Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty OF A O AL 21" Rotary Mower- Model 44M iMPORTANT READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION Warning: This unit is equippedwithan internalcombustionengineand shouldnot be usedon or nearany unimprovedforest-covered,brushcoveredor grass-coveredland unlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemis equippedwith a sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).
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 Slope Gauge ........................................................ 3 Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4 Setup and Adjustment ....................................... 6 Operating Your Lawn Mower .............................. 8 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower .....................
!i!_i!il < Sight and hold this levelwith a vertical tree... _ z_ I I d_ o9 or a corner of a building...
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of Californiato cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductiveharm. DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of powerequipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
19.Shutthe engine off and waituntil the bladecomesto a completestop beforeremovingthe grasscatcheror unclogging the chute. The cutting bladecontinuesto rotatefora few secondsafter the engine is shut off. Neverplace any partof the body in the bladearea until you are surethe bladehas stopped rotating. 20. Neveroperate mowerwithoutpropertrail shield, discharge cover,grasscatcher,bladecontrol handle or othersafety protectivedevices in placeand working.Neveroperate mowerwith damagedsafetydevices.
1. Followthe stepsbelowto positionthe handle. a. Lift the upper handleup from the foldedposition and pull it backto the extendedposition.See Figure3-1.Donot crimpcables.Thehandle shouldclick into this position. b. Makesurethe carriageboltis seated properlyin the handle.Tightenstar knobsto secure upper handleto the lowerhandle. 2. Followthese stepsto securethe handle: a. Removethe hairpinclipfrom the pivot rod. Usinga pair of pliers, inserthairpinclip intothe otherhole on the rod.Repeaton otherside.
5. Followstepsbelowto assemblethe grasscatcher: a. Placebag overframe sothat its black plasticside is at the bottom.Checkthat the bag is turnedright side out beforeassembling(warninglabelwill be on the outside).See Figure3-5. b. Slip plasticchannelof grass bagoverhooks on the frame.All the plasticchannelsexceptcentertop of bag attachfrom outsideof bag. ustment c. Attachcentertop of bag from insideof bag. 6. Toattachthe grass catcher: a. Lift rear dischargedoor.See Figure3-6. b.
Blade Control i _._ :_i_ii_\!_i_ii_i ¸ Drive Control Control Recoil Starter Cutting Height Adjustment Lever(one at each wheel) WARNING Thebladecontrolisa safetydevice. Never attempttobypass its operations. J Use extremecare Figure4-1:Themaincomponents onthemower. when handling gasoline. Gasoline is Now thatyou haveset up your lawnmower,it's importantto becomeacquaintedwith its controlsand features.
_ ARNING:The operationof any lawnmower can result in foreign objects beingthrown intothe eyes,whichcan damageyoureyes severely. Alwayswear safetyglasseswhileoperatingthe mower,or while performingany adjustmentsor repairson it. Starting Engine _ WARNING:Be sureno one lawn otherthanthe operator is standingnearthe mower while startingengineor operatingmower.Never run engineindoorsor in enclosed,poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaustcontainscarbon monoxide, an odorlessand deadly gas.
Lubrication • Lubricatepivot pointson theblade and drivecontrol at least oncea seasonwith lightoil. Thecontrolsmust operatefreely in both directions.See Figure5-1. • Lubricatethe wheelsat least oncea seasonwith lightoil (or motoroil). If wheelsare removedfor any reason,lubricatesurfaceof the pivotarm and inner surfaceof thewheelwith light oil. Your Lawn Lubricatethe torsionspringand pivot pointon the rear dischargedoor periodicallywith lightoil to prevent rust.
=, f Blade Care _ ARNING:Whenremovingcuttingblade for sharpeningor replacement,protectyour handswith a pairof heavygloves or use a heavyrag to holdblade. 1. Disconnectsparkplug wirefrom spark plug.Turn moweron its side makingsurethat the air filter and the carburetorare up. 2. Removebolt, bell blade support,blade,and blade adapterfrom the enginecrankshaft.See Figure5-3. 3. The bladecan be sharpenedwith a fileor on a grindingwheel. Donot attemptto sharpenthe blade while it is still on the mower.
Problem Cause Enginefalt'ls to star Trouble Engineruns erratic 1....Bade contro d sengaged 1 Engagebade contro 2. Sparkplug bootdisconnected• 2. Connectwire tosparkplug• 3. Fue tank emptyor stalefuel. 3. Filltank with clean,fresh gasoline• 4. CHOKEnotactivated, 4. Chokeengineas instructedin "OperatingYourLawnMower• 5 Faultyspark plug. 5• Clean,adjust gap,or replace• 6, Blockedfuel line. 7. Engineflooded• 6. Cleanfuel line. 7, Wait a few minutesto restart• 1. Sparkplug bootloose. 1.
S"............. Off=Season Storage The followingstepsshouldbe taken to prepareyour lawn mowerfor storage. 1. Cleanand lubricatemowerthoroughlyas describedin the lubricationinstructions. 2. We do not recommendthe useof a pressurewasher or gardenhoseto cleanyour unit. 3. Referto enginemanualfor correctengine storageinstructions. 4. Coat mower'scuttingblade with chassisgreaseto preventrusting. 5. Storemowerin a dry, cleanarea. Donot storenext to corrosivematerials,suchas fertilizer.
WARNING: Gasoline and itsvapors are extremely flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death. If gasoline isspilled on yourself or your clothes, wash your skin and change clothes immediately. Whenoperatingequipment,do not tip engineor equipmentat anglewhich causesgasolineto spill. Gasoline and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death. If Do notchoke carburetorto stopengine.
Running engine produces heat. Engine parts, especially muffler, become extremely hot. Severe thermal burns can occur on • Tie up long hairand removejewelry. Do notwear loose-fittingclothing,danglingdrawstringsor itemsthat couldbecomecaught. contact. Combustibledebris, such as leaves, grass, brush, etc., _ can catch fire. (kickback) will pull apid retraction of hand starterand cord arm toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.
Know Your Engine Fuel Cap Air Cleaner Starter Gri Oil Fill Ca Oil Drain----_ Spark Plug Muffle_ Figure9-1:Themajorcomponents oftheengine. IMPORTANT:This engine is sh pped Readthis sectionbeforestartingyourlawnmowerengine.Comparethe illustrationin Figure9-1 with your lawnmower engineto familiarizeyourselfwith the locationof variouscontrolsandadjustments. without gasoline or oil in the engine.
Check Oil Level iMPORTANT:Be sure to checkthe engine on a level surface with the engine stopped. 1. Removethe oil fillercap and wipethe dipstickclean. See Figure9-2. 2. Insertthe dipstickintothe oil fillerneck, butdo not screwit in. 3. If the levelis low, slowlyadd oil to the upperlimit on thedipstick.See Figure9-2 inset. Dipstick Oil Fill Cap/ _ . 4. Tightendipstickfirmlybeforestartingengine. IMPORTANT:Do not overfill.
WARNING:Shut off the engine before performingany maintenance. To preventaccidental start-up, disconnect the spark plug boot. Periodicinspectionand adjustmentof theengine is essentialif high levelperformanceis to be maintained. Regularmaintenancewillalso ensurea long servicelife. The requiredserviceintervalsand the kindof maintenanceto be performedare describedin thetable below. Followthe hourlyor calendarintervals,whicheveroccur first. Morefrequentserviceis requiredwhenoperatingin adverseconditions.
IMPORTANT:Usedmotoroil may causeskin cancer if repeatedlyleft in contactwith the skin for prolonged periods.Althoughthis is unlikelyunlessyou handleused oil on a dailybasis,it is still advisableto thoroughlywash yourhandswith soapand wateras soon as possible after handlingusedoil. PaperElement NOTE:Pleasedisposeof usedmotoroil in a mannerthat is compatiblewith the environment.We suggestyoutake it in a sealedcontainerto yourlocal servicestationfor reclamation.
f Storage Electrode Maintaining Enginesstoredover30 daysneed to be drainedof fuel to preventdeteriorationand gumfrom formingin fuel systemor on essentialcarburetorparts. If the gasolinein yourenginedeterioratesduringstorage,you mayneed to havethe carburetor,and otherfuel systemcomponents, servicedor replaced. 1. Removeall fuel fromtank by runningengineuntil it stopsfrom lack of fuel. 2. Changeoil. See Oil Changesection. --,,- *-- 0.030 in. Figure10-4:Measurethepluggapwitha feelergauge. 3.
NOTES 21
Model 44M I W \ S-WaveTread Bar Tread 22 i
Fief. No. Part No. Description Fief. No. Part No. Description 1 747-1161A BladeControl 34 746-04299 ControlCaNe-48" 2 749-1092A UpperHandle 35 710-0606 Screw,1/4-20x 1.
Engine IP70 21- 1 @ 1 14- @ I 22 24
Ref. No. PartNo. Description 1. 951-10368 FuelTank 2. 951-10369 FlywheelShroud 3. 951-10335 RubberFuelTankMountingWasher 4. 951-10334 Oil FillerTubeAssembly 5. 951-10333 DipstickAssembly 6. 951-10413 CylinderHeadComplete 7. 951-10414 ShortBlockAssembly 8. 951-10321 StopSwitchand BrakeAssembly 9. 951-10319 RecoilSpringand PulleyAssembly 10. 951-10344 PushRodKit 11. 951-10345 ValveKit 12. 951-10370 Oil DrainPlugand WasherAssembly 13. 951-10366 IgnitionCoil 14.
MTD LLC (MTD), The United States Environment Protection Agency (U. S. EPA) Emission Control System Warranty Statement (Owner's Defect Warranty Rights and Obligations) The U. S. EPAand MTDare pleasedto explaintheemissionscontrolsystemwarrantyon your modelyear2005and latersmalloff-roadengine. New smalloff-roadenginesmust be designed,built and equippedto meet the stringentanti-smogstandards.
(7) The enginemanufactureris liable fordamagesto otherenginecomponentsproximatelycausedbya failureunderwarrantyof anywarranted part. (8) Throughoutthe engine'swarrantyperioddefinedin Subsection(a)(2), MTDwill maintaina supplyof warrantedparts sufficientto meet the expecteddemandfor such parts. (9) Any replacementpart maybe usedin the performanceof any warrantymaintenanceor repairsand mustbe providedwithoutchargetothe owner.Such usewill not reducethe warrantyobligationsof MTD.
MANUFACTURER'S LiMiTED WARRANTY The limitedwarrantyset forth belowisgivenby MTDLLCwith respectto newmerchandisepurchasedand usedin the UnitedStates,its possessionsand territories. "MTD"warrantsthis productagainstdefectsin materialand workmanship for a periodof two (2) yearscommencingon the dateof originalpurchase and will, at its option,repairor replace,free of charge,anypart foundto be defectivein materialsor workmanship.
