return it gently to prevent damage to the starter.

4. When engine warms up, push in the choke knob. See

Figure 4-2.

Stopping Engine

1. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.

Using Your Lawn Mower

WARNING: Never operate your mower without

either the rear door or the entire grass catcher assembly firmly secured.

Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.

Figure 4-2: Steps to start mower.

WARNING: If you strike a foreign object,

stop the engine. Remove wire from the spark plug, thoroughly inspect mower for any damage, and repair damage before restarting and operating. Extensive vibration of mower during operation is an indication of damage. The unit should be promptly inspected and repaired.

1. Once the engine is running, squeeze the drive

control to propel mower. For best results, do not cut wet grass and never cut off more than one-third of the total length of the grass.

Using as Mulcher

For mulching grass, remove the grass catcher from the mower. The rear discharge door should be closed.

• For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass.

• New or thick grass may require a narrower cut.

Adjust ground speed according to condition of lawn.

• If the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of

four inches, mulching is not recommended. Use the grass catcher to bag clippings instead.

Using Grass Catcher

You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while you are operating the mower.

1. Attach grass catcher following instructions in the

Setup section. Grass clippings will automatically collect in bag as you run mower. Operate mower till grass bag is full.

2. Stop engine completely by releasing the blade

control. Make sure that the unit has come to a complete stop.

3. Lift discharge door and pull grass bag up and away

from the mower to dispose of the grass clippings.

Your Lawn

Mower

WARNING

The operation of

any lawn mower

can result in foreign

objects being thrown

into the eyes, which

can damage your

eyes severely.

Always wear safety

glasses while operat-

ing the mower, or while performing

any adjustments or

repairs on it.

Be sure no one other

than the operator is

standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower.

Never run engine in-

doors or in enclosed,

poorly venti-

lated areas. Engine

exhaust contains

carbon monoxide, an

odorless and deadly

gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from

any moving parts

on engine and lawn

mower.

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+ 19 hidden pages

MTD 44m-self-propel-769-03023 Parts Manuals

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual