Maintaining Your Lawn Mower, General Recommendations

Maintaining

Your Lawn

Mower

WARNING

Always stop engine, disconnect spark plug, and ground against engine before performing any type of maintenance on your machine.

Never tip the mower more than 90º in any direction and do not leave the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into

the upper part of the engine.

NOTE: Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean the mower. These may cause damage to electric components, spindles, pulleys, bear-

General Recommendations

•Always observe safety rules when performing maintenance work.

•The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed here.

•Changing of engine-governed speed will void engine warranty.

•All adjustments should be checked at least once each season.

WARNING: Always stop engine, disconnect spark plug, and ground against engine

before cleaning, lubricating, or performing any kind of maintenance on your machine.

Lubrication

•Lubricate pivot points on the blade control handle at least once a season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely in both directions, Figure 5-1.

•Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light oil (or motor oil). If wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate surface of the axle bolt and inner surface of the wheel with light oil, Figure 5-1.

•Lubricate the torsion spring and pivot point on the chute deflector periodically with light oil to prevent rust, Figure 5-1.

•Follow the accompanying engine manual for engine lubrication schedule and instructions.

Cleaning the Mower

Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to prevent build-up of grass clippings or other debris.

WARNING: Never tip the mower more than 90º in any direction and do not leave the mower

tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem.

NOTE: Refer to Engine Manual for location of engine components.

1.Disconnect spark plug wire.

2.Drain gasoline or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.

3.Tip the mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold the mower firmly.

4.Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a suitable tool. Do not spray with water.

5.Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you had put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make sure to remove it now.

Blade Care

WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag

to hold the blade.

Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary.

1.Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up.

2.Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine crankshaft, Figure 5-2.

Blade

Adapter

ings, or the engine. The use of water will result in shortened life and reduce serviceability.

Figure 5-1: Lubrication areas on the mower.	Blade Bell
	Blade Bell
Hex Bolt	Support

MTD 38 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower, General Recommendations, Lubrication, Cleaning the Mower