YARD OPERATOR'S MANUAL 21" Rear & Side Discharge Mulching Mower Model Series 540 _ii_, i!i!i!i!i _ ,, MTD"#!!:;( ..... _!i!i!i!i!i!i IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY iiii RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS _ iiiiiiii CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 9 Operating Your Lawn Mower ............
SECTION1: IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATION 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 - heed its warning.
unclogging thechute.Thecuttingblade continues to rotateforafewseconds aftertheengine isshutoff. Never placeanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntil youaresurethebladehasstopped rotating. 20. Never operate mower without proper trailshield, discharge cover,grasscatcher, bladecontrol handle or othersafety protective devices inplaceandworking. Never operate mower withdamaged safetydevices. Failure todoso,canresultinpersonal injury. 21. Muffler andengine become hotandcancause aburn.Do nottouch. 22.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. ,_ intervals forproper tightness. Also,visually inspect blade fordamage (e.g.,bent,cracked, worn)Replace blade withtheoriginal equipment manufacture's (O.EM.)blade only,listedinthismanual. "Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginal equipment specifications mayleadto improper performance andcompromise safety!" Mower blades aresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor weargloves, anduseextracaution whenservicing them. Keep allnuts,bolts,andscrews tighttobesurethe equipment isinsafeworking condition.
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE ' ql A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST _D O 15 ° 03 .£ ._. 5cO O3 WARNING CO • ¢0 _ 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 CO O a. r_ --_ o, '-_ "= _ C and you overturn Operate Operate could slip, resulting in seriousIf operating injury. and cause serious injury.
SECTION3: ASSEMBLING YOURLAWNMOWER IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual before operating your mower. NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position. RemovingUnitFromCarton Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e.
Attaching StarterRope Discharge Door The rope guide is attached to the right side of upper handle. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope guide. See Figure 5. Starter Rope Handle Nut Rope Guide Handle Grass Figure 5 Figure 7 With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, hold the blade control handle against the upper handle, and pull the starter rope out of the engine. Release the blade control handle. Slip the starter rope into the rope guide. Tighten the wing nut.
SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER Read this operator's manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 9 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. GrassCatcher The grass catcher, located at the rear of the mower, is used to bag the grass clippings for disposal at another site. Once the bag is full, it has to be removed from the mower and emptied before any further mowing.
Standbehindthemowerandsqueeze theblade controlhandleagainsttheupperhandle. Grasprecoilstarterhandleandpullropeoutslowly untilenginereachesthestartofcompression cycle (ropewillpullslightlyharderatthispoint).Letthe roperewindslowly.Pullropewitha rapid, continuous, fullarmstroke.Keeping a firmgripon thestarterhandle,lettheropereturntothestarter slowly. designed to be operated at full throttle to give you the best cut and do the most effective job of mowing or mulching.
IMPORTANT: Alt wheels must be placed in the same relative position. For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help stop scalping of the grass. Height Adjustment EngineAdjustments See the separate engine manual packed with your unit for adjustments to the engine. Figure 11 SECTION7: MAINTAINING YOURLAWNMOWER GeneralRecommendations Some adjustments will have to be made periodically to maintain your unit properly.
Lubrication i_ Rear Discharge plug wire before cleaning, lubricatingspark or Always stop engine and disconnect doing any kind of service work on the lawn mower. Handle Bracket \ Blade Control: Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle and the brake cable at least once a season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely in both directions. See Figure 12.
Remove the blade and the adapter from the crankshaft. Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the blade on the adapter. Be certain the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges. Place blade bell support on blade. Make sure the notches on the blade bell support are aligned with small holes in the blade. Blade Adapter'_q Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max.
SECTION8: TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Engine fails to start Cause Remedy 1. 2. 3. 4. Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Blocked fuel line. 1. 2. 3. 4. Engage blade control handle. Connect wire to spark plug. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Clean fuel line. 5. 6. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded 5. 6. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. Wait a few minutes to restart, but do not prime. 1. 2. Spark plug wire loose.
Notes 15
ModelSeries540 1 52 23 89 59 8\ 53 \ 72 16
ModelSeries540 Ref. No. 1. Part No. 747-0824 647-0004 Part No. Part Description Control Handle Assembly Deluxe Control Handle 50. 17488A 17489A Pivot Bar- RH 51. 52. 782-5002 712-0397 Front Baffle Pivot Bar - LH 2. 710-1205 3. 720-0279 Rope Guide Handle Knob 4. 710-1174 Curved Hd. Bolt 5/16-18 x 2" 53. 782-5003 Wing Knob Rear Baffle 5. 712-0324 Hex L-Nut 1/4-20 Thd. 54. 710-1017 Torx Mach. AB-Tap Scr. 6. 9. 720-0314 710-1270 Hand Knob Screw 1/4-20 x 1.31 55. 56.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: YARD The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD PRODUCTS INC ("MTD") 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 material or workmanship.
