Operator's Manu I 21" Self Starter Rear-Discharge Lawn Mower Model Series 440 Series IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment. 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 Unpacking .......................................................................................................... 7 Assembling Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower ......
SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATION 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.
20. Never operate mower without proper trailshield, 5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler. discharge cover,grasscatcher, bladecontrol handle or othersafety protective devices inplaceandworking. 6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a Never operate mower withdamaged safety devices. power mower. Children 14 years old and over should Failure todoso,canresultinpersonal injury.
3. Check thebladeandengine mounting boltsatfrequent intervals forproper tightness. Also,visually inspect blade fordamage (e.g.,bent,cracked, worn)Replace blade withtheoriginal equipment manufacture's (O.EM.)blade only,listedinthismanual. "Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginal equipment specifications mayleadto improper performance andcompromise safetyF 4. Mowerblades aresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor weargloves, anduseextracaution whenservicing them. 5.
q SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST I I t.O i,i O _.J V3 Z O _lb WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
SECTION3: UNPACKING RemovingUnit FromCarton Remove staples, break glue on top flaps or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Cut corners and lay carton down flat. Remove packing material. Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., operator's manual, hardware pack etc.).
Usinga pairofpliers,insertthehairpinclipintothe innerholeintheweldpin.Repeatontheotherside. SeeFigure4. Movehairpin clipto GrassCatcherAssembly NOTE: Make certain the grass bag is turned right side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside). Soft Grass Bag Parts for soft grass bag: 1. Front Frame 2. Rear Frame thishole Pi. Figure 4 3. Bag Assembling soft grass bag: Join the rear frame and front frame assembly as shown in Figure 7A.
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 rod into the 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 rod will extend further to the left side than the right side. See Figure 10. Slide the push nut onto the right side 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 Lever Start Control Button 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.
14. If engine does not start by the second pull, repeat steps 8, 9,10, 11 and 12. Gasand Oil Fill-Up WARNING: Use extreme care when SecondTime Starting Engine handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors or while the NOTE: Follow these instructions already in the energized mode. engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.
NOTE: Engine may stop with a racketing sound. This sound is the self starter being reactivated/energized for the next start. 2. 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 lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.
page 17 for instruction on how to adjust the cutting height and the handle height. For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height position high until you have determined which cutting height is preferred. SECTION7: MAINTAININGYOURLAWNMOWER WARNING: Be sure to disconnect the 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.
PivotPoints Lubricate thepivotpointsonthebladecontrol handle,brakecableandthecuttingheight adjustment leveratleastonceaseasonwithlight oil.Thebladecontrolhandlemustoperatefreelyin bothdirections. Thecuttingheightadjustment leversshouldbeabletomoveeasily. Lubricate Figure 15 SECTION8: SERVICING YOURLAWNMOWER WARNING: ,_ When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect hands by using heavy gloves or a thick rag to grasp the cutting blade.
Install the blade adapter on the pulley with the "star" away from the pulley. See Figure 16. Lock Nut Pulley ._ / Blade e ]_e If the blade is not balanced, remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. ReplacingDriveBelt Assembly _ WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to prevent unintended starting. Drain fuel into an approved container or place a piece of plastic film underneath the gas cap to prevent gasoline from leaking. Lock Nut Adapter .
Right Front Wheel Left Front Wheel Pulley "_ Engine _/_ Center H_x _Bolt Figure 18 SECTION9: MAKINGADJUSTMENTS 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.
\ "edl, u",'tmen Notch Lower Handle Lever Figure 20 Figure 21 Adjusting Cutting Height 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/, WARNING: If any adjustments are made to the engine (e.g. carburetor) while the engine is running, keep clear of all moving parts. Be careful of heated surfaces like the muffler.
Follow recommendations in the accompanying engine manual for off-season storage of the engine. Change oil as stated in the engine manual. Engine 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 Engine fails to start Blade control handle disengaged. Start control button not depressed. Spark plug wire disconnected. Safety key not in run position.
NOTES 19
SECTION12: PARTSLIST FORMODELSERIES440 17 7 12 71 \ 8 74 23 2O 14 26 21 28 22 73 53 52 '30 31 35 40 41 39 49 20
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 40 Pad No.
ModelSeries440 --1 I 60 I I J J f @ f f f 20 f f F- IMPORTANT: For a proper working machine, use I Factory Approved Parts, V-BELTS are specially designed to engage and disengage safely, A substitute (non OEM) V-Belt can be 52 dangerous by not d sengag ng comp ete y. f 4( f ,/ r" 59 22 \o
ModelSeries 440 Ref.No Pad No. Re_ No Description Pad No. Description 1. 712-3025 Hex Jam Nut 5/16-24 31. 741-0604 Bearing Sleeve .50 I.D. 2. 736-0425 Bell Washer .325 x .930 x .045 32. 748-0355 Bearing Support 3. 756-1042 Pulley, 3.82 x .313 x .68 33. 736-0447 Wave Washer 1.5 x 1.0 x .029 4. 736-0425 Bell Washer .325 x .930 x .045 34. 782-0512B RH Height Adj. Plate 5. 712-0896 Lock Nut 1/4-28 35. 782-0511A LH Height Adj. Plate 6. 736-0406 Flat Washer .442 x 1.38 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 period 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.
