Operator's Manual 22" Rotary Mower Model 503 IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Customer Support Important Safe Operation Practices Slope Gauge Setting Up Operating Your Lawn Mower Page 2 3 5 6 8 Content Adjustments Maintenance Page 10 11 Troubleshooting Parts List 13 14 Warranty 16 FINDINGMODELNUMBER This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new equipment. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATION 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.
SlopeOperation 8, Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will accumulate in the area, Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can 9, Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or 10, running, Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling, Never over fill fuel tank, Fill tank to no more than 1/2inch below 11, 12, bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel expansion, Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely, If gasoline is spilled, wi
o E SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE |,ql t" A POWER POLE A CORNER OFA BUILDING o >, ! o o a i 09 o "5 t" >, E o >, I t" 09 1.1.1 o 09 15 ° t" .i ,E 1.1.1 Q. o .i DANGER 09 Z o I-1.1.1 .co r._) co 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.
SECTION3: SETTINGUP IMPORTANT:This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Fill up gasoline and oil as instructed in the accompanying engine manual before operating your mower. Spark Plug o ire_ SparkPlugWire 1. 2. Disconnect spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it against the engine. If engine is equipped with a rubber boot, attach rubber boot to a bolt on the engine to ground. See Figure 1.
StarterRope 1. 2. 3. The starter rope is attached to the engine. Additional rope may be wound around the starter handle. If so, unwind the rope from the handle. With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, depress the blade control handle and pull the rope out of the engine. Place the rope guide around the starter handle, so the opening in the rope guide is toward the front of the mower. Insert the rope guide into the right side of the handle, and secure with hex Iocknut. See Figure 5.
IlnstallingRearWheels • Place the rear of the mower deck on raised blocks. • Remove lock nut from pivot arm assembly, slide wheel, with hollow side in, onto axle and secure with lock nut. See Figure 8. Assemble the other side in the same manner • Lock out\ Figure 8 SECTION4: OPERATING YOURLAWNMOWER Knowyourlawn mower Blade Control Handle BladeControl Handle The blade control handle is located on the upper handle of the mower. See Figure 9.
_ which ARNING: can damage The your operation eyes of severely. any lawn Always mowerwear can safety result glasses in foreignwhile objects operating being thrown the mower, into the or while eyes, performing any adjustments or repairs on it. 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. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
Operating Tips • • • • • • • For best results, do not cut wet grass. New grass, thick grass, or wet grass may require a narrower cut. For a healthier lawn, never cut off more than one-third of the total length of the grass. Your lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is growth. For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass. Adjust ground speed according to the condition of the lawn. If the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of 4 inches, mulching is not recommended.
SECTION6: MAINTAININGYOURLAWNMOWER GeneralRecommendations • • • • • Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed here. Changing of engine-governed speed will void engine warranty. All adjustments should be checked at least once each season.
BladeCareandReplacement _ When orremoving the cutting bladethe forblade. sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pairARNING: of heavy gloves use a heavy rag to hold Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service: • • • • • Blade Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Tip mower as specified in separate engine manual.
SECTION7: TROUBLESHOOTING Engine fails to start 1. 2. 3. 4. Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Blocked fuel line. 1. 2. 3. 4. Engage blade control handle. Connect wire to spark plug. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Clean fuel line. 5. 6. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded 5. 6. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. Wait a few minutes to restart, but do not prime. 1. 2. Spark plug wire loose. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
SECTION8: PARTSLIST/LISTEDEPII_CES 3 8 9 6 46 12 / 15 18 9 23 14
REF NO. N ° DE RleF PART NO. N° DE Pli_CE DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 1 2 747-1161A 749-1092A Blade Control Handle Upper Handle Poignee de commande de la lame Guidon superieur 3 746-0946 Control Cable 48.25" Lg. C&ble de la commande 48,25 po de Ig. 4 710-1205 5 720-0279 Rope Guide Bolt Knob - ERS Guide 1/4-20 Boulon de guidage de cordon Bouton - 1/4-20 6 720-0284 736-0451 Handle Knob Assembly Saddle Wash..320 ID x .937 OD Bouton 7 8 710-1174 9 725-0157 Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty setforth below is given by MTD LLC with respectto new merchandise purchased and used in the United States and/or its territories and possessions,and by MTD Products Limited with respect to new merchandise purchasedand used in Canadaand/or its territories and possessions (either entity respectively, "MTD").