MTD 11A-021C700 Operator's Manual

20" Rotary Mowers
Model Series 1 020
Model 020 Shown
Important: Read Safety Rules and
Instructions Carefully
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 368022, Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.
FORM NO. 770-1025A
Section 3: Finding the Mower Model Plate
This Operators Manual is an important
part of your new walk behind mower. It will
help you assemble, prepare and maintain
your mower. Please read and understand
what it says.
Before you start to prepare your
mower for its first use, please locate the
model plate and copy the information from it
in the space below. The information on the
model plate is very important if you should
ever need help from your dealer or the MTD
customer support department.
Every walk behind has a model plate.
You can locate it by standing behind the unit
in the operating position and looking down at
the rear of the deck.
The model plate will look like Figure 2.
I
XXX-X-XXX-X-XXX XXXXXXXXXX
I
MTD PRODUCTSINC
CLEVELAND, 0HI0 44136 •
This is the mower model number.
This is the mower serial number.
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
Figure 2
Section 4: Calling Customer Support
If you are having difficulty assembling
this product or if you have any question
regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call the
Customer Support Department. You can
reach them by dialing:
1-800-800-7310
Before you call, make sure that you have
your model and serial numbers ready. By
having the model and serial numbers ready,
you help the Customer Support
Representative give you faster service. To
find the mower's model and serial number,
see Section 3: Finding the Mower Model
Plate.
IMPORTANT
Section 1: 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 YOUR
LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT
IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS WARNING.
WARNING: The
Engine
Exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the
State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
A DANGER: Your lawn mower 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 lawn
mower is capable of amputating
hands and feet and throwing
objects. Failure to observe the
following safety instructions
could result in serious injury or
death.
1) GENERAL OPERATION
• Read this operators manual carefully in its
entirety before attempting to assemble this
machine. Read, understand, and follow all
instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before operation. Be completely
familiar with the controls and the proper use
of this machine before operating it. Keep this
manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
• Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore,
exercise extreme caution at all times. Your
unit has been designed to perform one job: to
mow grass. Do not use it for any other
purpose.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to
operate a power mower. Children 14 years
old and over should only operate mower
under close parental supervision. Only
responsible individuals who are familiar with
these rules of safe operation should be
allowed to use your mower.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
particularly small children and pets. Stop
engine when they are in the vicinity of your
mower to help prevent blade contact or
thrown object injury. Although the area of
operation should be completely cleared of
foreign objects, an object may have been
overlooked and could be accidentally thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause
serious personal injury to the operator or any
others allowed in the area.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that
cover the arms and legs and steel-toed
shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose
fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught
in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare
feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g.
canvas) shoes.
• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
during operation or while performing an
adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from
foreign objects that may be thrown from the
machine in any direction.
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used. Remove all stones,
sticks, wire, bones, toys and other foreign
objects which could be picked up and thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause
serious personal injury to the operator or any
others allowed in the area. Plan your mowing
pattern to avoid discharge of material toward
roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To
help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep
children, bystanders and helpers at least 75
feet from the mower while it is in operation.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Keep clear of discharge opening at all
times as the rotating blade can cause injury.
• Many injuries occur as a result of the mower
being pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not
hang on to the mower if you are falling;
release the handle immediately.
• Never pull the mower toward you while you are
walking. If you must back the mower away
from a wall or obstruction first look down and
behind, and then follow these steps:
• Step back from the mower to fully extend
your arms.
• Be sure you are well balanced with sure
footing.
• Pull the mower back slowly, no more than
half way toward you.
• Repeat these steps as needed.
• Do not operate the mower while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on
units so equipped while starting engine.
• The blade control handle is a safety device.
Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing
so makes the safety device inoperative and
may result in personal injury through contact
with the rotating blade. The blade control
handle must operate easily in both directions
and automatically return to the disengaged
position when released.
• Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always
be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. Keep a firm
hold on the handle and walk, never run. If you
feel you are losing your footing, RELEASE
THE BLADE CONTROL HANDLE
IMMEDIATELY and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives,
walks or roads.
• If the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine and check
immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
• 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.
• Never operate mower without proper guards,
grass catcher, plates or other safety
protective devices in place.
• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.
• Only use accessories approved for this machine
by the manufacturer. Read, understand, and
follow all instructions provided with the
approved accessory.
• 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.
2) SLOPE OPERATION
• For your safety, use the slope gauge included as
part of this manual to measure slopes before
operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If
the slope is greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge, do not operate
this unit on that area or serious injury could
result.
DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and
down. Exercise extreme caution when
changing direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps.
Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Always be sure of your footing. Aslip 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 in less than 3 seconds.
DO NOT:
• Do not mow near drop-off, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose
footing or balance.
• Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing
could cause slipping.
2) 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. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under
the watchful care of a responsible adult other
than the operator.
• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the
area.
• Before and while moving backwards, look
behind and down for small children or other
objects.
• Never allow children under age 14 to operate the
mower. Children 14 years of age and above
should read and understand the operation
instructions and safety rules in this manual.
• Use extreme care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that
may obscure your vision of a child or hazard.
3) SERVICE
• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Use only an approved gasoline container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the
engine is running. Allow engine to cool at
least two minutes before refueling.
• Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any
spilled gasoline before starting the engine as
it may cause a fire or explosion.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
• Never refuel machine indoors because
flammable vapors will accumulate in the
area.
• Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame or spark such
as a gas water heater, space heater, or
furnace.
• Never run an engine inside a closed area.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil
or fuel spillage. Allow mower to cool at least
5 minutes before storing.
• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the blade and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and
keep the wire away from the spark plug to
prevent accidental starting.
• Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,
visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent,
cracked or worn). Replace with blade which
meets original equipment specifications listed
in this manual.
• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure
the equipment is in safe working condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
remove the wire from the spark plug, and
thoroughly inspect the mower for any
damage. Repair the damage before starting
and operating the mower.
• Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height
adjustment while the engine is running.
• Grass catcher components are subject to wear,
damage and deterioration, which could
expose moving parts or allow objects to be
thrown. For safety protection, frequently
check components and replace with
manufacturer's recommended parts, when
necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra
caution when servicing them.
• Do not change the engine governor setting or
overslept the engine. Excessive engine
speeds are dangerous.
A 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.
Section 5: Illustrated Parts List
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REFER TO
ENGINE MANUAL
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A DANGER
REFER TO SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES IN YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL
DO NOT OPERATE MOWER WlTHOUTTRAILING SHIELD AND DISCHARGE COVER
DANGER
Figure 1
Section 5: Illustrated Parts List
Locator Part
Number Number
1 710-0654A
2 782-0048
3 749-1077
4 749-1076
5 747-0976
6 731-0872A
7 17098
8 710-1044
9 936-0524A
10 753-0588
11 742-0640
12 731-0064
13 710-0932
14 736-0173
15 712-0324
16 710-3008
17 712-3004A
18 710-1205
19 710-0262
20 736-0119
21 712-0267
22 734-1779
23 738-0533
24 736-0105
25 712-0798
26 726-0240
27 746-0946
27 746-0957
28 736-0331
29
Description
Screw 3/8-16:1.00 HX Ind Washer
Deck - 20"
Lower Handle
Upper Handle
Bail
Trail Shield
Hinge Clip
Screw 3/8-24:1.50 - Gr8
Support: Blade Bell
Blade Adapter Kit (Incl. Ref. 8 &9)
Blade
Discharge Chute
Screw 1/4-20:1.00 Carriage
Flat Washer .281D x .74OD x .063
Lock Nut 1/4-20
HHCS 5/16-18:.75
Lock Nut 5/16-18
Eye Bolt 1/4-20
Carriage Bolt 5/16-18:1.50 Ig.
Lock Washer 5/16
Nut 5/16-18
Wheel
Shoulder Screw .498 x 1.635
Bell Washer .4011D x .870OD x.063
FI. Lock Nut 3/8-16
Cable Tie
Control Cable (021C)
Control Cable (020B)
Bell Washer .391D x 1.13OD x .062
See Engine Manual
Manufacturer'sLimited Warranty
For ONE YEAR from the date of retail
purchase within the United States of
America, its possessions and territories, the
manufacturer will, at its option, repair or
replace, for the original purchaser, free of
charge, any part or parts found to be
defective in material or workmanship. This
warranty covers units which have been
operated and maintained in accordance with
the operating instructions furnished with the
unit, and which have not been subject to
misuse, abuse, commercial use, neglect,
accident, improper maintenance or
alteration.
Normal wear parts or components
thereof are subject to separate terms as
noted below in the "No Fault Ninety Day
Consumer Warranty" clause.
All normal wear part failures will be
covered on this product for a period of 90
days regardless of cause. After 90 days, but
within the one year period, normal wear
parts failures will be covered ONLY IF
caused by defects in material or
workmanship of OTHER component parts.
Normal wear parts are defined as batteries*,
belts, blades, blade adapters, grass bags,
rider deck wheels, seats, snow thrower skid
shoes, shave plates and tires.
How to obtain service: Warranty
service is available, with proof of purchase,
through your local authorized service dealer.
To locate the dealer in your area, please
check the yellow pages or contact the
Customer Service Department of the
manufacturer, P. O. Box 368022, Cleveland,
Ohio 44136-9722. Phone 1-800-800-7310.
The return of a complete unit will not be
accepted by the factory unless prior written
permission has been extended by the
service department of the manufacturer.
Transportation charges:
Transportation charges for the movement of
any power equipment unit or attachment are
the responsibility of the purchaser.
Units exported out of the United
States: The manufacturer does not extend
any warranty for products sold or exported
outside of the United States of America, its
possessions and territories, except those
sold through the manufacturer's authorized
channels of export distribution.
Other Warranties:
The engine or component parts
thereof carry separate warranties from their
manufacturers. Please refer to the
applicable manufacturer's warranty on these
items.
*Batteries are covered by a 90-day
replacement warranty.
Log splitter pumps, valves and
cylinders or component parts thereof are
covered by a one year warranty.
All other warranties, express or
implied, including any implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a particular
purpose, are hereby expressly disclaimed in
their entirety.
The provisions as set forth in this
warranty provide the sole and exclusive
remedy of the manufacturer's obligations
arising from the sales of its products. The
manufacturer will not be liable for incidental
or consequential loss or damage.
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. Certain
disclaimers are not allowed in some states
and therefore they may not apply to you
under all circumstances.
NOTE: This warranty does not cover routine
maintenance items such as
lubricants, filters, blade sharpening
and tune-ups, or adjustments such
as brake adjustments, clutch
adjustments or deck adjustments.
Nor does this warranty cover normal
deterioration of the exterior finish
due to use or exposure.
Section 6: Trouble Shooting Guide
Possible Cause{s)
Blade control handle disengaged.
Spark plug wire disconnected.
Dirty air cleaner.
Trouble
Engine fails to start
Engine runs erratic
Engine overheats
Occasional skip
(hesitates)
at high speed
Idles poorly
Excessive vibration
Uneven cut
Primer button not depressed.
Throttle control lever not in correct
starting position (if so equipped).
Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.
gasoline.
Blocked fuel line (if so equipped).
Faulty spark plug.
Engine flooded.
Spark plug wire loose.
Blocked fuel line (if so equipped)
or stale fuel.
Vent in gas cap plugged.
Water or dirt in fuel system.
Dirty air cleaner.
Carburetor out of adjustment.
Engine oil level low.
Dirty air cleaner.
Air flow restricted.
Carburetor not adjusted properly.
Spark plug gap too close.
Carburetor idle mixture
adjustment improperly set.
Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap
too wide.
Carburetor improperly adjusted.
Dirty air cleaner.
Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.
Bent cutting blade.
Wheels not positioned correctly.
Dull blade.
Corrective Actions
Engage blade control handle.
Connect wire to spark plug.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Move throttle lever to FAST or
START position.
Fill tank with clean fresh
Fuel will not last over thirty days
unless a fuel stabilizer is used.
Clean fuel line.
Clean, adjust gap or replace.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Connect and tighten spark
plug wire. Check spark
plug for fouling.
Clean fuel line; fill tank with
clean, fresh gasoline.
Fuel will not last over thirty days
unless a fuel stabilizer is added.
Clear vent or threads or replace.
Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Fill crankcase with proper oil.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Stop engine and disconnect
spark plug wire.
Remove blower housing and clean.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit or see an
authorized service dealer.*
Adjust gap to .030".
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Reset gap to .030" or replace
spark plug.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Refer to the engine manual
packed with your unit.
Tighten blade and adapter.
Balance blade.
See an authorized service dealer.
Place all four wheels in same height
position.
Sharpen or replace blade.
Note: For repairs beyond the minor adjustments above, contact your local authorized service dealer.
Call 1-800-800-7310 to locate a dealer near you.
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Section 2: Slope Guide
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