For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty OPERATOR’S MANUAL 21” Hi-Wheel Mower — Model Series 540 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 arres
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 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 Customer Support .............................................. 2 Slope Guage........................................................ 3 Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4 Setup And Adjustment .......................................
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. 1 Slope Gauge ������������������������������������������������� ��� ��������������� ���������������������������� �� �� � � � � � ����� �� � � � � � ������ � � � � ���� ���� � � � � � ��� 3 www.mymowerparts.com 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).
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 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.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 19. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a 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. 20.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 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 Figure 3-1. Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle mounting brackets. Do not crimp cable while lifting the handle up. A Setup and Adjustment b. Tighten star knobs to secure upper handle to lower handle. Make sure that each carriage bolt is seated properly in the handle. 2.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 5. Follow steps below to assemble the grass catcher. Make certain bag is turned right side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside) 7. Your mower is shipped as a mulcher. To convert to side discharge, make sure grass catcher is off of the unit and rear discharge door is closed. a. Place bag over frame so that its black plastic side is at the bottom. a. On the side of the mower, lift the mulching plug, Figure 3-7. b.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 4 Operating Your Lawn Mower Know Your Lawn Mower Blade Control Recoil Starter Grass Catcher Cutting Height Adjustment Levers (front and rear) WARNING The blade control 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.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 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. � Operating Your Lawn Mower Starting Engine WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 5 Deck Care Lubricate these points before reassembly. Maintaining Your Lawn Mower Always stop engine, disconnect spark plug, and ground against engine before performing any type of maintenance on your machine. General Recommendations • 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.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 5 Blade Care WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade. Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service. 1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are facing up.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 6 Engine fails to start Trouble Shooting 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. Spark plug wire loose. 2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. Engage blade control. Connect wire to spark plug. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Prime engine as instructed in “Operating Your Lawn Mower”. 5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. 6. Clean fuel line. 7. Wait a few minutes to restart, but do not prime. Vent in gas cap plugged. Water or dirt in fuel system. Dirty air cleaner.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 7 Safety Labels ������������������������������������ � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � ������������������� ������� �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � �� � � � � � �� � �� � ��� � � � � �� � � � � � � � � �� � ��� ������ ����������������������������� �� ������ � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � ��� � � � � �� � � � � � � ��������������������������������� � ������������������������������ � �������������������� � � � �����������������
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 6 1 3 2 5 52 53 4 51 50 8 7 9 43 49 47 10 46 45 44 45 41 40 48 11 42 12 33 31 39 13 32 37 24 31 36 28 35 24 34 28 14 30 29 26 25 24 15 24 23 27 22 21 20 14 17 18 www.mymowerparts.
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 Ref. Part No. Description Ref. Part No. Description 1 747-1161A Blade Control 29 732-0404 Front Spring Lever 2 749-1092A Upper Handle 30 720-0426 Height Adjust Knob 3 746-1130 Cntrl. Cable, 40” Model 546 & 549 31 710-0599 TT Screw, 1/4-20 x .500 746-1137 Cntrl Cable, 53” Model 543 32 736-0270 Bell Washer 4 726-0240 Cable Tie 33 710-0654A TT Screw, 3/8-16 x 1.0 5 664-04080 Grass Bag Assembly 34 710-0216 Hex Screw, 3/8-16 x .
For Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983 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.