OPERATOR’S MANUAL 22” Rotary Mowers Model Series 080 Thru 099 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).
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Maintaining Safety ............................................................................................. 3 Slope Gauge...................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 8 Operating Your Lawn Mower ..........
SECTION 1: MAINTAINING SAFETY This Warning 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 your lawn mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol, heed its warning. DANGER: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual.
• Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. Keep a firm hold on the handle and walk, never run. If you feel you are losing your footing, RELEASE THE BLADE CONTROL HANDLE IMMEDIATELY and the blade will stop rotating within three seconds. • Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could cause slipping. CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children.
• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition. • Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection, frequently check components and replace with manufacturer’s recommended parts, when necessary. • Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. FOL DO N DO TTE DL IN E , 15° S EN TI NG A 15 ° SL O PE OR A FENCE POST A CORNER OF A BUILDING A POWER POLE SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE R EP RE 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.
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER 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. Lower Handle Wing Nuts NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position. Removing Unit From Carton • • • • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton.
Removing Chute Retainer (Models 080 Series) Installing Mulching Baffle (Model 080 Series) The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright position by a retainer for shipping purposes only. Remove the retainer, following steps below, before running the mower for the first time. If your mower is equipped with the optional mulching baffle, install it following these instructions: • • • Push the chute deflector up and towards the engine.
Recoil Starter Blade Control Handle Mulching Plug 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. Discharge Chute Cutting Height Adjustment Lever 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 an uniform cut.
Gas and Oil Fill-Up the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others. Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your mower. Read instructions carefully. For best results, do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you to slip and fall. New grass, thick grass, or wet grass may require a narrower cut.
Handle Height Adjustment Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower the height proceed as follows: • • Lower Handle Wing Nuts • • Remove the starter rope from the rope guide. Disconnect the handle from the handle bracket assemblies by removing the wing nuts. See Figure 10. Position each handle bracket assembly stud into one of the other holes in the lower handle. Each end of the lower handle must be placed in same relative position.
Lubrication • 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. Keep the cooling system (blower housing area) clean to permit proper air circulation which is essential to engine performance and life. Be certain to remove all grass, dirt, and combustible debris from muffler area.
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.
Models 080 thru 099 1 2 39 5 3 4 8 9 6 7 6 40 12 11 13 15 10 41 14 16 18 24 17 23 19 27 10 25 20 21 22 37 17 26 18 19 35 36 26 28 21 29 23 35 30 34 25 32 33 38 34 14 31
Models 080 thru 099 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Part No. 747-1161 749-1092 720-0279 710-1205 710-1174 720-0241 736-0451 749-1093 725-0157 710-0599 782-9065 731-2322 682-3065 682-3064 682-0094 710-0654A 741-1102 720-0190 732-0969 710-0216 682-0143 738-1127 Ref. No. Part Description Blade Control Handle Upper Handle Wing Nut Eye Bolt Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2.0 Wing Nut Shoulder Washer .320 ID x .
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: 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.