MTD 80 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower, Lubrication, Always stop engine, General Recommendations

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Maintaining

Your Lawn

Mower

WARNING: Always stop engine, discon- nect spark plug, and ground against engine before performing any type of maintenance on your machine.

Lubrication

1.	Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least
	once a season with light oil. The blade control must
	operate freely in both directions. See Figure 5-1.
2.	Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with
	light oil (or motor oil). If wheels are removed for any
	reason, lubricate surface of the pivot arm and inner
	surface of the wheel with light oil.
3.	Lubricate the torsion spring and pivot point on the
	chute deflector periodically with light oil to prevent

WARNING

Always stop engine,

disconnect spark plug, and ground against engine before performing any type of maintenance on your machine.

Do not use a pressure

washer or garden hose to clean your unit. These may cause damage to electric components, spindles, pulleys, bearings, or the engine. The use of water will result

in shortened life and reduce serviceability.

Figure 5-1

General Recommendations

•Always observe safety rules when performing any type of maintenance.

•The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed here.

•Changing of engine-governed speed will void engine warranty.

•All adjustments should be checked at least once each season.

•Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight.

rust. See Figure 5-1.

4. Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrica-

tion schedule and instruction for engine lubrication.

Cleaning Mower

WARNING: Never tip the mower more than 90º in any direction and do not leave the mower tipped for any length of

time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem.

Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to prevent build-up of grass clippings or other debris. Follow steps below for this job.

1.Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from lawn mower or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.

2.Tip the mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold the mower firmly.

3.Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a suitable tool. Do not spray with water.

4.Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you had put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make sure to remove it now.

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