MTD 113-050A - Manual (Page 9)

OPERATION
Caution
Do Not O p e r a t e M o w e r U n l e s s T h i s
G u a r d O r E n t i r e G r a s s c a t c h e r I s I n
I t s P r o p e r P l a c e .
FIGURE 15.
Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on
cutting deck. See figure 15.
BEFORE STARTING
1. Service engine with oil and gasoline as in­
structed in the separate engine manual
packed with your unit. Read the instructions
carefully.
2. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
TO START ENGINE AND ENGAGE BLADE
1. Move the throttle control lever to FAST or
START position.
2. Standing behind the unit, depress the blade
control handle and hold it against the upper
handle as shown in figure 16.
3. Grasp the recoil starter handle as shown and
pull up rapidly. Return it slowly to the rope
guide bolt.
4. After engine starts, move throttle control lever
to desired engine speed.
TO STOP ENGINE AND BLADE
1. Release the blade control handle to stop the
engine and blade.
t, warning
\
The blade continues to rotate for a
few seconds after the engine is shut
off.
2. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it
against the engine to prevent accidentai start­
ing while equipment is unattended.
USING YOUR ROTARY MOWER
Be sure that lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire,
or other objects which could damage lawn mower
or engine. Such objects could be accidently
thrown by the mower in any direction and cause
serious personal injury to the operator and others.
Operate a new engine at intermediate speeds and
light load for the first few hours as you would a
new automotive engine.
For best results, do not cut wet grass because it
tends to stick to the underside of the mower,
preventing proper discharge of grass clippings,
and could cause you to slip and fall. New grass,
thick grass or wet grass may require a narrower
cut. Blade speed should be adjusted to the condi­
tion of the lawn.
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 angles to first direction.
For best results, cut off one-third or less of the
total length of the grass. Lawn should be cut in
the fall as long as there is growth.