Operating Your Lawn Mower; Cutting Height Adjustment Lever; Recoil Starter - MTD Series 580 Operator's Manual

4
Operating
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
The 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.
Keep hands and feet
away from the chute
area on cutting deck.
Refer to warning
label on the unit.
Recoil
Starter
Figure 4-1: The main components on the mower.
Now that you have set up your lawn mower for opera-
tion, get aquainted with its controls and features. These
are described below and illustrated on 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 and squeeze it against the upper
handle to operate the unit. Release it to stop engine and
blade.
WARNING: This blade control mecha-
nism is a safety device. Never attempt
to bypass its operations.
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers
One adjustment lever is located on each wheel and is
used to adjust the cutting height. All four levers have to
be at the same relative position to ensure a uniform cut.
Know Your Lawn Mower
Blade Control

Recoil Starter

The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle.
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 the engine with gasoline as instructed in the
8
Cutting Height
Adjustment Lever
(for each wheel)
manual for this.
engine manual. See engine manual for location of
gasoline and oil fill.
WARNING: Use extreme care when han-
dling 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.