MTD Yard-Man 12A-449T402 User manual

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Operator's Manual
21" Self Starter
Rear-Discharge
Lawn Mower
Model Series
12A-449T402
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustionengine and shouldnot be used on or near any unimprovedforest-
covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped witha 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.
Inthe State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public ResourcesCode). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply onfederal 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,
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
ECO #
PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10545.fm
(4/2001)

TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
ImportantSafe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3
SlopeGauge...................................................................................................... 6
Unpacking.......................................................................................................... 7
Assembling Your Lawn Mower........................................................................... 7
KnowYour Lawn Mower................................................................................... ;10
OperatingYourLawn Mower ............................................................................. 10
MaintainingYour Lawn Mower........................................................................... 13
Servicing Your Lawn Mower.............................................................................. 14
MakingAdjustments .......................................................................................... 16
Off- Season Storage.......................................................................................... 17
Troubleshooting................................................................................................. 18
PartsList............................................................................................................ 20
FINDINGMODELNUMBER
ThisOperator's Manual isan important part ofyour new Lawn Mower. Itwillhelp 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 ifyou need help from our Customer Support Department or
an authorized dealer.
You can locate the model number by standingbehind the unitin the operating position and looking
down at the rear of the deck. A sampre model plate is explained below. Forfuture reference, please
copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment inthe space below.
p,-
(Model Number) (Serial Number)
f" MTD PRODUCTS INC
CLEVELAND, OHIO 441364
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT
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 toreach a Customer Support
representative.Please have yourunit'smodeJnumberand serialnumberready when you
call.See previous section to locatethisinformation.You willbe askedtoenter theserial
number in order to process your call.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES
WARNING: Thissymbol points out importantsafety instructions which, if notfollowed, could endanger
the personalsafety and/or property ofyourselfand others. Read andfollow all instructionsinthismanual
beforeattemptingto operatethismachine. Failuretocomplywiththese instructionsmay resultinpersonal
injury.When you see thissymbol--HEED ITS WARNING.
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of itsconstituents, and certain vehicle components contain oremit
chemicalsknownto State ofCaliforniato causecancer and birthdefectsor otherreproductiveharm.
WARNING: This machine was built to be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operationinthismanual. 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
instructionscould resultin sedous injuryordeath.
GeneralOperation
1. Read this operator's manual carefullyin its entirety
before attempting to assemblethis machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructionson the machine
and in the manual(s) before operation, Be completely
familiar with the controlsand the proper use of this
machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference andfor ordering
replacement parts.
2. Thismachine isa precisionpieceofpowerequipment,
nota plaything. Therefore, exerciseextremecautionat all
times. Your unithas beendesignedtoperformone job:to
mowgrass. Do notuseitfor any other purpose.
3, Never allowchildrenunder 14years oldtooperate this
machine. Children 14years oldand overshouldread and
understandthe operation instructionsand safety rules in
this manual and should be trainedand supervisedby a
parent.Only responsible individualswho arefamiliar with
thesesafe operationrules shouldusethis machine.
4. Thoroughlyinspectthe area where the equipmentisto
be used. Remove allstones, sticks,wire, bones,toysand
otherforeign objectswhich could be tdppedoveror
picked upand thrownby the blade. Thrownobjectscan
cause sedous personal injury.Plan yourmowing pattern
toavoiddischarge ofmaterialtoward roads,sidewalks,
bystandersand the like.Also, avoiddischargingmaterial
againsta wallor obstructionwhichmay causedischarged
matedal to dcochet back towardthe operator.
5. To helpavoidblade contactora thrownobjectinjury,stay
inthe operatorzone behind the handlesand keep
bystanders,helpers, childrenand pets at least75 feet
from the machine while itis inoperation.Stopmachine if
anyone entersthe area.
6. Always wear safety glasses orsafety gogglesduring
operationand while performingan adjustmentorrepair to
protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcan
cause serious injuryto the eyes.
7. Wear sturdy, rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacks and shirts.Shirtsand pantsthatcover the arms
and legsand steel-toed shoes are recommended.Never
operate thismachine in barefeet, sandals,slipperyor
lightweight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
8. Do notput handsor feet near rotating parts orunder the
cutting deck. Contactwiththe blade can amputatehands
and feet.
9. A missing ordamaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
10. Many injudes 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 pullthe mower back toward 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. Repeatthese steps as needed.
12. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
13. Do not engage the self-propelred mechanism on units so
equipped while starting engine.
14. The blade control handle is asafety device. Never
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the
safety device inoperativeand 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 footiog. A slip and fall can cause sedous personal
injury. Ifyou feel you are losing your footing, release the
blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.
16. Mow in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never run.
17. Stop the blade when cressing gravel drives, walkways
or roads.
18. Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally, stop
the engine and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration isgenerally a warning of trouble.
19. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a
complete stop before removing the grass catcher or
unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues to
rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut off.
Never place any part of the body inthe blade area until
you are sure the blade has stopped rotating.

20. Never operate mowerwithoutproper trail shield, 5.
discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or
other safety protective devices in place and working. 6.
Never operate mower withdamaged safety devices.
Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.
21. Muffler and engine become hot and can ceuse a bum. Do
not touch.
22. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by
the original equipment manufacturer (O.E,M). Failure to Service
do so can result in personal injury.
23. If situations occur which are not covered inthis manual,
use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer for
assistance. Telephone [phone] for the name of
your nearest dealer,
SlopeOperation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip andfall accidents
which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes
requires extra caution. Ifyou feel uneasy on aslope, do not
mow it. Before operating this unit on aslope or hilly area, use
the slope gauge on page 6 to measure slopes. Ifthe 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 orembankments,
you could lose your footing or balance.
2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15degreesas shown on
the slope gauge.
3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause
slipping.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the 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 adurt 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 comers,
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may
obscure your vision of a child who may run into the
mower.
Keep children away from hot or running engines. They
can suffer bums from a hot muffler.
Never allow children under 14years old to operate a
power mower. Children 14years 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.
SafeHandlingofGasoline:
I. 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 or your clothes which can ignite.
2. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
3. Use only an approved gasoline container.
4. Never fill containers inside avehicle or on a truck or
trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on
the ground away from your vehicle before filling.
5. if possible, remove gas-powered equipment from the
truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. Ifthis is not
possible, then refuel such equipment on atrailer 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 iscomplete. 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.
In. Never over fillfuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch
below bottom of filler neck to provide space forfuel
expansion.
11. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
12. Ifgasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes
before starting the engine.
18. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where
there isan open flame, spark or pilot light as on awater
heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer orother 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:
I. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain
the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to
prevent unintended starting.

3. Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequent
intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade
fordamage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn)Replaceblade
withtheodginalequipmentmanufacture's(O.E.M.)blade
only,listedinthismanual."Use of parts which do not
meet the original equipment specifications may lead to
improper performance and compromise safety!"
4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or
wear gloves, and usa extra caution when servicing them.
5. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
6. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
7. After striking aforeign object, stop the engine, disconnect
the spark plug wire and de-energize the starter. (See
section "To De-energize Self Starter". Thoroughly inspect
the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before
starting and operating the mower.
8. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height
adjustment while the engine is running.
9. Grasscatcher components, dischargecover, and trail
10.
11.
12.
13.
shield are subject towear and damage which could
expose moving parts orallowobjectsto be thrown.
Forsafety protection,frequently checkcomponents and
replace immediatelywith originalequipment
manufacturer's(O.E.M.) partsonly,listedinthis manual.
"Useof parts whichdo notmeetthe originalequipment
specificationsmay leadto improperperformance and
compromisesafety!"
Do notchange the enginegovernor settingoroverspeed
the engine. The governorcontrolsthe maximum safe
operatingspeed of the engine.
Maintainor replace safety and instructionlabels,as
necessary.
Observe properdisposallaws and regulations.Improper
disposalof fluidsand materialscan harm the
environment.
ALWAYS de-energizeselfstarter priorto performingany
maintenanceor servicetothe engineand or mower.
Follow instructionsbothinthe manual and onthe engine
and ormachine tode-energize starter.
YourResponsibility
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.
DANGER
AWARNIHG
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