Section 5: Controls - MTD YARD MACHINES 587 Series Operator's Manual

SECTION 5: CONTROLS

THROTTLE CONTROL
The throttle control lever is located on the engine
(Model 588) or on the handle panel (Model 587). It
regulates the engine speed and stops the engine.
BLADE CLUTCH/DEPTH CONTROL
WARNING:
control is designed to minimize the risk
of blade contact injury. Do not under
any circumstances attempt to defeat
the function of the blade clutch/depth
control, or use the edger if the control
is not adjusted properly.
Keep hands and feet away from edger
blade whenever the engine is running,
whether blade
disengaged.
The blade clutch/depth control has two main
functions:
1. To engage and disengage the blade.
2. To control the depth of cut.
To disengage the blade, move the control lever to
the left and pull it back to the notch in the depth
adjustment bracket closest to the operator. See
Figure 4. This position takes tension off the drive
belt and keeps the blade from turning. To engage
the blade, move the control lever forward into any of
the other notches to engage the drive belt and start
the blade turning. The further forward the control
lever is moved, the deeper or lower the cut.
Figure 4
BLADE PLANE ADJUSTMENT
The cutting blade can be adjusted to eight positions
from vertical to horizontal. To adjust, make certain
the blade is disengaged, release the adjustment
lever on the pivot bracket and rotate the spindle
housing. Place adjustment lever in notch desired.
See Figure 5.
The blade clutch/depth
is engaged
Blade Clutch/
Depth Control
In Disengaged
Position
Engaged
P i i
When the blade is adjusted toward the horizontal
position, the front wheels must also be adjusted.
Remove the hairpin clip on the left side and slide
the wheel to the right as shown in Figure 6. Reinsert
the hairpin clip.
NOTE:
If the wheels are not adjusted, the blade
will hit the left front wheel, causing the belt to slip
and possibly damaging the wheel.
or
Hairpin Clips
Become familiar
adjustments before operating the edger so you can
adjust it easily to a variety of cutting and trimming
conditions. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE ANY
ADJUSTMENTS while the engine is running.
6
Adjustment
Lever
Figure 5
Blade
Figure 6
with all the controls and