Yard-Man 12A-569Q755, 12A-569Q701 Owner’s Manual

Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty

OF A'rO AL

21" Rotary Mower- Model Series 560

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush- coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any). If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderby theoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw (Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contactthe servicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

FORMNO.770-10347F

PRINTEDIN U.S.A.

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

10/18/2005

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

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOUSTARTASSEMBLING YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,

please locatethe modelplate onthe equipmentand copythe informationtothe sample modelplate providedtothe right. Youcan locatethe model plate by standing at the operating

position and lookingdown atthe rear of the deck. This informationwill be necessaryto usethe manufacturer'sweb site and/or obtain assistancefrom theCustomerSupport

Departmentor an authorizedservice dealer.

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

Trouble Shooting .............................................. 12

Off-Season Storage and Safety Labels .......... 13

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

Model Number

YaRD-MaN)/f

www.yardman.com 330-220-4683

Serial Number

P. O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND,OH44136

800-800-7310

Customer Support

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

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou havedifficulty assembling this productor haveany questionsregarding the controls, operationor maintenanceof this unit,

youcan seek helpfrom the experts. Choosefromthe optionsbelow:

1. Visit yardman.com. Click on the CustomerSupport menuoption.

2. Phonea Customer Support Representativeat 1 (800) 800-7310.

3. Theengine manufactureris responsiblefor all engine- relatedissueswith regardsto performance,power-rating,

specifications,warrantyand service. Pleasereferto the enginemanufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packed

separatelywithyour unit, for more information.

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WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents,andcertain vehicle compo- nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancerand

birth defects or other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas builtto beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operationin this manual.As with anytypeof power equipment,carelessnessor error on the part of the operator can result in seriousinjury.This machine iscapableof amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.

Failureto observethe followingsafetyinstructionscould result in serious injury or death.

RNING

This symbol points

i out important safety

instructionswhich, if notfollowed, could

endangerthe personal

i safetyand/or property I ofyourselfand others.

Readand follow all instructionsinthis man-

ualbefore attempting to operatethis machine.

Failureto complywith

these instructionsmay

i resultin personal injury. i When youseethis

_symbol.

HEED ITS WARNING

Your

Responsibility

Restrictthe use

i of this powermachine i to personswho read,

understand

andfollow the warnings

and instructions

inthis manual

andon the machine.

Children

Tragicaccidentscanoccurifoperatorisnotalertto presence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtomowerandmowing activity.Theydonot understandthe dangers.Neverassume thatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.

1. Keepchildrenoutof the mowingareaandunderwatchful careof a responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.

2. Bealert andturn moweroff if a childentersthearea.

3. Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddown forsmallchildren.

4. Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners, doorways,shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthatmayobscure yourvisionofachild whomayrunintothe mower.

5. Keepchildrenawayfromhotorrunningengines.Theycan sufferburnsfroma hotmuffler.

6. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operateapower mower.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand understandoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

General Operation

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

andfollowall instructionsonthemachineandin the manual(s)beforeoperation.Becompletelyfamiliarwith

thecontrolsandthe properuseofthis machinebefore operatingit.Keepthis manualin asafeplaceforfuture andregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacementparts.

2. Thismachineisaprecisionpieceof powerequipment, nota plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all times.Yourunithas beendesignedto performonejob: to mowgrass.Do notuseitfor anyotherpurpose.

3. Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsoldto operatethis machine.Children14yearsoldand overshould readand

understandthe instructionsinthismanualandshould betrainedand supervisedbya parent.Onlyresponsible

individualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesofsafe operationshouldbeallowedto usethis machine.

4. Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto beused.Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysand otherforeignobjectswhichcouldbetrippedoverorpicked upandthrownby the blade.Thrownobjectscancause seriouspersonalinjury.Planyourmowingpatternto avoid dischargeof materialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystanders andthe like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta wallorobstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterial toricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

5. Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrownobjectinjury, stayinoperatorzone behindhandlesand keepchildren, bystanders,helpers,and petsat least75feetfrommower whileitis inoperation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

area.

6. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringopera- tionandwhile performinganadjustmentor repairto protect youreyes.Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseserious injurytothe eyes.

7. Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting slacksandshirts. Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthe armsand legsandsteel-toedshoesarerecommended.Neveroperate thismachinein barefeet,sandals,slipperyorlightweight (e.g.canvas)shoes.

8. Do notputhandsorfeet nearrotatingpartsor undercutting deck.Contactwithbladecanamputatehandsandfeet.

9. A missingor damageddischargecovercancauseblade contactor thrownobject injuries.

10.Manyinjuriesoccuras a resultofthemowerbeing pulled overthefoot duringa fall causedbyslippingor tripping. Do notholdontothe mowerifyouarefalling;releasethe handleimmediately.

11.Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouare walking.Ifyoumust backthe mowerawayfroma wallor obstructionfirstlookdownandbehindtoavoidtrippingand thenfollowthesesteps:

a. Stepbackfrommowertofullyextendyourarms. b. Besure youarewellbalancedwithsurefooting.

c. Pullthe mowerbackslowly,no morethan half way

towardyou.

d. Repeatthesestepsas needed.

12.Donotoperatethe mowerwhileunderthe influenceof alcoholordrugs.

13.Donotengage theself-propelledmechanismon unitsso equippedwhilestartingengine.

14.Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice.Neverattempt tobypassitsoperation.Doingso makesthe safetydevice inoperativeandmayresult in personalinjurythrough contactwiththe rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandle mustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomatically returntothe disengagedpositionwhenreleased.

15.Neveroperatethe mowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbesureof yourfooting. A slipandfall cancauseseriouspersonal injury.If youfeelyouarelosingyourfooting,releasethe bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyand the bladewillstop rotatingwithinthreeseconds.

16.Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

17.Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksor roads.

18.Iftheequipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe engineandcheckimmediatelyforthe cause.Vibrationis generallya warningoftrouble.

19.Shutthe engineoff andwaituntilthebladecomesto a completestopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcheror unclog- gingthechute.

The cuttingbladecontinuesto rotatefor a fewsecondsafter the engineisshutoff.Neverplaceany partofthe bodyin the bladearea untilyou are surethe blade hasstopped

rotating.

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

protectivedevicesin placeandworking.Neveroperate mowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failuretodo so can resultin personalinjury.

21. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causeaburn.Do

nottouch.

22.Onlyusepartsand accessoriesmadeforthis machineby

manufacturer.Failuretodo so canresultinpersonalinjury.

23. Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis manual,

usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealerfor

assistance.Telephone1-800-800-7310forthe nameofyour

nearestdealer.

Slope Operation

Slopesare amajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidentswhich can resultinsevereinjury.Operationonslopesrequiresextra

caution.Ifyoufeeluneasyona slope,do notmowit.Foryour safety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartof this manualto

measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis unitonaslopedor hilly

area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan 15degrees,donot mowit.

Do:

1. Mowacrossthefaceofslopes; neverup anddown. Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon

slopes.

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

3. Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A slip andfallcancause seriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouare losingyour

balance,releasethebladecontrolhandleimmediately,and

the bladewill stoprotatingwithin 3seconds.

Do Not:

1. Donot mowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,where you couldloseyourfootingor balance.

2. Donot mowslopesgreaterthan 15degreesasshownon the slopegauge.

3. Donot mowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcause slipping.

Service

Safe HandlingOf Gasoline:

1. To avoidpersonalinjury orpropertydamageuseextreme care inhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable andthevaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan occurwhengasolineisspilledonyourselforyourclothes whichcanignite.

2. Wash yourskin andchangeclothesimmediately.

3. Useonly anapprovedgasolinecontainer.

4. Neverfillcontainersinsideavehicleoron atruckor trailer bedwitha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe

groundawayfromyourvehicle beforefilling.

5. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailer

andrefuelit onthe ground.Ifthis is notpossible,thenrefuel suchequipmenton a trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather thanfroma gasoline dispensernozzle.

6. Keepthe nozzleincontactwiththe rimofthefueltank or

containeropeningat alltimesuntil fuelingis complete.Do

notuseanozzlelock-opendevice.

7. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars, pipesandothersources ofignition.

8. Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill accumulatein thearea.

9. Neverremovegascap oraddfuelwhileengineishot or running. Allowengineto coolatleasttwo minutesbefore refueling.

10.Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltankto nomorethanY2inch belowbottomoffiller neckto providefor fuelexpansion.

11.Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.

12.Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment. Moveunitto anotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestarting engine.

13.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containernearanopen flame,sparkor pilot lightasona waterheater,space heater,furnace,clothesdryer,orothergasappliances.

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

15.Allowa mowertocool at least5 minutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService:

1. Neverrunanengineindoorsorina poorlyventilatedarea. Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand deadlygas.

2. Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe sparkplugwireandgroundagainstthe engineto 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. Neverattemptto makeawheelor cuttingheightadjustment whiletheengineis running.

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

10.Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor overspeedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperating speedoftheengine.

11.Maintainorreplacesafetylabels,asnecessary.

12.Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improper disposaloffluidsand materialscanharmtheenvironment.

Practices

WARNING

Thissymbol points out importantsafety instructionswhich, if notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal safety and/or property

of yourselfand others.

Readand followall

instructions inthis man- ual before attemptingto

operatethis machine.

Failuretocomply with

these instructionsmay result in personalinjury. Whenyou see this

symbol.

HEED iTS WARNING

Your

Responsibility

Restrictthe use

ofthis powermachine

to personswho read,

understand

and follow thewarnings

and instructions

inthis manual

and on the machine.

NOTE:Standbehind

themowerasifyou weregoingtooperate

it.Yourrighthandcor- respondstotheright

sideofthemower;your

lefthandcorresponds

totheleftsideofthe

mower.

NOTE:Yourmower

i isshippedwiththe

handleinthehigher

I heightposition.

NOTE:Eachendof

thelowerhandlemust

beplacedinthesame relativeposition.

iMPORTANT

DO NOTcrimp the cableswhen liftingthe handleup.Makesure

to routethe cables

i insidethe lowerhandle.

HardwarePack

WingNuts (2)

Step 1

Step 2

1. Removeanypackingmaterialwhichmaybebetween upperandlowerhandles.

a. Pullupand backon upperhandleasshownin

Step1.Makecertainthe lowerhandleis seated securelyintothehandlemountingbrackets.

b. Tightenhandknobssecuringupperhandleto

lowerhandle.Makesurethateachcarriageboltis seatedproperlyinthehandle.

2. Locatehairpinclip inone holeon theweldpinon each sideof lowerhandle.

a. Removehairpinclipfromthis hole.Usingapairof

pliers,inserthairpinclipintotheotherholeon the weldpin. Repeaton otherside.

b. Insertacarriageboltfromthehardwarepackinto

theupperholeonthehandlemountingbracket. Securewithone plasticwingnut,alsoincluded inthehardwarepack.Repeatonothersidewith remainingitemsfromhardwarepack.

Theropeguideisattachedtotherightsideofthe upperhandle.Loosenthewingnutwhichsecuresthe ropeguide.

a. Holdthebladecontrolagainstupperhandle. b. Pullstarterropeoutofthe engine.Releasethe

bladecontrol.

c. Slipstarterropeintoropeguide. d. Tightenwingnut.

Insertpostoncabletiesintoholesprovidedon the lowerhandle.Pullcabletietightandtrimexcess.

Anadjustingplateandthumbleverateachwheel positionprovidescuttingheightadjustment.

a. Depresslevertowardswheel. b. Moveit to anyoftheninepositionsfordesired

cuttingheight.SeeStep5.

c. Releaselevertowardsmowerdeck.

iMPORTANT

Thisunit isshipped

} without gasolineor

oil inthe engine. Fih up gasolineandoil

as instructedin the accompanyingengine

manual BEFORE operatingyour mower.

Step 3 Step 4

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