MTD 44M Operating Your Lawn Mower, Know Your Lawn Mower, Use extreme care when handling, Drive

4

Operating

Your Lawn

Mower

WARNING

The blade control is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations.

Use extreme care

when handling

Know Your Lawn Mower

	Blade Control
Drive
Control	Choke Control
Recoil Starter

Gasoline Fill	Cutting
	Height
	Adjustment
	Lever (one at
	each wheel)

Oil Fill

Figure 4-1: The main components on the mower.

Now that you have set up your lawn mower, it’s important to become acquainted with its controls and features.

gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine

is hot or running.

Extinguish cigarettes,

Blade Control

The blade control is attached to the upper handle of the mower. Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle to operate the unit. Release it to stop engine and blade.

WARNING: This blade control mechanism is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its

operations.

Recoil Starter

The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to start the unit.

Choke Control

The choke control is located on the left side of the handle and when activated, closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine.

cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on cutting deck.

Refer to warning label on the unit.

Drive Control

The drive control is located on the underside of the upper handle and is used to engage the drive. Squeeze it against the upper handle to engage the drive; release it to slow down or stop mower from propelling.

Cutting Height Adjustment Levers

One adjustment lever is located at each wheel and is used to adjust the cutting height. All four levers must be moved to the same position to ensure a uniform cut.

Gas and Oil Fill-Up

1.Add oil provided before starting unit for the first time out of the box. Follow engine operation section for this. See Figure 4-1 above for location of the oil fill.

2.Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the engine operation section. See Figure 4-1 above for location of gas fill.

WARNING: Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable

and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extin- guish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.