Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty OPERATOR’S MANUAL 22” Rotary Mower — Model Series 520 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 (if
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble, prepare, and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Table of Contents Slope Gauge........................................................ 3 Safe Operation Practices.................................... 4 Setup and Adjustment........................................ 6 Operating Your Lawn Mower............................... 8 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower.....................
1 Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. Slope Gauge 3IGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE &O OR A FENCE POST OR A CORNER OF A BUILDING OT LD ALO NG D ESEN TED L I N E REPR LOPE TS A S 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). Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.
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. For shipping purposes, the chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright position by a retainer. Remove the retainer as follows: a. Push chute deflector up towards engine. Holding deflector in this position, remove the retainer and discard. See Figure 3-1. Setup and Adjustment b. Lower the chute deflector carefully keeping your fingers out of the way. WARNING: The chute retainer must be removed and discarded before operating the mower. 2. Perform the following sequence for handle setup: a.
3 5. Rope guide Setup as follows in Figure 3-5: a. Hold the blade control against the upper handle. b. Slowly pull starter rope out of engine. c. Slip starter rope into the rope guide. d. Tighten rope guide wing nut. Setup and Adjustment 6. If not already on the unit, install rear wheels as follows in Figure 3-6: a. Place rear of the mower deck on raised blocks. b. Remove lock nut from pivot arm assembly (on select models, these may be included separately in a plastic bag). c.
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 3 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 Lubrication 1. Lubricate pivot points on the blade control and drive control at least once a season with light oil. These controls 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. See Figure 5-1. Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 3.
5 Blade Care WARNING: When removing cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold blade. Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up. 2. Remove bolt, bell washer, blade, and blade adapter from the engine crankshaft. See Figure 5-2. 3. The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel.
6 Problem Engine fails to start Trouble Shooting Engine runs erratic 1. 2. 3. 4. Engine overheats Idles poorly Excessive Vibration Mower will not mulch grass (If Equipped) 8. Fuel valve (if equipped) closed. 9. Engine not choked (if equipped w/choke). 8. 9. 1. Spark plug wire loose. 2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. 1. Connect and tighten spark plug wire. 2. Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 3. Clear vent. 4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel. 5.
Off-Season Storage The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage. 1. Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions. 2. We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit. 3. Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage instructions. 4. Coat mower’s cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting. 5. Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.
Model Series 520 14
8 Parts List 15
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. “MTD” warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in materials or workmanship.
