Yard-Man 12A-263D701 Owner’s Manual

Safety • Assembly • Operation • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Engine • Parts Lists • Warranty

A'rO A AL

22=inch Rotary Mower- Model 263

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunit isequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedon or nearany unimprovedforest-covered,brush- coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(if any). If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbythe operator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw (Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.Asparkarrester forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

FORMNO.769-02337

PRINTEDIN U.S.A.

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

01/10/2006

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.

Table of Contents

Slope Gauge ....................................................... 3

Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4

Setup and Adjustment ....................................... 6

Operating Your Lawn Mower .............................. 8

Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ......................... 10

MTDLLCreservestherighttochangeproductspecifications,designs,andequipmentwithoutnoticeandwithoutincurringobligation.

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREASSEMBLINGYOURNEW EQUIPMENT,please locatethe model plateon the equipmentandcopy the infor-

mationto the sample modelplate providedto the right. You can locatethe model plate by standing at the operatingposi-

tion and lookingdown atthe rearofthe deck.This information will be necessaryto use the manufacturer'sweb site, to obtain

assistancefromthe CustomerSupportDepartment,or when contactingan authorizedservicedealer.

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

Safety Labels .................................................... 13

Parts List ........................................................... 14

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

Model Number Serial Number

,'_ IVITD LLC

www.yardman.com 330-220-4683

% J

P. O. BOX ;3611;31

CLEVELAND,OH 44136

800-800-731 0

Customer Support

Please do NOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou have difficultyassemblingthis productor have anyquestions regardingthe controls, operation,or maintenanceof this unit,youcanseek helpfromthe experts.Choosefrom the options below:

= Visit www.yardman.com. Click on theService & Supportmenuoption.

Ya_oMia_

Phonea CustomerSupport Representativeat 1-800-800-7310.

The engine manufacturer is responsiblefor all engine-relatedissueswith regardsto performance, power-rating,specifica- tions,warranty and service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packedseparatelywith your unit, for moreinformation.

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WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents, andcertain vehiclecompo- nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and

birth defects or other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas built to beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operationin this manual.As with any type of powerequipment,carelessnessor error onthe part ofthe operatorcan result in seriousinjury.This machine is capable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowingobjects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultin serious injuryor death.

RNING

This symbol points out important safety

instructionswhich, if notfollowed, could

endangerthe personal

i safety and/or property

ofyourselfandothers. Readand follow all

instructionsinthis man- ualbeforeattempting to

operatethis machine. Failureto complywith

these instructionsmay

resultin personalinjury.

i When youseethis

symbol.

HEED iTS WARNING

Your

i Flesponsibility

I Restrictthe use i of this power machine

to personswho read.

understand

and followthewarnings

and instructions

in this manual

andon the machine.

Children

Tragicaccidentscanoccurifoperatorisnotalertto presence ofchildren.Childrenare oftenattractedtomowerand mowing activity.Theydo notunderstandthe dangers.Neverassume thatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.

1. Keepchildrenoutof the mowingareaand underwatchful careof a responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.

2. Bealert andturnmoweroffif achildentersthearea.

3. Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddown forsmallchildren.

4. Useextremecare whenapproachingblind corners, doorways,shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthatmayobscure yourvisionofa childwhomayrunintothe mower.

5. Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycan sufferburnsfroma hotmuffler.

6. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatea power mower.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand understandoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

General Operation

1. Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin its entiretybefore attemptingtoassemblethismachine.Read,understand,

andfollowall instructionsonthe machineandin the manual(s)beforeoperation.Becompletelyfamiliarwith

thecontrolsandthe properuseof this machinebefore operatingit.Keepthis manualin asafeplaceforfuture andregularreferenceandfororderingreplacementparts.

2. Thismachineisa precisionpieceof powerequipment, nota plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all times.Yourunithas beendesignedto performonejob: to mowgrass.Do notuseit for anyotherpurpose.

3. Neverallow childrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis machine.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand

understandthe instructionsinthis manualandshould betrainedandsupervisedbya parent.Onlyresponsible

individualswhoarefamiliarwiththese rulesof safe operationshouldbeallowedto usethis machine.

4. Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto beused.Removeall stones,sticks,wire,bones,toysand otherforeignobjectswhichcouldbetripped overor picked upandthrownbythe blade.Thrownobjectscancause seriouspersonalinjury.Planyourmowingpatternto avoid dischargeof materialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystanders andthe like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta wallorobstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterial toricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

5. Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury, stayinoperatorzone behindhandlesandkeepchildren, bystanders,helpers,and petsat least75feet frommower whileit is inoperation.Stop machineifanyoneenters

area.

6. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringopera- tionandwhileperforminganadjustmentor repairtoprotect youreyes.Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcancauseserious injurytothe eyes.

7. Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fitting slacksandshirts. Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthe armsand legsandsteel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperate thismachinein barefeet,sandals, slipperyor lightweight (e.g.canvas)shoes.

8. Do notputhandsorfeet nearrotatingpartsor undercutting deck.Contactwithbladecan amputatehandsandfeet.

9. A missingor damageddischargecovercancause blade contactor thrownobject injuries.

10.Manyinjuriesoccuras a resultofthe mowerbeing pulled overthefoot duringafall causedby slippingortripping. Do notholdontothe mowerifyouarefalling;releasethe handleimmediately.

11.Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouare walking.Ifyoumustbackthe mowerawayfromawallor obstructionfirstlookdownand behindtoavoidtrippingand thenfollowthesesteps:

a. Stepbackfrommowertofully extendyourarms. b. Besureyouare wellbalancedwithsurefooting.

c. Pullthe mowerbackslowly,no morethanhalfway

towardyou.

d. Repeatthesestepsas needed.

12.Donotoperatethe mowerwhileunderthe influenceof alcoholordrugs.

13.Donotengage theself-propelledmechanismon unitsso equippedwhilestartingengine.

14.Thebladecontrolhandleis asafetydevice.Neverattempt tobypassitsoperation.Doingso makesthesafetydevice inoperativeandmayresult inpersonalinjurythrough contactwiththe rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandle mustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomatically returntothe disengagedpositionwhenreleased.

15.Neveroperatethe mowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbesureof yourfooting. A slipand fallcancauseseriouspersonal injury.If youfeelyouare losingyourfooting,releasethe bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthe bladewillstop

rotatingwithinthreeseconds.

16.Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

17.Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksor roads.

18.Iftheequipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe engineandcheckimmediatelyfor the cause.Vibrationis generallya warningoftrouble.

19.Shutthe engineoff andwait untilthe bladecomesto a completestopbeforeremovingthe grasscatcheror unclog- gingthechute. Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotatefora fewseconds

after theengineisshutoff. Neverplaceanypart ofthe body

inthebladearea untilyouare surethe bladehasstopped rotating.

20. Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,discharge cover,grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandle,or othersafety

protectivedevicesin placeandworking.Neveroperate mowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failuretodo socan resultin personalinjury.

21. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causeaburn.Do

nottouch.

22.Onlyuseparts andaccessoriesmadefor thismachineby

manufacturer.Failuretodo socanresult inpersonalinjury.

23. Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis manual,

usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealerfor

assistance.Telephone1-800-800-7310for the nameofyour

nearestdealer.

Slope Operation

Slopesare amajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidentswhich can resultinsevereinjury.Operationonslopesrequiresextra caution.Ifyoufeeluneasyon aslope,donotmowit.Foryour

safety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartofthis manualto

measureslopesbeforeoperatingthisunitona slopedor hilly

area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degrees,donotmowit.

Do:

1. Mowacrossthe faceofslopes; neverup anddown. Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon

slopes.

2. Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks, hiddenobjects,or bumpswhich can causeyouto slipor trip. Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

3. Alwaysbesureof yourfooting.A slip andfall cancause seriouspersonalinjury.If youfeelyouarelosingyour

balance,releasethebladecontrolhandleimmediately,and

the bladewill stoprotatingwithin 3seconds.

Do Not:

1. Donot mowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,where you couldloseyour footingorbalance.

2. Donot mowslopesgreaterthan 15degreesasshownon the slopegauge.

3. Donot mowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcause slipping.

Service

Safe HandlingOf Gasoline:

1. To avoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextreme care inhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable andthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclothes whichcanignite.

2. Wash yourskin andchangeclothesimmediately.

3. Useonly anapprovedgasolinecontainer.

4. Neverfill containersinsideavehicleoron atruckor trailer bedwitha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe

groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

5. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck ortrailer

andrefuelit on theground.If thisis notpossible,thenrefuel suchequipmentonatrailerwitha portablecontainer,rather thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

6. Keepthe nozzleincontactwiththe rimof thefueltank or

containeropeningat alltimesuntilfuelingis complete.Do

notuseanozzlelock-opendevice.

7. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesand othersources

of ignition.

8. Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill

accumulatein thearea.

9. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhileengineishot or running. Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbefore refueling.

10.Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltankto nomorethan Y2inch belowbottomoffiller neckto provideforfuelexpansion.

11.Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

12.Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeitoff theengineand equipment. Moveunitto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestarting engine.

13.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containernearanopen flame,sparkor pilot lightas onawater heater,space heater,furnace,clothesdryer,orothergas appliances.

14.Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass, leaves, orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageand removeanyfuel soakeddebris.

15.Allowamowerto coolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService:

1. Neverrunanengineindoorsorin apoorlyventilatedarea. Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand deadlygas.

2. Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe sparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengineto prevent unintendedstarting.

3. Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequent intervalsfor propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefor damage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn)Replacebladewiththe originalequipmentmanufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listed inthismanual."Useof partswhichdo notmeetthe original equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformance andcompromisesafety!"

4. Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor wear gloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.

5. Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstightto besurethe equip- mentis insafeworkingcondition.

6. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperopera- tionregularly.

7. Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,discon- nectthesparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengine. Thoroughlyinspectthemowerforanydamage.Repairthe damagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.

8. Neverattempttomakeawheelorcuttingheightadjustment whiletheengineis running.

9. Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrail shieldaresubjecttowear anddamagewhichcould expose movingpartsor allowobjectsto bethrown.Forsafety protection,frequentlycheckcomponentsandreplaceim- mediatelywithoriginal equipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.) partsonly,listedinthis manual."Useof partswhich do notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"

10.Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor overspeedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperating speedoftheengine.

11.Maintainorreplacesafetylabels,asnecessary.

12.Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improper disposaloffluidsand materialscanharmtheenvironment.

WARNING

Thissymbol points out importantsafety instructionswhich, if notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal safety and/or property

ofyourself andothers.

Readand followall

instructions inthisman- ual before attemptingto

operatethis machine.

Failureto comply with

these instructionsmay result in personalinjury. Whenyousee this

symbol.

HEED iTS WARNING

Your

Responsibility

Restrictthe use

ofthis powermachine

to personswho read.

understand

and followthe warnings

and instructions

inthis manual

and on the machine.

+ 11 hidden pages