Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty Operator’s Manual 3-in-1, 19” Corded Electric Mower 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 Form No.
1 To The Owner Thank You Thank you for purchasing an Electric Mower manufactured by MTD. 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, HEED ITS WARNING! DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in this manual.
10. 11. 4 Dress properly – Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Wear sturdy, roughsoled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs, rubber gloves, and rubber soled steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes. Always use face or dust mask if operation is dusty. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under cutting deck.
33. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact Customer Support for assistance or the name of the nearest service dealer. Service 1. Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.
Safety Symbols This page depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine before attempting to assemble and operate. Symbol Description READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate DANGER — ROTATING BLADES To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away.
(OK) Figure 1 Slope Gauge ne d a s h e d li 15° Slope 15° USE THIS SLOPE GAUGE TO DETERMINE IF A SLOPE IS TOO STEEP FOR SAFE OPERATION! To check the slope, proceed as follows: 1. Remove this page and fold along the dashed line. 2. Locate a vertical object on or behind the slope (e.g. a pole, building, fence, tree, etc.) 3. Align either side of the slope gauge with the object (See Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). 4. Adjust gauge up or down until the left corner touches the slope (See Figure 1 and Figure 2). 5.
3 Assembly & Set-Up Contents of Carton • One Electric Mower • One Side Discharge Chute • Two Cord Guides • One Operator’s Manual • Two Toggle Clamps • One Cord Retainer NOTE: All references to the left and right side of the mower are from the operator’s position behind the mower. NOTE: Cord guides and cord retainer may already be installed. Unpacking the Unit 1. Cut the corners of the carton and lay the sides flat on the ground. Remove all packing inserts. 2.
2. NOTE: Cord retainer may already be installed. 4. Slide the cord retainer (if packed separately) onto the right hand side of the upper handle with the motor/blade control handle. See Fig. 3-3. Insert toggle clamps packed separately with the mower into the holes for the selected height. See Fig. 3-4. 5. Tighten the clamps by pivoting them upward. See Fig. 3-5. NOTE: When tightening, leave some space between the toggle clamp and the handle. If clamp will not tighten, loosen the toggle clamp one turn.
Cord Connection Grass Collection NOTE: Do not plug your extension cord into the power source receptacle (outlet) prior to routing it through the cord retainer and connecting the extension cord to the mower’s cord outlet receptacle. 1. To assemble the grass bag, secure the plastic channels of grass bag over frame rods. See Fig. 3-8. To properly route your extension cord through the cord retainer: 1. Approximately 14 to 16-inches from its end, crease your extension cord to form a tight loop. 2.
c. Place grass catcher on the pivot rod. Let go of discharge door so that it rests on the grass catcher. See Fig. 3-10. To remove grass catcher, lift rear discharge door on the mower. Lift grass catcher up and out, off of the pivot rod. Release rear discharge door to allow it to close rear opening of mower. Side Discharge For side discharge, you will need to have the rear mulching baffle installed below the rear discharge door. 1. On the right side of the mower, lift the mulch baffle. 2.
4 Controls and Features Starter Button Motor/Blade Control Lever Overload Protection Switch Cord Retainer Cutting Height Adjustment Lever Figure 4-1 WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating. Motor/Blade Control Lever WARNING: The motor/blade control lever is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. The motor/blade control lever is located on the upper handle of the mower.
5 Operation 3. Starting Motor Press the (orange) starter button and hold it in. See Fig. 5-2. NOTE: Starting the mower’s motor also engages the blade. WARNING: Avoid accidental starting. Make sure you are in the operating position behind the mower when using it. To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit should be in a stable position while starting. Connecting to an Electrical Power Source WARNING: This mower should be operated on a 15 or 20 AMP circuit.
Using Your Lawn Mower Be sure that lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wires, or other objects which could damage the lawn mower or motor. Such objects could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others. WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the motor, and unplug from the power supply circuit. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower.
6 Maintenance & Adjustments General Recommendations Deck Care • Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not expose the mower to water. • The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed here.
If the overload protection switch pops out shortly after resetting: 1. Release the motor/blade control handle and do NOT restart the mower for at least 15 minutes to allow the electric motor extra time to cool. 2. Press the overload protection switch inward to reset. 3. Restart unit. NOTE: If the overload protection switch pops out repeatedly during operation or will not remain in when attempting to reset, contact an authorized service center to arrange for repair.
7 Service Blade Care Blade Installation WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for 1. sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade. Be certain to disconnect the power supply. Periodically inspect the blade assembly for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service. 1. Stop the motor and disconnect the power supply to the mower. Turn the mower on its side. 2.
Off-Season Storage The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage. 18 • Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions. • We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit. • Make certain the power supply is disconnected. • Coat mower’s cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting. • Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.
8 Troubleshooting Problem Mower fails to start Cause Remedy 1. Cord disconnected from the motor/blade control. 1. Reconnect the cord keeping the cord restraint close to the motor/blade control. 2. Motor/blade control defective. 2. Replace motor/blade control. 3. Extension cord not connected to the plug on the mower. 3. Connect the extension cord to the plug on the mower. 4. Extension cord not connected to a source of power. 4. Connect the extension cord to a 110-120 volt, 60 hertz A.C.
Model 18A-212A 20
Model 18A-212A Ref. Part Number Description Ref.
Notes 22 10
Section 10 — Notes 23
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”).