Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty OPERATOR’S MANUAL 21” Rotary Mower — Model 588 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 any).
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 .....................
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 which may be between upper and lower handles. a. Pull up and back on upper handle as shown in Step 1. Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle mounting brackets. b. Tighten hand knobs securing upper handle to lower handle. Make sure that each carriage bolt is seated properly in the handle. 2. Locate hairpin clip in one hole on the weld pin on each side of lower handle. a. Remove hairpin clip from this hole.
6. An adjusting plate and thumb lever at each wheel position provides cutting height adjustment. 3 � a. Depress lever towards wheel. � b. Move it to any of the nine positions for desired cutting height. See Step 6. � c. Release lever towards mower deck. Setup and Adjustment CUTTING HEIGHT Step 6 All wheels must be placed in the same relative position. Step 6 GRASS CATCHER Step 7 Make certain bag is turned right side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside). � Step 5 7.
4 Know Your Lawn Mower ������������� Operating Your Lawn Mower ������������ ������ ������� ������������ �������� ������������ WARNING ������������� ��������������� ����������������� ���������������� The blade control mechanism is a safety device. Never attempt to 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. � Operating Your Lawn Mower 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. Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 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 up. Figure 4 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 Cause 1. Blade control disengaged. 1. Engage blade control. 2. Spark plug wire disconnected. 2. Connect wire to spark plug. 3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 4.
7 Safety Labels ������������������������������������ � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � ������������������� ������� �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � �� � � � � � �� � �� � ��� � � � � �� � � � � � � � � �� � ��� WARNING ������ ����������������������������� �� ������ � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � ��� � � � � �� � � � � � � ��������������������������������� � ������������������������������ � �������������������� � � � ���������������������������������� � ����������� �����
3 1 33 2 8 5 6 11 9 7 34 35 37 4 15 36 14 13 16 32 18 44 46 32 12 20 41 39 38 42 10 43 45 17 45 19 30 40 47 30 21 29 28 25 45 27 45 22 24 31 14 26 23
8 Parts List 1 747-1161A Blade Control Handle 26 736-0524B Blade Bell Support 2 749-1092A Upper Handle 27 787-01290 Front Adjustment Plate 3 747-04080 Grass Catcher Frame 28 720-0426 Adjustment Lever Knob 4 749-0928A Lower Handle 29 732-0866 Spring Lever 5 720-0279 Wing Nut 30 738-0507B Shoulder Screw 6 710-1205 Rope Guide 31 734-04086 Front Wheel, 7” x 1.8” 7 710-1174 Carriage Bolt ,5/16-18 x 2 32 710-04371 Screw, 1/4-15 x 1.
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.
