Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting OPER roR's • Warranty L Push Mower m Model Series 540 MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHiO 44136-0019 PrintedIn USA FormNo.
1 ToTheOwner Thank¥ou Thank you for purchasing It was carefully when properly a Lawn Mower Please read this entire manual It instructs manufactured engineered to provide excellent operated and maintained. by MTD. prior to operating your machine.
2 ImportantSafeOperationPractices WARNING: This symbol could endanger points out important the personal all instructions safety and/or in this manual with these instructions before property attempting may result in personal When you see this symbol. safety instructions of yourself to operate which, if not followed, and others. this machine. Read and follow Failure to comply injury.
12. Amissing ordamaged discharge cover cancause blade contact orthrown object injuries. 13. Many injuries occur asaresult ofthemower beingpulled overthefootduring afallcaused byslipping ortripping. Donotholdontothemower ifyouarefalling; release the handle immediately. 14. Never pullthemower back toward youwhileyouare walking. Ifyoumustback themower away fromawallor obstruction firstlookdownandbehind toavoid tripping andthenfollowthese steps: a. Stepback frommower tofullyextend yourarms. b.
Service 3. Check the blade and engine intervals To avoid personal care in handling injury or property damage gasoline. Gasoline is extremely can ignite. Wash your skin and change flammable clothes original 3. Use only an approved Never fill containers gasoline container. inside a vehicle 4. Remove gas-powered equipment Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight equipment 7. trailer and refuel it on the ground.
SparkArrestor Notice Regarding Emissions Engines which are certified to comply with California and federal EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment) are certified to operate may include the following Modification (EM), Oxidizing Injection on regular emission unleaded control gasoline, and internal combustion engine and should not be used WARNING: This machine is equipped with an on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush i_ll systems: Engine Catalyst (OC), Secondary c
Safety Symbols This page depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear machine before attempting to assemble and operate. on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, assemble and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to and operate DANGER -- ROTATING BLADES To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate or grass catcher is in its proper place.
co R Sight and hold this level with a vertical tree... -4 5 Z I _ or a corner of a building... I | Z -4 __ I i I I ' FOldo, O ,,,J 5 ' Z or a fencepost ', diine , --Lepre_n tsa15 o t_ -4 | | | 15 ° Usethis page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. WARNING: Do not operate (a rise of approximately mowers up and down up and down slopes. your lawn mower on such slopes.
3 Assembly & Set-Up Contentsof Carton One Lawn Mower One Lawn Mower One Grass Catcher One Engine Operator's Assembly NOTE:This 2. unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Fill up gasoline and oil as instructed in the accompanying manual BEFORE operating your mower. One Bottle of Oil Manual Manual One Side Discharge Chute Locate the hairpin clip on the weld pin on each side of lower handle. a. engine Handle 1. Operator's Remove hairpin clip from this hole.
3_ The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle. See Fig. 3-3. Loosen the wing nut which rope guide. secures the 1. Place rear of the mower 2. Remove lock nut and spring washer from pivot arm assembly separately 3_ deck on raised blocks. (on select models, these may be included in a plastic bag). Slide spring washer and wheel, with hollow side in, onto pivot arm and secure with lock nut. See Figure 3-4. 4. Assemble the other side in the same manner.
2. Follow the steps below to attach the grass catcher: a. Lift rear discharge 2. Slide two hooks of side discharge mulching door. See Fig. 3-6. plug assembly. remove side mulching not mulching. chute under Lower the mulching hinge pin on plug. Do not plug at any time, even when you are Adjustments CuttingHeight Each wheel has a height adjustment height of the mower. 1. Depress height adjustment 2. Slide lever to desired height. lever to change lever towards position the cutting wheel.
4 Controls and Features Recoil Starter Grass Catcher Side Discharge Chute Mulch Plug Cutting Height Adjustment Levers J Figure 4=1 BladeControl GrassCatcher The blade control is attached to the upper handle of the mower. Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle to operate the The grass catcher, unit. Release itto stop engine and blade. any further ll_ll Never attempt to bypass its operations. WARNING: This blade control is a safety device.
Operation 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, Engine exhaust poorly ventilated contains carbon odorless and deadly areas. monoxide, an gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving engine and lawn mower. parts on Refer to engine manual for help with the engine. 1.
6 Maintenance & Adjustments Maintenance 2. Lubricate motor GeneralRecommendations Always observe maintenance. The warranty safety rules when performing does not cover items that door and side mulch plug periodically oil to prevent Changing DeckCare speed will void engine wa rra nty. with light rust. See Fig. 6-1. Follow the accompanying schedule and instruction and make sure these are 1.
EngineCare ReplacingRear Flap A list of key engine maintenance performance accompanying Maintain by the mower jobs required for good 1. is given below. Follow the engine manual for a detailed oil level as instructed list and instructions. in engine manual. Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal Clean every few hours under extremely To remove rear flap, lift rear door, and press flap in on either side to remove from hole. See Fig. 6-2. r conditions. .......... ! dusty conditions.
7 Service Blade Care WARNING: sharpening When removing or replacement, the cutting protect blade for your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or usea heavy rag to hold the blade. Periodically inspect the blade adapter strike a foreign object. Replace when below for blade service. 1. for cracks, especially necessary. 5. if you the engine crankshaft part number) Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which operating See faces the ground position.
Troubleshooting Problem Engine Fails to start Cause 1. Remedy Blade control disengaged. 1. Engage blade control. 2. Spark plug boot disconnected. 2. Connect wire to spark boot. 3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 4. Engine not primed (if equipped with primer). 4. Prime engine as instructed in the Operation section. 5. Faulty spark plug. 5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. 6. Blocked 6. Clean fuel line. Z Engine fuel line. 7.
9 ReplacementParts T Component _ Part Number 759-3336 and Description Spark Plug KH-14-083-01-S Air Filter Cartridge G KH-14-227-04-S Fuel Tank Cap 734-1987 Front Wheel 734-04082 Rear Wheel 964-04007A Grass Bag 731-04177 Side Discharge Chute 942-0741A Mulching Blade
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MANUFACTURER'S LiMiTED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to 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 purchased and used in Canadaand/ or its territories and possessions (either entity respectively, "MTD").
