Operator's Manual 22" Self-Propelled Mower Models 263 and 268 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY 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), If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator, In the
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Important SafeOperation Practices SlopeGauge Assembling YourLawnMower KnowYourLawnMower Operating YourLawnMower Page 3 6 7 9 10 Content Maintaining Your Lawn Mower Trouble Shooting Illustrated Parts List Page 12 15 16 Warranty 20 FINDINGMODELNUMBER This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
SECTION1: IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATION 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.
2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area. 18. Iftheequipment should starttovibrate abnormally, stop theengine andcheckimmediately forthecause. 3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small children. Vibration isgenerally awarning oftrouble. 19. Shuttheengine offandwaituntilthebladecomes toa 4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, complete stopbefore removing thegrass catcher or doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may unclogging thechute.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, orinspecting, make certain thebladeandallmoving partshavestopped. Disconnect thesparkplugwireandground against theengine to prevent unintended starting. 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.E.M.) blade only,listedinthismanual.
I o E II ,II SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE t- n,11 I O >, ~ .,, " ~ ~ " ~ ~ A POWER POLE I n ,91 n I A CORNER OF A BUILDING a "11 OR A FENCE POST "" - ". QLoo,. Q.. o I "~ IVOO','_ o 1:3 09 o. o _5 t>, E QO o >, II t- O. o 15° o ,_ O3 64 _ o tO .co r- 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.
SECTION3: ASSEMBLING YOURLAWNMOWER 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. NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position. RemovingUnitFromCarton • 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.
RemovingChuteRetainer The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright position by a retainer for shipping purposes only. Remove the retainer by following steps below, before running the mower for the first time. • • Push the chute deflector up and towards the engine. Holding the deflector in this position, remove the retainer. See Figure 5. Lower the chute deflector carefully to its operating position keeping your fingers out of the way.
SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER Read this operator's manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 7 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. WARNING: The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can damage your eyes severely.
SECTION5: OPERATING YOURLAWNMOWER r TowardsBetterMowerPerformance 1. 2. 3. 4. Pour fresh, clean gasoline into the mower's gas tank until the tank is full. Do not use gasoline that is more than 30 days old. Make sure to connect the mower's spark plug wire before trying to start the engine. 5. Hold control handle down and pull rope firmly to start the engine. 6. Set cutting height adjustment lever to middle setting and mow a single pass on your lawn; then adjust to desired height for a closer cut.
StartingEngine Mulching • For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the deck, preventing proper mulching of grass clippings. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. The ground speed should be adjusted to the condition of the lawn. If mowing has been delayed and the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of 4", mulching is not recommended. Mow using the side discharge to reduce the grass height to 3 1/4" maximum before mulching.
HandleHeightAdjustment Wing Nuts Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower the height proceed as follows: • • Remove the starter rope from the rope guide. Disconnect the handle from the handle bracket • assemblies by removing the wing nuts. See Figure 9. Position each handle bracket assembly stud into the top hole in the lower handle. Reconnect the lower handle to the handle brackets • using wing nuts removed earlier.
Lubrication • nect spark Always plug, and WARNING: stop ground engine, against disconengine before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of maintenance on your machine. 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. Blade Control Handle and Drive Clutch Control: Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush.
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.
Off-SeasonStorage • The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage. • • 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. Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage instructions. • 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.
SECTION8: PARTSLISTFORMODELS263 AND268 6 / \ \ 10 13 8 _ 20 13 \ 18 \ 16 15 23 56 51 26 \ \ 56 22 36 28 39 43 54 _,,_ _ 29 3o 32 -_,,,-_ 16
Models263 and268 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. Ref. No. Part No. Drive Control Handle 29. 748-04016A Blade Adapter, One Piece Blade Control Handle 30. 31. 742-0742A Mulching Blade 22" 736-0524B Bell Blade Support 32. 710-1044 Part No. 747-1214 747-1161A 749-1092A Part Description Part Description 4. 746-04048 Upper Handle Drive Control Cable 5. 746-1132 Blade Control Cable - 40.75" 33. 712-0431 Hex Cap Screw 3/8-24 x 1.5 Lock Nut 3/8-16 746-1113 Blade Control Cable - 37.75" 34.
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MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: YaRD.MaN TM ® The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC 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 materials or workmanship.
