Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty OPERATOR’S MANUAL 21-inch Rotary Lawn Mower — Model 54M IMPORTANT READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brushcovered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new mower. It will help you assemble, prepare, and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Table of Contents Safety ................................................................... 4 Setup and Adjustments ..................................... 6 Operation............................................................. 8 Maintenance ...................................................... 10 Troubleshooting............
Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. 1 Slope Gauge ������������������������������������������������� ��� ��������������� ���������������������������� �� �� � � � � � ����� �� � � � � � ������ � � � � ���� � �� � � � � � ���� 3 WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury.
2 Safe Operation Practices WARNING This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol.
19. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body in the blade area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotating. 20. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety protective devices in place and working.
3 1. Remove any packing material. The first step in assembly is to attach the rear wheels. a. Place rear of the mower deck on raised blocks. b. Remove lock nut and washer from pivot arm assembly, Figure 3-1. (On select models, these may be included separately in a plastic bag). c. Slide washer followed by the wheel (both with hollow side in) onto pivot arm, Figure 3-1. d. Secure with lock nut removed earlier. e. Assemble the other side in the same manner. Remove blocks and lower deck when complete.
5. To secure cables to the handle, insert posts on cable 8. Your mower is shipped as a mulcher. To convert to ties into holes provided on the lower handle. Pull cable side discharge, make sure grass catcher is off of the ties tight and trim excess. unit and rear discharge door is closed. 6. Follow steps below to assemble the grass catcher. Make certain bag is turned right side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside) a. On the side of the mower, lift the mulching plug, Figure 3-7. b.
4 Operating Your Lawn Mower Know Your Lawn Mower Blade Control Choke Knob Recoil Starter Gas Fill Grass Bag Oil FIll Cutting Height Adjustment Levers (one at each wheel) WARNING Mulching Plug This blade control mechanism is a safety device. Do not bypass its operations. 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.
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. 2 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.
5 Deck Care 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 mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower firmly.
5 Blade Care WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade. Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service. 1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are facing up. Blade Adapter Blade 2.
6 Problem Engine fails to start Trouble Shooting Engine runs erratic For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed here, contact an authorized service dealer. Engine overheats Occasional skips (hesitates) at high speed Idles poorly Excessive Vibration Mower will not mulch grass Uneven cut Cause Remedy 1. Blade control disengaged. 1. Engage blade control. 2. Spark plug boot disconnected. 2. Connect boot to spark plug. 3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
7 Safety Labels WARNING ������������������������������������ � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � ������������������� ������� �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � �� � � � � � �� � �� � ��� � � � � �� � � � � � � � � �� � ��� ������� ����������������������������� �� ������ � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � ��� � � � � �� � � � � � � ��������������������������������� � ������������������������������ � �������������������� � � ���������������������������������� � ����������� �������
8 Engine Safe Operation Practices WARNING: Gasoline and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death. If gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes, wash your skin and change clothes immediately. Gasoline and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death. If gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes, wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
• Tie up long hair and remove jewelry. Running engine produces heat. Engine parts, especially muffler, • Do not wear loose-fitting clothing, dangling drawstrings or items that could become caught. become extremely hot. Severe thermal burns can occur on contact. Combustible debris, Rapid retraction of starter cord such as leaves, grass, brush, etc., (kickback) will pull hand and can catch fire. arm toward engine faster than you can let go.
9 Operating Your Engine Know Your Engine Fuel Cap Air Cleaner Starter Grip Oil Fill Cap Oil Drain Spark Plug Muffler Figure 9-1: The major components of the engine. IMPORTANT: This engine is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Running the engine with insufficient oil can cause serious engine damage and void the engine warranty. IMPORTANT: Using nondetergent oil or 2-stroke engine oil could shorten the engine’s service life.
9 Check Oil Level IMPORTANT: Be sure to check the engine on a level surface with the engine stopped. 1. Remove the oil filler cap and wipe the dipstick clean, Figure 9-2. 2. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler neck, but do not screw it in. Oil Fill Cap/ Dipstick 3. If the level is low, slowly add oil to the upper limit on the dipstick, see Figure 9-2 inset. Operating Your Engine Upper Level 4. Tighten dipstick firmly before starting engine. IMPORTANT: Do not overfill.
10 Maintaining Your Engine WARNING: Shut off the engine before performing any maintenance. To prevent accidental start-up, disconnect the spark plug boot. IMPORTANT: If engine must be tipped to transport equipment or to inspect or remove grass, keep spark plug side of engine up. Transporting or tipping engine spark plug down may cause smoking, hard starting, spark plug fouling, or oil saturation of air cleaner.
IMPORTANT: Used motor oil may cause skin cancer if repeatedly left in contact with the skin for prolonged periods. Although this is unlikely unless you handle used oil on a daily basis, it is still advisable to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible after handling used oil. ������������� Maintaining Your Engine NOTE: Please dispose of used motor oil in a manner that is compatible with the environment.
10 Maintaining Your Engine Storage Engines stored over 30 days need to be drained of fuel to prevent deterioration and gum from forming in fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. If the gasoline in your engine deteriorates during storage, you may need to have the carburetor, and other fuel system components, serviced or replaced. 1. Remove all fuel from tank by running engine until it stops from lack of fuel. ��������� 2. Change oil. See Oil Change section.
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2 5 6 1 57 56 3 55 54 52 53 58 4 51 50 49 59 7 8 9 48 46 10 47 45 44 11 42 40 37 43 41 31 13 35 28 33 32 24 39 38 12 24 31 34 30 36 24 28 14 29 25 26 24 15 23 17 27 60 18 22 21 20 61 22 19 16
1 747-1161A Blade Control 31 710-0599 TT Screw, 1/4-20 x .500 2 731-04859 Bail Cover 32 736-0270 Bell Washer 3 712-04064 Flange Lock Nut 1/2-20 33 710-0654A TT Screw, 3/8-16 x 1.0 4 726-0240 Cable Tie 34 710-0216 Hex Screw, 3/8-16 x .75 5 664-04034 Grass Bag Assembly 35 710-1652 TT Screw, 1/4-20 x .625 6 747-04080 Grass Bag Frame 36 720-0312 Foam Grip 7 732-0700 Trailshield Wire 37 734-04127 Rear Wheel, 12 x 2.
Engine 1P70 ��� �� � � ��� �� �� � � � �� � �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� � �� � � �� �� �� �� �� �� 24
1. 951-10368 Fuel Tank 2. 951-10369 Flywheel Shroud 3. 951-10335 Rubber Fuel Tank Mounting Washer 4. 951-10334 Oil Filler Tube Assembly 5. 951-10333 Dipstick Assembly 6. 951-10332 Cylinder Head Complete 7. 951-10329 Short Block Assembly 8. 951-10321 Stop Switch and Brake Assembly 9. 951-10319 Recoil Spring and Pulley Assembly 10. 951-10344 Push Rod Kit 11. 951-10345 Valve Kit 12. 951-10370 Oil Drain Plug and Washer Assembly 13. 951-10366 Ignition Coil 14.
MTD LLC (MTD), the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the United States Environment Protection Agency (U. S. EPA) Emission Control System Warranty Statement (Owner’s Defect Warranty Rights and Obligations) EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM COVERAGE IS APPLICABLE TO CERTIFIED ENGINES PURCHASED IN CALIFORNIA IN 2005 AND THEREAFTER, WHICH ARE USED IN CALIFORNIA, AND TO CERTIFIED MODEL YEAR 2005 AND LATER ENGINES WHICH ARE PURCHASED AND USED ELSEWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
(4) Repair or replacement of any warranted part under the warranty provisions of this article must be performed at no charge to the owner at a warranty station. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (4) above, warranty services or repairs must be provided at all MTD distribution centers that are franchised to service the subject engines.
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC (“MTD”) with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. “MTD” warrants the engine on this product for a period of three (3) years and all other aspects of the product for a period of two (2) years against defects in material and workmanship excluding normal wear parts as defined below.
