MTD 410 Series Operator's Manual page 11

SECTION 5: OPERATING Y OUR LAWNMOWER
,_ WARNING:
Keep hands and feet away
from the chute area on cutting deck. Refer to
warning label on the unit.
GasandOilFill-Up
• Service the engine with gasoline and oil as
instructed in the engine manual packed with your
mower. Read instructions carefully.
,_ WARNING"
Never fill the fuel tank (i) indoors,
(ii) with engine running, or (iii) if engine has not
sufficiently cooled down. Wait at least two
minutes after stopping the engine.
BeforeStarting
• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Refer to
Figure 1. If the mower is equipped with a rubber
boot over the end of the spark plug wire, make sure
that metal cap inside the rubber boot is fastened
securely over the spark plug's metal tip.
ToStartEngine & Engage Blade
• Firmly push primer three times. See Figure 12A.
Push
release to
prime
A
Squeeze these two
B
handles
Pull
Recoil Starter
C
Figure 12
• Standing behind the lawn mower, squeeze the
blade control handle against the upper handle. See
Figure 12B.
• Holding both handles firmly, pull rope out slowly
from the recoil starter. See Figure 12C. Let the rope
rewind slowly. Repeat this motion till engine starts.
WARNING" The blade will be rotating whenever the engine is running. Keep your
hands and feet away from a rotating blade.
WARNING" Wait for the blade to stop completely before doing any work on the
mower or to remove the grass catcher.
ToStopEngine& Blade
• Release the blade control handle to stop the engine
and the cutting blade.
• Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it
against the engine.
UsingRotaryMower
_ ARNING:
Never operate your mower
without either the rear door or the entire grass
catcher assembly firmly secured.
• Be sure that lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or
other objects before starting to operate the mower.
,_ WARNING:
If the mower strikes a foreign
object and/or vibrates excessively, stop the
engine. Remove spark plug wire, thoroughly
inspect for any damage, and repair the damage
before restarting.
• For best results, do not cut wet grass because it
tends to stick to the underside of the mower.
• For a healthy lawn, never cut more than one-third of
the total length of the grass at any one cutting.
NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower wheels are
set in a low cutting height position. Raise the cutting
height to a position best suited for your lawn. Refer to
page 12 for instructions.
Usingas Mulcher
For mulching grass, remove the grass catcher from the
mower. The rear discharge opening should be closed.
• For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass.
• New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. The
ground speed should be adjusted to the condition
of the lawn.
• Do not mulch if grass is taller than 4 inches. Use the
grass catcher to bag clippings instead.
BaggingGrassClippings
You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while
you are operating the mower.
• Attach grass catcher following instructions on page
8. Grass clippings will automatically collect in the
bag as you run the mower. Operate the mower till
the grass bag is full. Refer to page 10 for
description of flow indicator, if so equipped.
• Stop engine completely by releasing the blade
control handle. Make sure that the unit has come to
a complete stop.
• Lift discharge door and pull grass bag up and away
from the mower to dispose of the grass clippings.
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