Cutting Height; Drive Control - MTD 500 Series Operator's Manual

7. Attaching Grass Catcher to Mower
a. Lift the rear discharge door on the mower, and place the grass catcher on the pivot rod. Let go of discharge
door so that it rests on the grass catcher. See Figure 5.
WARNING: Never operate mower unless the hooks on the grass catcher are firmly seated
on the pivot rod, and the rear discharge door rests firmly against top of the grass catcher.
8. To remove grass catcher and utilize the mulching feature:
a. Lift rear discharge door on the mower as shown in Figure 5. Lift grass catcher up and out, off of the pivot rod.
Release rear discharge door to allow it to close rear opening of mower.
9. The side discharge is an optional feature.
If converting to side discharge, make sure grass catcher is off unit and rear discharge door is closed.
a. On the side of the mower deck, lift the hinged mulching plug. See Figure 6.
b. Slide the two hooks on the side discharge deflector under the hinge pin on the hinged mulching plug
assembly. Lower the hinged mulching plug.
NOTE: Do not remove the hinged mulching plug at any time, even when you are not mulching.
B
A
Figure 5

Cutting Height

Each wheel has a height adjustment lever to change the
cutting height of the mower. To change the height of cut,
squeeze adjuster lever toward the wheel, moving up or
down to selected height. See Figure 7.

Drive Control

The adjustment wheel is located in the drive control
2
1
3
Figure 
Adjustments
handle housing and is used to tighten or loosen the
drive belt. You will need to adjust the drive control if
the mower does not propel itself with the drive control
engaged or if the mower's wheels hesitate with the drive
control engaged. If either of these conditions occur,
rotate the adjustment wheel clockwise to tighten the
cable or counterclockwise to loosen the cable, Figure 8.

Figure 6
Tighten
Loosen
Figure 8
3
Setup and
Adjustment
NOTE: Make certain
bag is turned right side
out before assembling
(warning label will be on
the outside).
NOTE: Make certain
cables are routed to the
outside of the handle so
they are not in the way
when attaching the grass
catcher.
WARNING
Never operate mower
unless the hooks on
the grass catcher are
firmly seated on the
pivot rod, and the
rear discharge door
rests firmly against
top of the grass
catcher.
All mowers are
equipped with a rear
protective guard. The
guard helps eliminate
projectiles thrown
by the blade from
injuring the operator.
DO NOT REMOVE
THIS GUARD.