Murray MP450 Operator's Manual page 11

How To Clean The Mower Housing
WARNING: The blade will rotate when the engine
runs. Before you clean the mower housing, stop the
engine and disconnect the spark plug wire and
keep it away from the spark plug.
If grass and other debris accumulate on the bottom of the
mower housing, performance will be reduced. After you mow,
clean the mower housing as follows.
1. Stop the engine.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
3. Clean the top and the bottom of the mower housing.
How To Remove The Drive Belt
To remove or service the drive belt, take the mower to an
approved service dealer.
How To Adjust The Drive Cable - Figure
WARNING: Before you adjust the drive cable,
release the engine stop lever and wait for the
engine to stop.
If the drive system does not engage and disengage correctly,
check the handle for correct assembly. Make sure that all
parts are in good condition, not broken or bent, and that all
fasteners are tight.
Worn parts will change the performance of the drive system.
When you mow in high thick grass or on hills, the drive
system can slip if the drive cable is too loose. If the drive
system slips, adjust as follows or take the mower to an
authorized service centre.
1. If the drive system slips, turn the cable adjuster (A) one
turn in the direction as shown in Figure 21. Operate the
mower and test the drive system.
2. If the drive system still slips, turn the cable adjuster one
more turn to shorten the cable. Again, test the drive
system.
3. Repeat the adjustment and test until the drive system
does not slip.
4. Before you begin to mow, make sure the drive system will
correctly disengage and that the mower will stop. If the
drive system will not disengage, take the mower to an
authorized service centre before you operate the mower.
Blade Service - Figure
WARNING: Before you inspect the blade (B) or the
blade adapter (E), disconnect the spark plug wire
and keep it away from the spark plug. If the blade
hits an object, stop the engine. Disconnect the wire to the
spark plug. Check the unit for damage.
Frequently check the blade (B) for wear or damage such as
cracks. Frequently check the bolt (A) that holds the blade.
Keep the bolt tight. If the blade hits an object, stop the engine.
Disconnect the wire to the spark plug. Check the blade
adapter (E) for damage. Check for a bent or damaged blade,
a badly worn blade, or other damage. Before you operate the
unit, damaged parts must be replaced with factory
replacement parts. For safety, replace the blade every two
years. Keep a sharp edge on the blade. A blade that is not
sharp will cause the ends of the grass to become brown. To
remove or service the blade, take the mower to an approved
service dealer.
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Check The Level Of Cut
Test the unit in a small area. If the height of cut is not level or
if the cut grass is not discharged or does not cut even, see
the Troubleshooting section.
Folding Handle Storage
NOTICE: Be careful when you fold or raise the handle. Do
not damage the cables. A cable that is bent will not work
correctly. Before you use the unit, replace a bent or damaged
cable.
How To Fold The Handle - Figure 23
1. Loosen the knobs (A) that hold the upper handle (B) to
the lower handle (C). See Figure 23.
NOTICE: As you fold or raise the handle, make sure that
the cables are not caught between the upper and lower
handles or around the handle fasteners.
2. Rotate the upper handle (B) toward the back of the unit.
See Figure 24.
3. Remove knobs (C) and the fasteners that secure the
lower handle to the handle bracket (D).
4. Rotate the handle forward over the engine as shown.
Make sure that the cables are not damaged.
How To Raise The Handle - Figure 2
1. Raise the lower handle (A) to the operating position
(Figure 2).
2. The handle bracket (B) has two mounting holes (Figure
3). Use hole (C) to mount the handle in the high position.
Use hole (D) to mount the handle in the low position.
3. Mount the handle in either hole (C) or hole (D) with the
fasteners as shown. Tighten knobs (E) until the lower
handle is secure.
4. Put the upper handle (G) in the operating position (Figure
4). Tighten the knobs (F) until the upper handle and lower
handle are locked in place.
How To Prepare The Mower For Storage
WARNING: Do not remove petrol while inside a
building, near a fire, or while you smoke. Petrol
fumes can cause an explosion or a fire.
1. Drain the fuel tank.
2. Let the engine run until it is out of petrol.
3. Drain the oil from the warm engine. Fill the engine
crankcase with new oil.
4. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder. Pour one ounce
of oil into the cylinder. Slowly pull the recoil starter handle
so that the oil will protect the cylinder. Install a new spark
plug in the cylinder.
5. Clean the dirt and debris from the cylinder cooling fins and
the engine housing.
6. Clean the bottom of the mower housing.
7. Completely clean the mower to protect the paint.
8. Put the unit in a building that has good ventilation.
9. Make sure the grass bag is empty of grass. Grass
remaining in the bag during storage will damage the bag.
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