Yard Machines 532, 534 Operator's Manual

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Edger

Models 532

534

Model 534 Shown

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning:

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.

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-covered,

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

FORM NO.

770-10139C.fm
(2/00)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices ...................................................................3

Assembling The Edger .......................................................................................5

Know The Edger.................................................................................................6

Operating The Edger..........................................................................................7

Making Adjustments ...........................................................................................8

Maintaining and Servicing The Edger .................................................................10

Off-season Storage ............................................................................................11

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................12

Models 532 & 534 Parts List ...............................................................................13

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

FINDING MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new edger. 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 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 looking on the surface of the base plate in the rear of the edger. 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)

CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

(Serial Number)

MTD PRODUCTS INC

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

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.

2

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 EDGER. 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 edger 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. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.

1. TRAINING AND PREPARATION

• Read the operator’s manual carefully. Be
thoroughly familiar with the controls and proper use
of the equipment. Know how to disengage the blade
control and stop the unit quickly.

• Never allow children to operate equipment. Never
allow adults to operate equipment without proper
instruction.

• Keep the area of operation clear (at least 50 feet) of
all persons, especially small children and pets.

• Use the edger only as manufacture intended and as
described in the operator’s manual.

• Do not operate edger after it has been dropped or
damaged.

• Return product to nearest authorized service facility
for examination and repair. Do not operate product
with damaged or excessively worn cutting blade.

• Dress properly-always wear safety glasses or
goggles. Always wear safety footwear, and pants or
slacks that cover your legs to reduce the risk of
injury that may be caused by flying debris. Do not
wear loose clothing or jewelry that can be caught in
moving parts. Use of gloves and substantial
footwear is recommended when working outdoors.
Do not operate edger when barefoot or wearing
sandals or open-toed shoes. Wear boots,
preferably with steel-toe caps.

• Objects struck by the blade can cause severe
injuries to persons. The work area should always be
carefully examined and cleared of all stones, sticks,
wires, bones and other foreign objects, prior to
edging.

• Never attempt to make any adjustments, other than
depth of cut, while engine is running.

• The use of accessory attachments not
recommended by the manufacturer may cause
hazard and will void warranty.

• Never operate the edger without proper guards,
plates or other safety protective devices in place.

• Turn engine off and disconnect spark plug wire:

When not in use.
Before servicing, cleaning and performing any
maintenance.

• Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable

• Extinguish all smoking materials and other possible
sources of ignition.

• Use a fuel container acceptable for the purpose.

• Never add fuel to a running or hot engine.

• Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill
fuel tank indoors.

• Replace gasoline cap securely.

• If fuel is spilled, move product and fuel container
from area and do not create a source of ignition.
Wipe up spilled fuel.

2. OPERATION

• Make sure all nuts, bolts, and screws are kept
tightly in place, especially the blade and all guards.

• Start the engine carefully. Make certain the blade is
the start position before attempting to start. Keep
hands, feet, clothing, and the like well away from
cutting blade and moving parts.

• Keep both hands on handles when blade is rotating.

• Keep feet away from cutting area.

• Make sure engine is off and spark plug wire is
disconnected when clearing jammed material from
blade.

• Do not attempt to remove cut material nor hold
material to be cut when engine is running or when
cutting blade is moving.

• Stay alert. Watch what you are doing. Use common
sense.

• Do not operate edger when fatigued or under the
influence of alcohol, drugs or heavy medication.

• Never operate the product without good visibility or
light.

• Keep good footing and balance at all times. Do not
overreach or stand on unstable support.

• Do not force or abuse product. It will do the job
better and safer at the rate for which it was
designed.

• Do not operate engine above speed necessary to
do the job.

• Do not run the engine indoors; exhaust fumes are
dangerous.

3

• Never direct discharge of material towards
bystanders nor allow anyone near the area of
operation. Use care in directing discharge to avoid
glass enclosures, automobiles, and the like.

• Stay alert for uneven sidewalks, holes in terrain or
other similar conditions when using product. Always
push slowly over rough ground. Do not use the
product on graveled surfaces.

• Do not operate edger in rain or wet locations.

• Always operate edger from behind the upper handle
and position yourself where line of sight to cutting
blade is blocked by guards.

• After striking a foreign object, shut off the engine,
make absolutely sure the blade and all moving parts
have completely stopped, disconnect the spark plug
wire to prevent accidental starting, then thoroughly
inspect the unit for any damage. Such damage
must be repaired before restarting and operating
the edger. Remember, heavy vibration is generally
a sign of trouble.

• Always stop engine when edging or trimming is
delayed or when walking from one location to
another.

• Stop the engine, wait for blade and all moving parts
to stop before cleaning, adjusting, repairing or
inspecting the product.

• Always disconnect spark plug wire to prevent
accidental starting.

• Muffler and engine become hot during operation
and can cause a burn. Allow to cool down before
touching.

• Take all possible precautions when leaving the
product unattended. Stop the engine and
disconnect spark plug wire.

3. MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

• When not in use, store product indoors in a dry
place, locked or otherwise inaccessible to children.

• Maintain product with care.

• Follow maintenance instructions given in this
manual for your product.

• To reduce the risk of injury and engine failure, do
not allow excessive grass, leaves or other debris to
accumulate on or in the edger. Wipe engine
housing clean after each use.

• Keep air filter clean.

• Follow instructions for changing accessories.

• Replace any missing or damaged labels
immediately.

• Do not operate unit if blade is excessively worn or
damaged.

• Replace with blade which meets original equipment
specifications.

• Do not attempt to repair edger. Have mechanical
repairs made by qualified dealer or repairman. See
that only identical replacement parts are used.

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.

WARNING

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY,
DO NO T OPERATE WITHOUT

GUARDS IN

PLACE.

S30022

For Customer Assistan ce Call:

1-330-220-4MTD

1-800-800-7310

Have your model number ready when you call

AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY F ROM
ROTATING BLADE.
WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. BLAD E MAY
THROW OBJECTS.
KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY.
READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL.
KEEP SAFETY DEVICES (BLADE CONTROL,
BLADE GUARD, DEBRIS SHIELD, BELT
GUARD, ETC.) IN PLACE AND WO RKING.

PLACE MODEL PLATE HERE

S30279

KEEP AWAY - ROTATING BLADE

Figure 1

4

SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING THE EDGER

IMPORTANT:

GASOLINE OR OIL. After setting up the unit, service

engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the
separate engine manual packed with your unit.

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

This unit is shipped WITHOUT

Grounding the Engine’s Spark Plug

• Before beginning assembly, disconnect the spark
plug wire from the spark plug and ground it against
the engine as follows:

Model 534

• Place the rubber boot at the end of the spark plug
wire over an engine head bolt. See Figure 2A.

Model 532

• Place the metal head of the spark plug wire over
the “V” groove cut in the front of the engine shroud.
See Figure 2B.

AB

Head Bolt

“V” Groove

Control Cable

Wing Knobs

Cable Tie

Upper Handle

Lower Handle

Figure 3

Spark Plug Wire

Figure 2

Positioning the Edger Handles

• 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.

NOTE: Be careful not to pinch or crimp either cable
when lifting the handle.

• Tighten the wing knobs which are located on both
the sides of the lower handle. See Figure 3.

• Pull the cable tie found on the left side of the lower
handle snugly to secure the cable to the handle.
Carefully trim any excess portion of the cable tie
after tightening. See Figure 3.

Attaching the Starter Rope

• Locate the eyebolt 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
Figure 4.

Upper Handle

Blade Control Bail

Rope Guide

Wing Knob

Figure 4

IMPORTANT:

wire is properly grounded as instructed earlier in this
section before proceeding on to the next step. See
Figure 2.

Make certain that the engine’s spark plug

5