Operating Your Lawn Mower; Recoil Starter - MTD 074 Series Operator's Manual

4
Operating
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
This blade control
mechanism is a
safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its
operations.
Use extreme care
when handling
gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable
and the vapors are
explosive. Never fuel
the machine indoors
or while the engine
is hot or running.
Extinguish cigarettes,
cigars, pipes and
other sources of
ignition.
Recoil
Starter
Starter
Rope
Now that you have set up your lawn mower for
operation, get acquainted with its controls and
features. These are described below and illustrated
this page. This knowledge will allow you to use your
new equipment to its fullest potential.
Blade Control
The blade control is attached to the upper handle of
the mower. Depress the blade control to operate the
unit. Release it to stop engine and blade.
WARNING:This blade control
mechanism is a safety device.
Never attempt to bypass its
operations.
Chute Deflector
The chute deflector discharges grass clippings
beside each cutting lap.
Know Your Lawn Mower
Blade Control
Chute
Deflector
Figure 1

Recoil Starter

The recoil starter is attached to the right upper han-
dle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter
rope to start the unit.
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
1. Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow engine
2. Service engine with gasoline as instructed in engine
8
Oil Fill
Gasoline Fill
manual for this. See Figure 1 above for location of the
oil fill.
manual. See Figure 1 above for location of gas cap.
WARNING: Use extreme care
when handling gasoline. Gasoline
is extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive. Never fuel
the machine indoors or while the
engine is hot or running. Extin-
guish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
other sources of ignition.