Safety Precautions; Operation - MTD Slalom 67 Instruction Manual

CARE OF THE LAWN AND MOWING
The modern gardening technology has designed and developed labour-saving devices
(mower with grass collection sack). For a good, healthy green lawn, it is essential to mow
and aerate it regularly.
Fertilising is also essential.
Always make sure the blades are sharp and in perfect conditions to avoid grass fraying and
yellowing lawn .
You will achieve a clean cut with regular and straight windrows.
The mowing tracks should always overlap a few centimetres to avoid any uncut strips in
between.
fig. 8
Before mowing, remove all foreign objects from the lawn which may be thrown by the
machine. While mowing, stay alert for any foreign objects which may have been missed.
PUTTING THE MOWER INTO OPERATION FOR THE FIRST TIME
Don't put the mower into operation before you have completely finished its assembly. Before
putting the mower into operation for the first time, don't forget to fill it with petrol and oil.
Connect the red cables to the positive terminal and the black cables to the negative terminal
(the battery is placed in the battery-holder got on the body on the right of the seat). The
mower may be put into operation for the first time only by trained persons who have read
and understood these operating instructions.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Start up the engine only after filling the tanks with sufficient petrol and oil.
Carefully follow the instructions in the enclosed manufacturer's operating and
maintenance manual.
REFUELLING
Danger of explosion! Fill the tank only in the open! Never refuel while the engine
is running or is still very hot! Do not smoke!
Store fuel in containers specifically designed for this purpose.
If petrol is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine but move the machine away
from the area of spillage and avoid
vapours have dissipated.
The gasoline tank is placed on the right side of the unit.
1. Unscrew the tank cap (1) and fill up with lead-free petrol.
2. Screw the tank cap back.
TOPPING UP WITH OIL
Use only oil of type SAE 30 ("SE", "SF" or "SG"). Ensure that no oil is spilled onto
the ground.
The oil filler cap is placed in the engine block, below the seat.
1. Lift the seat
2. Unscrew the oil filler cap (2)
3. Fill up the oil until the "MAX." mark on the dip stick is reached
STARTING UP
Before starting up check the oil and petrol levels.
Do not smoke during the oil and petrol refuelling and checking operations. Top
up with petrol or oil if necessary (as described in detail in previous chapter).
Starting up (engine start) must be carried out as described in detail under the heading "initial
starting up".
Never change gear while driving, the mower must always be at a standstill.
The gear pedal (9) is situated to the right of the steering column (second pedal) and must be
operated with the right foot.
Pressing the pedal with tiptoe moves the mower forward.
Pressing the pedal with heel moves the mower back.
The harder the pedal is pressed the greater the speed.
Never mow the grass with reverse gear engaged.
MOVING WITHOUT GEAR PEDAL ENGAGED (PUSHING)
Movement without power (pushing)
Only possible with the engine off.
ushing the mower may be necessary to move it to the storage area.
P
Should it be necessary to manually move the mower the gear lever must be positioned to
neutral. Warning! For all manual shift operations the engine must be off and the ignition key
removed.
1. Position the hydrostatic gear block level (11-fig.17) on the discharge plate to neutralA
(fig.17). At the end of the manual push operation, reposition lever 11 to drive engagement
pos.B.
DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS
Ensure that there are no persons or animals within the operating vicinity of the machine.
Select the required speed and drive carefully. Transportation of other persons is forbidden.
Transmission occurs on the rear wheels by means of the hydrostatic gear, braking is by
pressing the pedal (7) on the right of the steering wheel column.
8 -

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

9 -

OPERATION

(Fig. 10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17)
creating any source of ignition until the petrol
Lawn cutting frequency depends on the rate of growth. In the main growing season
(May-June) often (twice a week) or at least once a week. The cutting height should be
between 4-6 cm. and the growth before the next cut should not be more than 4-5 cm.
During hot and dry periods, the lawn should be cut 1,5 cm. higher than normal, to avoid
ground and root drying out.
If the grass is somewhat higher than normal, you should not make the mistake of
cutting it immediately; you can damage the lawn. Do no cut to more than half the
necessary height.
(Fig.8-9)
Never place your hands or feer underneath the deck or into the rear discharge chute while
the engine is running.
Operating fuels:
Use only the following on your mower:
Petrol lead free (min. octane rating 77)
engine oil SAE 30 ("SE", "SF" O "SG")
ELECTRIC ENGINE START
The exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and deadly gas.
Never start the engine in closed or badly ventilated rooms.
Look for a flat piece of ground with short grass for starting the engine.
Operate the electric starter (Fig.11) only when sitting on the tractor with blade clutch (4) in
stop position and with brake engaged.
1. Set the clutch blade (4) to STOP position
2. Set the gas throttle lever (5) to START position
3. Press the brake pedal (7) and pull the lever to block the brake (10) (parking brake).
4. Press the brake pedal (7).
5. Turn the key to the right and release it, after starting in "RUN" position, The green light
situated under the unit remains on. Should the engine fail to start within 5 seconds, wait a
further 10 ten seconds before trying again to avoid damaging the battery
6. Set the lever (5) between
your work
Do not touch ignition key while running.
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
To switch off the engine position the key to "STOP". The green light goes off.
Reduce the throttle setting during engine run-out.
Only switch the engine off when the machine is at a complete standstill.
Always remove the ignition key to prevent accidental starting.
DRIVING
1. Press the pedal (9) slowly fully down. The advance speed of the mower will vary according
to the pressure applied to the pedal.
2. Advance speed may also be varied by manually operating the gas throttle lever (5).
BRAKING
Remove the right foot from the drive pedal (9). Press the brake pedal (7). To activate the
parking brake, pull the lever (10) upwards.
Pressing the brake, the drive pedal will automatically position itself on neutral.
DRIVING NOTICE
If possible, avoid driving at full throttle.
The present vehicle is not homologated to be used on roads , nevertheless in case it is
necessary to cross the road or if you are working in the neighbourhood , please be very
careful to the traffic.
OPERATING THE MOWER MECHANISM
The mower mechanism can only be switched on when the machine is at a standstill
(parking brake engaged), with engine running, and throttle on
operator seated on the mower.
Caution! Keep hands and feet out of the moving mower mechanism!
ENGAGING THE MOWER MECHANISM
1. Take the right foot off the drive pedal (9)
2. Engage the brake (7)
3. Set the lever (4) on START position
The mower mechanism is now engaged and the blade is rotating.
4. You can now start to mow by pushing the drive pedal down with the right foot.
If the user stands up from the seat during the mowing, the engine switches off.
SWITCHING OFF THE MOWER GEAR
Set the clutch blade lever (4) into STOP position.
The blade stops turning in about 5 seconds.
17
fig. 9
and until you judge the revs to be correct for
(full) and with
G
B