Yard-Man 12A-263E701, 12A-268N755 Owner’s Manual
Operator's Manual
22" Self-Propelled
Mower
Models 263
and 268
IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-
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 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019,
MTD LLC., P.O. BOX 361131, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-00905C
(11/2004)
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content
ImportantSafeOperationPractices
SlopeGauge
AssemblingYourLawnMower
KnowYourLawnMower
OperatingYourLawnMower
Page Content Page
3 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 12
6 Trouble Shooting 15
7 Illustrated Parts List 16
9 Warranty 20
10
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 in the 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:
YaRDmaN)#=-°LLo
www.yardman.com 338-228-4683
P. O. BOX 361131
CLEVELAND,OH 44136
800-800-731 °
Copy the serial number here:
CUSTOMERSUPPORT
Please doNOTreturntheunitto theretailerfromwhereit 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 yardman.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.
_RSWeF you _;_Fe
fookin9 for could be just
a mouse c#ck aw_y!
If you prefer to reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1-800-800-7310.
a mouse crick aw_y!
M nual
En ine
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 unit, for more
information.
SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES
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.
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.
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 inserious injury or death.
GeneralOperation
1. 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 this
machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. This machine is a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to
mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.
3. Never allow children under 14years 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. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with
these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use
this machine.
4. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment isto 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. Plan your mowing pattern
to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks,
bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material
against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay
in the operator zone behind the handles and keep
children, bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet
from the mower while it is in operation. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
cutting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands
and feet.
9. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled
over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the
handle immediately.
11. Never pull the mower backtoward you while you are
walking. Ifyou must back the mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tripping
and then follow these steps:
a. Step back from the mower to fully extend your
arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way
toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
12. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
13. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so
equipped while starting engine.
14. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the
safety device inoperative and may result in personal
injury through contact with the rotating blade. The blade
control handle must operate easily in both directions and
automatically return to the disengaged position when
released.
15. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of
your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your footing, release the
blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.
16. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk, never
run.
17. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or
roads.
18.Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,stop
theengineandcheckimmediatelyforthecause.
Vibrationisgenerallyawarningoftrouble.
19.Shuttheengineoffandwaituntilthebladecomestoa
completestopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcheror
uncloggingthechute.Thecuttingbladecontinuesto
rotateforafewsecondsaftertheengineisshutoff.
Neverplaceanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntil
youaresurethebladehasstoppedrotating.
20.Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,
dischargecover,grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandleor
othersafetyprotectivedevicesinplaceandworking.
Neveroperatemowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.
Failuretodoso,canresultinpersonalinjury.
21.Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Do
nottouch.
22.Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadeforthismachineby
themanufacturer.Failuretodoso,canresultinpersonal
injury.
23.Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,
usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyourdealerfor
assistance.Telephone1-800-800-7310forthenameof
yournearestdealer.
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.
3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause
serious personal injury. Ifyou feel you are losing your
balance, release the blade 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
Tragic accidents can occur ifthe 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.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.
2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.
3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and
down for small children.
4. 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.
5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They
can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
6. 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
Safe HandlingOfGasoline:
1. 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 oryour clothes which can ignite.
2. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
3. Use only an approved gasoline container.
4. 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.
5. When practical, 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.
6. 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.
7. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources
of ignition.
8. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors
will accumulate in the area.
9. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot
or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.
10. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than _/2inch
below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel
expansion.
11. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
12. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes
before starting the engine.
13. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water
heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas
appliances.
14. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves,
or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and
remove any fuel soaked debris.
15. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
GeneralService:
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
2. Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertain
thebladeandallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnect
thesparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengineto
preventunintendedstarting.
3. Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequent
intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade
fordamage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn)Replaceblade
withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacture's(O.E.M.)blade
only,listedinthismanual."Useofpartswhichdonot
meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"
4. Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor
weargloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.
5. Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesurethe
equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.
6. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper
operationregularly.
7. Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnect
thesparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengine.
Thoroughlyinspectthemowerforanydamage.Repair
thedamagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.
8. Neverattempttomakeawheelorcuttingheight
adjustmentwhiletheengineisrunning.
9. Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrail
shieldaresubjecttowearanddamagewhichcould
exposemovingpartsorallowobjectstobethrown.For
safetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsand
replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment
manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthismanual.
"Useofpartswhichdonotmeettheoriginalequipment
specificationsmayleadtoimproperperformanceand
compromisesafety!"
10.Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingoroverspeed
theengine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafe
operatingspeedoftheengine.
11.Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as
necessary.
12.Observeproperdisposallawsandregulations.Improper
disposaloffluidsandmaterialscanharmthe
environment.
_, ARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,
NOTE: Not all safety labels shown may apply to your lawn mower.
understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
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,_ WARNING
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in 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
o
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.
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