OPERATOR'S MAN 21" Rear & Side Discharge Mulching Mower Model Series 540 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, 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).
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 9 Operating Your Lawn Mower ..........
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.
unclogging thechute. Thecutting bladecontinues to obscure your vision of a child who may run into the mower. rotateforafewseconds aftertheengine isshutoff. Never placeanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntil Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler. youaresurethebladehasstopped rotating. 6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a 20. Never operate mower without proper trailshield, discharge cover,grasscatcher, bladecontrol handle or power mower.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. _, intervals forproper tightness. Also,visually inspect blade fordamage (e.g.,bent,cracked, worn)Replace blade withtheoriginal equipment manufacture's (O.E.M.) blade only,listedinthismanual. "Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginal equipment specifications mayleadto improper performance andcompromise safety!" Mowerblades aresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor weargloves, anduseextracaution whenservicing them. Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrews tighttobesurethe equipment isinsafeworking condition.
o E SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE iql t- O >, o o C o 09 o o t>, E £O o >, p t09 o 15 ° IdLI o ,..J ,_ WARNING 09 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. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
SECTION3: ASSEMBLINGYOURLAWN MOWER IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual before operating your mower. NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position. RemovingUnitFromCarton ° • • • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.
Attaching RearWheels • • • Rear Mulching Baffle Remove hardware from rear pivot bars. Insert shoulder screw through flat washer, wave washer, rear wheel, and spring washer. Secure shoulder screw with hardware to rear pivot bar. See Figure 5. Spring Washer Figure 7 IMPORTANT: Make sure cables are routed to the outside of the handle so they are not in the way when attaching the grass catcher. Flat Washer Lift the rear discharge door on the mower.
SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER Read this operator's manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 9 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. GrassCatcher The grass catcher, located at the rear of the mower, is used to bag the grass clippings for disposal at another site. Once the bag is full, it has to be removed from the mower and emptied before any further mowing.
Standbehindthemowerandsqueezetheblade controlhandleagainsttheupperhandle. Grasprecoilstarterhandleandpullropeoutslowly untilenginereachesthestartofcompression cycle (ropewillpullslightlyharderatthispoint).Letthe roperewindslowly.Pullropewitha rapid, continuous, fullarmstroke.Keeping a firmgripon thestarterhandle,lettheropereturntothestarter slowly. designed to be operated at full throttle to give you the best cut and do the most effective job of mowing or mulching.
/ / / IMPORTANT:All wheels must be placed in the same relative position. For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help stop scalping of the grass. Height Adjustment / Lever EngineAdjustments See the separate engine manual packed with your unit for adjustments to the engine. Figure 11 SECTION7: MAINTAININGYOURLAWN MOWER GeneralRecommendations • • Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance.
Lubrication Always stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of service work on the lawn mower. Rear Discharge Door Handle Bracket \\\\\\\\ Blade Control: Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle and the brake cable at least once a season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely in both directions. See Figure 12.
• Remove the blade and the adapter from the crankshaft. • • Blade Ada • Blade Bell _Support • Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the blade on the adapter. Be certain the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges. Place blade bell support on blade. Make sure the notches on the blade bell support are aligned with small holes in the blade. Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. Ibs. min., 600 in. Ibs. max.
SECTION8: TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Engine fails to start Cause Remedy 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.
Notes 15
ModelSeries540 \\\\\\\ 13 3 P 4 14 5 11 ° 9 8 23 22 15 16 64 / 47 19 _ 3936 41 43 45 38 49 58 16
ModelSeries540 Ref. No. 1. Part No. 749-1092A Upper Handle 747-1161A Control Handle 731-2626 Control Handle Cover C-Sunk Screw 1/4-20 x 1.3" 710-1270 Ref. No. Part Description Part No. Part Description 35. 682-3056A 36. 37. 710-0286 Handle Bracket Assembly - RH Handle Bracket Assembly - LH Machine Screw 1/4-20 x .500 710-0896 Hex Washer Screw 1/4-14 x .625 38. 39. 710-0514 17488A Hex Cap Screw 3/8-16 x 1.0 PivotBar-RH i 4. 5. 6.
MANUFACTURER'S t IMI ED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD PRODUCTS INC ("MTD") 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 material or workmanship.
