Operator’s Manual 21” Rear Discharge Push Mower Model Series 410 through 429 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 Important Safe Operation Practices .................................................................. 3 Slope Gauge ..................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 10 Operating Your Lawn Mower ....................
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES 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 your lawn mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. when you see this symbol, heed its warning.
• • • • • • • • • 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. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
• • • • • Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug, and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating the mower. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while the engine is running.
D ON D OT 15° TE D , RE P RE WARNING L IN E SE N T I NG A 15 ° SL OP E Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). On steeper inclines, a riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walkbehind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER Unpacking • • • • • • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., owner’s manual, etc.). Cut along corners and lay carton down flat. Remove packing material. Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts. Assembling Handle NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position.
• • • B. Hardtop Grass Bag The rope guide is attached to the right side of upper handle. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope guide. With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, hold the blade control handle against the upper handle, and pull the starter rope out of the engine. Release the blade control handle. Slip the starter rope into the rope guide. Tighten the wing nut. See Figure 4. Make certain all nuts and bolts are tightened securely.
• Hold the bag and frame so the bag hangs from the frame (is not bunched around the frame). Slide the handle of the grass catcher frame through the slot in the hardtop cover as shown in Figure 8. Grass Catcher Handle baffle, lift the rear discharge door on the mower. Remove the mulching baffle. See Figure 10 inset.
• the rod will extend further to the left side. See Figure 11. Slide the push nut onto the right side of the rod to secure. Rear Discharge Door Attaching Chute Deflector To Mower • • To attach chute deflector: Lift the rear discharge door on the mower. Place the ends of the rod into the slots in the handle bracket assemblies. See Figure 12. Release the rear discharge door. To remove chute deflector: Lift the rear discharge door on the mower.
Height Adjustment Lever WARNING: The throttle control cannot be used to stop the engine. If your mower’s throttle control is located on the engine, do not adjust the throttle control while the engine is running. The height adjustment lever is located on each wheel and adjusts the cutting height. All four levers have to be put at the same level for uniform cutting height. Recoil Starter The recoil starter handle is attached to the handle and is used to start the engine.
• • Using Mulcher For a healthy lawn, never cut more than one-third of the total length of the grass at any one cutting. Lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is growth. This mower is designed to be operated at full throttle to give you the best cut and do the most effective job of bagging the cut grass. (If equipped) • • WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine.
NOTE: A dirty air cleaner will cause an engine to run rough. Be certain air cleaner is clean and attached to the carburetor before adjusting carburetor. • Adjust the throttle control only if it is out of adjustment, or if it has been replaced. Remove the screw shown in Figure 16. Remove the cable clamp from the cable. • WARNING: If any adjustments are made to the engine while the engine is running (e.g. carburetor), keep clear of all moving parts. Be careful of heated surfaces and muffler.
SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN MOWER Maintaining the Blade WARNING: Be sure to disconnect and ground the spark plug wire before performing any repairs or maintenance. • Lubrication Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect hands by using heavy gloves or a rag to grasp the cutting blade.
Blade Mounting Torque: • Center Bolt: 450 in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max. • To ensure safe operation of your unit, all nuts and bolts must be checked periodically for correct tightness. • Maintaining the Deck NOTE: We do not recommend the use of pressure washers or garden hose to clean your unit.These may cause damage to electric components spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use of water will shorten life of the mower and reduce its serviceability.
SECTION 9: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Engine fails to start Engine runs erratic Engine overheats Possible Cause(s) 1. Blade control handle disengaged. 2. Spark plug wire disconnected. 3. Dirty aircleaner. 4. Primer button not depressed. 5. Throttle control lever (if so equipped) not in correct starting position . 6. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 1. 2. Blocked fuel line Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded. Unit running in START position. Spark plug wire loose. 7. 8. 9. 1. 2.
SECTION 10: SHROUD CHART Shroud Color 751B281439 Dark Red 751B281440 Black 751B281443 Bright Red Hardware: 710-1256 Shroud Color 731-1585B Black Hardware: 710-1274 Shroud 7511681311 7511681911 7511682011 Color Black Red Grey Shroud Color 731-1395A Red 731-1396A Black 731-1397A Grey Hardware: 710-1256 Shroud Color 731-1586B Black 731-1612A Red Hardware: 7510042823 Shroud Color 751B281451 Dark Red Hardware: 710-1256 17 Shroud Color 731-1402A Yellow 731-1694 Black 731-1695 Silver 731-1934A
SECTION 11: PARTS LIST FOR MODEL SERIES 410 THROUGH 429 26 9 7 18
Model Series 410 Through 429 Ref no. Part no. Description Ref no. Part no. Description 1 736-0356 712-0798 15261A 15262B 14832 738-0507B 736-0105 738-0102 720-0190 732-0417A 14578 14579 50 27 28 746-0883 — 710-1237 Control Handle (Std.) Control Handle Ass’y. (Deluxe) Rope Guide Handle Knob 1/4-20 Thd. Curved Hd. Bolt 5/16-18 x 2" Lg Hand Knob Oval C-Sunk Mach. Scr.† Oval C-Sunk Mach. Scr. Spring Washer .66" I.D.† Hex L-Nut 1/4-20 Thd.
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.