MTD 500 Thru 519 manual Operating Your Lawn Mower, Making Adjustments

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER

WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from chute area on the cutting deck. The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields.

Gas and Oil Fill-Up

Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your mower. Read instructions carefully.

WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors with engine running or until the engine has been allowed to cool for at least two minutes after running.

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 that 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

Cutting Height Adjustment

WARNING: Do not at any time make any adjustments without first stopping engine and disconnecting spark plug wire.

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 11.

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.

10