Operator’s Manual
21” Rear & Side Discharge
Mulching Lawn Mower
Model Series
430 Thru 439
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 forest-
covered, 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 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester 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.
MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
770-10179D.
(12/2002)
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO.
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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: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this
manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in
serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to
observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to
General Operation
the eyes.
1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety
7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,
fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover
understand, and follow all instructions on the
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be
recommended. Never operate this machine in bare
completely familiar with the controls and the proper
feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas)
use of this machine before operating it. Keep this
shoes.
manual in a safe place for future and regular
8. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade can
2. This machine is a precision piece of power
amputate hands and feet.
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise
9. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause
extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
blade contact or thrown object injuries.
designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not
10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being
use it for any other purpose.
pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are
this machine. Children 14 years old and over
falling; release the handle immediately.
should read and understand the operation
11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you
instructions and safety rules in this manual and
are walking. If you must back the mower away from
should be trained and supervised by a parent. Only
a wall or obstruction first look down and behind to
responsible individuals who are familiar with these
avoid tripping and then follow these steps:
safe operation rules should use this machine.
a. Step back from the mower to fully extend
4. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment
your arms.
is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire,
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure
bones, toys and other foreign objects which could
footing.
be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than
blade. Thrown objects can cause serious personal
half way toward you.
injury. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge
of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders
and the like. Also, avoid discharging material
against a wall or obstruction which may cause
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
5. Do not operate the mower while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
6. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on
discharged material to ricochet toward operator.
units so equipped while starting engine.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object
7. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never
injury, stay in the operator zone behind the handles
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes
and keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at
the safety device inoperative and may result in
least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
personal injury through contact with the rotating
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
blade. The blade control handle must operate
6. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
easily in both directions and automatically return to
during operation and while performing an
the disengaged position when released.
adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown
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8. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be
sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause
serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing
your footing, release the blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop rotating within
three seconds.
Do Not:
1. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments, you could lose your footing or
balance.
2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge.
9. Mow in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never
run. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives,
walkways or roads.
3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could
cause slipping.
10. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check immediately for the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
11. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes
to a complete stop before removing the grass
catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade
continues to rotate for a few seconds after the
engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body
in the blade area until you are sure the blade has
stopped rotating.
12. Never operate mower without proper trail shield,
discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control
handle or other safety protective devices in place
and working. Never operate mower with damaged
safety devices. Failure to do so, can result in
personal injury.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the mower and the mowing activity. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under
the watchful care of a responsible adult other than
the operator.
2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the
area.
3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind
and down for small children.
4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may
obscure your vision of a child who may run into the
mower.
13. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.
5. Keep children away from hot or running engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
a power mower. Children 14 years old and over
should read and understand the operation
instructions and safety rules in this manual and
should be trained and supervised by a parent.
14. Only use parts and accessories made for this
machine by the original equipment manufacturer
(O.E.M). Failure to do so can cause personal injury.
15. If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance. Telephone 1-800-800-7310 for
the name of your nearest dealer.
Service
Safe Handling of Gasoline
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall
accidents which can result in severe injury. Operation
on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a
slope, do not mow it. Before operating this unit on a
slope or hilly area, use the slope gauge on page 6 to
measure slopes. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees,
do not mow it.
1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
2. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
3. Use only an approved gasoline container.
4. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or
trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place
containers on the ground away from your vehicle
before filling.
5. If possible, remove gas-powered equipment from
the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this
is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a
trailer with a portable container, rather than from a
gasoline dispenser nozzle.
Do:
1. Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or
bumps which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are
losing your balance, release the blade control
handle immediately, and the blade will stop rotating
within 3 seconds.
6. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel
tank or container opening at all times until fueling is
complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
4
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7. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
lead to improper performance and compromise
safety!”
8. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.
9. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine
is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.
10. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½
inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for
fuel expansion.
11. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
12. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5
minutes before starting the engine.
4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when
servicing them.
5. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
6. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly.
7. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against
the engine. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any
damage. Repair the damage before starting and
operating the mower.
13. Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as
on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes
dryer or other gas appliances.
14. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel
spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.
15. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before
storing.
8. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height
adjustment while the engine is running.
9. Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and
trail shield 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!”
10. Do not change the engine governor setting or
overspeed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
11. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
General Service
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly
ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the blade and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and
ground against the engine to prevent unintended
starting.
3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,
visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent,
cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original
equipment manufacture’s (O.E.M.) blade only,
listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not
meet the original equipment specifications may
12. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations.
Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm
the environment.
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.
5
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SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE
F
O
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O
N
D
O
T
T
E
D
L
I
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E
,
R
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I
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A
1
5
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6
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SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Removing Unit From Carton
•
Remove staples, break glue on top flaps or cut tape
at carton end and peel top flap to open carton.
Remove loose parts if included with unit.
Cut corners and lay carton down flat. Remove
packing material.
•
•
•
Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton
thoroughly for loose parts.
NOTE: Make sure not to crimp cables while removing
the loose parts or the entire unit from the carton.
Hardware Pack
Figure 2
Please identify each piece
of the hardware pack as
•
Raise the lower handle, as shown in Figure 2 , until
it snaps into place.
Raise the upper handle as shown in Figure 2 .
Tighten the two wing nuts which are already on the
handle. See Figure 3 .
Carriage
Bolt
1/4-20 (2)
Wing
Nut
1/4-20 (2)
shown here.
•
•
Tools Required
•
•
Pair of Pliers
Funnel
Tighten these
wing nuts
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower
is observed from the operating position.
Lower
Disconnecting Spark Plug
Upper
Handle
Handle
•
Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the
spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it to
retaining post on the engine. See Figure 1.
Figure 3
NOTE: Make sure to route the cables outside the lower
handle. Also do not crimp the cables while lifting the
handle up.
•
Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in the
weld pins on the handle bracket assemblies. Using
a pair of pliers, squeeze one leg of the lower handle
against the handle bracket assemblies. Insert the
hairpin clip into the inner hole on the weld pin.
Repeat on other side. See Figure 4.
Figure 1
•
After you have moved the hairpin clip, install the
carriage bolt, (carriage bolt must go to the inside of
handle) included in the hardware pack, in the upper
hole on the handle mounting bracket. Secure with
one plastic wing nut, also included in the hardware
pack. See Figure 4. Repeat process on other side.
Assembling Handle
•
For shipping purposes, the grass bag was placed
on top of the unit. Remove it from the unit and set it
out of the way. See Figure 2 .
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Assembling Grass Catcher
NOTE: If your mower’s grass catcher has been already
assembled before shipping, proceed to the next
section. If it is unassembled, follow the steps below.
Carriage Bolt
•
Insert frame into grass bag with the black plastic
side on the bottom of bag. See Figure 7.
Upper
Hole
Insert frame
into bag
Handle
Mounting
Brkt.
Wing Nut
Move Hairpin Clip
Grass Catcher
Frame
Grass
Bag
Figure 4
•
Fasten the cable to the lower handle with the two
cable ties found on the lower handle. Pull the cable
ties tight and trim off the excess. See Figure 5 .
Figure 7
•
•
Slip the side openings of the plastic channel on the
bag over the hooks on the grass catcher frame.
Secure bag to the frame by working the six plastic
channels on bag over frame.
All the plastic channels attach from the outside of
bag. See Figure 8 .
Cable Tie
Post on
Cable Tie
Plastic
Channel
Grass Catcher
Figure 5
Attaching Starter Rope
•
The rope guide is attached to the right side of upper
handle. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope
guide. See Figure 6.
Figure 8
•
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 wing nut.
Attaching Grass Catcher
•
Lift the rear discharge door and place the grass
catcher on the pivot rod. Let go of discharge door so
that it rests on the grass catcher. See Figure 9.
Slip rope into
rope guide
Wing Nut
Rope
Guide
Figure 6
Figure 9
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Removing Grass Catcher
•
Lift the rear discharge door on the mower, and lift
the grass catcher up.
Mulching
Plug
•
Release the rear discharge door.
Converting to Side-Discharge
•
Your mower has been shipped as a mulcher. To
convert it to a side-discharge mower, lift the
mulching plug. Slide the two hooks on the side-
discharge deflector under the hinge pin on the
mulching plug assembly. Lower the mulching plug.
See Figure 10 .
Hinge
Pin
Side
Chute
Deflector
Figure 10
•
Do not remove the side mulching plug at any time,
even when you are not mulching.
WARNING: Never operate the mower
without the mulching cover, the grass catcher
bag, or the discharge chute properly installed.
SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
Read this owner’s manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustrations in Figure
11 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments.
Blade Control
Handle
Recoil Starter
Grass Catcher
Spark Plug
Mulch Plug
Side-Discharge
Chute
Height Adjustment
Lever
Figure 11
Blade Control Handle
WARNING: The blade control handle is a
safety device. Never attempt to bypass its
operations. The blade will be rotating whenever
the engine is running.
The blade control handle is located on the upper handle
of the mower. The blade control handle must be
depressed in order to operate the unit. Release the
blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade.
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Cutting Height Adjustment Lever
Primer
This lever, located at each wheel, lets you adjust cutting
height of the grass. Remember to put all four levers at
the same height to avoid uneven cut.
The primer is used to pump gas into the carburetor. Use
it to assist in starting a cold engine, but do not use it
when restarting a warm engine after a short shutdown.
Mulching Plug
Throttle Control
The engine is equipped with a constant speed throttle
for maximum engine and cutting performance.
The mulching plug is used only for mulching purposes.
Instead of collecting the grass clippings in a grass
catcher, some mower models have the option of
recirculating the clippings back to the lawn. This is
called mulching.
Recoil Starter
The recoil starter is attached to the handle. Stand
behind the unit and pull the recoil starter to start engine.
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
WARNING: Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower while
starting engine or operating mower.
WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, or
when engine is running or hot. Do not smoke
when filling up the fuel tank.
WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
•
Service the engine with gasoline and oil as
instructed in the separate engine manual packed
with your mower. Read instructions carefully.
WARNING: Keep hands, feet, hair and
loose clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower.
Before Starting Mower
•
Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is
fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark
plug.
•
Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope
will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope
rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous,
full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter
handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
Starting Engine
•
Push the primer three times. Wait two seconds
between each push. In temperatures below 55° F,
prime five times. Do not prime to restart a warm
engine after a short shutdown.
Stopping Engine
•
Release blade control handle to stop the engine
and the blade.
•
Standing behind the mower, depress the blade
control handle and hold it against the upper handle.
•
Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from
spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
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Operating Your Lawn Mower
Bagging Grass Clippings
•
•
•
Once the engine has started, squeeze the blade
control handle against the upper handle to run the
lawn mower.
You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings
while you are operating the mower.
•
Attach the grass catcher following instructions on
page 8 of this manual. Grass clippings will
automatically collect in the bag as you run mower.
Operate mower till the grass bag is full.
Stop the engine completely by releasing the control
handle. Make sure that the unit has come to a
complete stop.
Do not operate the mower without the mulching
cover, the grass catcher bag, or the discharge
chute properly installed.
•
•
Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire,
or other objects which could damage lawn mower
or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.
For best results, do not cut wet grass because it
tends to stick to the underside of the mower,
preventing proper discharge of grass clippings,
poor mulching conditions, and could cause you to
slip and fall. New grass, thick grass, or wet grass
may require a narrower cut.
•
Lift discharge door and pull grass bag up and away
from the mower to dispose of the grass clippings.
•
•
Using the Mulcher
•
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
For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less
of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be
trimmed in fall as long as there is growth.
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object,
stop the engine. Remove spark plug wire from
spark plug, thoroughly inspect the mower for
any damage. Repair the damage before
restarting and operating the mower. Extensive
vibration of the mower during operation is an
indication of damage.
recommended. Mow using the grass bag (if so
equipped) to reduce the grass height to 3-1/4"
maximum before mulching.
Adjusting Cutting Height
Refer to height adjustments section of this manual on
page 14 for instruction on how to adjust the cutting
height and the handle height.
•
For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height
position high until you have determined which
cutting height is preferred.
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SECTION 6: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN MOWER
IMPORTANT: Make sure to avoid muffler and
WARNING: Always stop engine and
disconnect spark plug wire before performing
any maintenance or adjustments on the mower.
surrounding areas while the mower engine is hot
because temperature of these areas of the engine may
exceed 150o F.
WARNING: Never tip mower more than 90
degrees in any direction and do not leave it
tipped for long. Oil can drain into the upper part
of the engine causing a starting problem.
Lubrication
Wheels
(See Figure 12 )
•
Lubricate the wheels and bearings, if so equipped,
at least once a season with light oil or engine oil.
Also, if the wheels are removed for any reason,
lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and the inner
surface of the wheel with light oil.
Cleaning the Lawn Mower
•
Clean underside of the mower deck after each use
to prevent any build-up of grass. If this debris
accumulates, it will cause rust and corrosion.
Chute Deflector & Rear Discharge Door
•
Lubricate the torsion spring and the pivot point on
each end of the rear discharge door using a light oil.
This will prevent rusting.
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
result in shortened life and reduced serviceability.
Engine
Follow the engine manual instructions and
recommended schedule for lubricating engine.
Pivot Points
Lubricate the pivot points on the discharge chute
•
•
•
•
•
Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from the
mower, or place a piece of plastic under gas cap.
Tilt the mower so that the side with the air cleaner is
facing up. Hold the mower firmly.
Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a
suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
•
door, blade control handle and the cutting height
adjustment lever at least once a season with light
oil. The blade control handle must operate freely in
both directions. The cutting height adjustment
levers should be able to move easily.
Put mower back on its wheels and remove plastic.
Engine Maintenance
A list of key maintenance jobs required for good
performance by the mower is given below. Follow the
engine manual for detailed list and instructions.
Lubricate
•
Change engine oil as specified in the engine
manual. Check oil level before starting engine
every time.
Lubricate
Follow engine manual
for lubrication
•
Service foam filter in the air cleaner as specified in
the engine manual. Service air filter more frequently
in extremely dusty conditions.
•
•
•
Clean engine periodically. Remove dirt and debris
with a cloth or brush.
Clean spark plug and reset the gap to.030” at least
once a season or every 50 hours of operation.
Inspect muffler periodically, and replace if
necessary. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters
can create a fire hazard.
Lubricate
Figure 12
12
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SECTION 7: SERVICING YOUR MOWER
NOTE: An unbalanced blade will cause excessive
vibration when rotating at high speeds, may cause
damage to the mower and could break causing
personal injury.
Blade Care
Periodically inspect the blade adapter and pulley for
cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace
when necessary.
•
The blade can be tested by balancing it on a round
shaft screwdriver. See Figure 14. Remove metal
from the heavy side until it balances evenly. It is
recommended that the blade always be removed
from the adapter for the best test of balance.
WARNING: When removing the cutting
blade for sharpening or replacement, protect
hands by using heavy gloves or a thick rag to
grasp the cutting blade.
•
•
Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.
Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter
and the carburetor are up.
1. Insert screw driver through hole
•
Remove the bolt and blade support or bell washer
which hold the blade and adapter to the engine
crankshaft. See Figure 13. Remove the blade and
adapter from the crankshaft.
2. Blade should be parallel to ground
Screw
Blade
Driver
Blade Adapter
Ground
Figure 14
Blade
Blade
Bell
•
Before reassembling the blade and the blade
adapter to the unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft
and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light
oil (or engine oil). Also lubricate the bolt holes, bolts
and inner surface of the nuts.
Support
Hex Bolt
•
•
Install the blade adapter on the crankshaft with the
“star” away from the engine. Refer to Figure 13.
Place the blade with the side marked bottom (or
with part number) facing away from the adapter.
Align the blade bell support over the blade with the
tabs in the holes of the blade and insert the hex
bolt. Tighten the center bolt to 450 in. lbs. min., 600
in. lbs. max.
Figure 13
To Sharpen Blade:
•
The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a
grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen the
blade while it is still on the mower.
Follow the original angle of grind as a guide. Make
sure that each cutting edge receives an equal
amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade.
•
IMPORTANT:To ensure safe operation, all nuts and
bolts must be checked periodically for correct tightness.
13
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•
Attach the new flap and new rod to deck, bending
the ends of the new rod over to secure to deck.
Replacing Rear Flap
•
To remove rear flap, cut off the flat end of the wire
rod which secures it to the deck. See Figure 15 .
Rear Discharge
Door
Handle
Bracket
Handle
Bracket
Rear Flap
Figure 15
SECTION 8: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
Adjusting Handle Height
Adjusting Cutting Height
Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher
height position. To lower height, proceed as follows.
IMPORTANT: All wheels must be placed in the same
relative position. For rough or uneven lawns, move the
height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will
help stop scalping of the grass.
•
•
Remove the starter rope from the rope guide.
Remove the upper handle by removing the hand
knobs and carriage bolts. Lay upper handle out of
the way, being careful not to bend or kink cables.
Remove the hairpin clips from the weld pins on the
handle brackets. Refer to Figure 4 .
Remove the carriage bolts and wing nuts from the
handle brackets. Press out on the legs of the lower
handle. Remove lower handle from the mower.
Turn the lower handle
An adjusting plate and
thumb lever at each wheel
position provides cutting
height adjustment. Each
adjusting plate has nine
height positions. Height of
cut will change when you
move the thumb lever
from one position to
another.
Adjustment
Lever
•
•
•
around so the notch on
the bottom of the lower
handle is facing forward
as shown in the box
•
Simply depress the
lever towards the
wheel and move the lever assembly to desired
position. See the illustration in the box above.
here. Reassemble,
Notch
Lower
Handle
placing the bottom
holes in the handle over
the weld pins in the
handle mounting
bracket.
Adjusting Carburetor
NOTE: A dirty air cleaner may cause an engine to run
rough too. Make sure that the air cleaner is clean and
attached to the carburetor before deciding to adjust the
carburetor.
•
•
Reassemble the upper
handle to the lower handle.
Insert hairpin clips in the inner holes of the weld
pins and replace the carriage bolts and wing nuts
on the handle brackets. Attach the starter rope as
instructed in the “Assembling Your Lawn Mower”
section.
WARNING: If any adjustments are made to
the engine (e.g. carburetor) while the engine is
running, keep clear of all moving parts. Be
careful of heated surfaces like the muffler.
To adjust carburetor, please follow the engine manual.
14
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SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE
Prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the
season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or
more. Store the mower in a clean, dry area.
•
•
Store unit in a clean, dry area. Do not store next to
corrosive materials, such as fertilizer or rocksalt.
Clean underside of the mower according to
instructions on page 12.
Gasoline
•
Do not store gasoline from one season to another.
Gasoline, stored more than one month, may affect
engine performance.
Replace your gasoline can if it starts to rust. Rust
and/or dirt in the gasoline will cause problems.
NOTE: We do not recommend the use of pressure
washers or garden hose to clean your unit. They may
cause damage to electric components, spindles,
pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use of water will
result in shortened life and reduce serviceability.
•
Engine
Follow recommendations in the accompanying
•
•
Lubricate the mower as instructed on page 12.
You can fold your mower’s handle for convenience
of storage.
Inspect and replace/sharpen blade, if required.
Refer to page 13.
•
engine manual for off-season storage of the
engine.
•
Mower
NOTE: If storing the mower in an unventilated or metal
storage shed, make sure to rustproof the equipment
with a light oil or silicone.
SECTION 10: TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE
Problem
Possible Cause
Corrective Action
Engine fails to start
1. Blade control handle disengaged
2. Spark plug wire disconnected
3. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel
4. Blocked fuel line
1. Engage blade control handle
2. Connect wire to spark plug
3. Fill up tank with fresh gasoline
4. Clean fuel line
5. Faulty spark plug
6. Engine flooded
5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace
6. Wait a few minutes and start again.
Engine runs erratic
1. Spark plug wire loose
2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel
1. Connect and tighten spark plug wire.
2. Clean fuel line, fill tank with clean, fresh
gasoline.
3. Vent in gas cap plugged
4. Water or dirt in fuel system
5. Dirty air cleaner
3. Clear vent.
4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
5. Clean air cleaner. Refer to engine manual.
Engine overheats
1. Engine oil level low
2. Air flow restricted
1. Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2. Clean lawn mower engine.
Occasional skipat high 1. Spark plug gap too close
speed
1. Adjust gap to.030 inches.
Idles poorly
1. Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide
2. Dirty air cleaner
1. Reset gap or replace spark plug.
2. Clean air cleaner.
Excessive vibration
1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced
2. Bent cutting blade
1. Tighten blade and adapter, balance blade.
2. Replace blade.
3. Bent engine crankshaft
3. Contact your nearest service center
Fails to mulch grass
1. Wet grass
2. Excessively high grass
1. Wait until grass is dry to cut.
2. Mow once at a high cutting height, then
mow again at desired height.
3. Dull blade
3. Sharpen or replace blade.
Uneven cut
1. Wheels not in same height position
1. Reposition all wheels at same height.
2. Sharpen or replace blade.
2.
Dull blade
NOTE: For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed above, contact your nearest authorized service dealer.
15
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SECTION 11: PARTS LIST FOR MODEL SERIES 430 THRU 439
58†
1
6
10
3
2
4
8
55
5
11
52
4
56
7
42
12
53
9
15
38
51
12
14
25
13
37
43
18
35
54
39
19
32
41
56
57†
33
30
48
28
49
44
29
45
40
16
25
50†
23
17
36
31
26
27
24
29
34
20
30
25
44
57†
50†
47
46
22
21
31
16
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Model Series 430 Thru 439
Ref.
No.
Ref.
No.
Part No.
Description
Part No.
Description
747-1161A
710-1205
720-0279
710-1174
720-0284
749-1092A
749-0928A
726-0240
747-04080
746-1130
746-1137
664-04007
714-0104
732-04072
732-04071
731-04134
732-1014
747-0710
732-0700
731-1236
748-0376C
710-1044
736-0524A
17032A
Control Handle
1.
720-0426
732-0417A
14578
Spring Lever Knob
32.
33.
34.
Rope Guide
2.
3.
Rear Spring Lever
Handle Knob 1/4-20 Thd.
Curved Hd. Bolt 5/16-18 x 2"
Hand Knob
Height Adj. Assy. Comp. - RH
Height Adj. Assy. Comp. - LH
Pivot Bar R.H.
4.
14579
5.
14765
35.
Upper Handle
6.
14766
Pivot Bar L.H.
Lower Handle
7.
782-5002A
710-0654A
782-5003
710-1017
710-0896
787-01016
787-01015
787-01104
734-1980
734-1987
734-1988
736-0270
687-02055
731-04177
710-0599
782-5004A
731-0981A
710-0703
712-0397
750-04162
747-04035
736-0451
734-1978
734-1987
736-0504
731-2626
Front Baffle
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
Cable Tie
8.
Hex L-Wash.Scr. 3/8-16 x 1"
Rear Baffle - LH
Grass Catcher Frame
Control Cable (Briggs & Stratton)
Control Cable (Tecumseh)
Grass Bag
9.
10.
Torx Mach AB-Tap Scr. 1/4 x.62"
HexIndWash. Scr. 1/4-14:.625
Handle Brkt. Ass’y.—RH
Handle Brkt. Ass’y.—LH
Deck 21”
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
Int. Cotter Pin 5/16" Dia.
Door Spring - R.H.
Door Spring - L.H.
Rear Discharge Door
Torsion Spring
Frt. Wheel w/Bearings Black Link Thd.
Frt. Wheel Gray Bar Thd. 8 x 1.8”
Frt. Wheel Gray Bar Thd. 7 x 1.8”
Bell Washer 1/4" I.D.
Hinge Pin
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
Wire Rod
Hinged Mulching Plug
Chute Deflector: Side Discharge
Hex Hd Self-Tp Scr. 1/4-20 x.5"
Rear Baffle - RH
Rear Flap
Blade Adapter w/Star
Hex Bolt 3/8-24 x 1.5" Lg.
Blade Bell Support
Deflector Chute Adapter
21" Mulching Blade w/Star
Flange Nut 3/8-16 Thd.
Height Adj. Plate
Hub Cap - Radial Spoke Gray †
Hex Carriage Screw 1/4-20
Wing Nut
742-0741
712-0431
15261A
Spacer,.375OD x.50ID
Rear Door Pivot Rod
15262B
Pivot Bar
Shoulder Washer
732-0404
738-0507B
736-0105
738-0102
Front Spring Lever
Shld. Bolt.5" Dia. x.357"
Bell Washer.38" I.D. x.88" O.D.
Axle Bolt
Rr. Wheel w/Bearings Black Link Thd.
Rr. Wheel Gray Bar Thd.
Wave Washer †
57.
58.
Bail Cover †
† If Equipped
17
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NOTES
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NOTES
19
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MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR:
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.
d. MTD LLC does not extend any warranty for products
sold or exported outside of the United States, its posses-
sions and territories, except those sold through MTD
LLC’s authorized channels of export distribution.
e. Parts that are not genuine MTD parts are not covered by
this warranty.
f. Service completed by someone other than an authorized
service dealer is not covered by this warranty.
g. Transportation charges and service calls are not
covered.
MTD LLC warrants this product against defects 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. This
limited warranty shall only apply if this product has been
operated and maintained in accordance with the Operator’s
Manual furnished with the product, and has not been subject
to misuse, abuse, commercial use, neglect, accident,
improper maintenance, alteration, vandalism, theft, fire,
water, or damage because of other peril or natural disaster.
Damage resulting from the installation or use of any acces-
sory or attachment not approved by MTD LLC for use with the
product(s) covered by this manual will void your warranty as
to any resulting damage.
No implied warranty, including any implied warranty of
merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose,
applies after the applicable period of express written
warranty above as to the parts as identified. No other
express warranty, whether written or oral, except as men-
tioned above, given by any person or entity, including a
dealer or retailer, with respect to any product, shall bind
MTD LLC. During the period of the warranty, the exclu-
sive remedy is repair or replacement of the product as
set forth above.
Normal wear parts or components thereof are subject to sep-
arate terms as follows: All normal wear parts or component
failures will be covered on the product for a period of 90 days
regardless of cause. After 90 days, but within the two year
period, normal wear part failures will be covered ONLY IF
caused by defects in materials or workmanship of OTHER
component parts. Normal wear parts and components
include, but are not limited to: batteries, belts, blades, blade
adapters, grass bags, rider deck wheels, seats, snow thrower
skid shoes, shave plates, auger spiral rubber, tires.
The provisions as set forth in this warranty provide the
sole and exclusive remedy arising from the sale. MTD
LLC shall not be liable for incidental or consequential
loss or damage including, without limitation, expenses
incurred for substitute or replacement lawn care services
or for rental expenses to temporarily replace a warranted
product.
HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE: Warranty service is available,
WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE, through your local autho-
rized service dealer. To locate the dealer in your area, check
your Yellow Pages, or contact MTD LLC at P.O. Box 361131,
Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019, 1-800-800-7310, 1-330-220-
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of inci-
dental or consequential damages, or limitations on how long
an implied warranty lasts, so the above exclusions or limita-
tions may not apply to you.
In no event shall recovery of any kind be greater than the
amount of the purchase price of the product sold. Alteration
of safety features of the product shall void this warranty.
You assume the risk and liability for loss, damage, or injury to
you and your property and/or to others and their property
arising out of the misuse or inability to use the product.
This limited warranty does not provide coverage in the follow-
ing cases:
a. The engine or component parts thereof. These items
carry a separate manufacturer’s warranty. Refer to the
applicable manufacturer’s warranty for terms and condi-
tions.
b. Log splitter pumps, valves, and cylinders have a sepa-
rate one year warranty.
c. Routine maintenance items such as lubricants, filters,
blade sharpening, tune-ups, brake adjustments, clutch
adjustments, deck adjustments, and normal deterioration
of the exterior finish due to use or exposure.
This limited warranty shall not extend to anyone other than
the original purchaser or to the person for whom it was pur-
chased as a gift.
HOW STATE LAW RELATES TO THIS WARRANTY: This
limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 1-800-800-7310
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