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Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty
Otraep Or ’s M launa
Push Mower — Model 50M9
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
Printed In USA Form No. 769-03828A
(March 20, 2008)
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To The Owner 1 Thank You Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Mower manufactured by This product has met the rigid safety standards of the Outdoor MTD LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent Power Equipment Institute and an independent testing performance when properly operated and maintained. laboratory. If you have any problems or questions concerning the machine, phone your local authorized MTD service dealer Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment. or
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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! CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain v
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12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade 27. When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance contact or thrown object injuries. is felt, then pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm toward engine faster than 13. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. could result. Do not hold on to the mow
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3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent Service intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with Safe Handling Of Gasoline: the original equipment manufacture’s (O.E.M.) blade only, 1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable original equipment specifications may lead to i
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Spark Arrestor Average Useful Life According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission WARNING: This machine is equipped with an (CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), internal combustion engine and should not be used this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years, or 140 on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful Life, buy covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s a new machine or have the
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Fold along dotted line (represents a 15° slope) Sight and hold this level with a vertical tree... or a corner of a building... or a fence post 15° Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. WARNING: Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. 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. Operate riding mowers up and down slopes, neve
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Assembly & Set-Up 3 Contents of Carton • One Lawn Mower • One Lawn Mower Operator’s Manual • One Bottle of Oil • One Mulching Baffle (If Equipped) Handle Assembly 1. Perform the following sequence for the handle setup: NOTE: This lawn mower is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Fill up the gasoline and oil as instructed in the NOTE: Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher accompanying engine manual BEFORE operating your mower. height position. 1. For shipping purposes,
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NOTE: Each end of the lower handle must be placed in the 4. Use the cable tie provided to secure cable to the lower same position on the mounting brackets. handle. Pull the cable tie tight and trim excess. See Fig. 3-5. a. Remove the star knobs shown in Fig. 3-3 and remove the lower handle. Figure 3-5 Figure 3-3 Rear Wheels b. Position each handle bracket stud into the top hole Install rear wheels as follows in Fig. 3-6 (wheels maybe already in the lower handle. installed at factory, if so di
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Mulching Baffle (If Equipped) Adjustments 1. If your mower is equipped with an optional mulching Cutting Height baffle, install it on the right side of the deck. Follow the sequence indicated here. Each wheel has a height adjustment lever to change the cutting height of the mower. a. Lift up and hold the side-discharge chute deflector and insert the bottom lip of the mulching baffle 1. Depress the height adjustment lever towards wheel. inside the chute opening See Fig. 3-7. 2. Slide the lev
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Controls and Features 4 Blade Control Recoil Starter Cutting Height Adjustment Lever (one at each wheel) Figure 4-1 Recoil Starter Blade Control The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle. Stand The blade control is attached to the upper handle of the mower. behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to start the unit. Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle to operate the unit. Release it to stop engine and blade. Mulching Baffle (If Equipped) WARNING: This bla
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Operation 5 Starting Engine 1 WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower. 1. Standing behind the mower, depress the blade control handle and hold it against the upper handle. 2. Pull t
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Maintenance & Adjustments 6 4. Follow the Engine Maintenance section for lubrication Maintenance schedule and instruction for engine lubrication. General Recommendations Deck Care • Always observe safety rules when performing any Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to prevent maintenance. build-up of grass clippings or other debris. Follow steps below • The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that for this job. have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. T
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Service 7 WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause Blade Care excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds. It WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for may cause damage to mower and could break sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with causing personal injury. a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the 5. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of blade. the blade adapter with light oil. Slide the blade adapter Periodically inspect the blade adapt
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Troubleshooting 8 Problem Cause Remedy Engine Fails to start 1. Blade control disengaged. 1. Engage blade control. 2. Spark plug boot disconnected. 2. Connect wire to spark boot. 3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 4. Engine not primed (if equipped with primer). 4. Prime engine as instructed in the Operation section. 5. Faulty spark plug. 5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. 6. Blocked fuel line. 6. Clean fuel line. 7. Engine flooded. 7. Wait a few minutes to
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Engine Operation 9 Fuel Cap Air Cleaner Starter Grip Oil Fill Cap Oil Drain Spark Plug Figure 9-1 Pre-Operation Check 10w Oil Recommendations NOTE: This engine is shipped without gasoline or oil in the 20w engine. Running the engine with insufficient oil can cause serious engine damage and void the engine warranty. 1 20 • Before starting engine, fill with oil. Do not over-fill. Oil capacity is about 20 oz. 30 Use a 4-stroke, or an equivalent high detergent, premium 40 quality motor oil ce
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Check Oil Level Check Fuel Level NOTE: Be sure to check the engine on a level surface with the 1. Clean around fuel fill before removing cap to fuel. engine stopped. 2. Fill tank to approximately 1-inch below lowest portion of 1. Remove the oil filler cap and wipe the dipstick clean. See neck to allow for fuel expansion. Be careful not to overfill. Fig. 9-2. NOTE: Before refueling, allow engine to cool 2 minutes. Starting The Engine WARNING: Always keep hands and feet clear of equipment moving
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Engine Maintenance 10 Periodic inspection and adjustment of the engine is essential WARNING: Shut off the engine before performing if high level performance is to be maintained. Regular any maintenance. To prevent accidental start-up, maintenance will also ensure a long service life. The required disconnect the spark plug boot. service intervals and the kind of maintenance to be performed are described in the table below. Follow the hourly or calendar IMPORTANT: If engine must be tipped t
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Oil Service Air Cleaner Service • Check oil level regularly. Paper filters cannot be cleaned and must be replaced once a year or every 100 operating hours; more often if used in extremely • Be sure correct oil level is maintained. Check every five dusty conditions. hours or daily before starting engine. See oil checking procedure in the Operation section. WARNING: Never use gasoline or low flash point solvents for cleaning the air cleaner element. A fire Oil Change or explosion could resul
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3. Measure the plug gap with a feeler gauge. Correct as Spark Plug Service necessary by bending side electrode. See Fig. 10-4. The gap should be set to 0.030 in. WARNING: DO NOT check for spark with spark plug removed. DO NOT crank engine with spark plug removed. To ensure proper engine operation, the spark plug must be properly gapped and free of deposits. 1. Remove the spark plug boot and use a spark plug wrench Electrode to remove the plug. See Fig. 10-3. Spark Plug 0.030 in. Figure 10-
