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If a sparkarresteris used,it shouldbe maintainedin effectiveworkingorder by the operator.In theState of Californiathe aboveis requiredbylaw (Section4442 of the CaliforniaPublicResources Code). Otherstatesmay havesimilarlaws.Federallaws applyon federallands.A sparkarrester for the muffleris availablethroughyour nearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contactthe servicedepartment,RO. Box361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019. PRINTEDIN U.S.A. MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 iMPORTANT CAREFULLY Model Series 601 BEFORE OPERATION FORMNO.769-01645A...
DANGER: 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. Failureto observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
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General Operation: 1. Read,understand,and followall instructionson the machineand in the manual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleand operate.Keepthis manualin a safe placefor future and regularreferenceand for ordering replacement p arts. 2. Be familiarwith all controlsandtheir properoperation. Knowhow to stopthe machineand disengagethem quickly. 3, Neverallowchildrenunder 14yearsold to operate this machine.Children14years old and overshould readand understandthe operationinstructionsand safety rulesin this manualand shouldbe trainedand...
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Slope Operation: Slopesare a majorfactor relatedto loss of controland tip-overaccidentswhich can resultin severeinjuryor death.All slopesrequireextracaution.If youcannot back up the slopeor if youfeel uneasyon it, do notmow Foryour safety,usethe slopegaugeincludedas partof this manualto measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis unit on a slopedor hillyarea. If the slopeis greaterthan 15 degreesas shownon theslopegauge,do notoperate this unit on that area or seriousinjurycouldresult.
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Service 1. Neverrun an engineindoors or in a poorlyventilated area. Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorless,and deadlygas. 2. Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertain the blade(s)and all movingparts havestopped. Disconnectthe sparkplug wireand groundagainstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting. 3. Periodically checkto make surethe bladescome to completestop withinapproximately (5) five seconds after operatingthe bladedisengagement c ontrol.If the bladesdo notstop within thethis timeframe,yourunit shouldbe servicedprofessionally by an authorized MTDServiceDealer.
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VariousmodelS: Characteristics and featuresdiscussed and/or illustrated in s manualmay not applicable toall models: MTD LLC reservesthe right to change product specifications, (Jesigns and equipment without notice and without incur- i[ing obligatiOnl NOTE:This OperatorsManualcoversa rangeof product specifications for variousmodels.Characteristics and fea-...
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Shipping Brace Removal WARNING: Make sure the riding mower's engine is off, remove the ignition key, and set the parking brake before removing the ship- ping brace. • Locatethe shippingbrace,ifpresent,and accompany- ingwarningtag foundon the rightside of the mower, betweenthe dischargechuteand thecuttingdeck. See Figure2.
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WARNING Before operatingthis machine,make sure the seat is engaged in the seat stop; stand behind t he machine and p u, b ack on seat fu,y engaged into stop: NOTE: Forsh pping rea: s0nsl Seatsareeither fastenedto the tractor seat's pivot braCketWitt a plastiCtie, or mounted backward to the pivot bracket.
NOTE: Referto Mulching on page 19for moredetailed information. If you'dpreferto operatethe cuttingdeck withoutmulch- ing, simplyremovethe mulch plugby unthreadingthe plasticwing nutwhich fastensit to the cuttingdeck.This will allowthe clippingsto dischargeout of the discharge openingduringoperation.See Figure7. Figure 7 LaWn Tractor WARNING ii i _iI_ ii...
NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHTor LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator's position. NOTE:Anyreferencein Know Your Lawn Tractor /" Figure 8 PTO(Blade Engage)Lever PTO(Blade Engage)Knobt Ammeter/SystemsIndicatorMonitort I ChokeKnobt ParkingBrakeButton Shift Lever CupHolder this manualto the RIGHTor LEFTside of the tractoris observedfrom operator'sposition. "_ NOTE:Steeringwheelnot shownfor clarity ThrottleLever...
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Throttle Control Lever Thethrottlecontrol lever is locatedon the rightside of thetractor'sdash panel.This levercontrolsthe speed of the engineand,on somemodels,when pushedall theway forward,the chokecontrol also.Whenset in a givenposition,the throttlewill maintaina uniformengine speed.See Figure9. IMPORTANT: W henoperatingthetractorwith the cutting deck engaged,be certainthat the throttleleveris always in the FAST(rabbit)position.
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TractOr Ammeter Theammetermeasuresthe electricaloutputof the engine'schargingsystem.Undernormaloperating conditions,with engineat full throttle,the ammeter shouldindicatepositivecharge. See Figure11. NOTE: The PTO (Blade Systems Engage) knob must be Equipped) in the disengaged (OFF) position when starting Locatedin the centerof the tractor'sconsole,the the engine, when systemsindicatormonitorrecords,and displays on its traveling in reverseand LCD,hoursof tractoroperationwheneverthe ignition if the operator leaves...
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Parking Brake Button Toset the parkingbrake,fully depressthe brakepedal and pushthe parkingbrakebutton in. Holdthe button in whiletaking yourfoot off the brakepedal.Both the parkingbuttonand the brake pedalwill then staydepressed. To releasethe parkingbrake, depressthe brakepedal slightly. The parkingbrakebuttonwill then returnto its originalposition. NOTE:Theparkingbrakemust be set if the operator leavesthe seatwith the engine runningor theengine will automaticallyshutoff.
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indicator Light Stop Position The REVERSE CAUTIONMODE positionof the key switchmoduleallowsthetractorto be operatedin reversewith the blades(PTO)engaged. WARNING IMPORTANT:Mowingin reverseis not recommended. Tousethe REVERSECAUTIONMODE: IMPORTANT: T heoperatorMUSTbe seatedin the Keep hands and feet tractorseat. away from the dis- charge opening of the 1.
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away from the discharge opening WARNING: Keep hands and feet of the cutting deck. NOTE:Thedeck wheelsare an anti-scalpfeatureof the deck and are not designedto supportthe weightof cuttingdeck. Referto Leveling the Deck on page 20 of this manual for moredetailedinstructions regardingvariousdeck adjustments, Starting the Engine...
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4. Tomovein reverse,placethe shiftleverin the REVERSEposition,checkthat thearea behindis clearthen slowlydepressthe drivepedal. Driving On Slopes Referto the SLOPEGAUGEon page3 to help deter- mineslopeswhereyou mayoperatethe tractorsafely. Operating Your Lawn • Mow up and downslopes,NEVERacross. • Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirection on slopes. • Watchfor holes, ruts,bumps,rocks,or otherhidden WARNING objects.Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.
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Thefollowinginformationwill be helpfulwhenusingthe cuttingdeck with yourtractor: pattern to avoid discharge of ARNING: Plan your mowing materials toward roads, side- walks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
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Tract k,,._. Novor tte pt to make any adjust: merits while the engine isrunning, except where speci, fled in the operator's manual: NOTE: Check the tractor's tire pressure i before performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer to Tires on page 26 for information regarding tire pressure.
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just the brakes while the engine is ARNING: Never attempt to ad- running. Always disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral posi- tion, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting. If the tractordoesnot cometo a completestop whenthe brakepedal iscompletelydepressed,or ifthe tractor's rearwheelscan roll with the parkingbrakeapplied,the brakeis inneed of adjustment,Thebrakedisc can be foundon the rightsideof thetransmissionin the rear of...
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Your LaWn Before operating this machine, make sure the seat is engaged in the seat stop, stand behind the machine and pull back on seat until fully engaged into Istop. Seat Adjustment Quick Adjust Seat (If so equipped) Toadjustthe positionof the seat on modelsequipped with a seatadjustmentlever,movethe leverto the left and slidethe seat forwardor rearward.Referto the SettingUp YourLawnTractorsection.Makesureseat...
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Adjustthe drag links so that equal lengthsare threaded intothe balljointon the left and rightside: 1. Loosenthejamnut foundon the drag linkat the rear of the ball joint.See Figure19. 2. Removehex nuton thetop of balljoint.See Figure19. 3. Threadthe balljoint towardthejam nut to shortenthe drag link.
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WARNING any maintenance or repairs, disengage PTO, move shift lever intoneutral position, Engine set parkingbrake, stop Refer to the Engine Operator/Owner Manualfor engine and remove key engine maintenance instructions. Checkengine oil levelbeforeeachuseas instructed o preventu nintended inthe EngineOperator/OwnerManualpackedwith your _tarting! unit.
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Deck Wash System Yourtractor'sdeck may be equippedwith a waterporton its surfaceas part of itsdeck wash system. Use the DeckWashSystem to rinsegrassclippings fromthe deck'sundersideand preventthe buildupof cor- rosivechemicals.Completethe followingstepsAFTER EACHMOWING: 1. Drivethe tractorto a level,dear spoton yourlawn, nearenoughto a water sillcock(spigot)for your gardenhoseto reach.
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5. Lookingat the cuttingdeck from theleft sideof the tractor,locatethe deck supportpin on the rearleft sideof the deck. See Figure23. 6. Pull the deck supportpin outwardto releasethe deck from thedeck lift arm. 7. Rotatethe pin slightlytowardthe rear of the tractor and releasethe pin intothe hole provided. 8.
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Cutting Blades WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the cut- ting blade(s) for sharpening or replacement. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves or a rag to grasp the cutting blade.
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i ioto °i°g All beltson yourtractorare subjectto wearand should be replacedif anysigns of wearare present. iMPORTANT: T heV-beltsfoundon yourtractorare speciallydesignedto engageand disengagesafely.A substitute(non-OEM)V-beltcan be dangerousby not disengagingcompletely.Fora properworkingmachine, usefactory approvedbelts. Tochangeor replacethe deck belt on yourtractor, WARNING proceedas follows: 1. Removethe beltkeeperrod(s)from aroundthe enginepulley.
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Left Hand 42" Deck Engine Pulley Spindle Pulley Right Hand Spindle Pulley Tractor Idler Pulleys Figure 26 46" Deck Belt Cover Idler Pulleys Figure 27 46" Deck Electric PTO Clutch (Electric PTO) Figure 28...
Cleanand lubricatethe tractoras instructed i n Section 6: MAiNTAiNiNGYOUR LAWNTRACTORof this manualbeforestoringfor an extendedperiod. Thefollowingattachments and accessoriesare compatiblefor ModelSeries601 LawnTractors.See the retailer from whichyou purchasedyourtractor,an authorizedMTDServiceDealeror phone(800) 800-7310 for information regardingpriceand availability. NOTE:ModelSeries601 LawnTractorsare NOTdesignedfor usewith any type of ground-engaging attachments (e.g.tiller or plow).
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DOHOTMOWWHEN CNiLCHEH OROTHERS AREAROUND • NEVER CANNY CHILDREN EVER W iTHRLDN_R} OFF. • LOOK DOWNANDBCHINU BEFCHE A NDWHILE BUCKING. • MOWIHG IN REVERSE iS NOTRECOMMENDED. NOTE: aN BOTH MODES, WHEN OPERATOR LEAVES SEAT,ENGINE WILL ASSEMBLECHUTE DEFLECTORTO THIS UHJT BEFOREOPERATING, WARNING This symbol points out importantsafety instructionswhich, if...
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Pro bl e m Enginefails to start I Trou Shootin Engineruns erratic For repairs beyond the minor adjust- ments listed here, contact an authorized service dealer. Ca use 1 PTOengaged. 2. Sparkplugw re(s)disconnected. 3 Fueltank em t or stalefuel 4 Chokenot actvated "...
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Problem Engineoverheats Engine oi! levellow. 21 Air flow restricted. Enginehesitates at 1. Sparkplug(s)gap tooclose, high RPM idles poorl Sparkpug(s)foued fautyorgap to0 wide_ 2 Dirtyair €eaner Excessive 1. Cuttingblade looseor unbalanced. Vibration 2. Damagedor bentcuttingblade. Mower will not 11 Enginespeedtoo iowl ohgrass (If wet grass Equipped)
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i_il i _II ,i!_ii_i_i !i_ii_ii_!_i_ i_ii_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_...
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Where a warrantable condition exists, MTDConsumer Group Inc will repair your lawn mower at no cost to you includingdiagnosis, parts and labor. This evaporativeemissioncontrol systemis warrantedfor two years.If any evaporativeemission-related part on yourequipmentis defective,the partwill be repairedor replacedby MTDConsumerGroupInc.
PROOF OF PURCHASE, through your local authorized service dealer. To locate the dealer in your area, check your Yellow Pages, or contact MTD LLC at RO. Box 361131,Cleveland, Ohio 44136- 0019, or call 1-800-800-7310 or 1-330-220-4683 or log on to our Web site at www.mtdproducts.com.