MTD 12A-559Q795 Operator's Manual page 10

Maintaining
Mower
Do not use a pressure
washeror garden hose
toc ea" your uo t. These
may causedamage to
electriccomponents,
spindles, pulleys,bear,
ingslor the engine,The
useof waterwill resultin
Figure5-1:Areasto Lubricate on mower.
Figure5-2:Cut rodto removerearflap.
General Recommendations
• Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhen performing
anymaintenance.
• Thewarrantyon this lawnmowerdoesnot cover
itemsthat havebeen subjectedto operatorabuse
or negligence.To receivefull valuefromwarranty,
operatormustmaintainthelawn moweras
instructedhere.
• Changingof engine-governed speedwill void
enginewarranty.
• All adjustmentsshouldbe checkedat leastonce
eachseason.
• Periodicallycheckall fastenersand makesurethese
are tight.
,_ WARNING:Alwaysstop engine,disconnect
spark plug,and ground against engine
before performingany type of maintenance on your
machine.
Lubrication
1. Lubricatepivot pointson theblade and drivecontrol
handlesat least oncea seasonwith light oil, Figure
5-1.
2. Lubricatethe wheelsat least oncea seasonwith
lightoil (or motoroil). If wheelsare removedfor any
reason,lubricate s urfaceof the pivotarm and inner
surfaceof thewheelwith light oil.
3. Lubricatethe torsionspringand pivot pointon the rear
dischargedoor periodicallywith lightoil to prevent
rust.
4. Thetransmissionis pre-lubricated and sealedat the
factoryand does not requirelubrication.
5. Followtheaccompanying engine manualfor lubrica-
tion scheduleand instructionfor engine lubrication.
Deck Care
Theundersideof the mowerdeck shouldbe cleaned
after eachuseto preventany build-upof grass clippings,
leaves,dirt, or otherdebris. If this debrisis allowedto
accumulateit will resultin rust and corrosion.
1. Disconnectsparkplug wire. Draingasolinefrom lawn
moweror placea pieceof plasticunderthegas cap.
2. Tip mowersothat it restson the housing.Keepthe
sidewith the air cleanerfacingup. Hold mowerfirmly.
_ ARNING:Never tip the mower more than
90° in any directions and do not leavethe
mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain
intothe upper part of the engine causing a starting
problem.
3. Scrapeand clean the undersideof the deck with a
suitabletool. Do notspraywith water.
4. Putthe mowerback on its wheelson the ground.If
youhad put plasticunderthe gas capearlier,make
sureto removeit now.
Engine Care
Followtheaccompanying engine manualfor detailedlist
and instructions.
• Maintainoil levelas instructedin enginemanual.
• Serviceair cleanerevery25 hoursundernormal
conditions.Cleaneveryfew hoursunderextremely
dustyconditions.Referto engine manual.
• Cleansparkplug and resetthegap once a season.
Checkenginemanualfor correctplugtype and gap
specifications.
• Cleanengineregularlywith a cloth or brush. Keepthe
coolingsystem(blowerhousingarea) cleanto permit
properair circulation.Removeall grass,dirt and
combustible debrisfrom mufflerarea.
Replacing Rear Flap
1. Toremoverearflap, cut off the flat end of the wire rod
whichsecuresit to the deck,Figure5-2.
2. Attachthe newflapand newrod to deck, bendingthe
endsof the new rod overto secureto deck.
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