MTD 54M Operator's Manual page 17

Check Oil
Level
IMPORTANT:Be sureto checkthe engineon a level
surfacewith the engine stopped.
.
2.
3.
4.
Removethe oil fillercap and wipethe dipstickclean.
See Figure9-2.
Insertthe dipstickintothe oil fillerneck, butdo not
screwit in.
if the levelislow,slowlyadd oil to the upperlimit on
thedipstick.
Tightendipstickfirmlybeforestartingengine.
IMPORTANT:Donotoverfill.Overfillingwith oil may
causesmoking,hardstarting,spark plug fouling,or oil
saturationof air cleaner.
Fuel Recommendations
Use automotive gasoline(Unleadedor Iowleaded to
minimizecombustion chamberdeposits).Neverusean
oil/gasolinemixtureor dirty gasoline.Avoidgettingdirt,
dust,or waterin the fuel tank.
_ ARNING:Gasolineis extremelyflam-
mable and is explosiveunder certain
conditions.
Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine
stopped.Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks
in the area where the engineis refueledor where
gasoline is stored.
Do not overfill the fuel tank (there should be no fuel
in the filler neck). After refueling, makesure the tank
cap isclosed properly and securely.
Be careful not to spill fuel when refueling. Spilled
fuel or fuel vapor may ignite,if any fuel is spilled,
makesure the area is dry before startingthe engine.
Avoid repeatedor prolongedcontact with skin or
breathing of vapor.
Check Fuel Level
1. Cleanaroundfuelfill beforeremovingcap to fuel.
2. Filltank to approximately one inchbelowlowest
portionof neck to allowfor fuelexpansion.Be careful
notto overfill.
IMPORTANT:Beforerefueling,allowengineto cool two
minutes.
Starting The Engine
_ ARNING:Alwayskeep hands and
feet clear of equipmentmovingparts.
Do not use a pressurizedstartingfluid.
Vaporsare flammable.
1. Pull out thechoke knoblocatedon the left sideof the
upper handle.See Figure9-3.
Figure9-2:Checkingthe oil level.
Figure9-3:Startingthe mower.(Yourmowermaydifferfrom
thatshown)
NOTE:Useof the choke maynot be necessaryifthe
engineiswarmor the air temperatureishigh.
2. Standingbehindthe mower,depressthe bladecontrol
and hold itagainstthe upperhandle.
3. Pullthe startergrip lightlyuntil resistanceisfelt,
thenpull rapidlyto overcomecompression,prevent
kickbackand startengine.Repeatif necessary.
IMPORTANT: D o notallowthe startergrip to snap
backagainstthe rope guide.Returnit gentlyto prevent
damageto the starter.
4. Whenenginewarmsup, pushin the choke knob.
Stopping The Engine
1. Releasethe bladecontrol.
17
WARNING
Always keep hands
and feet clear of equip'
ment moving parts:Do
not use a pressurized
starting fluid, Vapors
IMPORTANT: Donot
allow the starter grip to
snap baCkagainstthe
enginel Returnit gently
to reventdamage to
the starter: