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Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty ’ peratOr anual Push Mower — Model 54K WARNING READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE.
To The Owner Thank You Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Mower manufactured by MTD LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent performance when properly operated and maintained. Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment. It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and maintain your machine.
Important Safe Operation Practices WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury.
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A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the handle immediately.
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Service Safe Handling Of Gasoline: To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes, which can ignite.
Spark Arrestor WARNING: This machine is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
Tighten star knobs to secure upper handle to lower handle. Make sure that each carriage bolt is seated properly in the handle. • One Lawn Mower Operator’s Manual • One Engine Operator’s Manual Locate the hairpin clip on the weld pin on each side of lower handle.
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The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle. See Fig. 3-3. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope guide. Figure 3-3 Hold blade control against upper handle. Pull starter rope out of the engine. Release blade control.
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Follow the steps below to attach the grass catcher: Lift rear discharge door. See Fig. 3-6. Figure 3-6 Place grass catcher on the pivot rod. Let go of discharge door so that it rests on 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.
Controls and Features Recoil Starter Grass Catcher Side Discharge Chute 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 is a safety device.
Using Your Lawn Mower Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.
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.
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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.
To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically check the blade bolt for correct torque. Off-Season Storage The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage. • Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions.
Troubleshooting Problem Engine Fails to start Engine runs erratic Engine overheats Occasional skips (hesitates) at high speed Idles poorly Excessive Vibration Mower will not mulch grass Uneven cut Cause Blade control disengaged. Spark plug boot disconnected. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Engine not primed (if equipped with primer).
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States and/or its territories and possessions, and by MTD Products Limited with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in Canada and/ or its territories and possessions (either entity respectively, “MTD”).