MTD 080 Thru 099 - Manual (Page 7)

7
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER
IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil
in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline
and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual
before operating your mower.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower
is observed from the operating position.
Removing Unit From Carton
• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut
tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open
carton.
• Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e.,
operator’s manual, etc.)
• Carefully cut along corners, lay carton down flat,
and remove packing material.
• Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton
thoroughly for loose parts.
Disconnecting Spark Plug Wire
Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the
spark plug wire from the spark plug and ground against
the engine. See Figure 1.
Figure 1
Setting Up Your Lawn Mower
• Lift up and pull back on the upper handle to raise
the handle into the operating position. Make certain
the lower handle is seated securely into the handle
bracket assemblies. To secure the upper and lower
handle, tighten the wing nuts near the top of lower
handle (carriage bolts must be seated properly into
the handle).
• Tighten the wing nuts at the end of the lower handle
to secure the handle to handle bracket assemblies.
See Figure 2.
NOTE: Your mower is shipped with the handle in the
higher position. If you wish to lower the height of the
handle, refer to the Adjustment Section.
Figure 2
• Fasten the cable to the lower handle with the cable
tie found on the lower handle. Pull the cable tie tight
and trim off the excess. See Figure 3.
Figure 3
• If not already, move rope guide to the first hole
above the lower handle on right side. Secure the
rope guide to handle with wing nut, but do not
tighten. See Figure 4.
Figure 4
• With the spark plug wire disconnected and
grounded, hold the blade control handle against the
upper handle, and pull the starter rope out of the
engine. Release the blade control handle. Slip the
starter rope into the rope guide. Tighten the wing
nut.
NOTE: This manual represents two different model
series. Model 080 series comes with the side
discharge assembly on the unit and a snap on
mulching baffle. The 090 series comes with the
mulching baffle on the unit and a snap on side
discharge chute.
Spark
Plug Wire
Bolt
Spark Plug
Spark Plug
Wire
Wing
Nuts
Lower
Handle
Handle
Bracket
Assemblies
Cable Tie
Lower
Handle
Wing Nut
Starter
Upper Handle
Rope
Rope
Guide
Lower
Handle