MTD 11A-545D034 Using Your Lawn Mower, Mulching, Handle Height Adjustment, Making Adjustments

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

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

Handle Height Adjustment

Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower the height proceed as follows:

•Remove the starter rope from the rope guide.

•Remove the upper handle by removing the hand knobs and carriage bolts. Lay the upper handle out of the way, being careful not to bend or kink the cables.

•Remove the hairpin clips from the weld pins on the handle brackets and remove the wing nuts and carriage bolts from the upper hole on the handle mounting bracket. Press out on the legs of the lower handle and remove lower handle from the mower.

•Turn lower handle around so the notch on the bottom of the lower handle is facing forward. See Figure 12.

•Reassemble, placing the bottom holes in the handle over the weld pins in the handle mounting bracket.

•Place the hairpin clips in the inner holes in the weld pins and insert the carriage bolts the upper hole on the handle mounting bracket and secure with plastic wing nuts.

•Reassemble the upper handle to the lower handle.

•Attach the starter rope as instructed in the Assembly Section

Notch

Lower Handle

Figure 12

Cutting Height Adjustment

An adjusting plate and spring lever at each wheel position provides cutting height adjustment. Each adjusting plate has assorted height positions. When the spring 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 13.

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