MTD 112-020 - Manual (Page 4)

ASSEMBLY
Your new mower is shipped preassembled with the exception
of the handle.
1. Remove lawn mower and all parts from the carton. Make
certain that all l o o s e parts and literature have been
removed before the carton is discarded.
2. If mower is equipped with throttle control (two cycle en­
gines are constant speed engines and require no throttle
control) extend throttle control assembly which is attached
to engine at the rear of the mower and place on the floor.
CAUTION; Do not bend or kink control wires.
3. Assemble the upper and lower handle parts with cap
screws and locknuts provided in parts bag. On mower
Model 112-020 use the longer (yellow) screw to attach
throttle control.
4. Holes at the bottom of the lower handle are to be fitted
over studs located in front of each rear wheel mounting
position.
5. Secure throttle control wire to lower right handle with
cable clips.
6. Check blade bolts for proper tightness.
OPERATION
For shipping purposes, the wheels on your mower are general­
ly set in the upper mounting holes. Relocating the wheels to
the second holes from the bottom will give better mowing
results in most cases. When changing wheel positions, be
sure Belleville washers ate assembled properly. (See cutting
height instructions.)
1. Service engine with gas and oil. See engine manual packed
with lawn mower for complete instructions for the care and
maintenance of engine. READ DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.
2. When ready to start engine, place throttle control lever on
handle in “START” position and start engine in accord­
ance with instructions in engine manual. After engine
starts, move throttle control lever on handle to desired
engine speed. The engine is stopped by placing control
lever on handle in the “STOP” position.
Two cycle engines are constant speed engines. No throttle
control is required. The engine
is stopped by moving the spark
plug shorting lever against the
tip of the spark plug. Be sure this
is moved away before starting _____________
the engine.
''------ *"
3. Be sure that lawn is cleat of stones, sticks, wire or other
objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. For
best results and to insure more even grass distribution, do
not mow when lawn is excessively wet.
ADJUSTMENTS
CAUTION:Do not at any time make any adjustment to lawn
mower without first stopping engine and disconnecting spark
plug wire.
CUTTING HEIGHT
Adjustment may be made by removing and moving wheel studs
to desired position. Cutting heights will be raised as wheel
studs are moved to a lower hole and lowered as wheel studs
are moved to a higher hole in the deck. All wheel studs must
be mounted in a relative position to the deck.
LUBRICATION
IMPORTANT: Always stop engine and disconnect spark plug
wire before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of work
on lawn mower.
WHEELS - Wheel bearings are of lifetime Fortiflex. They
require no lubrication.
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PROTECTIVE SHIELD - The pivot points on the protective
shield should be lubricated periodically with light oil to
prevent any rust or binding.
CHUTE DEFLECTOR - The torsion spring and pivot point
should be lubricated periodically with light oil to prevent
any rust or binding. Deflector must work freely.
ENGINE - Follow engine manual for lubrication instructions.
MAINTENANCE
CUTTING BLADE: The blade may easily be removed for
grinding or replacement as follows:
1. Remove bolt and lock washer holding blade and blade
adapter to engine crankshaft.
2. Remove blade and blade adapter from engine crankshaft.
3. Remove two bolts, lock washers and nuts holding blade
to the 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 grindingto preventan 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 a s s e m b l e d
properly and tightened securely.
DECK - The underside of mower deck should be cleaned
after each period of use as grass clippings, leaves, dirt and
other matter will accumulate. This accumulation of grass
clippings, etc., is undesirable as it will invite rust and
corrosion and may cause an uneven d i s c h a r g e of grass
clippings at the next cutting.
The deck may be cleaned by tilting the mower forward or on
its left side and scraping clean with a suitable tool or by
washingwith a stream of water froma gardenhose. 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 prepare
lawn mower for storage.
1. Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in
the preceding instructions.
2. Refer to e n g i n e m a n u a l for correct engine storage
instructions.
3. Coat mower’s cutting bladewith chassis grease to prevent
rusting.
4. Place b l o c k s under deck to raise tires clear of floor.
5. Store mower in a dry, clean area.
USING YOUR ROTARY MOWER
For the best results do not cut wet grass because it tends to
stick to the underside of the mower, thus preventing proper
discharge of grass clippings. If wet grass must be cut, reduce
engine speed and walking speed to help distribute the clip­
pings more effectively.
New grass should be treated as wet grass, otherwise a normal
walking speed is about the right pace for efficient 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 angles to first direction.
Lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is growth.