Maintaining Your Lawn Mower; Service - MTD 430-439 Series Operator's Manual

Bagging Grass Clippings
You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings
while you are operating the mower.
• Attach the grass catcher following instructions on
page 9 of this manual. Grass clippings will
automatically collect in the bag as you run mower.
• Operate mower till the grass bag is full. Refer to
page 11 for description of flow indicator, if so
equipped.
• Stop the engine completely by releasing the 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.
Using the Mulcher
• For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass
because it tends to stick to the underside of the
SECTION 6: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN MOWER
WARNING:
Always stop engine and
disconnect spark plug wire before performing
any maintenance or adjustments on the mower.
WARNING:
Never tip mower more than 90
degrees in any direction and do not leave it
tipped for long. Oil can drain into the upper part
of the engine causing a starting problem.
Cleaning the Lawn Mower
• Clean underside of the mower deck after each use
to prevent any build-up of grass. If this debris
accumulates, it will cause rust and corrosion.
NOTE: We do not recommend the use of pressure
washers or garden hose to clean your unit. These may
cause damage to electric components, spindles,
pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use of water will
result in shortened life and reduced serviceability.
• Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from the
mower, or place a piece of plastic under gas cap.
• Tilt the mower so that the side with the air cleaner is
facing up. Hold the mower firmly.
• Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a
suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
• Put mower back on its wheels and remove plastic.
Engine Maintenance
A list of key maintenance jobs required for good
performance by the mower is given below. Follow the
engine manual for detailed list and instructions.
deck, preventing proper mulching of grass
clippings. New or thick grass may require a
narrower cut. The ground speed should be
adjusted to the condition of the lawn. If mowing has
been delayed and the grass has been allowed to
grow in excess of 4", mulching is not
recommended. Mow using the grass bag (if so
equipped) to reduce the grass height to 3-1/4"
maximum before mulching.
Adjusting Cutting Height
Refer to height adjustments section of this manual on
page 14 for instruction on how to adjust the cutting
height and the handle height.
• For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height
position high until you have determined which
cutting height is preferred.
• Change engine oil as specified in the engine
manual. Check oil level before starting engine
every time.
• Service foam filter in the air cleaner as specified in
the engine manual. Service air filter more frequently
in extremely dusty conditions.
• Clean engine periodically. Remove dirt and debris
with a cloth or brush.
• Clean spark plug and reset the gap to.030" at least
once a season or every 50 hours of operation.
• Inspect muffler periodically, and replace if
necessary. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters
can create a fire hazard.
Make sure to avoid muffler and
IMPORTANT:
surrounding areas while the mower engine is hot
because temperature of these areas of the engine may
exceed 150 o F.
Lubrication
(See Figure 16 )
Wheels
• Lubricate the wheels and bearings, if so equipped,
at least once a season with light oil or engine oil.
Also, if the wheels are removed for any reason,
lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and the inner
surface of the wheel with light oil.
Chute Deflector & Rear Discharge Door
• Lubricate the torsion spring and the pivot point on
each end of the rear discharge door using a light oil.
This will prevent rusting.
12