MTD 242-645-000 - Manual (Page 7)

FIGURE 9.
To lower the hopper assembly, use one hand to
grasp the handle at the top of the hopper assem­
bly and lift slightly. Pull up on the release bar, and
lower the hopper assembly to the ground.
Release the bar. See figure 11.
3. Bulky material, such as stalks or heavy branches,
up to 3" in diameter should be fed into the chip­
per chute. See figure 12.
A
IMPORTANT: There is a flail screen located inside
the housing in the discharge area. If the flail screen
becomes clogged, remove and clean as instructed in
the Maintenance section on page 8.
For best performance, it is important to keep the
shredding blade and the chipper blades sharp. Refer
to Maintenance section, pages 8 and 9. If the compo­
sition of the material being discharged changes
(becomes stringy, etc.) or if the rate at which the
material is discharged slows down considerably, it is
likely that the shredding blade and/or chipper blades
are dull and need to be sharpened or replaced.
WARNING: Make certain the chipper
chute door is closed when not in use.
MAINTENANCE
A
WARNING: Always stop engine and dis­
connect spark plug wire before cleaning,
lubricating or performing any repairs or
maintenance.
LUBRICATION
Lubricate the pivot points on the release bar, guide
extention assembly, chute deflector and chipper chute
once a season using a light oil.
ENGINE
Refer to the separate engine manual for engine main­
tenance instructions.
Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate
engine manual packed with your unit. Read and follow
instructions carefully.
Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal con­
ditions. Clean every few hours under extremely dusty
conditions. Poor engine performance and flooding
usually indicates that the air cleaner should be ser­
viced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate
engine manual packed with your unit.
The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset
once a season. Spark plug replacement is recom­