MTD V17 Operator's Manual

Operator's Manual

Electric Lawn Mower

19" Rear Bagger

Model Vl 7

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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

means it is listed by

This symbol on the product's nameplate

UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC.

FORM NO. 770-8969E

(10/03)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content

Important Safe Operation Practices
Slope Gauge
Unpacking Instructions
Assembling Your Lawn Mower

Know Your Lawn Mower
Operating Your Lawn Mower

Page Content Page

3 Making Adjustments 12
6 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 12

7 Off Season Storage 14
7 Trouble Shooting 15

9 Illustrated Parts List 16

10 Warranty 20

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

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.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the information from it inthe space provided below. A sample model plate is
also given below. 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 and/or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized

service dealer.

Copy the model number here:

_jM_)ff MTB LLC

', www.mtuprouuc_s.com 888-888-731 8

P. O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND,OH 44136
338-228-4683

Copy the serial number here:

CUSTOMERSUPPORT

Please doNOTreturntheunittotheretailer fromwhereit waspurchased,withoutfirstcontactingCustomerSupport.

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 mtdproducts.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and
you will get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is

immediately available.

answer you are

looking for could be just

a mouse c//cA awayf

If you prefer to reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1-800-800-7310.

" f

answer are

looking for could be just

a mouse c//cA away!

" f

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to

M nual

En ine

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.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS!

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 oper-

ate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol--
HEED ITS WARNING.

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.

When using electric tawnmowers, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric
shock, and personal injury. These basic precautions include the following:

GENERALOPERATION

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in asafe 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, stay
in the operator zone behind the handles and keep
children and bystanders at least 75 feet from the machine

while it is in operation. Stop motor ifanyone enters the

area.

6. 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
thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious
personal injury.

7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material
toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a walt or obstruction,

which may cause discharged material to ricochet back

toward the operator.

8. Always wear proper eye protection while operating or
performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes.
Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury
to the eyes.

9. Always use a face or dust mask if operating in a dusty
environment.

10. Dress Properly - Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.
They can be caught in moving parts. Use of rubber
gloves and footwear is recommended when working

outdoors.

11. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection should

be provided on the circuit(s) or outlet(s) to be used for the
lawn mower. Receptacles are available having built-in
GFCI protection and may be used for this measure of
safety.

12. To prevent electric shock use only with a UL listed
extension cord set suitable for outdoor use, such as Type
SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW-A, SJW-A, SJOW-A,
SJTW-A, or SJTOW-A.

13. Extension Cord - Make sure your extension cord set is in
good condition, is heavy enough to carry the current your

mower will draw, and is polarized (one blade of plug is
wider than the other). A 50' length of 12 AWG cord should
be used. A longer length or undersized cord will cause a
drop in line voltage resulting in a loss of power and
overheating.

14. To reduce the likelihood of disconnection of the lawn
mower from the extension cord set, be sure to use the

cord restraint provided as shown in the illustration below
as well as a modern, tightly fitting extension cord:

Cord Restraint

'1 Extension Cord

15.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, this lawn mower has
a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other) and
wilt require the use of a polarized extension cord. The

mower plug wilt only fit into the polarized extension cord

one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the extension
cord, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, obtain a
correct polarized extension cord. A polarized extension
cord wilt require the use of a polarized wall outlet. This
plug wilt fit into the polarized outlet only one way. Ifthe
plug does not fit fully into the walt outlet, reverse the plug.

Ifthe plug still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician

to install the proper walt outlet. Do not change the
equipment plug, extension cord receptacle, or extension
cord plug inany way.

16.Homecircuit-Thismowershouldbeoperatedona15
AMPcircuit.Ifyouexperiencedifficultyinstartingwitha

standard15AMPfuseorcircuitbreaker,contactyour
nearestauthorizedservicefacility.Donotuseahigher
ratedfuseorbreakerwithoutconsultingyourpower

company.

17.Donotabusethecordbypullingthemowerbythecord

oryankingittodisconnectitfromthereceptacle.Keep
cordfromheat,oil,andsharpedges.

18.Manyinjuriesoccurasaresultofthemowerbeingpulled

overthefootduringafallcausedbyslippingortripping.
Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeet,sandals,
slipperyorlightweight(e.g.canvas)shoes.Donothold
ontothemowerifyouarefalling;releasethehandle
immediately.

19.Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyouare
walking.Ifyoumustbackthemowerawayfromawallor

obstructionfirsttookdownandbehindtoavoidtripping
andthenfollowthesesteps:

• Stepbackfromthemowertofullyextendyourarms.

• Besureyouarewell balanced with sure footing.

• Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way

toward you.

• Repeat these steps as needed.

20. Do not use lawn mower for any job except that for which it

is intended. Do not force the lawn mower- Cut grass at a
rate, for which the mower is designed, which wilt not

sacrifice the performance or safety of the machine.

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

alcohol or drugs.

22. Stay Alert- Do not operate the mower when you are

tired. Watch what you are doing. Use common sense.

23. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the

cutting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands
and feet.

24. Never attempt to make awheel or cutting height

adjustment while the motor is running.

25. Avoid dangerous environments- Never operate the

mower in the rain or inwet or damp grass.

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

run.

27. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or

roads.

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

the motor and check immediately for the cause. Vibration
is generally a warning of trouble.

29. Stop the motor and wait until 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 motor is shut off. Never
place any part of the body inthe blade area until you are

sure the blade has stopped rotating.

30. Never operate mower without proper trail shield,

discharge cover, grass catcher, blade/motor control 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.

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

injury.

32. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual,
use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer or
telephone [phone] for assistance and the name
of your nearest servicing dealer.

SlopeOperation

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. Remove all objects such as rocks, tree limbs,
etc., which could be tripped over or thrown by the blade.

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/motor control handle

immediately, and the blade will stop rotating within 3

seconds.

DoNot:

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.

Children

1. 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. They do not
understand the dangers. 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.

• 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.

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

Service

1,

When servicing use only identical replacement parts
listed in this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the
original equipment specifications may lead to improper
performance and compromise safetyF

2,

Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain
the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect
the power cord when not in use and to prevent
unintended starting.

3,

Follow instructions for lubricating and changing
accessories.

4.

Inspect lawn mower cord and extension cords
periodically and replace immediately, if damaged. Lawn
mower cord should be repaired by an authorized service

facility only.

5,

Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease.

6.

To reduce a fire hazard, keep the motor free of grass,
leaves and debris build-up.

7,

Check the blade and motor mounting bolts at frequent
intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade

for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, and worn) Replace

blade with the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM)
blade only, listed in this manual.

8,

Maintain your mower with care - Keep mower blade
sharp and clean for best and safest performance. Mower
blades are sharp and can cut, wrap the blade or wear
gloves and use extra caution when servicing them.

g,

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

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

11. After striking a foreign object, stop the motor and
disconnect the power cord. Thoroughly inspect the

mower for any damage. Repair the damage before

operating the mower.

12. Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail
shield are subject to wear and damage which could
expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For
safety protection, frequently check components and
replace immediately with original equipment

manufacturer's (OEM) parts only, listed in this manual.

13. When not in use, store lawn mower indoors in a dry area,
locked-up and/or out of the reach of children.

DoubleInsulatedLawnMower

Double insulation is a concept in the safety of electric lawn

mowers, which eliminates the need for the usual three-wire
grounded power cord and grounded power supply system.
Wherever there is electric current in the mower, there are two

complete sets of insulation to protect the user. All exposed

metal parts are isolated from the internal metal motor

components with protecting insulation.

IMPORTANT:Servicing of a lawn mower with double

insulation requires extreme care and knowledge of the

system and should be performed only by a qualified

service technician. For repair service we suggest you

return the lawn mower to your nearest authorized

service dealer. Always use original factory replacement

parts when servicing.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

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.

USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.

'

E | .11 SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE

I.II A POWER POLE

i

-z, I "9

_-_ __

o

WARNING

Do not mow on inclines with a slope m 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 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.
Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.

¢O

SECTION3: UNPACKINGINSTRUCTIONS

RemoveUnitFromCarton

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

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

Remove any loose parts included with the unit (i.e.,
operator's manual, etc.).

Cut the corners and lay the carton down flat.
Remove packing material.

Roll or slide the unit out of carton. Check the carton

thoroughly for loose parts.

REMOVE MANUAL & LOOSE PARTS

SECTION4: ASSEMBLINGYOURLAWNMOWER

LoosePartsinCarton

• Grass Catcher Assembly. Refer to Figure 2.

Owner's Manual (not shown).

Pull up and back on the upper handle to raise the
handle into the operating position. Make certain the
lower handle is seated securely into the handle
mounting brackets. Refer to the steps in Figure 3.

Figure 1

Rear Frame

Front Frame

Grass Bag

Figure 2

ToolsRequired

• A pair of pliers.

AssemblingHandle

• Remove any packing material which may be

between the upper and lower handles for shipping
purposes.

Figure 3

WARNING: The handle insulators are not only

used to adjust handle height, but are also a
safety device and should never be altered in
any way. If replacement is necessary, use

original equipment parts as shown in the parts

list on page 16.

• The upper handle may be adjusted to three
different height positions. To adjust the handle at
the desired position, align one of the three marks
on the top of the lower handle insulators with the

mark on the upper handle insulators. See Figure 4.

• Tighten the hand knobs on each side of the handle.

Make sure that carriage bolts are seated properly
into the handle insulators.

Hand Knob

Insulator

1. Slide front frame
into rear frame

.ooqj

Fron/tFrame

2. Placeframe

inside bag

_Frame

Figure 4

Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in the

weld pins on the handle mounting brackets.

Using a pair of pliers, squeeze one leg of the lower
handle against the handle mounting bracket. Insert
the hairpin clip into the inner hole on the weld pin.
Repeat on the other side. Refer to Figure 5.

Make certain all nuts and bolts are tightened
securely.

Inner Hole

Hairpin Clip

Outer Hole

Figure 5

Lower Handle

Handle Mounting

Bracket

AssemblingtheGrassCatcher

NOTE: Before assembling, make sure that the grass

bag is turned right side out with the warning label on the
outside. Also the black plastic side is the bottom of the
bag.

Insert the front frame into the rear frame as far as it

will go.

Place frame assembly inside the bag.
Slip the plastic channel of the bag over the frame

(adjacent to the handle of the grass catcher) as
shown in Figure 6. Make sure that the handle of the
grass catcher protrudes out of the notch in the
plastic channel on bag.

Insert the two hooks on both sides of the frame
through the openings on both sides of the bag.

3. Slip handle
out of notch

Handle

4. Slip plastic channel

over frame

\

"Notch

Figure 6

• Secure bag to the frame by working the plastic
channels on bag over the frame on the other sides
as shown in Figure 6.

NOTE: All of the plastic channels except the center top

of the bag attach from the outside of the bag. The

center top of the bag attaches from the inside of bag.

WARNING: Never operate the mower without the

proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher,
blade/motor control or other safety protective

devices in place and working. Never operate the

mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do

so can result in personal injury.

AttachingTheGrassCatcher

• Lift the rear discharge door on the mower and

remove the mulching baffle. See Figure 7.

Discharge Door

Mulching Baffle

Figure 7

• Place the hooks of the grass catcher into the slots
in the handle bracket assembly on each side of the
lower handle as shown in Figure 8. Release the
rear discharge door.

To remove the grass catcher, lift the rear discharge
door on the mower. Lift the grass catcher up, out of the

slots in the handle bracket assemblies. Release the
rear discharge door.

chute door open, unless the complete grass

WARNING: Do not operate this mower with the
catcher is properly mounted on the mower.

Grass Catcher Bag Rear Discharge Door

SECTION5: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER

ot On

"_" _\ , Handle

HOOK Bracket

Figure 8

Motor/Blade Control Assembl,

Handle Insulator

Grass Catcher

Rear Discharge Door

S

Rear Trailing Shield

Read this operator's manual and safety rules before
operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in
Figure 9 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself
with the location of various controls and adjustments.

Save this manual for future reference.

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.

Cord Restraint

Handle Insulator

Lower Handle

Electric Motor

Height Adjustment Lever

Figure 9

,_ WARNING: The motor/blade control assembly

is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its

operations.

RearTrailingShield

The rear trailing shield, attached between the rear
wheels of your mower, is provided to minimize the

possibility of objects being thrown at the operator from

the rear of the mower. See Figure 9.

CircuitBreaker

M0t0r/BladeControlAssembly

The motor/blade control is located on the upper handle
of the mower. See Figure 9. The motor/blade control
handle engages and disengages the motor and blade.

The mower is equipped with a circuit breaker, located
on the motor/blade control. Refer to Figure 10. This

circuit breaker may trip when too much strain is placed

on the mower. See Making Adjustments Section.

CordRestraint

The cord restraint is located on the back of the upper
handle and when used properly, helps to protect the
motor/blade control assembly and also the extension
cord powering the unit.

HeightAdjustmentLever

A height adjustment lever at each wheel provides

cutting height adjustment. Each adjuster has nine
height positions. Height of cut will be changed when the
lever is moved from one position to another. Simply
depress the lever towards wheel and move wheel and
lever assembly to desired position. All wheels must be
placed in the same relative position.

SECTION6: OPERATINGYOURLAWNMOWER

CordConnection

ExtensionCordSelection

Shown below is the length of extension cord and its
corresponding acceptable cord ratings.

• 50' Cord -- use 12 AWG

The extension cord should be a UL listed cord set
suitable for outdoor use.

IMPORTANT:Using any other length or rating of cord will
diminish the performance and possibly the life of the
electric motor, and may also cause breakers to trip or
fuses to blow in your home's fusebox.

CordRestraint

Attach the extension cord (not provided with unit) to the
cord restraint as follows:

Form a small loop in the extension cord. Allow
enough excess cord to make the connection to the
motor/blade control (approximately 7 inches).

Slip the loop through the slot on the bottom of the
cord restraint, and up over the tab, to prevent
disconnection from the motor/blade control during
operation.

Keep the cord restraint as close to the motor/blade
control as possible. See Figure 9.

Connectingtothe ElectricPowerSource

WARNING: This mower should be operated on a

15 AMP circuit. If you experience difficulty in

starting with a standard 15 AMP fuse or circuit

breaker, contact you nearest authorized service

facility. Do not use a higher rated fuse or breaker
without consulting your power company.

Plug the extension cord into any convenient 110-120

volt 60 cycle A.C. outlet or receptacle for your source of

power. This outlet may be located either out-of-doors or
indoors. To avoid blowing fuses, pick an outlet that is

not overloaded. Your mower will operate satisfactorily
on a circuit that is fused for 15 amperes. Do not use
oversize fuses without consulting an electrician. If an

inside receptacle is used, the extension cord can be
taken out either through the doorway or a window.

Startingthe MotorandBlade

NOTE: The wheels on your unit are set in a low cutting

height position for shipping purposes. For best results,

raise the cutting position until it is determined which

height is best for your lawn. See cutting height

adjustment in the Making Adjustments section.

Motor/Blade Control Lever

Engaged Position

(Blade Turning)

Connectingtothe M0t0r/Blade ControlAssembly

Connect the plug on the extension cord fully onto the
plug on the mower. The mower is equipped with a
polarized AC power plug (one blade of the plug is wider
than the other), which will fit into the plug on the
extension cord only one way. If unable to make a full
connection, try reversing the plug on the extension
cord. Should the plugs still fail to fit, contact your
service dealer for assistance. Do not defeat the safety
purpose of the polarized plug.

10

Locking Button

Breaker

Reset Button

AC Plug

Figure 10

Position

Blade Stopped)

Upper Handle

To engage the motor and blade, first be certain to follow
the previous steps for connecting a suitable extension
cord, then referring to Figure 10:

• Stand behind the unit and depress the locking
button.

• While holding the locking button down, pull the
blade/motor control lever and hold it against the
upper handle.

• Release the locking button.

StoppingtheMotorandBlade

J

T = Obstacles

r

/

Outlet

(Start here)

WARNING: The blade continues to rotate for a
few seconds after the motor is shut off. If motor
does not come to a stop when the motor/blade

control handle is released, contact an authorized
service dealer.

To stop the motor and blade from spinning:

• Release the blade/motor control lever from its
position against the upper handle and the blade

and motor will quickly come to a stop.

NOTE: A high pitched noise may occur as the electric

motor decelerates and some sparking may occur also
at the same time. This is normal behavior when the

motor and blade is disengaged.

MowingYourLawn

NOTE: A sharp blade will greatly increase the
performance of the lawn mower, especially in
conditions of higher grass. Be sure to check the blade
and sharpen it at least once a year as outlined in the

Maintenance section.

• Be sure that lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wires, or
other objects which could damage the lawn mower

or motor. Such objects could be accidentally thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.

• To prevent electric shock, do not operate the
mower in damp or wet conditions.

• Always start from the point closest to the power
source where the cord is connected. Never mow

around the lawn in circles; travel back and forth
across the lawn, starting from the point closest to

the outlet and then moving away from the outlet so
the cord lies in the cut portion of the lawn, out of the

way. See Figure 11.

Figure 11

• Do not allow the extension cord to wrap around
trees, shrubs or other obstacles. When picking up

the extension cord, wind the cord in a series of
equal loops on each side of your hand to prevent

snarling.

• When cutting heavy grass, reduce walking speed to
allow more effective cut and proper discharge of the
clippings. For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-
third or less of the total length of the grass. The
average lawn should be approximately 1-1/2 to 2

inches during the cool season, and over 2 inches

during hot months. For a healthier and better

looking lawn, cut more often and after moderate
growth. The lawn should be cut in the fall as long as
there is growth.

MulchingTips

• For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass
because it tends to stick to the underside of the

deck, preventing proper mulching of grass
clippings. New or thick grass may require a

narrower cut. The ground speed should be

adjusted to the condition of the lawn. If mowing has

been delayed and the grass has been allowed to

grow in excess of 4", mow twice to reduce the grass

height to 3-1/4" maximum.

WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop

the motor, and unplug from the power supply
circuit. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any
damage, and repair the damage before
restarting and operating the mower.
Excessive vibration of the mower during
operation is an indication of damage. The unit
should be promptly inspected and repaired.

11

SECTION7: MAKINGADJUSTMENTS

CuttingHeightAdjustment

Cutting Height

Adjustment Lever

Figure 12

A height adjustment lever at each wheel provides
cutting height adjustment. Each adjuster has nine

height positions. Height of cut will be changed when the
lever is moved from one position to another.

• Depress the lever towards wheel and move wheel
and lever assembly to desired position.

• To raise the height, push the lever towards the front
of the mower on both front wheels, and push the

lever toward the back of the mower on the rear

wheels. Refer to Figure 12.

• All wheels must be placed in the same relative
position. For rough or uneven lawns, move the

wheels to a position which will give a higher cutting

height.

HandleHeightAdjustment

• The upper handle may be adjusted to three
different height positions. To adjust the handle at
the desired position, align one of the three marks
on the top of the lower handle insulators with the

mark on the upper handle insulators. Refer to
Figure 4.

• Tighten the hand knobs on each side of the handle.

Make sure that carriage bolts are seated properly
into the handle insulators.

ResettingtheCircuitBreaker

The mower is equipped with a circuit breaker, located
on the motor/blade control assembly as shown in

Figure 10. This circuit breaker may trip when too much
strain is placed on the mower. The circuit breaker may
have been tripped if the mower will not run.

• If this occurs, unplug the mower, wait
approximately five minutes, then depress the reset

button. Refer to Figure 10.

• Plug the mower back in, restart the mower, but be
sure to reduce the strain on the mower (i.e., mow at
a higher cutting height, slow down cutting speed, or
take a smaller width of cut).

• If the circuit breaker does not reset, or if it trips

repeatedly under normal cutting conditions, unplug
the mower from the extension cord and unplug the
extension cord from the power source. Then check
to make certain your cord is the correct length and

rating as listed in the Operating YourLawn Mower
section. If the cord is correct and is also not

damaged, take the machine to an authorized
service dealer for repair.

SECTION8: MAINTAININGYOURLAWNMOWER

_, WARNING: Always stop the motor and

CuttingBladeReplacement

Removingthe Blade

• Stop the motor and disconnect the power supply to

disconnect from the power source before cleaning,
lubricating or performing any repairs or

maintenance on the lawn mower.

WARNING: Always protect hands by wearing

heavy gloves and/or wrapping cutting edges with
newspapers or other materials when performing
any blade maintenance. Be certain to disconnect
the power supply.

the mower. Turn the mower on its side.

• Use ablock of wood between blade and mower
deck to prevent the blade from turning when the

bolt is removed.

• Using a 24mm wrench or socket, loosen the blade

bolt and remove the blade.

Installingthe Blade

WARNING: The blade hardware is not only

used to attach the blade assembly, but is also
an insulated safety device and should never
be altered in any way. If replacement is
necessary, use original equipment parts as
shown in the parts list on page 16.

12

Place the cutting blade, locking plate, and blade
bolt on the motor shaft and thread the blade bolt in

finger tight. Refer to Figure 13.

Motor ,Shaft

_ Cutting Blade

1. Insertscrew driver through hole

ockLngPlate

_/_ / Blade Bolt

Figure 13

NOTE: Make certain to replace the parts in the exact

order in which they were removed. When installing the
cutting blade, be sure it is installed with the curved ends
pointing towards the mower deck and not towards the
ground.

• Torque the blade bolt down using a torque wrench
to assure the bolt is tightened properly. The
recommended torque for the blade bolt is 450-600
in. Ibs. To insure safe operation of your unit, all nuts
and bolts must be checked periodically for correct
tightness.

Sharpeningthe Blade
To sharpen the blade, first remove the blade as outlined

in the previous section. DO NOT attempt to sharpen the
blade while it is attached to the mower. The blade can

be sharpened with afile or on a grinding wheel.

• When sharpening the blade, follow the original
angle of grind as aguide. It is extremely important
that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of
grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade.

• Test the blade by balancing it on around shaft
screwdriver or a blade balancer as shown in Figure

14.

• If the blade is not balanced, remove metal from the
heavy side until it balances evenly.

,_ WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause

• Reinstall the blade as described earlier in this

excessive vibration when rotating at high
speeds. It may also cause damage to the
mower and could break, causing personal
injury.

section making certain to torque the cutting blade to
specifications.

2. Balanced blade will be parallel to ground

Screw Driver Blade

Ground

Figure 14

MowerDeck

do not expose the mower towater.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock,

The underside of mower deck should be cleaned after

each use as grass clippings, leaves, dirt and other
debris will accumulate. This accumulation of grass
clippings, etc., is undesirable as it will promote rust and

corrosion.

• Remove any buildup of grass and leaves on or
around the motor cover (do not use water). Wipe
the mower clean with a dry cloth occasionally.

• If debris is allowed to build up on the underside of
the unit, tilt the mower forward or on its side and

scrape it clean with a suitable tool.

Lubrication

At the beginning and end of each mowing season:

• Lubricate the springs on the rear discharge door
with a light oil.

• Lubricate the height adjustment levers and related

hardware with light oil.

• Remove the wheels and lubricate the surface of the
axle bolt and the inner surface of the wheel with

light oil.

• Remove the blade and blade hub assembly and

lubricate the motor shaft with light oil or engine oil.
Refer to Figure 13.

13

SECTION9: OFF-SEASONSTORAGE

The following steps should be taken to prepare the lawn
mower for storage.

• Make certain the power supply is disconnected.

• Clean mower as instructed inprevious section.

• Inspect and replace/sharpen blade if required.
Refer to Cutting Blade section on page 12.

• Lubricate mower following instructions on page 13.

• Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next
to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer and rock

salt.

• Wipe extension cord to remove any foreign
substance such as oil or stains. Replace extension
cord if cut or damaged in any way.

• Wind cord ina series of equal loops on each side of
your hand to prevent snarling.

• Store mower indoors, in a cool, dry place, out of
reach of children. Do not cover lawn mower with a

solid plastic sheet. Any plastic covering traps

moisture around the mower which promote rust and

corrosion.

The handle may be folded away completely for

storage.

• Remove grass bag.

• Loosen the hand knobs on the sides of the handle,

and fold the upper handle down.

• Pull outward on each side of the lower handle, and
lift the sides of the lower handle past the edges of

the handle mounting brackets. Fold the lower

handle forward. Make sure not to bend or kink the
power cord.

14

SECTION10: TROUBLESHOOTINGGUIDE

Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action

Handle not in position. Carriage bolts not seated inthe handle

insulators.

Mower not starting.

Cord disconnected from the motor/
blade control.

Adjust the height of the handle and make sure that
the carriage bolts are seated properly into the
handle insulators. Tighten the hand knobs.

Reconnect the cord keeping the cord restraint close
to the motor/blade control.

Motor/blade control switch defective.

Extension cord not connected to the
plug on the mower.

Extension cord not connected to a
source of power.

Circuit breaker on the mower or inthe
house receptacle tripped.

Circuit breaker on the mower
tripping.

Mower cutting grass

unevenly.

Mower not mulching properly. Wait till the grass dries before mowing.

Hard to push. Raise cutting height.

Mower vibrating at higher

speed.

Cord disconnects frequently.

Too much workload on the mower.

Fuse blown; outlet overloaded.

Lawn rough or uneven.

Cutting height not set properly.

Wet grass clippings stick to the
underside of the deck.

High grass or cutting height too tow.
Rear of mower housing and blade

dragging in heavy grass.
Bent motor shaft.

Blade is unbalanced.

Extension cord is not properly attached
to the cord restraint.

Replace motor/blade control switch.

Connect the extension cord to the plug on the
mower.

Connect the extension cord to a 110-120 volt 60
cycle A.C. receptacle.

Reset the circuit breaker following instructions in
the Operating Your Lawn Mower section of this

manual.
Raise the cutting height, reset the circuit breaker on

the mower, take a smaller width of cut, and walk
slowly.

Connect to an outlet that is fused for 15 amperes.
Reset the circuit breaker and start the mower again.

Move the wheels to a higher cutting height position.

All wheels must be placed in the same cutting
height for the mower to cut evenly.

Raise cutting height.

Stop the motor, disconnect the power source and
inspect for damage. Repair before restarting. If

vibration persists, take it to a service dealer.
Balance the blade by grinding each cutting edge

equally.
Reconnect the extension cord to the cord restraint

on the guide rod.

Old, worn, or loose extension cord.

Replace extension cord.

15

SECTION11:PARTSLISTFORMODELV17

40

43

7

45

44

51

47

/

51

15

55

B

54

38

2

3

1

58

\

33

\

21

57

31

\28

11

16

ModelV17

Ref,

No,

1

2

3

4

5

6

7
8

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

21

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Part No.

782-0054B-0638
731-2425
710-1756
724-0309
712-0397
731-2400
731-2383-0637
631-0132
742-0826
782-7051
624-0078
731-1261
732-0712
782-7025-0637
720-0275
710-0192
732-0678
732-0677
710-0896

14578
14579

15261A
15262B

738-0507B

14832
736-0695
736-0105
734-1987
738-0102
736-0356
712-0798

Part Description

19" Deck
Motor Base

Screw, M7 x 25
Electric Motor, 115V, 1500W

Wing Nut
Air Guide Cover

Hood
Blade Hub Assembly

Cutting Blade (Mulch/Bag)
Blade Locking Plate

Blade Screw

Trailing Shield
Wire Rod

Rear Discharge Door
Knob

Truss Screw, 10-24 x .38"

Door Spring, RH
Door Spring, LH

Washer Hd Screw, 1/4-14 x .625

Height Adj. Assy. RH (shown)
Height Adj. Assy. LH (not shown)

(Both Include Ref #22-25,36)

Adjusting Plate

Pivot Bar
Shoulder Bolt

Lever and Knob Assy. (Incl #36)

Washer

Belt Washer
Wheel
Axle Bolt

Belt Washer

Nut

Ref.

No,

32

33
34

35
36
37
38
39

40
41
42
43
44
45 710-1757
46 747-0790
47 726-0368
49 731-2422

50 710-0450
51 731-1388
52 731-1268
53 731-1267
54 720-0241
55 749-0885
56 714-0104
57
58

59
60
61

Part No.

682-0516-0637

682-0514

14765
14766
732-0417A
720-0426

738-0507B
682-0513
682-0515-0637

764-04003

764-04004
664-04014

749-0886

725-04074

782-5025-0637

782-5026-0637

782-5004-0637

731-2386

710-1017

Part Description

Handle Bracket Assy, RH

(Includes #33-37)
Handle Bracket, RH
Pivot Bar, RH
Pivot Bar, LH
Spring Lever
Height Adjustment Knob

Shoulder Bolt
Handle Bracket, LH

Handle Bracket Assy, LH

(Includes #34-38)
Rear Catcher Frame

Front Catcher Frame
Grass Bag

Upper Handle
Cord and Switch Assembly

Screw

Cord Control Rod
Cord Restraint
Cable Guide

Carriage Bolt
Insulating Knob Spacer
Upper Handle Insulator

Lower Handle Insulator
Handle Knob
Lower Handle
Internal Cotter Pin
Front Baffle
Rear Baffle
Rear Mulch Baffle

Rear Mulch Plug
Tap Screw, 1/4-14 x .625"

17

NOTES

18

NOTES

19

MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR:

The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with
respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the
United States, its possessions and territories.

"MTD"warrants this product against defects in material and
workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the
date of original purchase and wilt, at its option, repair or
replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in
materials or workmanship. This limited warranty shall only
apply if this product has been operated and maintained in
accordance with the Operator's Manual furnished with the
product, and has not been subject to misuse, abuse,
commercial use, neglect, accident, improper maintenance,
alteration, vandalism, theft, fire, water, or damage because of
other peril or natural disaster. Damage resulting from the
installation or use of any part, accessory or attachment not
approved by MTD for use with the product(s) covered by this
manual will void your warranty as to any resulting damage.

Normal wear parts or components thereof are subject to
separate terms as follows: All normal wear parts or
component failures wilt be covered on the product for a period
of 30days regardless of cause. After 30 days, but within the
two year period, normal wear part failures will be covered
ONLY IF caused by defects in materials or workmanship of
OTHER component parts. Normal wear parts and
components include, but are not limited to: batteries, belts,
blades, blade adapters, grass bags, rider deck wheels, seats,
snow thrower skid shoes, shave plates, auger spiral rubber,

and tires.
HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE: Warranty service is available,

WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE, through your local authorized
service dealer. To locate the dealer in your area, check your
Yellow Pages, or contact MTD LLC at P.O. Box 361131,
Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019, or call 1-800-800-7310 or 1-
330-220-4683 or tog on to our Web site at
www.mtdproducts.com.

This limited warranty does not provide coverage in the
following cases:

a,

The engine or component parts thereof. These items

may carry a separate manufacturer's warranty. Refer
to applicable manufacturer's warranty for terms and

conditions.

b,

Log splitter pumps, valves, and cylinders have a

separate one year warranty.

C.

Routine maintenance items such as lubricants, filters,

blade sharpening, tune-ups, brake adjustments, clutch
adjustments, deck adjustments, and normal

deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or
exposu_.

d,

MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or

exported outside of the United States, its possessions
and territories, except those sold through MTD's
authorized channels of export distribution.

e,

Replacement parts that are not genuine MTD parts.

f.

Service completed by someone other than an

authorized service dealer.

g,

Transportation charges and service calls.

No implied warranty, including any implied warranty of
merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose,
applies after the applicable period of express written

warranty above as to the parts as identified. No other

express warranty, whether written or oral, except as
mentioned above, given by any person or entity,
including a dealer or retailer, with respect to any product,
shall bind MTD. During the period of the warranty, the
exclusive remedy is repair or replacement of the product

as set forth above.
The provisions as set forth in this warranty provide the

sole and exclusive remedy arising from the sale. MTD
shall not be liable for incidental or consequential loss or
damage including, without limitation, expenses incurred
for substitute or replacement lawn care services or for
rental expenses to temporarily replace a warranted
product.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, or limitations on how

long an implied warranty lasts, so the above exclusions or
limitations may not apply to you.

In noevent shall recovery of any kind be greater than the
amount of the purchase price of the product sold. Alteration

of safety features of the product shall void this warranty.

You assume the risk and liability for toss, damage, or injury to
you and your property and/or to others and their property
arising out of the misuse or inability to use the product.

This limited warranty shall not extend to anyone other than the
original purchaser or to the person for whom it was purchased
as agift.

HOW STATE LAW RELATES TO THIS WARRANTY: This
limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may

also have other rights which vary from state to state.

IMPORTANT:Owner must present Original Proof of
Purchase to obtain warranty coverage.

MTD LLC, P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019; Phone:[phone]