Operating Your Lawn Mower - MTD 430-439 Series Operator's Manual

Primer
The primer is used to pump gas into the carburetor. Use
it to assist in starting a cold engine, but do not use it
when restarting a warm engine after a short shutdown.
Mulching Plug
Both the mulching baffle and the mulching plug are
used only for mulching purposes. Instead of collecting
the grass clippings in a grass catcher, some mower
models have the option of recirculating the clippings
back to the lawn. This is called mulching.
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
WARNING:
Never fill fuel tank indoors, or
when engine is running or hot. Do not smoke
when filling up the fuel tank.
• Service the engine with gasoline and oil as
instructed in the separate engine manual packed
with your mower. Read instructions carefully.
Before Starting Mower
• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire
(inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over
the metal tip on the spark plug.
Starting Engine
WARNING:
Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower while
starting engine or operating mower.
WARNING:
Never run engine indoors or in
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING:
Keep hands, feet, hair and
loose clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower.
• Push the primer three times. Wait two seconds
between each push. In temperatures below 55° F,
prime five times. Do not prime to restart a warm
engine after a short shutdown.
• Standing behind the mower, depress the blade
control handle and hold it against the upper handle.
• Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope
will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope
Grass Bag Fill Indicator
In some models, the grass bag is equipped with a bag-
fill indicator to add convenience to your work. While the
mower is running, air will flow through the bag and into
the "sail." If the grass catcher is empty, air flows
through easily pushing the sail up. If the grass catcher
is full, air does not flow through it allowing the sail to
fall. So the position of the sail acts as a bag-fill indicator
signifying when to empty the grass bag.
rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous,
full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter
handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
Stopping Engine
• Release blade control handle to stop the engine
and the blade.
• Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from
spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

Operating Your Lawn Mower

• Once the engine has started, squeeze the blade
control handle against the upper handle to run the
lawn mower.
• Do not operate the mower without the mulching
cover, the grass catcher bag, or the discharge
chute properly installed.
• Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire,
or other objects which could damage lawn mower
or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.
• For best results, do not cut wet grass because it
tends to stick to the underside of the mower,
preventing proper discharge of grass clippings,
poor mulching conditions, and could cause you to
slip and fall. New grass, thick grass, or wet grass
may require a narrower cut.
• For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less
of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be
trimmed in fall as long as there is growth.
WARNING:
stop the engine. Remove spark plug wire from
spark plug, thoroughly inspect the mower for
any damage. Repair the damage before
restarting and operating the mower. Extensive
vibration of the mower during operation is an
indication of damage.
11
(If equipped)
If you strike a foreign object,