Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty L Self Propelled Mower m Model Series 440 MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHiO 44136-0019 PrintedIn USA FormNo.
1 ToTheOwner ThankYou Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Mower manufactured by If you have any problems MTD LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent performance when properly operated and maintained. Please read this entire manual It instructs prior to operating your machine. persons who will operate address and mailing the equipment.
2 importantSafeOperationPractices WARNING: This symbol could endanger all instructions points out important the personal safety and/or in this manual with these instructions before property attempting may result in personal When you see this symbol. safety instructions of yourself to operate which, if not followed, and others. this machine. Read and follow Failure to comply injury.
12. Amissing ordamaged discharge cover cancause blade contact orthrown object injuries. 13. Many injuries occur asaresult ofthemower beingpulled overthefootduring afallcaused byslipping ortripping. Donotholdontothemower ifyouarefalling; release the handle immediately. 14. Never pullthemower back toward youwhileyouare walking. Ifyoumustback themower away fromawallor obstruction firstlookdownandbehind toavoid tripping andthenfollowthese steps: a. Stepback frommower tofullyextend yourarms. b.
Service 3. Check the blade and engine intervals To avoid personal care in handling injury or property damage gasoline. Gasoline is extremely can ignite. Wash your skin and change flammable clothes original 3. Use only an approved Never fill containers gasoline container. inside a vehicle 4. Remove gas-powered equipment Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight equipment 7. trailer and refuel it on the ground.
SparkArrestor Notice Regarding Emissions Engines which are certified to comply with California and federal EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment) are certified to operate may include the following Modification (EM), Oxidizing Injection on regular emission unleaded control gasoline, and internal combustion engine and should not be used WARNING: This machine is equipped with an on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush i_ll systems: Engine Catalyst (OC), Secondary A
Safety Symbols This page depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear machine before attempting to assemble and operate. on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, assemble and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to and operate DANGER -- ROTATING BLADES To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate or grass catcher is in its proper place.
co Sight and hold this level with a vertical tree... -4 5 Z I ,_ or a corner of a building... i i Z __ I i I I O ' FOldo, 5 ' Z "o or a fencepost ', diine , --Lepre_n tsa15 o -4 I I 15 ° Usethis page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. WARNING: Do not operate (a rise of approximately mowers up and down up and down slopes. your lawn mower on such slopes. Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet).
3 Assembly& Set-Up Contents of Carton One Lawn Mower One Grass Catcher One Lawn Mower Operator's Manual One Engine Operator's Assembly NOTE:This 2. unit is shipped without gasoline Fill up gasoline and oil as instructed manual BEFORE operating or oil in the engine. in the accompanying engine One Bottle Manual Handle Hardware Insert a carriage bolt from the manual bag into the upper hole on the handle Secure with one mounting plastic wing nut, also included 3-2.
3_ The rope guide is attached handle. to the right side of the upper Loosen the wing nut which GrassCatcher secures the rope guide. Follow steps below to assemble See Fig. 3-3. needed). the grass catcher (if Make certain bag is turned assembling (warning right side out before label will be on the outside). a. Place bag over fra me so that its black plastic side is at the bottom. b. Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on the frame. See Fig. 3-5.
2_ Follow steps below to attach grass catcher: a. Lift rear discharge b. Place grass catcher discharge Adjustments door. on the pivot CuttingHeight rod. Let go of An adjusting door so that it rests on the grass catcher. cutting See Fig. 3-6. plate and thumb lever at each wheel provides height adjustment. 1. Depress lever towards 2. Move it to any one of the positions for desired cutting height. See Fig. 3-7. Make sure that each wheel is positioned wheel. at the same height.
4 Controls and Features Control ......Electric Start ignition Switch Drive Control Recoil Starter Grass Catcher Cutting Height Adjustment Levers Figure 4-1 BladeControl RecoilStarter The blade control is attached to the upper Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle of the mower. handle to operate the The recoil starter behind is attached to the right upper the unit and pull the recoil starter handle. Stand rope to start the unit. unit. Release it to stop engine and blade.
Operation f Starting Engine is standing near the lawn mower while starting WARNING: Be sure mower. no one Never other than the operator engine or operating run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower. i_ Refer to engine manual for help with the engine. 1. Push primer (if equipped) three times.
Maintenance & Adjustments Maintenance 2. Lubricate motor General Recommendations Always observe maintenance. The warranty at least once a season with light oil (or are removed for any reason, lubricate surface of the pivot arm and inner surface with light oil. See Fig. 6-1. safety rules when performing 3. on this lawn mower of the wheel any does not cover items that Lubricate the torsion discharge door periodically spring and pivot points on the rear with light oil to prevent rust.
Engine Care ReplacingRearFlap A list of key engine performance accompanying Maintain maintenance by the mower jobs required for good 1. is given below. Follow the engine manual for a detailed oil level as instructed list and instructions. in engine manual. Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal Clean every few hours under extremely To remove rear flap, lift rear door, and press flap in on either side to remove from hole. See Fig. 6-2. r conditions. dusty conditions.
7 Service 8lade Care WARNING: sharpening When removing or replacement, the cutting protect blade for your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade. Periodically inspect the blade adapter strike a foreign object. Replace when below for blade service. 1. for cracks, especially necessary. 5. if you the engine part number) Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which operating See faces the ground position.
3. Tipmower onitssidewiththeairfilteruptoaccess belt fromunderside ofmower andremove blade asdescribed intheprevious section. Refer toFig.7-1. 4. Press inward ontabontheengine baffle torelease itfrom thebafflebracket. See Fig.7-3. 6. Replace with new belt, making engine pulley while it around 7. the transmission Reattach engine in the previous 8. pulling Turn mower sure belt is firmly pulley. baffle and reassemble blade as described section.
3. Open battery cover, remove from battery, remove positive and replace and negative leads with new battery. Connect the positive lead to the positive pack, then connect the negative side. Charging Battery (if Equipped) WARNING: The battery contains corrosive fluid and toxic material; handle with care and keep away from children. Do not puncture, disassemble, mutilate or incinerate the battery. Explosive gases could be vented during charging or discharging.
ReplacingFuse(If Equipped) Off-SeasonStorage The electric starter circuit and battery are protected by a 40 ampere fuse. If the fuse burns out, the electric starter will not The following for storage. operate. If the unit fails to start with the electric the following 1. Open the battery See Fig. 7-5. 2. Remove fuse from socket and inspect If it is burned ampere starter, steps to check the fuse inside the battery cover as described out, replace in Replacing perform housing: Battery.
Troubleshooting Problem Engine Fails to start Cause 1. Remedy Blade control disengaged. 2. Spark plug boot disconnected. 2. Connect wire to spark boot. 3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 4. Engine not primed (if equipped with primer). 4. Prime engine as instructed section. in the Operation 5. Faulty spark plug. 5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. 6. Blocked fuel line. 6. Clean fuel line. Z Engine flooded. Z Waita few mmutes to restart, butdo not prime.
Problem Uneven cut Cause 1. Wheels not positioned Remedy correctly. 1. Place all four wheels in same height (if equipped 2. Dull blade. Mower will not self propel posttion height adjusters). 2. Sharpen or replace blade. 1. Belt not installed 2. Debris clogging 3. Damaged with individual orworn properly. drive operation. belt. 1. Check belt for proper pulley installation movement. 2. Stop engine, disconnect and clean out debris. 3. Inspectand and spark plug boot, replace belt.
ModelSeries440 1 2 \ 9 7 S 11 38 \ i46 43 57 \
ModelSeries440 Ref No. I Part Number 1 2 3 Description Ref No.
MANUFACTURER'S LiMiTED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States and/or its territories and possessions, and by MTD Products Limited with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in Canadaand/ or its territories and possessions (either entity respectively, "MTD").
