MTD 838 warranty Starting Engine, Stopping Engine, Using Your Lawn Mower, Using as Mulcher

WARNING: The operation of any lawn
mower can result in foreign 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.

Starting Engine
WARNING: Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower
while starting engine or operating mower.			�
Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly	�	�
ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon
			���
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands,			��
feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving
parts on engine and lawn mower.

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Operating

Your Lawn

Mower

NOTE: Refer to the engine manual for help with engine related operations.

1.Place the fuel valve lever found on the left side of the engine into the ON position, Figure 4-2.

2.Move the choke lever all the way backward into the choke position, Figure 4-2.

3.Standing behind the mower, squeeze the blade control against upper handle, Figure 4-2. The choke will now begin to slowly return to the off choke position after activating the blade control. Therefore, quickly move onto step four below. Refer to the engine manual for further details.

4.Holding these two handles together firmly, grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope out with a rapid, continu- ous, full arm stroke, Figure 4-2. Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly. Repeat until engine cranks. Let the rope rewind each time slowly.

Stopping Engine

1.Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.

2.Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and ground against the engine.

WARNING: Wait for the blade to stop completely before performing any work on the mower or to remove the grass catcher.

Using Your Lawn Mower

WARNING: Never operate your mower without either the rear door or the entire grass catcher assembly firmly secured.

Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.

Figure 4-2: Starting the mower.

WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove wire from the spark plug, thoroughly inspect mower

for any damage, and repair damage before restart- ing and operating. Extensive vibration of mower during operation is an indication of damage. The unit should be promptly inspected and repaired.

1.Once the engine is running, squeeze the drive control against the upper handle to propel mower.

2.To engage blade, squeeze blade control against the upper handle.

For best results, do not cut wet grass and never cut off more than one-third of the total length of the grass.

Using as Mulcher

For mulching grass, remove the grass catcher from the mower and install the mulch baffle, page 7.

•For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. Adjust ground speed according to condition of lawn.

•If the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of four inches, mulching is not recommended. Use the grass catcher to bag clippings instead.

Using Grass Catcher

You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while you are operating the mower.

1.Attach grass catcher following instructions in Setup section. Operate mower till grass bag is full.

2.Stop engine completely by releasing the blade control. Make sure that the unit has come to a complete stop.

3.Lift discharge door and pull grass bag up and away from the mower to remove the bag. Dispose of the grass clippings and reinstall the bag when complete.

WARNING

The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign 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.

Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or oper- ating mower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. En- gine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.

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