OPERATOR’S MANUAL Model Series 070 Rotary Mowers IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS 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). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge...................................................................................................... 6 Unpacking Instructions ...................................................................................... 7 Assembling Your Lawn Mower........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower .....................
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT 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—HEED ITS WARNING.
19. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a 20. 21. 22. 23. 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. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety protective devices in place and working.
General Service: 1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. 2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting. • Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g.
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE FOL D ON DO SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE G A1 5 ° S LOP E OR A FENCE POST A CORNER OF A BUILDING TTE D L I NE, REP R E SEN TIN 15° 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.
SECTION 3: UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS Remove Unit From Carton Disconnect Spark Plug Wire Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug. Ground it against the engine by attaching the rubber boot to a bolt or the metal clip to the retaining post or the V-slot on the engine. Refer to Figure 2. IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL in the engine.
WARNING: The chute retainer, used for shipping, must be removed and discarded before operating the mower. Hairpin Clip Inner Hole Lower Handle Outer Hole Handle Mounting Bracket Weld Pin Chute Deflector Figure 4 NOTE: Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. If you wish to lower the height of the handle, refer to the Adjustment Section at this time.
SECTION 5: KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER Blade Control Handle Upper Handle Recoil Starter Wing Knobs Rope Guide Engine Lower Handle Cutting Height Adjustment Lever Chute Deflector Figure 8 Read this operator’s manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 8 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.
SECTION 6: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER Stopping the Engine And Blade WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on cutting deck. The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields. • WARNING: The blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut off. NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set with the wheels in a low cutting height position.
SECTION 7: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS Handle Height Adjustment WARNING: Always stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire, and ground it against the engine before performing adjustments. Lower Handle Cutting Height Adjustment Notch Cutting Height Adjustment Lever Figure 11 Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower the handle height, proceed as follows. • • • Figure 10 A height adjustment lever at each wheel provides cutting height adjustment.
• Blade Control Handle Lube • See Engine Manual Engine Lube The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each mowing season; check the engine manual for correct plug type and gap specifications. Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keep the cooling system on the top of the engine (blower housing area) clean to permit proper air circulation which is essential to engine performance and life.
Sharpening the Blade • When sharpening the blade, follow the original angle of grind as a guide. It is extremely important that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade. An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds. It may cause damage to the mower, and it could break causing personal injury.
SECTION 10: TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Blocked fuel line. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded. Engage blade control handle. Connect wire to spark plug. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Clean fuel line. Clean, adjust gap or replace. Wait a few minutes and crank again. Engine runs erratic Spark plug wire loose. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel.
SECTION 11: PARTS LIST 2 1 4 3 5 6 11 9 7 8 11 12 10 9 13 37 16 31 14 15 22 18 35 17 20 19 21 36 32 33 23 35 24 21 17 19 20 25 18 30 29 38 34 28 23 22 27 26 16
PARTS LIST REF NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 PART NO. 746-0554 747-0824 647-0004 710-1270 749-0705 720-0295 746-0883 712-0324 720-0279 710-1205 710-1174 720-0314 726-0240 749-0928 17098 731-0872A 782-3024 782-3025 714-0104 732-0404 736-0105 738-0507B 15262B REF NO. 21 22 23 24 25 26 DESCRIPTION Control Cable- 40.
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MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY 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.
