OPERATOR'S MANUAL Model Series 070 Thru 088 20" and 22" Rotary Mowers IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an intemal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, brush-covered or gress-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark errester 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.
• losing your balance release the blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop in less than 3 seconds. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so equipped while starting engine. • The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety device inoperative and may result in personal injury through contact with the rotating blade.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other debds build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutesbeforestoring. 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. • 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.
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY. SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE Ii _ A POWER POLE I A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST I I I 1,_o O m o_ Q ¢} m IbWARNING 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 TO REMOVE 1. 4: UNPACKING UNIT FROM NOTE: Reference to dght or left hand side of the CARTON Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. mower is observed from the operating position. This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil before operating your mower. 2. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., owner's manual, etc.). 3.
. 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. 9. Release the blade control handle. Wing Nut- F 10. Slip the starter rope into the rope guide. Rope Guide 11. Tighten the wing nut. Starter / Rope Figure 5 Setting up chute deflector) The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright position by a retainer for shipping purposes only. See Figure 6.
SECTION 5" CONTROLS BLADE CONTROLHANDLE WARNING: Upper Handle This control mechanism is 3lade Control Handle a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. The blade will rotate whenever the engine is running, Throttle Control Hand Knob J Lower Handle Engine Starter Rope The blade control handle is located on the upper handle of the mower. See Figure 8. The blade control handle must be depressed in order to operate the unit. Release the blade control handle to stop the engine and blade.
Operating Tips . Do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you to slip and fall. 2. Recoil Starter Handle . Figure 9 6. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep a firm grip on starter handle. Return it slowly to the rope guide. 7. After engine starts, move throttle control to desired engine speed. (Mower is designed to operate at full throttle.) 4. 1. ENGINE AND 6.
1. Depress the lever towards the wheel and move the wheel and lever assembly to desired position. 5. Reassemble placing the bottom holes in the handle over the weld pins in the handle mounting bracket. 2. Place 6. Reassemble the upper handle. 7. Place hairpin clips in the inner holes in the weld pins and attach the starter rope as instructed in the Set-Up Instructions. all four wheels in the same relative position. See Figure 10.
4. Secure the cable in this position with the cable clamp and screw. CARBURETOR Minor carburetor adjustments may be required to compensate for differences in fuel, temperature, altitude and load. To adjust carburetor, refer to the separate engine manual packed with your mower. ADJUSTMENT NOTE: A dirty air cleaner will cause an engine to run rough. Be certain air cleaner is clean and attached to the carburetor before adjusting carburetor.
Sharpening BLADE MOUNTING Blade: Follow the original angle of grind as a guide. Make sure that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade. NOTE: An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds, may cause damage to the mower and could break, causing personal injury. Test the blade by balancing screwdriver. it on a round shaft Canter Bolt: 450 in. Ibs. min., 600 in. Ibs. max.; Blade Adapter Bolts (if applicable): 200 in. Ibs.
SECTION 10: OFF-SEASON STORAGE The following steps should be taken to prepare lawn mower for storage. 4. 1. Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly described in the lubrication instructions. NOTE: When storing any type of power equipment 2. Refer to engine manual storage instructions. 3. Coat mower's cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting. as for correct engine Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.
SECTION 11: TROUBLE SHOOTING Trouble Possible Enginetailsto start Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Dirty aircleaner. Primer button not depressed. Throttle control lever not in correct Cause(s) starting position (if so equipped). Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Engine runs erratic Blocked fuel line (if so equipped). Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded. Unit running in START position. Spark plug wire loose. Blocked fuel line (if so equipped) or stale fuel.
Models 070 thru 088 16
Models 070 thru 088 REF. PART NO. NO. 1 747-0824 647-0004 747-0615 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 736-0270 710-0605 746-0876 736-0501 712-0324 646-0875 749-0538C 749-0920A 9 811-00185 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 29 30 31 32 33 37 38 710-1205 731-1386A 720-0276 710-1174 726-0240 749-0928 714-0104 17098 731-0872A 731-1026 736-0356 712-0798 682-0033A 682-0084 753-0588 736-0524A 710-1044 742-0640 742-0642 742-0740 742-0742 720-0279 751B213146 CODE DESCRIPTION Control Handle (Std.) Control Handle Ass'y.
Shroud Chart Part No. 751B281439 751B281440 751B281443 Color Dark Red Black Bright Red Hardware: 710-1256 (Screw) Part No. 731-1402A 731-1694 731-1695 731-1934 Hardware: Color Yellow Black Silver Charcoal 710-1258 (Screw) Part No. 751B281451 Color Gray Hardware:710-1256 Part No. 731-1561 Ha_wam: 710-1256 (Screw) Part No. Color 731-1587A Black 731-1603A Yellow 731-1610A Pewter 731-1620A Gray Hardware: 710-1184 (Screw) Part No. 7510143208 Color Black Part No. 731-1585B Part No.
Notes 19
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY For TWO YEARS from the date of retail purchase within the United States of America, its possessions and territories, the manufacturer 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.