MTD 54M Operator's Manual page 6

NOTE: T hisOperator's
Manual covers several
models. Lawn Mower
features v aryby
model. N otallfeatures
discussed ( orengines
pictured)
in this manual
are applicableto all
Lawn Mower models.
NOTE: Stand behind
the mower as ifyou
were going to operate
it. Your right hand cor-
responds to the right
side of the mower; your
left hand corresponds
to the left side of the
i mower.
NOTE: Make sure to
route cable outside the
I lower handle. Do not
i crimp cable while lifting
i the handle up.
IMPORTANT
This unit is shipped
I without gasoline or
oil in the engine. Fill
Lp gasoline and oil
as instructed in the
accompanying engine
manual BEFORE
operating your mower.
i _ 1. Removeanypackingmaterial.Thefirst step in
,._ ..J
Figure 3-1:Attach wheels.
Figure3-2: Unfoldhandleandtighten hardware.
assemblyis to attachthe rearwheels.
a. Placerearof the mowerdeck on raisedblocks.
b. Removelock nutand washer(if equipped)from
pivotarm assembly,Figure3-1.(On selectmodels,
these maybe includedseparatelyin a plasticbag).
c. Slidewasher (if equipped)followedbythe wheel
(bothwith hollowside in) ontopivot arm. See
Figure3-1.
d. Securewith lock nut removed earlier.
e. Assemblethe other sidein the samemanner.
Removeblocksand lowerdeck whencomplete.
2. Followthe stepsbelowto setupthe handle.
a. Pull up and backon upperhandleas shownin
Figure3-2. Makecertain the lowerhandleis
seatedsecurelyintothe handlemountingbrackets.
Do notcrimp cablewhilelifting the handleup.
b. Tightenstar knobsto secureupper handleto
lowerhandle.Make surethat eachcarriagebolt is
seatedproperlyin the handle.
3. Locatethe hairpinclipon the weldpin on eachsideof
lowerhandle.
HardwarePack
Wing Nuts(2)
a.
Figure3-3:Securelowerhandleto mountingbrackets.
Removehairpinclipfrom this hole.Usinga pair
of pliers,insert hairpinclip into the holeon pin
closestto the bracket.See Figure3-3. Repeaton
otherside.
b. Inserta carriagebolt fromthe hardwarepack into
the upperhole on the handle mountingbracket.
Securewith one plasticwing nut,also includedin
the hardwarepack. Repeaton otherside.
4. The ropeguide is attachedto the right sideof the
upperhandle.See Figure3-4. Loosenthe wing nut
which securesthe ropeguide.
a. Holdblade controlagainstupper handle.
b. Pull starterropeout of the engine.Releaseblade
control.
J
Figure 3-4: Pull recoil starter through rope guide and tighten.
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