MTD 12A-263F800 User manual

Safety • Setup • Adjustments • Operation • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty
AOA AL
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21" Rotary Mower- Model Series 260
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 shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester
forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136-0019.
ForUSCustomers: MTDLLC,P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019 772C0797
PRINTEDIN U.S.A. ForCanadianCustomers:MTDProductsLtd.,P.O.Box 1386,KITCHENER,ONTARION2G4J1 10/15/2005

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new equipment, it will help you assemble,
prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Table of
Slope Gauge ....................................................... 3
Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4
Set-Up & Adjustments ........................................ 6
Operation ............................................................. 8
Contents
Maintenance & Off-Season Storage ................ 10
Trouble Shooting .............................................. 12
Warranty ............................................................ 13
illustrated Parts Lists ....................................... 14
Finding and Recording IVlodel Number
BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING
YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,
please locatethe modelplate onthe equipmentand copy the
themodel numberandthe serial number tothe sample model
plate providedto the right.You can locatethe modelplate by
standing atthe operatingposition and looking down atthe rear
of thedeck.
Model Number Serial Number
Num6ro de module Num6ro de s_rie
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
__ MTD LLC
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED
KITCHENER, ON N2G 4J1
USA-www.mtdproducts.com 1-800-800-7310
CAN-www.mtdcanada.com 1-800-668-1238
Customer Support
Please do NOTretum the unit to the retailer from which it was purchased,
without first contacting Customer Support.
Ifyou havedifficultyassembling this productor haveany questionsregardingthe controls,operationor maintenanceof this unit,
pleasecall a CustomerSupport Representative.
For USCustomers: 1-330-220-4MTD (4683)or 1-800-800-7310
For Canadian Customers: 1-800-668-1238
Pleasehaveyour unit'smodelnumber and serialnumber readywhen you call. See previoussection to locate this information.
Youwill beasked to enterthe serial number inorderto processyour call.
The enginemanufacturerisresponsiblefor all enigne-relatedissueswith regardsto performance, power-rating,specifications,
warrantyand service. Please referto the enginemanufacturer'sOwner's/Operator'sManual,packedseparatelywith your unit,
for more information.
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WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety
instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
i safetyand/or property
I ofyourselfand others.
Readandfollowall
instructionsin this
manualbeforeat-
temptingto operate
i this machine.Failure
I to complywith these
instructionsmay result
i in personalinjury.When
youseethis symbol.
HEED iTS WARNING!
i Your Responsibility
i Restrictthe use
i ofthis powermachine
to personswho read,
understand
and follow the warnings
and instructions
, in this manual
I and on the machine.
WARNING:EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehiclecomponentscontainor
emitchemicalsknowntoStateof Californiatocausecancerand birthdefectsor otherreproduc-
tiveharm.
DANGER:Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtotherulesforsafeoperationinthismanual.Aswith
anytypeof powerequipment,carelessnessor erroron thepartoftheoperatorcanresultinseriousinjury.This
machineiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeetandthrowingobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety
instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.
General Operation
1. Readthis operator'smanual carefullyinits entiretybefore
attemptingtoassemblethismachine.Read,understand,
andfollowall instructionsonthe machineandin 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 notuseit for anyotherpurpose.
3. Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand
understandthe instructionsinthis manualandshould
betrainedand supervisedbya parent.Onlyresponsible
individualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesofsafe
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. Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrownobjectinjury,
stayinthe operatorzonebehindthe handlesand keep
children,bystanders,helpersand petsatleast75feet
fromthe mowerwhileit isin operation.Stop machineif
anyoneentersthe area.
6. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduring
operationand whileperforminganadjustmentor repair
toprotectyoureyes.Thrownobjectswhichricochetcan
causeseriousinjurytothe eyes.
7. Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacksandshirts. Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthe arms
and legsandsteel-toedshoesarerecommended.Never
operatethismachinein barefeet, sandals,slipperyor light
weight(e.g.canvas)shoes.
8. Do notputhandsorfeet nearrotatingpartsor underthe
cuttingdeck.Contactwiththe bladecanamputatehands
andfeet.
9. Amissingor damageddischargecovercancause blade
contactor thrownobject injuries.
10.Manyinjuriesoccurasa resultofthe mowerbeingpulled
overthefoot duringa fall causedby slippingor tripping.
Do notholdontothe mowerifyouare falling;releasethe
handleimmediately.
11.Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouare
walking.If youmust backthe mowerawayfroma wallor
obstructionfirstlookdownand behindtoavoidtripping
andthenfollowthesesteps:
a. Stepbackfromthe mowertofullyextendyourarms.
b. Besureyouarewellbalancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pullthe mowerbackslowly,no morethanhalfway
towardyou.
d. Repeatthesestepsasneeded.
12.Do notoperatethe mowerwhileunderthe influenceof
alcoholordrugs.
13.Do notengagetheself-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 slipand fall cancauseseriouspersonal
injury.If youfeelyouarelosingyourfooting,releasethe
bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyand the bladewillstop
rotatingwithinthreeseconds.
16.Mowonlyin daylightor in goodartificial light.Walk,never
run.Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksor
roads.
17.If theequipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engineand checkimmediatelyfor the cause.Vibrationis
generallya warningoftrouble.
18.Shutthe engineoff andwait untilthe bladecomesto
acompletestopbeforeremovingthe grasscatcheror
uncloggingthe chute.Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotate
fora fewsecondsafterthe engineisshutoff. Neverplace
anypartofthe bodyin the bladeareauntilyou aresurethe
bladehasstoppedrotating.
19.Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,discharge
cover,grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandleor othersafety
protectivedevicesin placeandworking.Neveroperate
mowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failureto doso,can
resultinpersonalinjury.
20.Mufflerandenginebecomehotand cancauseaburn.Do
nottouch.
21.Only usepartsand accessoriesmadeforthis machineby
the manufacturer.Failuretodo socan resultin personal
injury.
22.If situationsoccurwhich arenotcoveredin this manual,use
careand goodjudgment. Callcustomerassistancefor the
nameofyournearestservicingdealer.
Slope Operation
Slopesare amajorfactor relatedtoslip andfall accidentswhich
canresultinsevereinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextra
caution.Ifyoufeel uneasyonaslope,do notmowit.Foryour
safety,usethe slopegaugeincludedas partofthis manualto
measureslopesbeforeoperatingthisuniton a slopedor hilly
area.Ifthe slopeisgreaterthan15degrees,donot mowit.
4

Do:
1. Mowacrossthe faceofslopes;neverup anddown.
Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon
slopes.
2. Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks, hiddenobjects,or bumpswhich
can causeyouto slipor trip. Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
3. Alwaysbesure ofyourfooting.A slip andfall cancause
seriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosingyour
balance,releasethe bladecontrolhandleimmediately,and
the bladewill stoprotatingwithin3seconds.
Do Not:
I. Donot mowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,you
could loseyourfootingorbalance.
2. Donot mowslopesgreaterthan 15degreesasshownon
the slopegauge.
3. Donot mowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcause
slipping.
Children
Tragicaccidentscanoccur ifthe operatorisnot alertto the
presenceofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothe mower
and the mowingactivity.Theydo notunderstandthe dangers.
Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyou lastsaw
them.
1. Keepchildrenout ofthe mowingareaand underthewatch-
ful careofa responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.
2. Bealertandturnmoweroff if a childentersthe area.
3. Beforeand while movingbackwards,lookbehindand down
forsmallchildren.
4. Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,
doorways,shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthat mayobscure
yourvisionof achildwhomayrun intothe mower.
5. Keepchildrenawayfrom hotor runningengines.Theycan
suffer burnsfroma hotmuffler.
6. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operateapower
mower.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
understandthe operationinstructionsand safetyrules in
this manualandshouldbetrainedand supervisedbya
parent.
Service
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
1. To avoidpersonalinjury orpropertydamageuseextreme
care inhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthevaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineisspilledonyourselforyourclothes
whichcanignite.
2. Washyourskin andchangeclothesimmediately.
3. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
4. Neverfillcontainersinsideavehicleoron a truckor trailer
bedwitha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.
5. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck ortrailer
and refuelit onthe ground.If thisis notpossible,thenrefuel
suchequipmentonatrailerwitha portablecontainer,rather
thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.
6. Keepthe nozzlein contactwiththe rimofthefueltank or
containeropeningat alltimesuntilfuelingis complete.Do
notuseanozzlelock-opendevice.
7. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesand othersourcesof
ignition.
8. Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevapors
willaccumulateinthe area.
9. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhilethe engineis
hotor running. Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutes
beforerefueling.
10.Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltankto nomorethanY2inch
belowbottomoffiller neckto provideforfuelexpansion.
11.Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
12.If gasolineis spilled,wipe itoff theengineand equipment.
Moveunittoanotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestarting
theengine.
13.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containernearanopen
flame,sparkor pilotlightasonawaterheater,space
heater,furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.
14.Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass,leaves,
orother debrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageand
removeanyfuel soakeddebris.
15.Allowamowertocoolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.
General Service:
1. Neverrunan engineindoorsor in apoorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless
anddeadlygas.
2. Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe
bladeandallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe
sparkplugwireand groundagainstthe engineto prevent
unintendedstarting.
3. Checkthe bladeand enginemountingboltsatfrequent
intervalsfor propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade
fordamage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn)Replacebladewith
theoriginalequipmentmanufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,
listedinthis manual."Useofpartswhichdo notmeetthe
originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper
performanceand compromisesafety!"
4. Mowerbladesaresharpandcan cut.Wrapthe bladeor
weargloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.
5. Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstightto besurethe
equipmentis insafeworkingcondition.
6. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper
operationregularly.
7. Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stopthe engine,discon-
nectthe sparkplugwireandgroundagainstthe engine.
Thoroughlyinspectthe mowerfor anydamage.Repairthe
damagebeforestartingand operatingthe mower.
8. Neverattemptto makeawheelor cuttingheightadjust-
mentwhilethe engineisrunning.
9. Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrail
shieldaresubjecttowearanddamagewhichcould
exposemovingpartsor allowobjectstobethrown.For
safetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsandre-
placeimmediatelywithoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's
(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedin thismanual."Useofparts
whichdo notmeetthe originalequipmentspecifications
mayleadtoimproperperformanceandcompromise
safety!"
10.Do notchangethe enginegovernorsettingor overspeed
theengine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafe
operatingspeedoftheengine.
11.Maintainor replacesafetylabels,asnecessary.
12.Observeproperdisposallawsandregulations.Improper
disposaloffluidsandmaterialscan harmthe environment.
5
Practices
WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
outimportantsafety
instructionswhich, if
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
safetyand/orproperty
ofyourselfandothers.
Readandfollowall
instructionsinthis
manualbeforeat-
temptingtooperate
this machine.Failure
to complywith these
instructionsmayresult
in personalinjury.When
youseethis symbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe use
ofthis powermachine
to personswho read,
understand
andfollow thewarnings
and instructions
in this manual
andon the machine.

set.pand
Yourmowerisshipped
with the handle inthe
higher heightposition.
NOTE: Each end of
the lowerhandlemust
be placed inthe same
relativeposition.
iMPORTANT
This unit is shipped
WITHOUT GASOLINE
or OiL. After assem-
bly, service engine
with gasolineand
oil as instructedin
the separate engine
manual packedwith
your unit.
!
Figure 1
Figure 2
_ARNING: Disconnect and
ground the spark plug wire as
instructedin the separate engine
manual.
1. Thechutedeflectoronyourmowermaybe heldinan
uprightpositionbya blockforshippingpurposesonly.
Thisshippingblockmustbe removedanddiscarded
beforethemoweris putintooperation.SeeFigure1.
a. Pullthechutedeflectorup towardsengine.
b. Removetheblockandcarefullylowerthechuteinto
operatingposition,keepingfingersoutoftheway.
2. Performthefollowingsequenceforhandlesetup:
a. Pullupand backon theupperhandletoraisethe
handlefrompositionA intotheoperatingposition
B.SeeFigure2.
b. Makesurethecarriageboltis seatedproperlyin
thehandle.Tightenwingnuts(starknobs)securing
upperhandletothe lowerhandle.
NOTE:Onsomemodelswingnutshavebeenreplaced
withstarknobs.Figuresshowwingnutsonly.
3. If satisfiedwith heightof handle,tightenwingnuts(star
knobs)attheendsofthe lowerhandleshownin Figure
3. Forconvenienceofoperating,youmayadjustthe
handleheightasfollows:
a. Removethewingnuts(starknobs)shownin Figure
3 andremovethelowerhandle.
.
b. Positioneachhandlebracketstudintothetophole
in thelowerhandle.SeeFigure3 inset.
c. Tightenthewingnuts(starknobs).
Insertpostoncabletiesintoholesprovidedon the
lowerhandle.Pullcabletietightandtrimexcess.See
Figure4.
Figure 3Figure 4
6

5. RopeguideSetupasfollows,seeFigure5:
a. Holdthebladecontrolagainsttheupperhandle.
PositionA.
b. Slowlypullstarterropeoutofengine.PositionB.
c. Slipstarterropeintotheropeguide.PositionC.
d. Tightenropeguidewingnut. PositionD.
,Eachwheelhasa heightadjustmentlevertochange
thecuttingheightofthe mower.Tochangetheheight
ofcut,squeezeadjusterlevertowardthewheel,
movingupor downtoselectedheight.SeeFigure6.
7, If yourmowerisequippedwithan optionalmulching
Figure 5NOTE: Allwheels must
bein the sameheight
of cut.
Whencutting in heavy
or moist grass,the rear
of the lawnmowermay
beraisedhigher to
allow beter discharge
ofthe grass.
Figure 6
baffle,installitas shownin Figure7.
a. Lift upandholdtheside-dischargechutedeflector
andinsertbottomlip ofthemulchingbaffleinside
thechuteopening.
b. Pushthehooksonthetopofthebaffleuntilthey
snapoverthehingeon thedischargechute.
Releasethechutedeflector.
NOTE: Whenyouwishtomowinsteadof mulch,
simplyraisethechutedeflector,graspthehandleonthe
mulchingbaffleandlift upwardto removethebaffle. It is
notnecessarytoremovethe mulchingblade.
Figure 7
7

Your Lawn
Mower
i
i
WARNING
Read,understand,
and follow all instruc-
tions and warnings
on the machineand
inthis manual before
operating.
This blade control
mechanism is a
safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its
operations.
Useextreme care
when handling
gasoline.Gasoline is
trernely flammable
and the vapors are
explosive.Never fuel
the machine indoors
or while the engine
is hot or running.
Extinguish cigarettes,
cigars, pipesand
other so urcesof
ignition.
Know Your Lawn Mower
Blade Control Handle
Drive Control Handle
Recoil Starter
/
Mulching Baffle Height Adjustment
Levers
Chute Deflector
Figure 8
Blade Control Handle
Thebladecontrolhandleislocatedon theupperhandle
ofthemower.SeeFigure8.Thebladecontrolhandle
mustbedepressedinordertooperatetheunit.Release
thebladecontrolhandletostoptheengineand blade.
Drive Control Handle
Thedrivecontrolhandleislocatedontheupperhandle.
Squeezethedrivecontrolhandleagainsttheupper
handletoengagedrivesystem.Releasethecontrol
handletodisengagethedrivesysteminordertostop,
slowdown,or backup.
Recoil Starter
Therecoilstarterisattachedtotherightupperhandle.
Standbehindtheunitand pullthe recoilstarterropeto
starttheunit.
Mulching Baffle
Themulchingbaffleisusedtorecirculategrassclip-
pingsbacktothelawn.Attachitasinstructedonpage7
ofthismanual.
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers
Oneadjustmentleveris locatedoneachwheelandis
usedtoadjustthecuttingheight.All fourlevershaveto
beatthesamerelativepositiontoensureuniformcut.
Before Starting
1. Servicetheenginewithgasolineandoil asinstructed
in theseparateenginemanual.
2. Attachsparkplugwireto sparkplug. If unitis
equippedwitha rubberbootovertheend ofthespark
plugwire,makecertainthemetalloopon theend of
thesparkplugwire(insidetherubberboot)isfastened
securelyoverthemetaltipon thesparkplug.
3. Beforeeachuse,checkforproperdriveclutchopera-
tionbyperformingthefollowingbeforestartingthe
engine:
a. Withthedrivecontrolreleased,pushmower
forward.Itshouldmovefreely.Pullmowerback-
ward.Itshouldmovewithonlya smallamountof
resistance.
If itdoesnottheclutchmaynotbereleasing
completely.Donotstarttheengineuntilcorrections
havebeenmade.Checkthecontrolcablefor
severebend,kinksandbinding.Alsocheckfor
grassbuild-uparoundthebelt.
8

f
Figure 9
To Start Engine
1. If yourunitisequippedwitha primer,primeengineas
instructedintheseparateenginemanualpackedwith
yourunit. 2.
2. Standingbehindtheunit,depressthebladecontrol
handleandholditagainsttheupperhandleasshown
inFigure9. 3.
3. Graspthe starterhandleas shownand pullslowly
untilresistanceisfelt,thenpullrapidlytostartengine 4.
andavoidkickback.Returnitslowlyto theropeguide.
ToStop Engine 5.
1. Releasethebladecontrolhandletostoptheengine
andblade. 6.
__k WARNING: The blade continues
to rotate for a few seconds after
the engine isshut off.
2. Disconnectandgroundthesparkplugwireas
instructedin theseparateenginemanualto prevent
accidentalstartingwhileequipmentisunattended.
Using Your Lawn Mower
Besurethelawnisclearof stones,sticks,wire,or other
objectswhichcoulddamagethelawnmoweror the
engine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidentlythrownbythe
mowerin anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjury
totheoperatorandothers.
WARNING: if you strike a foreign
object, stop the engine. Remove
wire from the spark plug, thor-
oughly inspectthe mower for any
damage, and repair the damage
before restarting and operating
the mower. Extensive vibration
of the mower during operation is
an indicationof damage. The unit
should be promptly inspected
and repaired.
Toengagethedrive,squeezethedrivecontrolhandle
towardstheupperhandle.Releasethedrivecontrol
toslowdownwhennegotiatinganobstacle,makinga
turn,or stopping.
Forbestresultsandeffectivemulching,do notcut wet
grass.
Newgrass,thickgrass,orwet grassmayrequirea
narrowercut.
Fora healthierlawn,nevercutoff morethanone-third
ofthetotallengthofthegrass.
Yourlawnshouldbecut inthefallaslongasthere
isgrowth.
Ifthegrasshasbeenallowedtogrowin excessof 4
inches,mulchingis notrecommended.Mowusing
thesidedischargetoreducethegrassheightto3-1/4
inchesor lessbeforemulching.
General Recommendations
1. Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforming
anymaintenance.
2. Thewarrantyonthis lawnmowerdoesnotcover
itemsthathavebeensubjectedto operatorabuse
or negligence.Toreceivefullvaluefromwarranty,
operatormustmaintainthelawnmoweras
instructedhere.
3. Changingofengine-governedspeedwillvoid
enginewarranty.
4. All adjustmentsshouldbe checkedatleastonceeach
season.
5. Periodicallycheckallfastenersandmakesurethese
aretight.
9
Operating
WARNING
The operation of any
lawn mower can result
inforeign objects
being thrown into
the eyes,which can
damage your eyes
severely. Always wear
safety glasses while
operating the mower,
or while performing
any adjustments or
repairs on it.
Besure no one other
than the operator is
standing near the lawn
mower while starting
engine or operating
mower. Never run
engine indoorsor
in enclosed,poorly
ventilated areas. En-
gine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly
gas. Keep hands, feet,
hair and looseclothing
away from any moving
parts on engine and
lawn mower.

:wARN!NG
Always stopengine,
disconnectspark
plug,andground
againstenginebefore
cleaning,lubricating
or doing any kindof
maintenanceonyour
machine!
if unit istipped for
easieraccessto
bladeorbeltltip
mowerasspecified
inseparateengine
manual,if itdoesnot
specifyturnmower
on its side making
sure that the air filter
and the carburetor
cuttinggrassin
sandy soil Condition
causes abrasive wear
to the bladei
Lubricate
thesepoints
before
reasembly.
Figure 10
Lubrication
1. Lubricatethepivotpointsonthebladecontrolhandle
atleastoncea seasonwithlightoil.Theblade
controlmustoperatefreelyin bothdirections.See
Figure10.
2. If yourmowerisequippedwith ballbearingwheels,
lubricateat leastoncea seasonwitha lightoil,all
othertypesrequireno lubrication.However,ifthe
wheelsareremovedforanyreason,lubricatethe
surfaceoftheaxleboltandtheinnersurfaceofthe
wheelwithlightautomotiveoil.
3. Lubricatethetorsionspringandpivotpointperiodi-
callywithlightoil topreventrust.SeeFigure10.
4. Followtheaccompanyingenginemanualforlubrica-
tionscheduleandinstruction.
.
2.
Engine
Refertotheseparateenginemanualforengine
maintenanceinstructions.
.
Maintainengineoil asinstructedin theseparate
enginemanualpackedwithyourunit. Readand
followinstructionscarefully.
Undernormalconditionsserviceaircleanerasin-
structedintheseparateengine manualpackedwith
yourunit. Cleaneveryfewhoursunderextremely
dustyconditions. Poorengineperformanceand
floodingusuallyindicatesthattheaircleanershould
be serviced.
4. Thesparkplugshouldbecleanedandthegap
resetoncea season.Sparkplugreplacementis
recommendedatthestartof eachmowingseason;
checkenginemanualforcorrectplugtypeandgap
specifications.
NOTE:Thissparkignitionsystemmeetsall require-
mentsof theCanadianInterference-CausingEquipment
Regulations.
.Cleantheengineregularlywithaclothor brush.
Keepthecoolingsystem(blowerhousingarea)clean
topermitproperair circulationwhichisessentialto
engineperformanceandlife.Becertaintoremoveall
grass,dirtandcombustibledebrisfrommufflerarea.
Deck
Theundersideofthemowerdeckshouldbecleanedafter
eachuseto preventa buildupofgrassclippings,leaves,
dirtorothermatter.If thisdebrisisallowedtoaccumulate,
itwillinviterustandcorrosion,and maypreventproper
mulching.
Thedeckmaybecleanedbytiltingthemowerandscrap-
ingcleanwitha suitabletool(makecertainthesparkplug
wireisdisconnected).
Blade Care
Periodicallyinspectthebladeadapterforcracks,especial-
lyifyoustrikea foreignobject.Replacewhennecessary.
Followthestepsbelowforbladeservice:
1. Removetheboltandthebladebellsupportwhich
holdthebladeandthebladeadaptertotheengine
crankshaft.SeeFigure11.
2. Removebladeandadapterfromthecrankshaft.
3. Theblademayberesharpenedbyremovingitand
eithergrindingorfilingthecuttingedgekeepingas
closetotheoriginalbevelaspossible.Donotattempt
tosharpenthebladewhileitisstill onthemower.
4. it isextremely important thateachcuttingedge
receivesanequalamountof grindingto preventan
unbalancedblade.
NOTE:improperbladebalancewillresultin excessive
vibrationcausingeventualdamagetotheengineand
mower.Besuretocarefullybalancebladeafter sharpen-
ing.Possibledamageresultingfrombladeunbalance
conditionisnotthe responsibilityofthemanufacturer.
NOTE:Alwaysremovebladefromtheadapterfortesting
balance.
5. Thebladecanbetestedforbalancebybalancingit
ona roundshaftscrewdriver.Removemetalfromthe
heavysideuntilit balancesevenly.
6 Beforereassemblingthebladeandthebladeadapter
totheunit,lubricatetheenginecrankshaftandthe
innersurfaceofthebladeadapterwithlightoil.
7. Installthebladeadapteron thecrankshaftwiththe
"star"awayfromtheengine.SeeFigure11.Place
thebladewiththesidemarked"bottom"(orwithpart
number)facingawayfromtheadapter.Aligntheblade
bellsupportoverthebladewiththetabsin theholesof
thebladeandinsertthehexbolt.
8. Tightenthehexbolttothetorquelistedbelow:
Blade Mounting Torque
CenterBolt450 in.lb.rain.,600 in.lb,max.
Toinsuresafeoperationofyourunit,ALLnutsand bolts
mustbecheckedperiodicallyforcorrecttightness.
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