MTD 26M - page 9

Operating

Your Lawn

Mower

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 operating

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.

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 operat-

ing mower. Never run engine indoors

or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas.

Engine exhaust contains carbon monox-

ide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep

hands, feet, hair and loose clothing

away from any moving parts on engine

and lawn mower.

WARNING: Always keep hands

and feet clear of equipment

moving parts. Do not use a pres-

surized starting fluid. Vapors are

flammable.

1. Pull out the choke knob located on the left side of the

upper handle. See Figure 4-2.

NOTE: Use of the choke is not necessary if the engine is

warm or the air temperature is high.

2. Standing behind the mower, depress the blade control

and hold it against the upper handle.

3. Pull the starter grip lightly until resistance is felt,

then pull rapidly to overcome compression, prevent

kickback and start engine. Repeat if necessary. See

Figure 4-2 .

IMPORTANT: Do not allow the starter grip to snap

back against the rope guide. Return it gently to prevent

damage to the starter.

4. When engine warms up, push in the choke knob. See

Figure 4-2.

Stopping Engine

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

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.

WARNING: If you strike a foreign

object, stop the engine. Remove

spark plug boot from the spark plug,

thoroughly inspect mower for any

damage, and repair damage before

restarting 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. For best results, do not cut wet grass.

3. For a healthier lawn, never cut off more than one-

third of the total length of the grass.

Using as Mulcher

For mulching grass, remove the grass catcher (if

apllicable) and install mulching baffle following instruc-

tions in Set Up and Adjustment.

1. For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass.

2. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut.

Adjust ground speed according to condition of lawn.

3. If the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of

4 inches, mulching is not recommended. Use the

grass catcher to bag clippings instead.

Figure 4-2