MTD 114-100A - Manual (Page 5)

LUBRICATION NOTE
IMPORTANT: Always stop engine and disconnect spark
plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or doing any
kind of work on lawn mower.
Protective Shield — The pivot points on the protective
shield should be lubricated periodically with oil to pre­
vent any rust or binding up.
Chute Deflector — The torsion spring and pivot point
should be lubricated periodically with oil to prevent
any rust or binding up. Deflector must work freely.
Wheels—Wheel bearings are of self-lubricating Forti-
flex. They require no lubrication. If your unit is pro­
vided with optional ball bearing wheels, lubricate at
least once a season with light oil.
Throttle — Periodically lubricate throttle control lever
and throttle wire assembly with a few drops of light
oil (SAE No. 10 or 20) for ease of operation.
Engine — Follow engine manual for lubrication in­
structions.
NOTE: FILL AND DRAIN OIL
FROM OIL FILL PLUG.
Always disconnect spark
plug cable during re­
pairs,
refueling or
changing oil. Engine oil
may be drained through
oil filler opening by tilt­
ing the mower on its
side. Change oil after
first 5 hours of operation
while engine is warm.
Thereafter,
change oil
every 25 hours of opera­
tion
while engine is
warm.
MAINTENANCE
Cutting Blade — The blade may easily be removed for
grinding or replacement as follows:
1. Remove bolt and lockwasher holding blade and
blade adapter to engine crankshaft.
2. Remove blade and blade adapter from engine
crankshaft.
3. Remove two bolts, lockwashers and nuts holding
blade to blade adapter (if necessary).
When sharpening blade, follow the original angle of
grind as a guide. It is extremely important that each
cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to
prevent an unbalanced blade. An unbalanced blade
will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high
speeds and may cause damage to the mower. Upon
reassembly, make certain all parts are assembled pro­
perly and tightened securely.
To insure safe operation of your unit,
ALL nuts and bolts must be checked
periodically for correct tightness.
Deck —The underside of the mower deck should be
cleaned after each period of use as grass clippings,
leaves, dirt and other matter will accumulate. This ac­
cumulation of grass clippings, etc., is undesirable as
it will invite corrosion and may cause an uneven dis­
charge of grass clippings at the next cutting.
The deck may be cleaned by tilting the mower for­
ward or on its side and scraping clean with a suitable
tool or by washing with a stream of water from a
garden hose.
CAUTION
Do not direct the stream of water at a
hot engine, as damage to the engine
may result.
Storage — The following steps should be taken to pre­
pare lawn mower for storage:
1. Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described
in the preceding instructions.
2. Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage
instructions.
3. Coat mower's cutting blade with chassis grease to
prevent rusting.
4. Place blocks under deck to raise tires clear of floor.
5. Store mower in a dry, clean area.
USING YOUR MOWER
For best results, do not cut wet grass because it tends
to stick to underside of the mower thus preventing
proper discharge of grass clippings. If wet grass must
be cut, reduce walking speed to help distribute the
clippings more effectively.
New grass should be treated as wet grass, otherwise a
normal walking speed is about the right pace for effi­
cient mowing. The best mowing pattern is one that
allows the clippings to discharge towards the uncut
part of the lawn. This permits recutting of the clippings
to further pulverize them. When cutting high weeds,
discharge towards cut portion, then recut at right an­
gles to first direction.
Lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is
growth.