Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance A OF • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty O AL Gas Lawn Edger- Model Series 550 iMPORTANT READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION Warning: This unit is equippedwith an internalcombustionengineand shouldnot be usedon or nearany unimprovedforest-covered,brushcoveredor grass-coveredland unlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemis equippedwith a sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).
This Operator's iVlanual is an important part of your new Edger. it will help you assemble, prepare, and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Safety Labels .................................................. Safe Operation Practices ............................... Assembling Your New Edger ......................... KnowYour Edger ............................................ Operation and Adjustment ............................
Please take a moment to review your safety labels. WARNING $321 Thissymbolpoints out importantsafety instructionswhich, if not followed, could endangerthe personal safety and/or propertyof yourself and others.Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to complywith these instructionsmay result in personalinjury.When you see this symbol.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of Californiato cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductiveharm. DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
which can ignite.Washeryour skinand changeclothes immediately. 10.Do not put handsor feet near rotatingparts.Contactwith the rotatingbladecan amputatehandsandfeet. 11.The bladecontrol handle is a safetydevice.Neverbypass its operation.Doingso, makesthe machineunsafeand may cause personalinjury. 12.Neveroperatewithout bladeguard,debris shieldand blade control handle in placeand working. 13.Neveroperatewith damagedsafetydevices.Failureto do so, can resultin personalinjury. 14.
IMPORTANT:This unit is shipped WITHOUTGASOLINE. Aftersettingup the unit, serviceenginewith gasolineas instructedin the separateengine manual packedwith your unit. Also be sure to service engine with the oil enclosed with this unit as instructedin the enginemanual. NOTE: Referenceto right or left hand side of the edger is observedfrom the operatingposition. Assembling Your NeW Securing i the Handles Removeand discardanypackagingcardboardthat may be presentbetweentheupper handleand the lower handle. 1.
Blade Control Blade Depth Control Lever (Transport Position Shown) Recoil Starter Belt Guard WARNING Figure4-1:The maincomponentson the edger. Bevel Adjustment Lever (if so equipped) ,_ WARNING: Be familiar with all controlsand their properoperation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly. The beveladjustmentlever,if soequipped,is located on thefront, left portionof the edger,behindthe edger blade.
Edging The operationof any edgercan result in foreign objectsbeingthrown intothe eyes, whichcan result in severeeye damage. Alwayswearsafety glassesor eye shields. Werecommend wide visionsafety mask for over spectaclesor standardsafetyglasses. and To beginedging,proceedasfollows: 1. Movethe unit overto thearea to be edged,making surethat the left rearwheelis on a hard surfaceand the bladeis overthe area to be cut, Figure5-1. . Movethe bladedepthcontrol leverto the left and place intothe next lowernotch.
Trenching (Optional) In order to createa widercuttingpathfor such thingsas layingwirefor landscapelightingor invisible fences,you can utilizethe edger'soptionaltrenchingfeature. _ ARNING:Disconnectthe sparkplug wire and ground against the engine before performing the following steps. Engine _1 ARNING: The edger blade is sharp. Wear leather work gloves to protect your hands when working around the edger blade. f k,,RywheelPulley Belt Guard J Figure5-4:Remove thebeltfromaroundthepulley.
Figure 5-8: Edging/TrenchingPosition. Fiat ifCurb Height Adjustment Lever Tri-starBlade Figure5-7:TheoptionalTri-star bladeandwasher. "_ \X iMPORTANT:Makecertainthat the drive belt is iMPORTANT:Usea torque wrenchto tightenthe flange nut to between37 foot-lbs, and 50 foot-lbs. seated correctlyon the bladespindle and that it is riding smootMy on the spindle sheaves and is not pinchedbetween them. Repeatthe first three steps if the belt is pinched. .
,_1_ WARNING:Disconnectthe spark plug wire and groundagainst the enginebefore performingany adjustment, repairsor maintenance. Lubrication Engine Maintaining Refertothe EngineManualpackedwithyouredgerfora detaileddescriptionof all engine-related servicespecs. Wheels Lubricatethe wheelsand bearingsat least oncea seasonwith a lightoil. Also if thewheels are removedfor any reason,lubricatethe surfaceof the axle boltand the inner surfaceof the wheelwith lightoil.
3. Removethespindlesheavesbeltguard by removing the two self-tappingscrewswhichsecure itto the bladeplateassembly. 4. Carefullyremovethe belt fromoff of the pulleys,again makingsureto notethe orientationof the belt. Discard the belt. Replacing the Drive Belt iMPORTANT:To aid in reassembly,note the orientationof the drivebelt on thetwo idler pulleysand the engine flywheel pulleypriorto performingthe following steps, Figure6-4.
Troubleshooting Guide Enginerunserratic Excessive Vibration Spark plug wire loose Stalefuel in gasolinetank Ventin gas cap plugged Wateror dirt infuel system Dirty air cleaner Carburetorout of adjustment Connect andtighten sparkplug wire. Draingasoline& refilltank with clean,fresh gasoline. Clear vent of any debris. Drainfuel tank. Refill withfreshfuel. Edgerbladebent or damaged Bladespindlebentor damaged Replaceedgerblade. Contactan authorizedMTDservicedealer.
/ / - / i \ j; ,,J_i TrencherKit (optional) 14
1 746-04052 34-inchControlCable 33 746-04036 WheelAdjustmentCable 2 720-0142 Grip 34 732-0369 CompressionSpring 3 749-04234 LowerHandle 35 710-3180 HH CapScrew5/16-18x 1.75 4 787-01304 Frame 36 781-0741A Depthindex Bracket 5 736-0452 BellWasher.396x 1.14x .
MANUFACTURER'S LiMiTED WARRANTY The limitedwarrantyset forth belowisgivenby MTDLLCwith respect to newmerchandisepurchasedand usedin the UnitedStates,its possessionsand territories. "MTD"warrantsthis productagainstdefectsin materialand workmanshipfor a periodof two (2) years commencingon the date of original purchaseand will, at its option,repairor replace,freeof charge,any part foundto be defectiveinmaterialsor workmanship.
