MTD 500 Thru 519 Operator's Manual page 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 the wing
nut.
Installing Front Wheels
• Securely place the front of mower on raised blocks.
• Insert shoulder screw through front wheel. Place
cupped washer on the shoulder screw (crowned
side against the wheel). Insert shoulder screw into
the pivot arm. See Figure 5.
• Assemble the other side in the same manner.
Shoulder
Screw
Figure 5
Installing Rear Wheels
• Securely place the rear of mower on raised blocks.
• Place spring washer (cupped side toward handle
bracket assembly) on the axle that extends from the
pivot arm assembly. See Figure 6.
• Slide wheel onto axle and secure with lock nut.
• Assemble the other side in the same manner.
Spring
Washer
Lock
Nut
Figure 6
NOTE: This manual represents two different model
series. Model 500 series comes with the side
discharge assembly on the unit and a snap on
mulching baffle. The 510 series comes with the
mulching baffle on the unit and a snap on side
discharge chute.
Removing Chute Retainer
The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright
position by a retainer for shipping purposes only.
Remove the retainer, following steps below, before
running the mower for the first time.
•
•
Cupped
Installing Mulching Baffle
Washer
If your mower is equipped with the optional mulching
baffle, install it following these instructions:
•
•
•
8
Push the chute deflector up and towards the
engine. Holding the deflector in this position,
remove the retainer. See Figure 7.
Lower the chute deflector carefully to its operating
position keeping your fingers out if the way.
Raise Chute
Deflector
Figure 7
WARNING: The chute retainer must be
removed and discarded before operating
the mower.
Lift up side discharge chute and insert the mulching
baffle so that the notches at the bottom of the baffle
sit firmly on the lip of the deck opening. See Figure
8.
Snap the hooks of the baffle over the hinge pin on
the discharge chute. Make sure that the hooks
snaps into place, locking the mulching baffle firmly
onto the mower.
Release the side discharge chute.
Baffle
Hook
Insert Notches
On Top Of Lip
Figure 8
Remove
Retainer
Discharge
Chute
Hinge
Pin