Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty Operator’s Manual Push Mower — Model 54K WARNING READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 Printed In USA Form No.
1 To The Owner Thank You Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Mower manufactured by MTD LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent performance when properly operated and maintained. Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment. It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the recommended safety practices at all times.
Important Safe Operation Practices 2 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.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries. 13. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the handle immediately. 14. a. Step back from mower to fully extend your arms. b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing. c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward you. d. Repeat these steps as needed.
Service 3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original equipment manufacture’s (O.E.M.) blade only, listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!” 4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
Spark Arrestor Average Useful Life Warning: This machine is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, 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). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
or a corner of a building... a 1 5 ° slop or a fence post ine (r ep r e s e nts dl o n g d otte l Fold a Sight and hold this level with a vertical tree... 15° Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. e) WARNING: Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. 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.
3 Assembly & Set-Up Contents of Carton • One Lawn Mower • One Lawn Mower Operator’s Manual • One Bottle of Oil • One Grass Catcher • One Engine Operator’s Manual One Hardware Pack • One Side Discharge Chute Assembly 2. NOTE: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Fill up gasoline and oil as instructed in the accompanying engine manual BEFORE operating your mower. Locate the hairpin clip on the weld pin on each side of lower handle. a. Handle 1.
3. The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle. See Fig. 3-3. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope guide. A 1. Place rear of the mower deck on raised blocks. 2. Remove lock nut and spring washer from pivot arm assembly (on select models, these may be included separately in a plastic bag). 3. Slide spring washer and wheel, with hollow side in, onto pivot arm and secure with lock nut. See Figure 3-4. 4. Assemble the other side in the same manner. Grass Catcher 1.
2. Follow the steps below to attach the grass catcher: a. 2. Lift rear discharge door. See Fig. 3-6. Slide two hooks of side discharge chute under hinge pin on mulching plug assembly. Lower the mulching plug. Do not remove side mulching plug at any time, even when you are not mulching. Adjustments Cutting Height Each wheel has a height adjustment lever to change the cutting height of the mower. B A 1. Depress height adjustment lever towards wheel. 2.
4 Controls and Features Blade Control Choke Control Recoil Starter Grass Catcher Side Discharge Chute Mulch Plug Cutting Height Adjustment Levers Figure 4-1 Blade Control Grass Catcher The blade control is attached to the upper handle of the mower. Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle to operate the unit. Release it to stop engine and blade. The grass catcher, located at the rear of the mower, is used to bag the grass clippings for disposal at another site.
5 Operation Starting Engine WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower. Never 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. 1. 2 Pull out the choke knob located on the left side of the upper handle. See Fig. 5-1.
6 Maintenance & Adjustments Maintenance 2. Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light oil (or motor oil). If wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate surface of the pivot arm and inner surface of the wheel with light oil. See Fig. 6-1. General Recommendations • Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. 3. • The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence.
Engine Care Replacing Rear Flap A list of key engine maintenance jobs required for good performance by the mower is given below. Follow the accompanying engine manual for a detailed list and instructions. 1. • Maintain oil level as instructed in engine manual. • Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should be serviced.
7 Service Blade Care WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds. It may cause damage to mower and could break causing personal injury. WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade. 5. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft.
8 Troubleshooting Problem Engine Fails to start Remedy 1. Blade control disengaged. 1. Engage blade control. 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 in the Operation section. 5. Faulty spark plug. 5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. 6. Blocked fuel line. 6. Clean fuel line. 7. Engine flooded. 7.
Notes 9 17
Model 54K 5 1 3 51 55 54 6 2 7 38 4 42 47 8 49 52 10 48 46 9 44 45 11 43 12 24 40 37 50 33 41 39 35 28 34 28 53 14 30 36 24 13 32 31 24 29 25 26 23 24 16 17 27 18 22 21 20 18 15 24 19
Model 54K Ref No. Part Number Description Ref No. Part Number Description 1. 747-1161A Blade Control 28. 738-04266 Shoulder Scr., .5D x .385 2. 749-1092A Upper Handle 29. 732-0404 Front Spring Lever 3. 746-04299 Control Cable 30. 720-0426 Height Adjust Knob 4. 726-0240 Cable Tie 31. 710-0599 TT Screw, 1/4-20 x .500 5. 664-04034A Grass Bag Assembly 32. 736-0270 Bell Washer 6. 747-04080A Grass Bag Frame 33. 710-0654A TT Screw, 3/8-16 x 1.0 7.
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR 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 Canada and/ or its territories and possessions (either entity respectively, “MTD”).