554
TROY-BILT LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
Printed In USA
OperatOr’s Manual
Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty
WARNING
READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Lawn Edger — Model 554
Form No. 769-03558
(March 2, 2007)
Customer Support
Please do NOT return the machine to the retailer or dealer without first contacting our Customer Support Department.
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of
this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
Visit us on the web at www.mtdproducts.com
Call a Customer Support Representative at (800) 800-7310 or (330) 220-4683
Write us at MTD LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019
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Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Edger manufactured by
MTD LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent
performance when properly operated and maintained.
Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.
It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and
maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other
persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the
recommended safety practices at all times. Failure to do so could
result in personal injury or property damage.
All information in this manual is relative to the most recent
product information available at the time of printing. Review
this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine,
its features and operation. Please be aware that this Operator’s
Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various
models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated
in this manual may not be applicable to all models. MTD LLC
reserves the right to change product specifications, designs and
equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.
This product has met the rigid safety standards of the Outdoor
Power Equipment Institute and an independent testing
laboratory. If you have any problems or questions concerning
the machine, phone your local authorized MTD service dealer
or contact us directly. MTD’s Customer Support telephone
numbers, website address and mailing address can be found on
this page. We want to ensure your complete satisfaction at all
times.
Throughout this manual, all references to right and left side of the
machine are observed from the operating position
The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related
issues with regards to performance, power-rating, specifications,
warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your
machine, for more information.
Thank You
Record Product Information
Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please
locate the model plate on the equipment and record the
information in the provided area to the right. You can locate the
model plate by standing at the operator’s position and looking
down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary,
should you seek technical support via our web site, Customer
Support Department, or with a local authorized service dealer.
MOdel nuMber
serial nuMber
To The Owner
1
2
Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 3
Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 6
Features & Controls ................................................. 8
Operation ................................................................. 9
Maintenance & Adjustment .................................12
Service .....................................................................14
Troubleshooting .....................................................15
Warranty ...................................................Back Page
Table of Contents
Important Safe Operation Practices
2
3
Preparation
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.
Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair
to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.
Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms
and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never
operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine
is running, except where specifically recommended in the
operator’s manual.
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
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.
Use only an approved gasoline container.
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Training
Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before
attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand,
and follow all instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before operation. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use
of this machine before operating it.
This machine is a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. Your machine has been designed to perform one
job: to edge lawn. Do not use it for any other purpose.
Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this
machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an
adult.
Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these
rules of safe operation should be allowed to use this
machine.
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
stay in operator zone behind handles and keep children,
bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from lawn
edger while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone
enters area.
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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!
DANGER! This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in
this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the
operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating fingers, hands,
toes and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions
could result in serious injury or death.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING! Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm.
4 sectiOn 2 — iMpOrtant safe OperatiOn practices
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.
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.
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.
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
Never fuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is
hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.
Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½
inch below bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel
expansion.
Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5
minutes before starting engine.
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.
To reduce fire hazard, keep lawn edger free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel
spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.
Allow a lawn edger to cool at least five (5) minutes
before storing..
Operation
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Contact with
the rotating blade can amputate hands and feet.
The blade control handle is a safety device. Never bypass
its operation. Doing so, makes the machine unsafe and
may cause personal injury.
Never operate without blade guard, debris shield and
blade control handle in place and working.
Never operate with damaged safety devices. Failure to do
so, can result in personal injury.
Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas.
Do not operate machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
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Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn.
Do not touch.
Never operate this machine without good visibility or
light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm
hold on the handles. Walk, never run.
Do not operate this machine if it has been dropped or
damaged. Return machine to your nearest authorized
servicing dealer for examination and repair.
Do not operate this machine with a damaged or
excessively worn cutting blade.
Never attempt to clear material from the blade guard
while the engine is running. Shut the engine off,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against
the engine to prevent unintended starting.
Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to
edge at too fast of a rate.
Stay alert for uneven sidewalks, terrain etc. Always
push slowly over rough surfaces. Do not use this
machine on gravel surfaces.
Do not operate machine in rain or wet soil conditions.
Always operate machine from behind the handles
and position yourself where the direct line of sight to
cutting blade is blocked by guards.
Always stop engine when edging or trimming is
delayed or when transporting machine from one
location to another.
Never leave a running machine unattended. Stop
the engine, disconnect spark plug wire and ground
against the engine to prevent unintended starting.
Only use parts and accessories made for this machine
by the manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in
personal injury.
If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact
Customer Support for assistance or the name of your
nearest service dealer.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to power
equipment such as lawn edgers. They do not understand
the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where
you last saw them.
Keep children out of the edging area and under
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.
Be alert and turn lawn edger off if a child enters the
area.
Before and while moving backwards, look behind and
down for small children.
Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may
obscure your vision of a child who may run into the
lawn edger.
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5sectiOn 2 — iMpOrtant safe OperatiOn practices
Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can
suffer burns from a hot muffler.
Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this
machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an
adult.
Maintenance and Storage
Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas.
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.
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!”
Lawn edger blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade
or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect
the spark plug wire and ground against the engine.
Thoroughly inspect the lawn edger for any damage. Repair
the damage before starting and operating the lawn edger.
Never attempt to make a wheel adjustment while the
engine is running.
Many components on your new edger can wear with
continued use. For safety protection, frequently check
all edger components and replace immediately with
original equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only,
listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the
original equipment specifications may lead to improper
performance and compromise safety!”
Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed
the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of the engine.
Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for used gas,
oil, etc.. Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm
the environment.
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Spark Arrestor
WARNING! This machine is equipped with an
internal combustion engine and should not be used
on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brushcovered or grass-covered land unless the
engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark
arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if
any).
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.
Average Useful Life
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission
(CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years, or 70
hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful Life, buy
a new machine or have the machine inspected annually by an
authorized service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and
safety systems are working properly and not worn excessively.
Failure to do so can result in accidents, injuries or death.
WARNING! Your Responsibility—Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and
follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
NOTE: This machine is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL. After
setting up the edger, service the engine with gasoline and oil as
instructed in the separate Engine Operator’s Manual packed with
your machine.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the edger is
observed from the operating position.
Assembly
Handle
Remove and discard any packaging cardboard that may be
present between the upper handle and the lower handle.
Pivot the upper handle upward until it snaps into place. See
Fig. 3–1.
Tighten the hand knobs, which are located on both the left
and right sides of the handle.
1.
2.
Starter Rope
Locate the rope guide found on the right side of the upper
handle. Loosen, but do NOT remove, the wing knob which
secures the rope guide to the upper handle. See Fig. 3–2.
Stand behind the edger and hold the blade control against
the upper handle.
Gently pull the starter rope out of the engine.
WARNING! The edger blade WILL rotate when the
starter rope is pulled.
NOTE: The starter rope will not pull out of the engine
unless the blade control (refer to Fig. 3–2) is depressed
against the upper handle.
Slip the starter rope through the top of the rope guide.
Retighten the wing knob which secures the rope guide to
the upper handle.
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2.
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2
Figure 3-1
2
1
4
3
Figure 3-2
Contents of Carton
One Edger• One Edger Operator’s Manual• One 18 oz. Bottle Engine Oil•
One Engine Operator’s Manual•
Assembly & Set-Up
3
6
Adjustments
Bevel Adjustment
The angle of the edger blade can be adjusted by placing the
bevel adjustment in one of three positions for edging. See Fig.
3–3.
Set-Up
Gas & Oil Fill-Up
Service the engine with gas and oil as instructed in the Engine
Operator’s Manual package seperately with your edger. Read
Instructions carefully.
WARNING! Use extreme caution 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.
Figure 3-3
7sectiOn 2 — asseMbly & set-up
Starter Rope/
Recoils Starter
Curb Height
Adjustment Lever
Blade Control
Blade Depth Control Lever
Primer
Bevel Adjustment
Lever
Figure 4-1
Edger controls and features are described below and illustrated
in Fig. 4-1.
WARNING! Be familiar with all the controls and
their proper operation. Know how to stop the
machine and disengage it quickly.
NOTE: For detailed information on all engine controls, refer to
the seperate Engine Operator’s Manual.
Starter Rope / Recoil Starter
The starter rope/recoil starter is used to start the engine.
Primer
The primer is used to pump gas into the carburetor and aid in
starting the engine. Use it to start a cold engine, but do not use it
to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown.
Curb Height Adjustment Lever
The curb height adjustment lever is found on the rear portion
of the edger. When placed in an applicable notch, it aids in
stabilizing the edger while edging grass along a curb.
Blade Control
Located on the upper handle, the blade control must be
depressed against the upper handle in order to operate the
edger. Releasing the blade control stops the engine and the
edger blade.
Blade Depth Control Lever
The blade depth control lever is located on the right side of
the upper handle. It is used to control the depth of the cut. The
further forward the blade depth control lever is moved, the
deeper into the soil the edger blade will cut.
Bevel Adjustment Lever
The bevel adjustment lever is located on the front, left portion
of the edger, behind the edger blade. It is used to vary the angle
of the edger blade between one of three positions for edging/
trenching or beveled edging.
Controls and Features
4
8
Starting the Engine
To start the edger’s engine, proceed as follows:
Attach the spark plug wire to the spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is fastened
securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.
Move the blade depth control lever back to the START
position in the adjacent (top) notch.
Depress the primer bulb three times, pausing two to three
seconds between each push. In cold weather (below 50°F
/19°C), it may be necessary to depress the primer bulb four
or five times.
NOTE: Using the primer to restart a warm engine after a
short shutdown is usually not necessary. Doing so may
result in a flooded engine.
Standing behind the edger, depress the blade control and
hold it against the upper handle with your left hand.
WARNING! This control mechanism is a safety
device. Never attempt to bypass its operation.
With your right hand, grasp the recoil starter handle and
slowly pull the rope outward until engine reaches the start
of its compression cycle (the rope will pull slightly harder at
this point).
After slowly allowing the rope to recoil, pull the rope with
a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep a firm grip on
starter handle throughout the entire stroke.
Allow the starter handle to slowly return to the eyebolt.
NOTE: If the engine fails to start after three pulls, depress
the primer an additional two times before pulling the
starter rope again.
Stopping The Engine
To stop the edger’s engine, release the blade control.
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7.
Edging
WARNING! Rotating cutting blade may throw
objects causing personal injury. Keep area clear of
bystanders and do not operate without guards in
place.
WARNING! Do not lower blade if blade is over
concrete, asphalt, rocks or the like. Blade can strike
supporting surface, resulting in personal injury or
property damage.
To begin edging, proceed as follows:
Move edger to an area to be edged, making sure that the
left rear wheel is on a hard surface and the blade is over the
area to be cut. See Fig. 5–1.
With blade control lever in START position, make a pass
along area to be edged before proceeding to the next
notch. The further forward blade depth control lever is
moved, the deeper or lower the blade will cut into the
ground. Several passes may be necessary to obtain the
desired depth of cut. Do not lower blade more than one
depth notch at a time without making a pass.
For best results, proceed slowly along the path being
edged. Slowly moving edger back and forth through
cutting area, again making sure to keep the left rear wheel
on the hard surface and the blade in the cutting path, close
to but not touching the edge of the hard surface.
Once you have finished edging selected area, raise the
blade control lever back into the START position, move to
the next area to be edged, and proceed again from step 1.
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2.
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4.
Figure 5-1
Operation
5
9
Edging Along A Curb
The right, rear wheel of the edger can be lowered into one of five
positions to ease the task of edging along a curb. To adjust the
height of curb wheel, proceed as follows:
Lower the right, rear wheel by moving the curb height
adjustment lever slightly to the left. See Fig. 5–2.
Pivot the right, rear wheel into an applicable position in
relation to the height of the curb to be edged along. See
Fig. 5–2
Release the curb height adjustment lever to lock the wheel
in position. See Fig. 5–2.
1.
2.
3.
Beveling
In order to achieve a bevelled edge, set the bevel adjustment
lever (refer to Assembly & Set-Up Section) in the first (left hand)
or third (right hand) notch to place the edger blade in position
for beveling (See Fig. 5–3).
1
2
3
Curb Height
Adjustment
Lever
Figure 5-2
Right-Hand Position Left-Hand Position
Figure 5-3
10 sectiOn 5— OperatiOn
Trenching
You can utilize the edger’s optional trenching feature in order
to create a wider cutting path for such things as laying wire for
landscape lighting.
WARNING! Disconnect the spark plug wire and
ground against the engine before performing the
following steps.
WARNING! The edger blade is sharp. Wear leather
work gloves to protect your hands when working
around the edger blade.
Use two wrenches (one wrench to prevent hex bolt head
from spinning and the other to unthread the flange nut)
to remove flange nut that secures edger blade, leaving the
edger blade in place. See Fig. 5–4.
Install the additional edger blade supplied with your
machine and the flat washer. See Fig. 5–4.
Secure with the flange nut removed earlier. Use a torque
wrench to tighten the flange nut to between 37 foot-lbs.
and 50 foot-lbs.
NOTE: Make certain that drive belt is seated correctly on
blade spindle and that it is riding smoothly on spindle
sheaves and is not pinched between them. Repeat first
three steps if belt is pinched.
1.
2.
3.
Flange Nut
Flat Washer
Edger Blade
Tri-Star Blade
Figure 5-4
11sectiOn 5 — OperatiOn
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