OPERATOR’S MANUAL Model Series 230 and 520 22" SELF-PROPELLED 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).
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 YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS WARNING.
• Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so equipped while starting engine. • Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance release the blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop in less than 3 seconds. • The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug, and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating the mower. • To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing. • Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped.
SECTION 2: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new walk behind. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain your walk behind. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start to prepare your walk behind for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information from it in this Operator’s Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your dealer or the MTD customer support department.
D ON 15° NE, REP RES ENT ING WARNING DOT TED LI A 15 ° SL OPE 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. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
SECTION 4: UNPACKING To removing unit from carton 1. Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Briggs & Stratton Engines 2. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., owner's manual, etc.). Spark Plug Wire With Rubber Boot 3. Make sure the cables are straight and not crimped while removing loose parts or the unit from the carton. Spark Plug Wire 4. Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat. 5. Remove packing material. 6.
CHUTE DEFLECTOR This owner's guide covers various models of mowers. Follow only those instructions which pertain to your unit. The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright position by a retainer for shipping purposes only. IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil before operating your mower. NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position.
FINAL ASSEMBLY 1. Lift the chute deflector on the mower. Slide the notches in the bottom of the mulching baffle over the lip of the discharge opening. See Figure 6. Make certain all nuts and bolts are tightened securely. 2. Push the hooks on the top of the baffle until they snap over the hinge on the discharge chute. Release the chute deflector. SECTION 5: CONTROLS BLADE CONTROL HANDLE Blade Control Handle WARNING: This control mechanism is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations.
SECTION 6: OPERATION WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on cutting deck. See Figure 1 in the Safety Section. TO START ENGINE AND ENGAGE BLADE WARNING: When starting the unit for the first time, face the mower against a solid object such as a wall, fence, etc. Start the unit, and if it shows any signs of motion with the drive clutch control disengaged, shut the engine off immediately.
TO STOP ENGINE AND BLADE grass or wet grass may require a narrower cut. Blade speed should be adjusted to the condition of the lawn. The best mowing pattern is one that allows the clippings to discharge towards the uncut part of the lawn. This permits recutting of the clippings to further pulverize them. When cutting high weeds, discharge towards cut portion, then recut at right angles to first direction. For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less of the total length of the grass.
1. Engage the drive clutch control handle (squeeze handle against the upper handle). Measure the spring on the drive clutch cable. It should measure approximately 2-1/4 inches long as shown in Figure 11B, inset. 2. If adjustment is necessary, loosen the screw which secures the cable bracket to the upper handle. Notch Lower Handle 3. Slide the cable bracket up or down as necessary. 4. Check the spring length as instructed in step one. A Figure 10 4.
THROTTLE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT 2. Push the throttle control lever on the handle all the way forward as far as it will go, then back it off one "click". Make certain the throttle control lever remains in this position. If the throttle control requires adjustment or if it has been replaced and need adjustment, proceed as follows: 3. Push the control lever on the engine as far toward the rear of the engine as it will go. Secure the cable in this position with the cable clamp and screw.
Transmission Replacing Blade The transmission is pre-lubricated and sealed at the factory. It does not require checking. If disassembled for any reason, fill with 2 ounces of Alvania grease, part number 737-0168. NOTE: If the adapter is keyed, make sure that the key in the adapter is aligned with the key slot on the crankshaft. 1. Place the two pulleys, the flat washer, the spring washer and the spacer on the engine crankshaft. See Figure 14.
BLADE MOUNTING TORQUE Belt Replacement Center Bolt: 450 in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max.; Blade Adapter Bolts (if applicable): 200 in. lbs. min., 350 in. lbs. max. To ensure safe operation of your unit, all nuts and bolts must be checked periodically for correct tightness. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine. DECK 3. Tip the mower back on its side. Block securely. 1. Drain the fuel tank or place a piece of plastic beneath the cap to prevent gasoline leakage. 2.
7. Remove the belt from between the idler pulley and the belt guard on the idler pulley bracket. 8. Remove the belt from the transmission pulley. 9. Push the idler pulley up and out of the way. See Figure 18. Belt Guard 10. Slide the belt in from the rear of the deck, and place it around the transmission pulley. Idler Pulley Idler Pulley Belt Pulley Figure 19 13. Reassemble the transmission belt cover.
SECTION 10: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Actions Engine fails to start Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Dirty aircleaner. Primer button not depressed. Throttle control lever not in correct starting position (if so equipped). Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Engage blade control handle. Connect wire to spark plug. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
Model Series 230 30 33 31 32 18 30
Model Series 230 REF. NO. PART NO.
REF. NO. 111 112 122 128 130 131 133 134 PART NO. 710-0841 736-0356 711-0805 712-0711 736-0270 710-0751 748-0318 741-0522 DESCRIPTION Fl-”C”-Sunk Hd. Tap Scr. #10 x .75" Lg. Bell Wash. .39 I.D. x 1.38 O.D. Shld. Pin 3/8-24 x 1.43" Lg. Hex Jam Nut 3/8-24 Thd. Bell Washer .265 ID x .75 Cap Screw HH 1/4-20 x .620 Ratchet Wheel 1.62" O.D. Hex Flange Bearing REF. NO. 136 138 147 148 149 153 154 PART NO.
Model Series 230 and 520 18 46 REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 24 25 PART NO. 710-1062 726-0329 618-0053 713-0400 736-0336 741-0413 16500A 736-0314 741-0479 717-1216 748-0208A 721-0212 756-0330A 736-0270 712-0351 738-0440 738-0826 656-0008 741-0556 782-7570 712-0138 DESCRIPTION Hex Bolt 1/4-20 x 1.25" Lg. L-Wash. 1/4" I.D. Upper Hsg. Half (Incl. Ref. 12) #48 Sprocket 7 Tooth x 1/2 Pitch Fl-Wash. 5/8" I.D. x .030 Hex Flange Brg. .631" I.D. Hex Bearing Cup Thrust Wash. .382" I.D.
Model Series 520 †Optional Hub Caps Description Part No. Gray (3-1/2” Dia.) 720-0249 Black (4-1/4” Dia.) 731-0354 Gray (4-1/4” Dia.) 731-0355A Gray (5-1/2” Dia.) 731-0981A ** Front Wheel Chart Size Tread Type 8” x 1.75” Bar Tread 8” x 1.75” “T” Tread “S” Wave 8” x 2” 22 Part No.
Model Series 520 REF. NO. PART NO.
Shroud Chart Hardware: 710-1256 (Screw) Hardware: 710-1256 (Screw) Color Part No. Black 731-1587A Yellow 731-1603A Pewter 731-1610A Gray 731-1620A Hardware: 710-1184 (Screw) Color Part No. Yellow 731-1402A Black 731-1694 Silver 731-1695 Charcoal 731-1934 Hardware: 710-1258 (Screw) Part No. 7510143208 Part No. 731-1585B Part No. 751B281439 751B281440 751B281443 Part No. 751B281451 Color Dark Red Black Bright Red Color Gray Hardware:710-1256 Part No.
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MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: For TWO YEARS from the date of retail purchase within the United States of America, its possessions and territories, MTD PRODUCTS INC will, at its option, repair or replace, for the original purchaser, free of charge, any part or parts found to be defective in material or workmanship.
