MTD 260 Thru 279 Starting Engine, Using Your Lawn Mower, Mulching, Cutting Height Adjustment

•With the drive clutch released, push mower forward. It should move freely. Pull mower backward. It should move with only a small amount of resistance.

•If the rear wheels tend to lock up, the clutch may not be releasing completely. Do not start the engine until corrections have been made.

•Check the drive cable for severe bends, kinks, or binding. Also check for grass build-up around the belt.

•If drive clutch control needs adjustment see the Adjustment Section.

Starting Engine

•Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.

•Prime engine as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit.

•Your lawn mower may be equipped with a constant speed throttle, which is set at full throttle for best performance.

•Stand behind the mower and squeeze the blade control handle against the upper handle.

•Grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches the start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope return to the starter slowly.

Using Your Lawn Mower

Be sure the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage the lawn mower or the

engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.

For best results, do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you to slip and fall. New grass, thick grass, or wet grass may require a narrower cut.

For a healthier lawn, never cut off more than one-third of the total length of the grass. Your lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is growth. This mower is designed to be operated at full throttle to give you the best cut and do the most effective job of mowing or mulching.

WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove wire from the spark plug, thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower. Extensive vibration of the mower during operation is an indication of damage. The unit should be promptly inspected and repaired.

Mulching

For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the deck, preventing proper mulching of grass clippings. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. The ground speed should be adjusted to the condition of the lawn. If mowing has been delayed and the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of 4”, mulching is not recommended. Mow using the side discharge to reduce the grass height to 3 1/4” maximum before mulching.

SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS

WARNING: Always stop engine, discon- nect spark plug, and ground against engine before performing adjustments.

Cutting Height Adjustment

Each wheel has a height adjustment lever which provides cutting height adjustment. When the adjustment lever is moved from one location to another the height of cut will be changed. Simply depress the lever towards wheel and move lever assembly to desired position. See Figure 9.

IMPORTANT: All wheels must be placed in the same relative position. For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help stop scalping of the grass.

Height

Adjustment Levers

Figure 9

10