Maintenance & Adjustment - MTD 02B Series Operator's Manual

Maintenance & Adjustments
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:
cool, 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. This control must operate freely in
both directions. See Figure 6-1.
2. Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light oil (or
motor oil). If wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate
surface of the axle bolt and inner surface of the wheel with
light oil. See Figure 6-1.
3. Follow the Engine Operator's Manual for lubrication
schedule and instruction for engine lubrication.
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Always stop engine, allow engine to
Figure 6-1
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 proper cleaning.
1. Allow the engine to run until it is out of fuel. Do not
attempt to pour fuel from the engine. Disconnect spark
plug wire. Refer to Engine Operator's Manual.
2. Tip mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side
with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower firmly.
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. Do not spray with water.
IMPORTANT: Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose
to clean your unit. These may cause damage to the engine.
The use of water will result in shortened life and reduce
serviceability.
4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground.
Engine Care
A list of key engine maintenance jobs required for good
performance by the mower are listed below. Follow the Engine
Operator's Manual for a detailed list and instructions.
• Maintain oil level as instructed in Engine Operator's
Manual.
• Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal conditions.
Clean every few hours under extremely dusty conditions.
Poor engine performance and flooding usually indicates
that the air cleaner should be serviced. To service the air
cleaner, refer to the Engine Operator's 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 Operator's Manual for
correct plug type and gap specifications.
• 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 muffler
area.
• Engines stored between 30 and 90 days need to be treated
with a gasoline stabilizer to prevent deterioration and gum
from forming in fuel system or on essential carburetor
parts.
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