YaRD-MaN}/f ._i[iP Operator's Manual 21" Self Starter Rear-Discharge Lawn Mower Model Series 12A-449T402 IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment. Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustionengine 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).
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Page ImportantSafe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 6 Unpacking.......................................................................................................... 7 Assembling Your Lawn Mower........................................................................... 7 KnowYour Lawn Mower ............
SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out importantsafety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructionsin this manual before attempting to operatethis machine. Failure to complywiththese instructionsmay resultin personal injury.When you see this symbol--HEED ITS WARNING.
20. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety protective devices in place and working. Never operate mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so, can result in personal injury. 21. Muffler and engine become hot and can ceuse a bum. Do not touch. 22. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the original equipment manufacturer (O.E,M). Failure to do so can result in personal injury. 23.
3. Check theblade andengine mounting boltsatfrequent intervals forproper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade fordamage (e.g.,bent,cracked, worn)Replace blade withtheodginal equipment manufacture's (O.E.M.) blade only,listed inthismanual. "Use of parts which do not 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!" Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and usa extra caution when servicing them.
SIGHTANDHOLDTHISLEVELWITHAVERTICAL TREE APOWER POLE ACORNER OFA BUILDING ORA FENCEPOST 15° l.l.J O - O'_ A WARNING #q Do notoverturn mow onand inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise mower of approximately 10 feet). A riding mower could cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind on such a2-1/2 slope,feet it isevery extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you couldupslip, in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers andresulting down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
SECTION3: UNPACKING 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.e., operator's manual, hardware pack etc.). Cut corners and lay carton down flat. Remove packing material. Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts.
Using a pair of pliers, insert the hairpin clip into the inner hole in the weld pin. Repeat on the other side. See Figure 4. Move hairpin clip to this hole -- GrassCatcherAssembly NOTE: Make certain the grass bag is turned fight side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside). Soft GrassBag Weld Pin Handle Figure 4 Insert post of cable ties that are on lower handle into the holes provided on the lower handle. The holes may be on the inside or outside.
Lift the rear discharge door. Place the hooks of the grass catcher into the slots in the handle bracket assemblies on both sides. See Figure 9. Release the rear discharge door. Slide the rodintothe upper edge of the chute deflector so the tab on the rod is toward the left side of the chute deflector.When assembled correctly, the rodwill extend further to the left side than the right side. See Figure 10. Slide the push nut ontothe rightside of the rod to secure.
SECTION5: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER WARNING: and their proper Be operation. to stop ,_ WARNING: familiar Know with how all controls the machine and disengage them quickly. Drive Control Blade Control Handle Recoil Starter _1= Upper Handle The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. Doing so, may result in personal injury through contact with the rotating blade. The blade rotates whenever the engine is running and when the self starter is deenergized.
Gasand 0il Fill-Up 14. If engine does not start by the second pull, repeat steps 8, 9,10, 11 and 12. handling gasoline. extremely ,_WARNING: Use Gasoline extreme iscare when flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. SecondTime Starting Engine NOTE: Follow these instructions if the self starter is already in the energized mode.
NOTE:Engine Do not operate the mower without the mulching cover, the grass catcher bag, or the discharge chute properly installed. Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage dawnmower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.
page17forinstruction on how to adjust the cutting For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height position high until you have determined which cutting height is preferred. height and the handle height. SECTION7: MAINTAININGYOURLAWNMOWER Change engine oil after the first two operating hours and every 25 operating hours thereafter. Check the oil level before starting the engine every time.
Pivot Points Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle, brake cable and the cutting height adjustment lever at least once a season with light oil. The blade control handle must operate freely in both directions. The cutting height adjustment levers should be able to move easily. Lubricate Figure 15 SECTION8: SERVICING YOURLAWNMOWER WARNING: Be sure to disconnect the ,_ spark plug wire and DE-ENERGIZE starter before lubricating, repairing, or servicing.
If the blade is not balanced, remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. Install the blade adapter on the pulley with the "star" away from the pulley. See Figure 16. Lock Nut Pulley / Blade _-_ ReplacingDriveBelt Assembly _ A Lock Nut Adapter _ _ !Blade Bell -Washer _Hex WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to prevent unintended starting.
Right Front Wheel \ Left Front /Wheel Pulley _ / Engine _ U Bolt Figure 18 SECTION9: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS A A WARNING: Be sure to disconnect the To tighten cable spark plug wire and DE-ENERGIZE starter before performing any adjustments or repairs. DO NOT attempt any maintenance or service to the engine and/or mower equipped with the safety key in the unlocked and/or energized mode.
\ Notch _ _--AHe_ijguhJmen t Handle Lower _ Figure 20 __ Lever Figure 2t AdJustingCuttingHeight AdJusting Carburetor 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. A An adjusting plate and thumb lever at each wheel positionprovides cutting height adjustment. Each adjusting plate has nine height positions.
Engine Follow recommendations in the accompanying engine manual for off-season storage of the engine. Change oil as stated in the engine manual. Clean engine and remove any grass clippings, dirt, and debris from the cooling fins, air intake screen, levers, linkage and the exterior of the engine. SECTION11: TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Engine fails to start Blade control handle disengaged. Start control button not depressed. Spark plug wire disconnected.
NOTES 19
SECTION12: PARTSLISTFORMODELSERIES440 11 17 12 7 \ 71 \ 8 74 23 20 14 26 21 28 22 73 53 52 31 35 40 41 49 2O
ModelSeries440 Ref. No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 4O Pa_ No.
ModelSeries440 57 39 40 37, @ \ 46 f J J 2O J J IMPORTANT: For a proper working machine, useI Factory Approved Parts. V-BELTS are specially designed to engage and[ disengage safely. A substitute (non OEM) V-Belt can be dangerous by not d sengag ng complete y. 52 _.
ModelSeries440 Ref. No PaN No. Ref. No Description 1. 712-3025 Hex Jam Nut 5/16-24 2. 736-0425 Bell Washer .325 x .930 x .045 3. 756-1042 4. 736-0425 Pulley, 3.82 x .313 x .68 Bell Washer .325 x .930 x .045 5. 712-0896 Lock Nut 1/4-28 6. 736-0406 Flat Washer .442 x 1.38 x .060 7. 782-7598 Belt Keeper 8. 741-0124 9. 721-0457 Ball Bearing Oil Seal 10. 750-1050 Flange Spacer 11. 682-0028 Idler Bracket Assembly 12. 13. 741-0682A 732-0849A Bearing Sleeve Flat Washer .504 x .
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: YaRD-MaN ) 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 pedod 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.