YARD OPERATOR'S MAN UAL 22" Self-Propelled Mower Model Series 260 Thru 279 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).
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 8 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.
complete stopbefore removing thegrasscatcher or unclogging thechute.Thecutting bladecontinues to rotateforafewseconds aftertheengine isshutoff.Never placeanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntilyouare surethebladehasstopped rotating. 20. Never operate mower without proper trailshield, discharge cover,grasscatcher, bladecontrol handle or othersafetyprotective devices inplaceandworking. Never operate mower withdamaged safety devices. Failure todoso,canresultinpersonal injury. 21.
3. Check theblade andengine mounting boltsatfrequent 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!" 4. Mower blades aresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor weargloves, anduseextracaution whenservicing them. 5.
o E SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE 1'91 ¢- A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING o l ,.i-, o 11-, o f- o c_ u) q) a) cl o o r- QO E o c_ 15 ° "o o ,_ 2- WARNING 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: ASSEMBLINGYOURLAWNMOWER 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.e.
RemovingChute Retainer (Models 260 Series) The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright position by a retainer for shipping purposes only. Remove the retainer by following steps below, before running the mower for the first time. • • • • Slide the hooks of the side discharge chute under the hinge pin on the mulching baffle. Make sure that the hooks snaps into place, locking the chute firmly onto the mower. See Figure 7. Release the mulching baffle.
RecoilStarter Blade Control The recoil starter is attached to the right lower handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter to start the unit. See Figure 8. Control Handle Handle Mulching Plug [__Discharge Chute Starter Cutting Height Adjustment Lever ! Mulching Plug Cutting HeightAdjustmentLevers These levers are located on each wheel and they are used to adjust the cutting height. All four levers have to be at the same relative position to ensure a uniform cut. See Figure 8.
• With the drive clutch released, push mower forward. It should move freely. Pull mower backward. It should move with only a small amount of resistance. • If the rear wheels tend to lock up, the clutch may not be releasing completely. Do not start the engine until corrections have been made. Check the drive cable for severe bends, kinks, or binding. Also check for grass build-up around the belt. • • engine.
HandleHeightAdjustment Wing Nuts Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower the height proceed as follows: • • • • Remove the starter rope from the rope guide. Disconnect the handle from the handle bracket Handle assemblies by removing the wing nuts. See Figure 10. Position each handle bracket assembly stud into the top hole in the lower handle. Each end ofthe lower handle must be placed in same relative position.
Lubrication • nect spark Always plug, and against WARNING: stop ground engine, disconengine before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of maintenance on your machine. usually indicate that the air cleaner should be serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine manual packed with your unit. The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each mowing season. Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush.
• The blade can be tested by balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver. Remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. It is recommended that the blade always be removed from the adapter when testing for balance. Before reinstalling the blade and the blade adapter to the unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. • • • • • Pull the belt from under the deck toward rear of unit and through gap in cutting deck.
IMPORTANT:We do not recommend the use of a NOTE: When storing any type of power equipment in a poorly ventilated or metal storage shed, care should be taken to rust-proof the equipment. Using a light oil or silicone, coat the equipment, especially cables and all moving parts. pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit. • Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage instructions. • Coat mower's cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting. Store mower in a dry, clean area.
Notes 15
ModelSeries260 thru279 66 4 /7 65 6 15 19 29 6\ 57 69 63 35 68 16
ModelSeries260 thru279 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Part No. Ref. No. Part Description Part No. Part Description 747-1214 Drive Control Handle 747-1161A Blade Control Handle 37. 38. 749-1092A 746-1092A Upper Handle Drive Control Cable 39. 736-0452 746-1113 Blade Control Cable - B&S 40. 710-1044 746-1132 Blade Control Cable - B&S 41. 712-0431 Hex Cap Screw 3/8-24 x 1.5 Lock Nut 3/8-16 748-0426 742-0642A 742-0742A Blade Adapter Blade 22" Mulching Blade 22" Bell Washer .396 ID x 1.
ModelSeries260 thru279 4 2 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. Part No. 618-0392 721-0329 741-0673 Part Description Upper Housing Assembly Oil Seal .500 ID x .687 OD 736-0520 Flange Bearing .503 ID x .689 OD Flat Washer .504 ID x .700 OD x .030 736-0711 Flat Washer .504 ID x .700 OD x .035 736-0712 Flat Washer .504 ID x .700 OD x .040 736-0713 Flat Washer .504 ID x .700 OD x .045 5. 717-1596 Bevel Gear 44T 6. 715-0139 Roll Pin 7. 711-1595 Output Shaft 8. 719-0538 9.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: YARD 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 territories. MTD warrants this product against defects and 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 c.
