Yard Machines 462B, 463C Operator's Manual

O

PERATOR’S

M

ANUAL

Chipper - Shredders

Model Series

462 thru 465

(Model 465A shown)

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Warning:

covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting
applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

FORM NO. 770-0371A

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING:

THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF
NOT FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF
YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE YOUR CHIPPER-SHREDDER. 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 chipper-shredder 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 chipper-shredder is capable of amputating fingers and
hands and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.

1. GENERAL OPERATION

• 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. Be
completely familiar with the controls and the proper
use of the machine before operating it. Keep this
manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.

• Your chipper-shredder is a powerful tool, not a
plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at
all times. Your unit has been designed to perform
two jobs; to chip and shred vegetation found in a
normal yard. Do not use it for any other purpose.

• Never allow children under age 16 to operate the
unit. Children 16 years and older should only
operate the unit under close parental supervision.
Only responsible individuals who are familiar with
these rules of safe operation should be allowed to
use your unit.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
particularly small children and pets. Stop the
engine when they are in the vicinity of the unit.
Keep work area clean and clear of branches or
obstacles which could cause you to stumble or fall.

• When feeding material into this equipment, be
extremely careful that pieces of metal, rocks,
bottles, cans or other foreign objects are not
included. Personal injury or damage to the
machine could result.

• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close
fitting slacks and shirt. Shirt and slacks that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or
jewelry and secure hair so it is above shoulder
length. They can be caught in moving parts. Never
operate a unit in bare feet, sandals or sneakers.
Wear gloves when feeding material in the chipper
chute or shredder hopper.

• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles,
during operation and while performing an
adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign
objects that may be thrown from the machine.

• Never place your hands, feet, or any part of your
body into the shredder hopper, chipper chute,
discharge opening, or near any moving part while
the engine is running. Keep clear of the discharge
opening at all times. If it becomes necessary to
push material into the chipper chute or shredder
hopper, use a small diameter stick, NOT YOUR
HANDS.

• If it is necessary for any reason to unclog the feed
intake or discharge openings or to inspect or repair
any part of the machine where a moving part can
come in contact with your body or clothing, stop
the machine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark
plug wire from the spark plug and move it away
from the spark plug before attempting to unclog,
inspect or repair.

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

• The machine should only be operated on a level
surface. Never operate your unit on a slippery,
wet, muddy or icy surface. Keep your work area
clean and clear of branches or obstacles which
could cause you to stumble and fall. Do not
overreach. Maintaining proper footing and balance
is essential to preventing accidents.

• Do not allow an accumulation of processed
material to build up in the discharge area as this
will prevent proper discharge and can result in
kickback from the chipper chute.

• Keep your face and body back from chipper chute
to avoid accidental bounce back of any material.

• Do not transport machine while engine is running.

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• If the cutting mechanism strikes a foreign object or if
your machine should start making an unusual noise
or vibration, immediately stop the engine and allow
the machine to come to a complete stop. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark
plug. Take the following steps.

• Inspect for damage.

• Repair or replace any damaged parts.

• Check for any loose parts and tighten to assure
continued safe operation.

• Never attempt to attach or remove catcher bag when
engine is running. Shut the engine off and wait for
the impeller to come to a complete stop. The impeller
continues to rotate for a few seconds after the engine
is shut off. Never place any part of the body in the
impeller area until you are sure the impeller has
stopped rotating.

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

• Do not allow leaves or other debris to build up on
engine's muffler. The debris could ignite and cause a
fire.

• Do not attempt to shred or chip material larger than
specified in this manual. Personal injury or damage
to the machine could result.

• Do not operate engine if air cleaner or cover over
carburetor air intake is removed, except for
adjustment. Removal of such parts could create a
fire hazard.

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

• If situations occur which are not covered by this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance.

• Keep discharge chute deflector, chipper chute door,
and all other guards and safety devices in place and
operating properly.

• Only operate unit in good daylight. Do not operate
unit at night or in dark areas where your vision may
be impaired.

2. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of small children. Children are often attracted to
the chipper-shredder and the chipping and shredding
activity. Never assume that children will remain where you
last saw them.

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

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

• Never allow children under the age of 16 to operate
the chipper-shredder.

3. SERVICE

• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors
are explosive.

• Store fuel and oil in approved containers, away from
heat and open flame, and out of the reach of
children. Check and add fuel before starting the
engine. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the
engine is running. Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.

• Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any
spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may
cause a fire or explosion.

• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.

• Never refuel unit indoors because flammable vapors
will accumulate in the area.

• Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame or spark such as a gas
hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer or
furnace.

• Never run your machine in an enclosed area as the
exhaust from the engine contains carbon monoxide,
which is an odorless, tasteless and deadly poisonous
gas.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep engine and muffler free
of leaves, grass, and other debris build-up. Clean up
fuel and oil spillage. Allow unit to cool at least 5
minutes before storing.

• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the impeller and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep
wire away from spark plug to prevent accidental
starting. Do not use flammable solutions to clean air
filter.

• Check the blade and engine mounting screws at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also visually
inspect blades for wear and/or damage (e.g., bent,
cracked). Replace with blades which meet original
equipment specifications.

• 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, immediately stop the
engine, disconnect the spark plug wire from the
spark plug, and thoroughly inspect the unit for any
damage. Repair damage before starting and
operating unit.

• Do not alter or tamper with the engine's governor
setting. The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of the engine. Overspeeding the
engine is dangerous and will cause damage to the
engine and to other moving parts of the machine.

WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:

understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.

Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,

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SECTION 2: SAFETY LABELS FOUND ON YOUR UNIT:

D ANGER

TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY:

• DO NOT DEPOSIT BRANCHES LARGER THAN 1/2 INCH DIAMETER INTO THIS HOPPER.

• WEAR APPROVED SAFETY GLASSES, GLOVES AND EAR PROTECTION.
AVOID LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING.

• Read the Owner's Manual before starting and using this chipper/shredder.

• Keep hands, feet, face and clothing out of shredder hopper inlet and chipper chute inlet.

• Keep hands, feet, face and clothing away from discharge area and moving parts.

• Keep hands and feet out of discharge opening when chipper/shredder is running. The

rotating cutting blades inside opening will cause serious personal injury.

• Do not transport unit with engine running.

• Keep bystanders, children, and pets away from operating and discharge

• If chipper/shredder jams or becomes clogged, shut engine off right away and wait for

• If chipper/shredder jams or becomes clogged, shut engine off right away and wait for
all moving parts to come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent

all moving parts to come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent
it from touching the spark plug. Use only a long wooden stick (or long-handled shovel) to

it from touching the spark plug. Use only a long wooden stick (or long-handled shovel) to
clear away discharged materials or blockages.

clear away discharged materials or blockages.

• Keep all shields and guards in place and securely attached.

• Keep all shields and guards in place and securely attached.

• DO NOT use hands or feet to clear material from the discharge area or discharge opening.

• DO NOT use hands or feet to clear material from the discharge area or discharge opening.

• DO NOT install parts, or remove, adjust, or service the discharge screen or any other part while

• DO NOT install parts, or remove, adjust, or service the discharge screen or any other part while
the chipper/shredder is running. DO NOT operate the chipper/shredder on uneven ground, or on a

the chipper/shredder is running. DO NOT operate the chipper/shredder on uneven ground, or on a
paved, gravel, or hard surface. DO NOT run engine in an enclosed area-exhaust gas contains

paved, gravel, or hard surface. DO NOT run engine in an enclosed area-exhaust gas contains
poisonous carbon monoxide fumes.

poisonous carbon monoxide fumes.

TO AVOID A FIRE HAZARD, KEEP LEAVES, GRASS, AND O THER COMBUSTIBLE

TO AVOID A FIRE HAZARD, KEEP LEAVES, GRASS, AND O THER COMBUSTIBLE

MA TERIALS AWAY FROM HO T ENGINE AND MUFFLER.

MA TERIALS AWAY FROM HO T ENGINE AND MUFFLER.

WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE
THIS MACHINE UNLESS THE
CHUTE DEFLECTOR HAS BEEN
PROPERLY INSTALLED AND IS
SECURED WITH THE HAND

KNOBS.

WARNING

WARNING

AC

AC

0158A

0158A

DANGER

!

ROTATING CUTTING BLADES.
KEEP HANDS AND FEET OUT
OF OPENING WHILE MACHINE
IS RUNNING.

9342 AC

4

SECTION 3: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new chipper-shredder. It will help you assemble, prepare
and maintain your chipper-shredder. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you prepare your chipper-shredder for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the
information from it in this Operator’s Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need
help from your dealer or the MTD Customer Support Department.

• Every chipper shredder has a model plate. You can locate it by standing behind the unit in the
operating position and looking down at the frame next to the engine.

• The model plate will look like this.

This is where your model number will be.

XXX-X-XXX-X-XXX XXXXXXXXXXX

This is where your serial number will be.

Copy the model number here:

MTD PRODUCTS INC

CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

Copy the serial number here:

SECTION 4: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

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

1-800-800-7310

Before you call, make sure that you have both your model and serial number ready. By having the model
and serial number ready, you help the Customer Support Representative give you faster service. To find
your units model and serial number, see SECTION 3: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER.

SECTION 5: UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS

REMOVE UNIT FROM CARTON

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

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

• Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat.

• Remove packing material.

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

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