Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty OPERATOR’S MANUAL 21” Rotary Mower — Model Series 440 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 Slope Gauge 3
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.
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 trailshield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control handle, or other safety protective devices in place and working. Never operate mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so can result in personal injury. 21. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn.
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. Setup and Adjustment 2. Locate hairpin clip in one hole on the weld pin on each side of lower handle. a. Remove hairpin clip from this hole.
3 5. An adjusting plate and thumb lever at each wheel position provides cutting height adjustment. a. Depress lever towards wheel. b. Move it to any of the nine positions for desired cutting height. See Step 5. c. Release lever towards mower deck. Setup and Adjustment 6. Follow steps below to assemble the grass catcher: a. Place bag over frame so that its black plastic side is at the bottom. b. Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on the frame. See Step 6.
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. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on cutting deck. Refer to warning label on the unit.
4 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. 3 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 Lubrication 1. Lubricate pivot points on the blade control handle at least once a season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely in both directions. See Figure 3. 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 3. 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, blade bell support, blade, and blade adapter from the engine crankshaft. See Figure 5. 3. The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel.
6 Problem Engine fails to start Trouble Shooting 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. Spark plug wire loose. 2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. 3. 4. 5. 6. For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed here, contact an authorized service dealer. Blade control disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Engine not primed. 5. Faulty spark plug. 6. Blocked fuel line. 7. Engine flooded. Engine runs erratic Engine overheats Vent in gas cap plugged. Water or dirt in fuel system.
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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.
