Maintenance - MTD Series 400 Operator's Manual

Maintenance

Maintenance
General Recommendations
Always observe safety rules when performing any
maintenance.
The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that
have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To
receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain
the lawn mower as instructed here.
Changing of engine-governed speed will void engine
warranty.
All adjustments should be checked at least once each
season.
Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are
tight.
WARNING:
Always stop engine, disconnect spark
plug, and ground against engine before performing
any type of maintenance on your machine.
Lubrication
1. Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least once a
season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely
in both directions. See Fig. 6-1.
2. The transmission is pre-lubricated and sealed at the factory
and does not require lubrication.
3. Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrication
schedule and instruction for engine lubrication.
Deck Care
Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to prevent
build-up of grass clippings or other debris. Follow steps below
for this job.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from lawn
mower or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.
2. Tip mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side
with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower rmly.
WARNING:
Never tip the mower more than 90º in
any direction and do not leave the mower tipped for
any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part
of the engine causing a starting problem.
3. Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a suitable
tool.
4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you had
put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make sure to remove it
now.
Figure 6-1
Engine Care
A list of key engine maintenance jobs required for good
performance by the mower is given below. Follow the
accompanying engine manual for a detailed list and instructions.
Maintain oil level as instructed in engine manual.
Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal conditions.
Clean every few hours under extremely dusty conditions.
Poor engine performance and ooding usually indicates
that the air cleaner should be serviced. To service the air
cleaner, refer to the engine manual.
Clean spark plug and reset the gap once a season. Spark
plug replacement is recommended at the start of each
mowing season. Check engine manual for correct plug
type and gap speci cations.
Clean engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keep the
top of the engine clean to permit proper air circulation.
Remove all grass, dirt, and combustible debris from mu er
area.
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