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MTD 540 Series Operator's Manual

21” rear & side discharge mulching mower
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OPERATOR'S MANUAL
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.
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
21" Rear & Side
Discharge
Mulching Mower
Model Series 540
FORM NO.
770-10019C.fm
(10/01)

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Summary of Contents for MTD 540 Series

  • Page 1 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. MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722 770-10019C.fm PRINTED IN U.S.A.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    (Model Number) (Serial Number) Copy the model number here: Copy the serial number here: MTD PRODUCTS INC CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136 ENGINE INFORMATION The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power- rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual packed separately with your unit for more information.

  • Page 3: Important Safe Operation Practices

    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.

  • Page 4: Slope Gauge

    unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues to obscure your vision of a child who may run into the rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut off. mower. Never place any part of the body in the blade area until Keep children away from hot or running engines.
  • Page 5 intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade shield are subject to wear and damage which could with the original equipment manufacture’s (O.E.M.) blade expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For only, listed in this manual.
  • Page 6 SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST 15° WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury.

  • Page 7: Assembling Your Lawn Mower

    SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil IMPORTANT: in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual before operating your mower. NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position.

  • Page 8: Attaching Grass Catcher To Mower

    Attaching Rear Wheels Rear Mulching • Remove hardware from rear pivot bars. Baffle • Insert shoulder screw through flat washer, wave washer, rear wheel, and spring washer. • Secure shoulder screw with hardware to rear pivot bar. See Figure 5. Spring Washer Wave Washer Figure 7...

  • Page 9: Know Your Lawn Mower

    SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER Read this operator’s manual and safety rules before Grass Catcher operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in The grass catcher, located at the rear of the mower, is Figure 9 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself used to bag the grass clippings for disposal at another with the location of various controls and adjustments.

  • Page 10: Making Adjustments

    • Stand behind the mower and squeeze the blade designed to be operated at full throttle to give you the control handle against the upper handle. best cut and do the most effective job of mowing or • Grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope out slowly mulching.

  • Page 11: Maintaining Your Lawn Mower

    All wheels must be placed in the same IMPORTANT: Height Adjustment relative position. For rough or uneven lawns, move the Lever height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help stop scalping of the grass. Engine Adjustments See the separate engine manual packed with your unit for adjustments to the engine.
  • Page 12 Lubrication Always stop engine and disconnect spark Rear Discharge plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or Door doing any kind of service work on the lawn Handle mower. Bracket Blade Control: Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle and the brake cable at least once a season with light oil.

  • Page 13: Storing Your Lawn Mower

    • Remove the blade and the adapter from the • Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. crankshaft. • Place the blade on the adapter. Be certain the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges. Blade •...

  • Page 14: Troubleshooting

    SECTION 8: TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Cause Remedy Engine fails to start 1. Blade control handle disengaged. 1. Engage blade control handle. 2. Spark plug wire disconnected. 2. Connect wire to spark plug. 3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 4.
  • Page 15 Notes...

  • Page 16: Parts List

    Model Series 540...
  • Page 17 Model Series 540 Ref. Ref. Part No. Part Description Part No. Part Description 749-1092A Upper Handle 682-3056A Handle Bracket Assembly - RH 747-1161A Control Handle 682-3057A Handle Bracket Assembly - LH 731-2626 Control Handle Cover 710-0286 Machine Screw 1/4-20 x .500 710-1270 C-Sunk Screw 1/4-20 x 1.3”...
  • Page 20 MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY c. Routine maintenance items such as lubricants, filters, The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD blade sharpening and tune-ups, or adjustments such PRODUCTS INC (“MTD”) with respect to new merchandise as brake adjustments, clutch adjustments or deck purchased and used in the United States, its possessions adjustments;...

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