Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty A OF O AL 21" Rotary Mower- Model Series 440 & 450 iMPORTANT READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION Warning: This unit is equippedwith an 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 ....................................................... Safe Operation Practices ................................... Setup and Adjustment ....................................... Operating Your Lawn Mower .............................. 3 4 6 8 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ....................
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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 power equipment, 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.
The cuttingbladecontinuesto rotatefor a fewseconds after the engine is shut off. Neverplaceany part of the bodyin the bladearea untilyou are surethe blade hasstopped rotating. 7. Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars, pipesand othersources of ignition. 20. Neveroperate mowerwithoutpropertrail shield, discharge cover,grass catcher,bladecontrol handleor othersafety protectivedevices in placeand working.Neveroperate mowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failureto do so,can resultin personalinjury. 21.
1. Removeanypackingmaterialwhich may be between upperand lowerhandles. a. Pull up and backon upperhandleas shownin Step 1.Makecertainthe lowerhandleis seated securelyintothe handle mountingbrackets. b. Tightenhandknobs securingupperhandleto lowerhandle.Make surethat eachcarriagebolt is seatedproperlyin the handle. 2. Locatehairpinclip in one holeon the weldpin on each sideof lowerhandle. a. Removehairpinclipfrom this hole.Usinga pair of pliers,insert hairpinclip intothe other holeon the weldpin.
5. An adjustingplateand thumb leverat each wheel positionprovidescuttingheightadjustment. a. Depresslevertowardswheel. b. Moveit to anyof the ninepositionsfor desired cutting height.SeeStep 5. c. Releaselevertowardsmowerdeck. 6. Followstepsbelowto assemblethe grasscatcher: a. Placebag overframe sothat its black plasticside is at the bottom. uStment b. Slip plasticchannelof grass bagoverhooks on the frame.See Step6. All the plasticchannelsexcept centertop of bagattachfrom outsideof bag. c.
Know Your Lawn Mower Blade Control Drive Control Recoil Starter -_ Grass Bag -_ Oil Fill/Dipstick WARNING The blade control mechanism is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. Gasoline Fill tLAdjustment evers I Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running.
WARNING:The operationof any lawn mowercan result in foreignobjects being thrownintothe eyes,whichcan damageyoureyes severely.Always wear safetyglasseswhileoperating the mower,or while performing any adjustmentsor repairson it. Starting Engine Mower WARNING:Besure no one otherthan the operatoris standingnear the lawn mower whilestartingengine or operatingmower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide,an odorless and deadly gas.
Lubrication 1. Lubricatepivot pointson theblade controlhandleat least oncea seasonwith lightoil. The bladecontrol mustoperatefreely inboth directions.See Figure3. \ \\ Maintaining 2. Lubricatethe wheelsat least oncea seasonwith lightoil (or motoroil). If wheelsare removedfor any reason,lubricatesurfaceof the pivotarm and inner surfaceof thewheelwith light oil. See Figure3. Lubricate these points before 3.
I r Blade Care __IL bladefor sharpeningor replacement, ARNING:Whenremovingcutting protectyourhandswith a pairof heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold blade. _ _ i i iii _ _ ii _i ii Maintaining 1. Disconnectsparkplug wirefrom spark plug.Turn moweron itsside makingsurethat the air filter and the carburetorare up. You r LaWn MOwer 2. Removebolt, blade bell support,blade,and blade adapterfrom the enginecrankshaft.See Figure5. 3. The bladecan be sharpenedwith a fileor on a grinding wheel.
_ - _ -] Problem Cause Enginefails to start Remedy 1. Bladecontrol handledisengaged• 1. Engageblade controlhandle• 2. Sparkplugwire disconnected, 3. Fueltank emptyor stale fuel• 2. Connectwireto spark plug• 3. Fil tank w th clean,fresh gasoline• 4. Engne not primed• 4. Primeengineas instructedin "Operatng YourLawnMower"• Shooting Engineruns erratic For repairs beyond the mbor ments listed here, contact an authorized service dealer. Engine overheats 5. Faultysparkplug. 5.
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.
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1 747-1161A Blade Control 746-1132 ControlCable- 40.75" 2 749-1092A UpperHandle 746-1114 ControlCable- 50.
MANUFACTURER'S LiMiTED WARRANTY FOR The limitedwarrantyset forth belowisgivenby MTDLLCwith respectto newmerchandisepurchasedand usedin the UnitedStates,its possessionsand territories. e. MTDdoes notextendany warrantyfor productssoldor exported outsideof the UnitedStates,its possessionsand territories,except those soldthroughMTD'sauthorizedchannelsof exportdistribution.
