MTD 586 Owner's Manual page 4

CONTROLS
THROTTLE CONTROL
The throttle control lever is located on the engine
(Models 586 and 588) or on the handle panel (Model
587). It regulates the engine speed and stops the
engine.
BLADE CLUTCH/DEPTH CONTROL
WARNING: The blade clutch/depth control
is designed to minimize the risk of blade
contact injury. Do not under any circum-
stances 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 is engaged or 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 adjust-
ment bracket closest to the operator. See figure 2. 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.
When the blade is adjusted toward the horizontal posi-
tion, 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 4. Reinsert the hairpin clip.
NOTE: ff the wheels are not adjusted, the blade will hit
the left front wheel, causing the belt to slip and possi-
bly damaging the wheel
FIGURE3.
Adjustment
Lever
Hairpin Clips
Blade Clutch/
Depth Control
Position
FIGURE 2.
Engaged
Position
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BLADEPLANE 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 3.
FIGURE 4.
Become familiar with all the controls and adjustments
before operating the edger so you can adjust it easily
to a variety of cutting and trimming conditions. DO
NOT AI-rEMPT TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS while
the engine is running.
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