Operator's Manual 21" Rotary Mower Model 588Q Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-cov- ered, 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). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Page 3 6 7 9 Important Safe Operation Practices Slope Gauge Assembling Your Lawn Mower Know Your Lawn Mower Operating Your Lawn Mower Content Service & Adjustments Maintaining Your Lawn Mower Troubleshooting Illustrated Parts List 10 Page 11 12 13 14 Warranty 16 FINDINGMODELNUMBER 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.
SECTION1: IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATION 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.
immediately andthebladewillstoprotatingwithin 3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could threeseconds. cause slipping. 9. Mowindaylightorgoodartificiallight;walk,notrun. 10.Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives, Children walkwaysorroads. accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to 11.Iftheequipment shouldstarttovibrateabnormally, Tragic the presence of children. Children are often attracted to stoptheengineandcheckimmediately forthe the mower and the mowing activity. They do not cause.
10.Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktonomorethan½ inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoprovidespacefor fuelexpansion. 11.Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely. 12.If gasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineand equipment. Moveunittoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingtheengine. 13.Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainer inside wherethereisanopenflame,sparkor pilotlightas ona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothes dryerorothergasappliances. 14.Toreducefirehazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass, leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up.
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE o E i,,II t- A POWER POLE I O A CORNER OF A BUILDING I OR A FENCE POST QI O cO r_ d) o *6 r- cO E o (D I rd) o 15 ° r,D o WARNING O3 64 cu o 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: ASSEMBLING YOURLAWNMOWER RemovingUnitFromCarton • • • • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and open carton. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., operator's manual, etc.) Cut along corners, lay the carton down flat, and remove all packing material. Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton Lower Handle Handle Upper Handle },_acket thoroughly for loose parts.
• • After moving the hairpin clip, insert the carriage bolt, from the hardware pack, in the upper hole on the handle mounting bracket and secure with plastic wing nut from the hardware pack. See Figure 4. Repeat on the other side. Fasten the cable to the lower handle with the two cable ties found on the lower handle. Pull the cable ties tight and trim off the excess. See Figure 5. • • AssemblingGrassCatcher NOTE: If the grass catcher came pre-assembled, proceed to the next section.
IMPORTANT: Makesurecableisroutedtotheoutsideof thehandlesothatitisnotinthewaywhenattaching the grasscatcher. • Liftthereardischarge dooronthemower. • Placethehooks,foundonbothsidesofthegrass catcherframe,overthechutedoorpivotrodatthe rearofthemower.Release thereardischarge door. SeeFigure9. • Toremovethegrasscatcher,liftthereardischarge dooronthemower,liftthegrasscatcherupandoff thepivotrod.Releasethereardischarge door.
SECTION5: OPERATING YOURLAWNMOWER ,_ Recoil Starter WARNING" understand, and follow all instructions andRead, warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating. NOTE: You must service the engine with oil and gasoline before starting the mower for the first time. Check oil and gasofine levels and fill up as necessary for subsequent starts. Fuel Valve Gas& OilFill-Up • • Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.
• _ object, ARNING" stop the Ifengine. the mower Remove strikesspark a foreign plug wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect for any damage. Repair the damage promptly before restarting and operating the mower. • • BaggingGrassClippings • You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings while you are operating the mower. Attach grass catcher following instructions on page 8 of this manual. Grass clippings will automatically collect in the bag as you run the mower.
• Attach the new flap and new rod to deck, bending the ends of the new rod over to secure to deck. Rear Discharge • Remove the blade and the adapter from the crankshaft. Blade Adapter Handle Bracket Door \ Blade Bell © _JSupport Handle Bracket _'Rear Hex Bolt Flap Figure 15 Figure 14 Sharpening the Blade • The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen the blade while it is still on the mower. • Follow the original angle of grind as a guide.
Wheels • Off-Season Storage Lubricate the wheels and bearings, if so equipped, at least once a season with light oil or engine oil. Also, if the wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate the surface of the pivot arm axle and the inner surface of the wheel with light oil. The following steps should lawn mower for storage. • be taken to prepare Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly in the lubrication instructions.
SECTION9: PARTSLISTMODEL588Q 13 / / J4 / / / / / 12 / 7_\\ \\ / 11 / 9 31 19 18\ 23 ® 39 \\\\ II 49 \\\\ / / < 6O _\\\\ 5O I 61 i I 66 14 55 / / /
Model588Q Ref, No. Part No. 1. 749-1092A 2. Ref. No, Part Description Part No. Part Description 35. 747-1161A Upper Handle Control Handle 6. 720-0279 Handle Knob 36. 710-1652 7. 8. 710-1205 710-1174 Rope Guide 37. 39. 710-0216 687-02039 Hex Screw 3/8-16 x 0.75 9. 736-0451 687-02040 10. 720-0284 11. 12. Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2" Shoulder Washer.320 ID x.930 OD 687-02033 Handle Bracket Assembly -- RH 687-02031 Handle Bracket Assembly -- LH TT Screw 1/4-14 x.
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, 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 wilt, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in materials or workmanship.