MTD 840 THRU 848, 820 THRU 828 Owner’s Manual
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Transmatic
Garden Tractor
Models
820 Thru 828
840 Thru 848
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
Warning: This unit isequipped 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 attester for the muffler isavailable through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. 8ox 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.
MTD LLC,P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO. 770-10119C
(12/2001 )
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices ............................................................................ 3
Slope Gauge ............................................................................................................... 6
Hardware Pack ............................................................................................................ 7
Unpacking ................................................................................................................... 8
Assembling Your Garden Tractor ................................................................................ 8
Know Your Garden Tractor .......................................................................................... 15
Operating Your Garden Tractor ................................................................................... 17
Making Adjustments .................................................................................................... 19
Maintaining Your Garden Tractor ................................................................................ 22
Off-Season Storage .................................................................................................... 24
Optional Equipment ..................................................................................................... 25
Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................... 26
FINDINGMODELNUMBER
This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new Garden Tractor. Itwill help you assemble, prepare
and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on
the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or
an authorized dealer.
You can locate the model number by pivoting the seat forward and looking under the seat at the seat
pivot bracket. 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) (Serial Number)
www.mtdproducts.com 800-800-7310
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
ENGINEINFORMATION
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 unit for more information.
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 your lawn mower, 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 lawn mower 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
lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety
instructions could result in serious injury or death.
GeneralOperation
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the
operator's manual and on the machine before
starting. Keep this manual in a safe place for future
and regular reference and for ordering replacement
parts.
• Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the
instructions to operate the machine. Know controls
and how to stop the machine quickly.
• Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near
rotating parts.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire,
etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the
blade. A small object may have been overlooked
and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in
any direction and cause injury to you or a
bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury,
keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75
feet from the mower while 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. Stop
the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or
roads.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before
mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
• Never carry passengers.
• Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and
backing up. Always look down and behind before
and while backing.
• Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not
operate the mower without either the entire grass
catcher or the chute guard in place.
• Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive
speed.
• Never leave a running machine unattended.
Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in
neutral, set park brake, stop engine and remove
key before dismounting.
• Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.
• Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a
complete stop before (a) removing grass catcher or
unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs,
adjusting or removing any grass or debris.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways.
• Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not
be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck
under power, because the unit could tip over,
causing serious personal injury. The unit must be
pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload
properly.
• Never make a cutting height adjustment while
engine is running if operator must dismount to do
so.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting
clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving
parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or
sneakers.
• Check overhead clearance carefully before driving
under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging
tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings,
or in any other situation where the operator may be
struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in
serious injury.
• Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly
depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral
before attempting to start engine.
• Your mower is designed to cut normal residential
grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt
to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g.,
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up
onthemowerdeckorcontacttheengineexhaust
presentingapotentialfirehazard.
SlopeOperation
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and
tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or
death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot
back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, 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° as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this
unit on that area or serious injury could result.
Do:
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that
you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
Always keep machine in gear when going down
slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for
wheel weights or counterweights to improve
stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of the
machine.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front
of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards
which could cause serious injury.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose
traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
DoNot
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The mower could suddenly turn
over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or
if an edge caves in.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could
cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your
foot on the ground.
• Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur ifthe operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of an adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the
area.
• Before and when backing, look behind and down
for small children.
• Never carry children, even with the blades off. They
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with
the safe machine operation.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
the machine. Children 14 years and over should
only operate machine under close parental
supervision and proper instruction.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child or other hazard.
• Remove key when machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
Service
• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.
• Replace fuel cap securely and wipe off any spilled
fuel before starting the engine as it may cause a fire
or explosion.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
• Never refuel the machine indoors because fuel
vapors will accumulate in the area.
• Never store the fuel container or machine inside
where there is an open flame or spark, such as a
gas hot water heater, space heater or furnace.
• Never run a machine inside a closed area.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free of
grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil
or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool 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.
• We do not recommend the use of pressure
washers or garden hose to clean your unit. They
may cause damage to electric components,
spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use
of water will result in shortened life and reduce
serviceability.
• Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,
visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g.,excessive
wear,bent,cracked).Replacewithbladewhich
meetsoriginalequipmentspecifications.
• Keepallnuts,boltsandscrewstighttobesurethe
equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.
• Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheir
properoperationregularly.Useallguardsas
instructedinthismanual.
• Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,
removethewirefromthesparkplugandthoroughly
inspectthemowerforanydamage.Repairthe
damagebeforerestartingandoperatingthemower.
• Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,
damageanddeterioration,whichcouldexpose
movingpartsorallowobjectstobethrown.Foryour
safetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponents
andreplacewithmanufacturer'srecommended
partswhennecessary.
• Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthe
blade(s)orwearglovesanduseextracautionwhen
servicingblade(s).
• Checkbrakeoperationfrequently.Adjustand
serviceasrequired.
• Muffler,engineandbeltguardsbecomehotduring
operationandcancauseaburn.Allowtocooldown
beforetouching.
• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsor
overspeedtheengine.Excessiveenginespeeds
aredangerous.
• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulations.
Improperdisposaloffluidsandmaterialscanharm
theenvironmentandtheecology.
• Priortodisposal,determinethepropermethodto
disposeofwastefromyourlocalEnvironmental
ProtectionAgency.Recyclingcentersare
establishedtoproperlydisposeofmaterialsinan
environmentallysafefashion.
• Usepropercontainerswhendrainingfluids.Donot
usefoodorbeveragecontainersthatmaymislead
someoneintodrinkingfromthem.Properlydispose
ofthecontainersimmediatelyfollowingthedraining
offluids.
• DONOTpouroilorotherfluidsintotheground,
downadrainorintoastream,pond,lakeorother
bodyofwater.ObserveEnvironmentalProtection
Agencyregulationswhendisposingofoil,fuel,
coolant,brakefluid,filters,batteries,tiresandother
harmfulwaste.
YourResponsibility
• 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
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.
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i u4 A POWER POLE
i ! "ql A CORNER OF A BUILDING
==_ n I ! q OR A FENCE POST
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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 walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremel'y 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.
Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.
SECTION3: HARDWAREPACK
NOTE: Hardware pack may contain extra items which are not used on your unit. Part numbers are shown in
)arentheses.
A_ATTACHING THE DECK LINKS
C_ATTACHING THE DECK WHEELS
(if not already attached)
(46" Deck
Only)
Deck
Wheels are
Not Shown
a_ ATTACHING THE CUTTING DECK
I
Spacers
(750-0932A)
//
Hairpin Clips
(714-0101)
NOTE: This
hardware may
be assembled
Front
Axle Bolts
3-1/4"
"'_Long
(738-3056)
•=_ Rear
Axle Bolts
2-1/4" Long
(738-0533)
Washers
-_©©©©
3/8" LD.
(736-0169)
3/8-16 --
..s ©© 3Q
Thread
(712-0798)
SECTION4: ASSEMBLINGYOURGARDENTRACTOR
Unpacking
• Remove all screws and staples from top of crate
using a 1/4" hex head socket or a screw driver.
• To remove ends, grasp top board on the end, and
pull towards you in a downward motion. (A hammer
may help). Set panel aside to avoid tire punctures.
• Repeat procedure for each side of the crate.
• Remove and discard plastic bag which covers unit.
• Loose parts (operator's manual, steering wheel,
battery fluid, chute deflector, etc.)are on the seat or
in a box and wrapped in plastic. Carefully cut and
remove the plastic wrap. Remove loose parts from
the seat and save.
• Remove deck from beneath the tractor. Make sure
that parking brake is released and unit is in neutral.
NOTE: See the controls section of this manual for
location of the parking brake release and the shift lever.
• Push unit off the skid.
• Lay out the contents of the hardware pack on the
illustration on page 7 for identification.
IMPORTANT: After assembly, service engine with
gasoline, and check oil level as instructed in the engine
manual packed seperately with your unit.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the unit is
observed from the driver's seat, facing forward.
ToolsRequired
1. 1/4" socket wrench or flat blade screwdriver
2. 1/2" wrench or socket wrench for models with
square steering wheel cap
3. 9/16" wrench or socket wrench
4. Two 7/16" wrenches or socket wrenches
or milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten eggs
or vegetable oil. If discomfort persists,call physi-
cian immediately.
EYES: Flush with cool water for at least 15 min-
utes, then get prompt medical attention.
c.
If acid spills on clothing, first dilute it with
clean water, then neutralize with a solution of
ammonia/water or baking soda/water.
d. Since battery acid is corrosive, do not pour it
into any sink or drain. Before discarding
empty electrolyte containers, rinse them with
a neutralizing solution.
e. NEVER connect or disconnect charger clips
to battery while the charger is turned on as it
can cause sparks.
f. Keep alllighted materials (cigarettes,
matches, lighters) away from the battery as
the hydrogen gas generated during charging
can be combustible.
g. As a further precaution, only charge the
battery in a well-ventilated area.
_b WARNING: Keep battery away from
children. Do not activate battery (fill with battery
acid) until battery is actually placed in service.
Be certain to read previous battery warnings
before activating the battery.
Identifying BatteryType
• Compare the battery in your lawn tractor (located
under the seat) with Figure 1 . Type "A" batteries
are activated and are ready to use. Type "B"
batteries must be filled with battery fluid (acid) and
charged before they are put into service. Follow
pertinent instructions.
SettinguptheBattery
eyes,
WARNING: Always shield protect skin
and clothing when working near batteries.
Handle battery acid with great care as contact
with itcan burn and blister the skin. Follow the
steps below to ensure safe handling.
a. Wear protective clothing (goggles, rubber
gloves and apron) to work with battery.
b. Should battery acid accidentally splatter into
the eyes or onto the face, rinse the affected
area immediately with clean cold water. A list
of antidotes are given below. If there is any
further discomfort, seek medical attention.
Antidote: EXTERNAL--Flush with water.
INTERNAL--Drink large quantities of water
Type A Type B Type B
Figure 1
ChargingtheBattery
TypeABattery
NOTE: ff the battery on your tractor is of the A type, it is
already activated and is ready to use. Skip the following
section of assembly and proceed to Attaching Steering
Wheel You will, however, need to install the battery on
the tractorlater on in the assembly.
Type BBattery
• Lift the hood of the tractor and locate the battery.
See Figure 2. Remove the wing nuts from the hold-
down rods on two sides of the battery. Disconnect
the positive cable from the positive terminal. Save
the hardware for reassembly.
Hold-Dow'n
Rod &
Wing
Nut
Figure 2
Remove the battery from the tractor, paying
attention to how the battery is placed on the unit,
and how the drain tube is routed.
Activate the battery as instructed in the "Quick
Start" brochure included with the battery fluid. Read
instructions carefully.
NOTE: You can continue assembling the tractor while
battery is standing for 30 minutes (after filling with acid),
and later while the battery is being charged.
Remove the steering bellow from the lift lever on
the right hand side of tractor. Place steering bellow
over the steering shaft extending through the dash.
See Figure 3.
Hex
Bolt
Washer
Shaft
t.,
Wheel Cap
Steering
Bellow
Figure 3
NOTE: If the openings on each end of the steering
bellow are of two sizes, the smaller end goes down
against the dash of the tractor.
Keeping the wheels of the tractor pointing straight
forward, place the steering wheel over the steering
shaft. Place the washer with the cupped side down
over the steering shaft. Secure with hex lock bolt.
See Figure 3.
NOTE: If the steering wheel cap is square, you must
use a socket wrench.
• Place the steering wheel cap over the center of the
steering wheel and adjust to secure.
IMPORTANT: To obtain maximum life from the battery, it
must be charged prior to initial use.
• Charge battery after the 30-minute standing period
following the chart below.
Battery Part Number Charging Duration Amperes
725-1705D 1 Hour 2-3
725-1707D 1 Hour 6
725-0453G 1 Hour 6
725-1750 1 Hour 6
725-1706 1 Hour 6
NOTE: If you charge the battery at a lower AMP rate,
use a hydrometer to make sure the battery is
completely charged. The hydrometer should read 1.260
minimum at an electrolyte temperature of60-110°F. Do
not charge at more than 6 amps.
AttachingSteeringWheel
• The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has
been packed inside the steering wheel. Carefully
pry off the steering wheel cap and remove
hardware for assembly.
AttachingtheSeat
One of two types of seats are used on these garden
tractor models: a manual adjustment seat and a quick
adjustment seat. See Figure 4 and Figure 5 to identify
which seat is on your unit. Follow instructions pertaining
to your garden tractor model only.
ManualAdjustmentSeat
Seat
Pivot
Figure 4
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