3.
Periodically
check to make sure the blades come to
complete
stop within
approximately
(5) five seconds after
operating
the blade disengagement
control.
If the blades
do not stop within
the this time frame, your machine
should
be serviced
professionally
by an authorized
MTD
Service Dealer.
4.
Check brake operation
frequently
as it is subjected
to wear
during
normal
operation.
Adjust and service as required.
5.
Check the blade(s) and engine
mounting
bolts at frequent
intervals
for proper tightness.
Also, visually inspect
blade(s)
for damage (e.g., excessive wear, bent, cracked).
Replace
the blade(s) with the original
equipment
manufacturer's
(O.E.M.) blade(s) only, listed in this manual. "Use of parts
which do not meet the original
equipment
specifications
may lead to improper
performance
and compromise
safety!"
6.
Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear gloves,
and use extra caution
when servicing
them.
7.
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight
to be sure the
equipment
is in safe working
condition.
8.
Never tamper
with the safety interlock
system or other
safety devices. Check their proper operation
regularly.
9.
After striking
a foreign
object,
stop the engine, disconnect
the spark plug wire(s) and ground
against the engine.
Thoroughly
inspect the machine
for any damage.
Repair
the damage
before starting
and operating.
10.
Never attempt
to make adjustments
or repairs to the
machine
while the engine
is running.
11.
Grass catcher components
and the discharge
cover are
subject to wear and damage
which could expose moving
parts or allow objects
to be thrown.
For safety protection,
frequently
check components
and replace immediately
with original
equipment
manufacturer's
(O.E.M.) parts only,
listed in this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the
original
equipment
specifications
may lead to improper
performance
and compromise
safety!"
12.
Do not change the engine
governor
settings
or over-speed
the engine. The governor
controls
the maximum
safe
operating
speed of the engine.
13.
Maintain
or replace safety and instruction
labels, as
necessary.
14.
Observe
proper disposal
laws and regulations
for gas, oil,
etc. to protect
the environment.
15.
According
to the Consumer
Products
Safety Commission
(CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental
Protection
Agency
(EPA),
this product
has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years,
or 270 hours of operation.
At the end of the Average Useful
Life have the machine
inspected
annually
by an authorized
service dealer to ensure that all mechanical
and safety
systems are working
properly
and not worn excessively.
Failure to do so can result in accidents,
injuries
or death.
Donot modifyengine
To avoid serious injury or death, do not modify
engine
in any
way. Tampering
with the governor
setting
can lead to a runaway
engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds. Never tamper
with factory
setting
of engine
governor.
Notice Regarding Emissions
Engines which are certified
to comply with California
and federal
EPA emission
regulations
for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment)
are certified
to operate
on regular unleaded
gasoline,
and
may include
the following
emission
control
systems: Engine
Modification
(EM), Oxidizing
Catalyst (OC), Secondary
Air
Injection
(SAI) and Three Way Catalyst (TWC) if so equipped.
When required,
models are equipped
with low permeation
fuel
lines and fuel tanks for evaporative
emission
control.
California
models
may also include
a carbon
canister. Please contact
Customer
Support
for information
regarding
the evaporative
emission
control
configuration
for your model.
SparkArrestor
WARNING!This
machine
is equipped
with an
internal
combustion
engine and should
not be used
on or near any unimproved
forest-covered,
brushcovered
or grass-covered
land unless the
engine's exhaust
system is equipped
with a spark
arrestor
meeting
applicable
local or state laws (if
a ny).
Ifa spark arrestor
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 4442 of the California
Public
Resources Code). Other states may have similar
laws. Federal laws
apply on federal
lands.
A spark arrestor for the muffler
is available
through
your
nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact
the service
department,
P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland,
Ohio 44136-0019.
WARNING!
Your Responsibility--Restrict
the use of this power
machine
to persons who read, understand
and
follow the warnings
and instructions
in this manual and on the machine.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
6
I
SECTION 2 --
IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION
PRACTICES