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Operator’s Manual
21” Rotary Mower
Model 588Q
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-cov-
ered, 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 State
of California the above is required by law (Section 444
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices 3 Service & Adjustments 11 Slope Gauge 6 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 12 Assembling Your Lawn Mower 7 Troubleshooting 13 Know Your Lawn Mower 9 Illustrated Parts List 14 Operating Your Lawn Mower 10 Warranty 16 FINDING MODEL NUMBER 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.
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SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION 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. WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components
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immediately and the blade will stop rotating within 3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could three seconds. cause slipping. 9. Mow in daylight or good artificial light; walk, not run. 10. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, Children walkways or roads. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to 11. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, the presence of children. Children are often attracted to stop the engine and check immediately for the the
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10. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ 4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when fuel expansion. servicing them. 11. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely. 5. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the 12. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment is in safe working condition. equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 6. Never ta
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FOLD ON DOTTED LINE, REPRESENTING A 15° SLOPE SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST 15° 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. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers u
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SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER Removing Unit From Carton Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut Lower Handle tape at carton end and open carton. Handle Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., Upper Bracket operator’s manual, etc.) Handle Cut along corners, lay the carton down flat, and remove all packing material. Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton thoroughly for loose parts. Loose Parts in Carton Grass Bag Rear Wheels Hardware Pack Fi
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After moving the hairpin clip, insert the carriage With the spark plug wire disconnected and bolt, from the hardware pack, in the upper hole on grounded, hold the blade control handle against the the handle mounting bracket and secure with upper handle, and pull the rope out of the engine. plastic wing nut from the hardware pack. See Slip the rope through the rope guide as shown Figure 4. Repeat on the other side. below. Tighten the wing nut holding the rope guide Fasten the cable t
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IMPORTANT: Make sure cable is routed to the outside of Rear Discharge Door the handle so that it is not in the way when attaching the grass catcher. Lift the rear discharge door on the mower. Place the hooks, found on both sides of the grass catcher frame, over the chute door pivot rod at the rear of the mower. Release the rear discharge door. Grass Catcher See Figure 9. To remove the grass catcher, lift the rear discharge door on the mower, lift the grass catcher up and off the piv
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SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER Recoil WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all Starter instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating. NOTE: You must service the engine with oil and gasoline before starting the mower for the first time. Check oil and gasoline levels and fill up as necessary Fuel Valve for subsequent starts. Gas & Oil Fill-Up Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow Choke Lever relevant instructions in the engine manual for thi
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Attach grass catcher following instructions on page WARNING: If the mower strikes a foreign 8 of this manual. Grass clippings will automatically object, stop the engine. Remove spark plug collect in the bag as you run the mower. wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect Operate the mower till the grass bag is full. for any damage. Repair the damage promptly Stop engine completely by releasing the blade before restarting and operating the mower. control handle. Make sure tha
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Attach the new flap and new rod to deck, bending Remove the blade and the adapter from the the ends of the new rod over to secure to deck. crankshaft. Rear Discharge Door Blade Adapter Handle Bracket Blade Bell Support Handle Hex Bolt Bracket Rear Flap Figure 15 Figure 14 Sharpening the Blade The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a Blade Care grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen the blade while it is still on the mower. WARNING: When removing the cutting Follow the orig
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Wheels Off-Season Storage Lubricate the wheels and bearings, if so equipped, The following steps should be taken to prepare your at least once a season with light oil or engine oil. lawn mower for storage. Also, if the wheels are removed for any reason, Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described lubricate the surface of the pivot arm axle and the in the lubrication instructions. inner surface of the wheel with light oil. IMPORTANT: We do not recommend the use of a Rear Dischar
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SECTION 9: PARTS LIST MODEL 588Q 2 1 13 14 12 6 7 11 8 9 10 31 49 22 16 34 19 32 20 64 21 18 24 35 33 45 46 67 15 25 39 23 36 49 49 37 43 42 49 40 60 50 59 61 55 40 62 49 57 47 56 58 66 14
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Model 588Q Ref. Ref. Part No. Part Description Part No. Part Description No. No. 1. 749-1092A Upper Handle 35. 687-02033 Handle Bracket Assembly — RH 2. 747-1161A Control Handle 687-02031 Handle Bracket Assembly — LH 6. 720-0279 Handle Knob 36. 710-1652 TT Screw 1/4-14 x.625 7. 710-1205 Rope Guide 37. 710-0216 Hex Screw 3/8-16 x 0.75 8. 710-1174 Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2” 39. 687-02039 Pivot Bar Assembly — RH 9. 736-0451 Shoulder Washer.320 ID x.930 OD 687-02040 Pivot Bar Assembly — LH 10. 72
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MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with e. MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the exported outside of the United States, its possessions United States, its possessions and territories. and territories, except those sold through MTD’s authorized channels of export distribution. “MTD”warrants this product against defects in material and f. Replacement parts that are no
