MTD 11A 020B752 User Manual LAWN MOWER Manuals And Guides 1107384L

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Operator's Manual

20-inch Rotary Mower

Model Series 020

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting

applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.

In the State of California, the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may

have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine au-

thorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

MTD LLC, P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10419D.

(9/2005)

Content

CustomerSupport

ImportantSafeOperationPractices

SlopeGauge

SettingUp

OperatingYourLawnMower

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Page Content Page

2 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 11

3 Troubleshooting 13

5 Parts List 14

6 Warranty Back Cover

9

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble, prepare,

and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the

equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. A sample model plate is

also given below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position and

looking down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer's

web site and/or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized service dealer.

P. O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND,OH 44136

338-228-4683

880-880-731 O,

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

CUSTOMERSUPPORT

Please doNOTreturnthe unitto the retailer from whichit waspurchased,withoutfirstcontactingCustomerSupport.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or

maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

En ine

Visit mtdproducts.com. Click the Service & Support menu option.

Sea,mice& Suppo_±

Product Registration

Prbecy Paky

If you prefer to reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1(800) 800-7310.

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to

)erformance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine

manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual, packed separately with your unit, for more

information.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could

endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in

this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may

result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or

emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive

harm.

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this

manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can

result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.

Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

GeneralOperation

1. Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety before

attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and

follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s)

before operation. Be completely familiar with the controls and

the proper use of this machine before operating it. Keep this

manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for

ordering replacement parts.

2. This machine is a precision piece of power equipment, not a

plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times. Your

unit has been designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not

use it for any other purpose.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine.

Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the

instructions in this manual and should be trained and supervised

by a parent. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with

these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use this

machine.

4. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used.

Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other foreign

objects which could be tripped over or picked up and thrown by

the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury.

Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward

roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid

discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may

cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.

5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay in the

operator zone behind the handles and keep children,

bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from the mower

while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

6. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation

and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your

eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to

the eyes.

7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks

and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs and

steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never operate this machine

in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.

8. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting

deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet.

9. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact

or thrown object injuries.

10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over

the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do not hold

on to the mower if you are falling; release the handle

immediately.

11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are walking. If

you must back the mower away from a wall or obstruction first

look down and behind to avoid tripping and then follow these

steps:

a, Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.

b, Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.

c, Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way

toward you,

d, Repeat these steps as needed.

12, Do not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol

or drugs.

13, Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so

equipped while starting engine.

14, The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to

bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety device

inoperative and may result in personal injury through contact

with the rotating blade. The blade control handle must operate

easily in both directions and automatically return to the

disengaged position when released.

15, Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of your

footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury, If you

feel you are losing your footing, release the blade control handle

immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three

seconds.

16, Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk, never run,

17, Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.

18, If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the

engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is

generally a warning of trouble.

19, Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete

stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute.

The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the

engine is shut off, Never place any part of the body in the blade

area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotating.

20, Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge

cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety

protective devices in place and working. Never operate mower

with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so, can result in

personal injury.

21, Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not

touch.

22, Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the

manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury,

23, If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care

and good judgment. Contact your dealer for assistance.

Telephone 1-800-800-7310 for the name of your nearest dealer.

SlopeOperation

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can

result in severe injury, Operation on slopes requires extra caution, If

you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it, For your safety, use the

slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before

operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area, If the slope is greater than

15 degrees, do not mow it,

Do:

1, Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down, Exercise

extreme caution when changing direction on slopes,

2, Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can

cause you to slip or trip, Tall grass can hide obstacles,

3, Always be sure of your footing, A slip and fall can cause serious

personal injury, If you feel you are losing your balance, release

the blade control handle immediately, and the blade will stop

rotating within 3 seconds,

DoNot:

1, Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you could

lose your footing or balance,

2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the

slope gauge,

3. Do not mow on wet grass, Unstable footing could cause slipping,

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence

of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing

activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that

children will remain where you last saw them.

1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful

care of a responsible adult other than the operator.

2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.

3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for

small children.

4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways,

shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a

child who may run into the mower.

5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer

burns from a hot muffler.

6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power

mower. Children 14 years old and over should read and

understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this

manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

Service

SafeHandlingOfGasoline:

1, To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in

handling gasoline, Gasoline is extremely flammable and the

vapors are explosive, Serious personal injury can occur when

gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite,

2, Wash your skin and change clothes immediately,

3, Use only an approved gasoline container,

4, Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed

with a plastic liner, Always place containers on the ground away

from your vehicle before filling,

5, Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and

refuel it on the ground, If this is not possible, then refuel such

equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from

a gasoline dispenser nozzle,

6, Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or

container opening at all times until fueling is complete, Do not

use a nozzle lock-open device,

7, Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of

ignition,

8, Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will

accumulate in the area,

9, Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or

running, Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before

refueling,

10, Never over fill fuel tank, Fill tank to no more than 1/2inch below

bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel expansion,

11, Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely,

12, If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment, Move

unit to another area, Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine,

13, Never store the machine or fuel container near an open flame,

spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace

,clothes dryer or other gas appliances.

14. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other

debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel

soaked debris.

15. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.

GeneralService:

1, Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area,

Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and

deadly gas,

2, Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade

and all moving parts have stopped, Disconnect the spark plug

wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended

starting,

3, Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals

for proper tightness, Also, visually inspect blade for damage

(e,g,, bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original

equipment manufacture's (O,E,M,) blade only, listed in this

manual, "Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment

specifications may lead to improper performance and

compromise safety!"

4, Mower blades are sharp and can cut, Wrap the blade or wear

gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them,

5, Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is

in safe working condition,

6, Never tamper with safety devices, Check their proper operation

regularly,

7, After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the

spark plug wire and ground against the engine, Thoroughly

inspect the mower for any damage, Repair the damage before

starting and operating the mower,

8, Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment

while the engine is running,

9, Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail shield are

subject to wear and damage which could expose moving parts or

allow objects to be thrown, For safety protection, frequently

check components and replace immediately with original

equipment manufacturer's (O,E,M,) parts only, listed in this

manual, "Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment

specifications may lead to improper performance and

compromise safety!"

10, Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the

engine, The governor controls the maximum safe operating

speed of the engine,

11, Maintain or replace safety labels, as necessary,

12, Observe proper disposal laws and regulations, Improper

disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment,

YourResponsibility

• Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,

understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this

manual and on the machine.

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USE THiS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.

_|

iiii| Sight and h0id this levelwith a verticaltree...

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15°

,_ WARNING

Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could

overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing

and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.

Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.

Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.

LO

SECTION3: SETTINGUP

NOTE: This operator's manual covers various models of mowers. Follow instructions pertaining to your unit only.

UnpackingLooseParts

Once the carton has been opened, you will find several loose parts like the wheels, handles, and chute deflector. A

hardware pack is also included in the carton. Make sure to remove all loose parts before discarding the carton.

Follow instructions below to attach these loose parts to your mower safely and properly for best performance.

HardwarePack

For convenience of assembly, identify the pieces in the hardware pack according to Figure 1 below:

Qty. 4 Qty. 4

Qty.4 Qty.4

Qty.2 Qty.2 Qty.2

_ I 113

Qty. 1

Qty.2 Qty.2 Qty.4

H

Qty. 2 Qty. 2 Qty. 2

Figure 1

ToolsRequired

A set of adjustable wrenches or individual wrenches of

the following sizes: 7/16-inch, 1/2-inch, 9/16-inch, 5/8-

inch, and 3/4-inch

NOTE: Reference to right, left, front, or back of the lawn

mower is from the operating position only, unless

otherwise stated,

SparkPlugWire

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from the spark plug and

ground it against the engine.

2. If engine is equipped with a rubber boot, attach

rubber boot to a bolt on the engine to ground. See

Figure 2.

oIt 0 O_ IIWireX-_=Spark___Plug_1!

PINg Spark Plug

Figure 2

AttachingUpperandLowerHandle

AttachingLower Handle

1. Lift the rear of the deck and place it on a block

securely.

2. Place the lower handle over the deck and align the

holes on the deck with the corresponding holes on

the handle.

3. Secure the lower handle to the deck using the hex

screws, shoulder screws, and flange lock nuts from

group 4 of the hardware pack. See Figure 3.

' Hex

Screw

Figure 3: Attaching lower handle to mower deck,

AttachingUpperHandle

1. Place the upper handle in position over the lower

handle keeping the blade control handle facing up.

2. Secure the upper handle to the lower handle using

the carriage bolts, lock washers, and lock nuts from

group 2 of the hardware pack. See Figure 4.

CarriageBolt 9\

\,_, FlangeLockNut

LockWasher

Figure 4: Attaching upper handle to lower handle.

AttachingBladeControlHandle

NOTE: If the blade control handle became displaced

either during shipping or during assembly, reattach #

now. If the blade control handle is firmly secured in

place, you may proceed to the next step.

1. Insert the curved end of the blade control handle

into the right hole, Figure 5A.

2. Squeeze the handle in and insert the straight end of

into the left hole of the upper handle, Figure 5B.

3. Squeeze the blade control handle against the upper

handle to check for proper assembly.

NOTE: The hole in the blade control handle must be on

the left side and the control handle must touch the

upper handle when squeezed.

Straight End IMPORTANT:

The blade

control handle

is a safety

device, DO

NOT attempt to

bypass its

operations,

Figure 5: Attaching the blade control handle,

AttachingBrakeCable

1. Unwrap the brake cable from the engine and route

the cable under the lower handle.

Attaching"Z" Fitting

2. To make it easier to attach the Z fitting, remove the

left side of the blade control handle as shown in

Figure 6.

3. Hook the "Z" end of the brake cable into the handle

from the outside to the inside, Figure 6.

BladeControl

Handle..

Upper

Handle

Figure 6: Attaching the "Z" fitting,

4. Reattach the left side of the blade control handle.

Securing BrakeCable

,_ WARNING: The cable must be routed

properly to avoid contact with all sharp edges

and hot surfaces. Such contacts damage the

cable and render the controls inoperative.

5. Press the snap fitting in place as shown in Figure 7.

Make sure that the blade control handle is on top of

the upper handle.

Upper

jJ Handle

Lower

Handle

CableTie

Figure 8: Use the cable tie to secure the brake cable to

the lower handle,

AttachingWheels

NOTE: The holes in the deck provide three cutting

heights. Use the same hole for all four wheels when

assembling. For example, if you desire the lowest

cutting position, assemble each wheel at the highest

hole on the deck. Refer to the Cutting Height

Adjustment section for more information.

1. Using hardware from group 1, secure the wheel to

the deck as shown in Figure 9. The small bell

washer should be installed with the crown side

facing the wheel.

Wheel

largewashe

\

Flange

large

small

washer

"\ Shoulder Screw

Figure 9: Installing wheels.

2. Secure the wheel to the deck with the large bell

washer and nut. Repeat on other sides.

,

Figure 7: Installing the snap fitting,

Secure the cable to the lower left handle with a

cable tie from group 3 of the hardware pack. Trim

off extra length of the cable tie. See Figure 8.

AttachingChuteDeflector

1. Align the holes on the chute deflector with the

corresponding holes on the deck.

2. Using group 5 from hardware pack, place carriage

bolts from underside of the deck and up through the

chute deflector. See Figure 10.

3. Secure each bolt with a washer and lock nut.

FlangeLockNut_

Fiat

CarriageBolt

Figure 10: Attaching the chute deflector,

AttachingStarterRope

1. Using hardware from group 6, loosely attach the

eye bolt to the upper handle and thread the lock nut

only a few turns. Do not tighten. See Figure 11A.

2. With the spark plug wire disconnected and

grounded, depress the blade control handle and

pull the rope out of the engine.

3. Loop the rope through the eye bolt, Figure 11B.

4. Tighten the eye bolt to the handle using the lock

nut. DO NOT overtighten.

_ Flange

Lock Nut

Figure 11: Attaching the starter rope,

SECTION4: OPERATINGYOURLAWNMOWER

KnowyourLawnMower

Now that you have set up your lawn mower for

operation, get acquainted with its controls and

features, described below and illustrated in Figure

12. This knowledge will allow you to use your new

equipment to its fullest potential.

BladeControlHandle

The blade control handle is attached to the upper

handle. Depress the blade control handle to

operate the unit. Release it to stop engine and

blade.

_ WARNING: This blade control

mechanism is a safety device. Never

attempt to bypass its operations.

RecoilStarter

The recoil starter is attached to the right upper

handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil

starter rope to start the unit.

Chute Deflector

The chute deflector discharges grass clippings

beside each cutting lap.

Starter R(

BladeControl Handle

Gaslank

ChuteDeflector

Figure 12: Parts of the mower.

Oil Fill

J

Gas& Oil Fill-Up

IMPORTANT:Your lawn mower was shipped without any oil in the engine or gasoline in the gas tank. Follow the

accompanying engine manual to fill up both the oil and gasoline before starting for the first time. For subsequent

operation of the lawn mower, it is very important that you check the level of oil and gasoline before operation.

• Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow engine manual for this. See Figure 12 for location of oil fill.

• Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the engine manual. See Figure 12 for location of gas tank.

_ WARNING: Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vaporsare explosive. Never fill gasoline indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars,

pipes, and other sources of ignition.

BeforeStarting

• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire (inside the

rubber boot) is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.

_ ARNING: The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes,

which can damage your eyes severely. Always wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while

performing any adjustments or repairs on it.

StartingEngine

_ ARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near thelawn mower while starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine

indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains

carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair, and

loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.

1. Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds between each push. In

temperature around 55° F or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a R00o,sta,t0,

warm engine.

2. Standing behind the mower, squeeze the blade control handle against the

upper handle. See Figure 13A.

3. Holding these two handles together firmly, grasp recoil starter handle and pull

rope out with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. See Figure 13B. Keeping a

firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly. Repeat until engine cranks. Let the rope rewind each

time slowly.

Figure 13: To start engine, squeeze

the blade control handle (A), then

pull recoil starter (B),

StoppingEngine

1. Release blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade.

2. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and ground against the engine.

UsingYourLawnMower

IMPORTANT: Be sure the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage the lawn mower

or the engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal

injury to the operator and others.

_ ARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove wire from the spark plug, thoroughly

inspect the mower for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower.

Extensive vibration of the mower during operation is an indication of damage. The unit should be promptly

inspected and repaired.

OperatingTips

• For best results, do not cut wet grass.

• New grass, thick grass, or wet grass may require a

narrower cut.

• For a healthier lawn, never cut off more than one-

third of the total length of the grass.

• Your lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there

is growth.

• Adjust ground speed according to the condition of

the lawn.

10

CuttingHeightAdjustment

1. Remove the carriage bolts and related hardware from the

wheels, Figure 14.

2. Reattach the wheels with carriage bolts at another hole.

Remember to attach ALL wheels at the same relative position to

ensure an even cut. Refer to instructions for attaching the

wheels in the "Setting Up" section of this manual. For a higher

cutting height, use the lower hole on the deck. For a lower

cutting height, use the upper hole.

low

medium

.......................high

Figure 14: Cutting Height Adjustments

SECTION5: MAINTAININGYOURLAWNMOWER

GeneralRecommendations

• Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance.

• The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or

negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed here.

• Changing of engine-governed speed will void engine warranty.

• All adjustments should be checked at least once each season.

• Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight.

_ARNING: Always stop engine, disconnect spark plug, and ground against engine before cleaning,

lubricating or doing any kind of maintenance on your machine.

Lubrication

(See Figure 15)

BladeControlHandle

• Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle at

least once a season with light oil. The blade control must

operate freely in both directions. See Figure 15.

Wheels

• If the wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate the

surface of the carriage bolt and inner surface of the wheel

with light oil.

Engine

Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrication

schedule and instruction.

CleaningMower

• Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to

prevent build-up of grass clippings or other debris. Follow

the steps below for this job.

Figure 15: Lubrication areas

NOTE: We do not recommend the use of pressure washers or garden hose to clean your unit. These may cause

damage to electric components, spindles, pulleys, bearings, or the engine. The use of water will result in shortened

life and reduce serviceability.

1. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from the lawn mower, or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.

2. Tip the mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold the mower firmly.

_ ARNING: Never tip the mower more than 90 degrees in any direction and do not leave the mowertipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem.

11

3. Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a suitable tool. Do not spray with water.

4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you had put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make sure to

remove it now.

BladeCare

_ ARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with apair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade.

• Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you

strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps

below for blade service.

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side

making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up.

2. Remove the bolt and the blade bell support. See Figure 16.

3. Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.

4. The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do

not attempt to sharpen the blade while it is still on the mower.

5. When sharpening the blade, follow the original angle of grind. Grind

each cutting edge equally to keep the blade balanced.

NOTE: Always remove blade from the adapter for testing balance.

6. Balance the blade on a round shaft screwdriver to check. Remove

metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly.

HexB01t/BladeBellSupport

Figure 16: Mower blade and hardware

_ ARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds. It maycause damage to the mower and could break causing personal injury.

7. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. Slide the blade adapter

onto the engine crankshaft.

8. Place blade on the blade adapter, Figure 16. Check that the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter

flanges.

NOTE: Place the blade on the adapter such that the side of the blade marked "Bottom" (or with part number) faces

ground when the mower is in the operating position.

9. Place blade bell support on the blade. Align notches on the blade bell support with small holes in the blade.

10. Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. Ibs. min., 600 in. Ibs. max.

IMPORTANT: To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically check the blade bolt for correct torque.

Off-SeasonStorage

The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage.

1. Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions.

IMPORTANT:We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit.

2. Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage instructions.

3. Coat mower's cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting.

4. Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.

NOTE: When storing any type of power equipment in a poorly ventilated or metal storage shed, care should be

taken to rust-proof the equipment. Using a light oil or silicone, coat the equipment, especially cables and all moving

parts of your lawn mower before storage.

12

SECTION6: TROUBLESHOOTING

Engine fails to

start

Engine runs

erratic

Engine overheats

Occasional skip

(hesitates) at

high speed

Idles poorly

Excessive

vibration

1. Blade control handle disengaged.

2. Spark plug wire disconnected.

3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.

4. Blocked fuel line.

5. Faulty spark plug.

6. Engine flooded

1. Spark plug wire loose.

2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel.

3. Vent in gas cap plugged.

4. Water or dirt in fuel system.

5. Dirty air cleaner.

6. Carburetor out of adjustment.

1. Engine oil level low.

2. Air flow restricted.

3. Carburetor not adjusted properly.

1. Spark plug gap too close.

,

2.

3.

1.

2.

1.

2.

Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap

too wide.

Carburetor improperly adjusted.

Dirty air cleaner.

Cutting blade loose or

unbalanced.

Bent cutting blade.

Wheels not positioned correctly.

Dull blade.

1. Engage blade control handle.

2. Connect wire to spark plug.

3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.

4. Clean fuel line.

5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace.

6. Wait a few minutes to restart, but do not prime.

1. Connect and tighten spark plug wire.

2. Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline

3. Clear vent.

4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.

5. Refer to engine manual.

6. Refer to engine manual.

1. Fill crankcase with proper oil.

2. Remove blower housing and clean.

3. Refer to engine manual.

1. Adjust gap to .030". Refer to engine manual.

1. Reset gap to .030" or replace spark plug. Refer to

engine manual.

2. Refer to engine manual.

3. Refer to engine manual.

1. Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade.

2. Replace blade.

Uneven cut 1. Place all four wheels in same height position.

2. Sharpen or replace blade.

NOTE: For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed above, contact an authorized service dealer,

13

SECTION7: PARTSLISTFORSERIES020

14

Series020

Ref. No.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

Part No.

710-0654A

782-0048

749-04037

749-1092A

747-1161A

731-0872B

17098

710-1044

736-0524B

748-0376C

742-0640

731-0064

710-0932

736-0173

710-3008

712-04063

710-1205

710-0262

736-0119

712-04064

734-1779

738-0533

736-0105

712-04065

726-0240

746-0946

746-0957

736-0331

738-04033

753-0588

Part Description

Hex Ind. Washer Screw 3/8-16 x 1.0

Cutting Deck: 20"

Lower Handle

Upper Handle

Control Handle (Bail)

Rear Flap

Hinge Clip

Screw 3/8-24 x 1.5" Group 8

Blade Bell Support

Blade Adapter

Cutting Blade

Discharge Chute

Carriage Screw 1/4-20 x 1.0"

Flat Washer

Hex Screw 5/16-18 x .75"

Flange Lock Nut 5/16-18

Eye Bolt

Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 1.5"

Lock Washer

Flange Lock Nut 1/4-20

Wheel

Shoulder Screw .498 x 1.635

Bell Washer

Flange Lock Nut 3/8-16

Cable Tie

Control Cable (Model 021)

Control Cable (Models 020 & 022)

Bell Washer

Shoulder Screw, 5/16-18 x.428"

Blade Adapter Kit (Incl. Ref. 8-10)

15

MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR:

The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with

respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the

United States, its possessions and territories.

"MTD" warrants this product against defects in material and

workmanship for a period of one (1) years commencing on the

date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or

replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in

materials or workmanship. This limited warranty shall only

apply if this product has been operated and maintained in

accordance with the Operator's Manual furnished with the

product, and has not been subject to misuse, abuse,

commercial use, neglect, accident, improper maintenance,

alteration, vandalism, theft, fire, water, or damage because of

other peril or natural disaster. Damage resulting from the

installation or use of any part, accessory or attachment not

approved by MTD for use with the product(s) covered by this

manual will void your warranty as to any resulting damage.

Normal wear parts are warranted to be free from defects in

material and workmanship for a period of thirty (30) days from

the date of purchase. Normal wear parts include, but not

limited to items such as: batteries, belts, blades, blade

adapters, grass bags, rider deck wheels, seats, snow thrower

skid shoes, shave plates, auger spiral rubber and tires.

HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE: Warranty service is available,

WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE, through your local authorized

service dealer. To locate the dealer in your area, check your

Yellow Pages, or contact MTD LLC at P.O. Box 361131,

Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019, or call 1-800-800-7310 or 1-

330-220-4683 or log on to our Web site at

www.mtdproducts.com.

This limited warranty does not provide coverage in the

following cases:

a. The engine or component parts thereof. These items

may carry a separate manufacturer's warranty. Refer

to applicable manufacturer's warranty for terms and

conditions.

b. Log splitter pumps, valves, and cylinders have a

separate one year warranty.

c. Routine maintenance items such as lubricants, filters,

blade sharpening, tune-ups, brake adjustments, clutch

adjustments, deck adjustments, and normal

deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or

exposure.

d. Service completed by someone other than an

authorized service dealer.

e,

f,

g.

MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or

exported outside of the United States, its possessions

and territories, except those sold through MTD's

authorized channels of export distribution.

Replacement parts that are not genuine MTD parts.

Transportation charges and service calls.

No implied warranty, including any implied warranty of

merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose,

applies after the applicable period of express written

warranty above as to the parts as identified. No other

express warranty, whether written or oral, except as

mentioned above, given by any person or entity,

including a dealer or retailer, with respect to any product,

shall bind MTD. During the period of the warranty, the

exclusive remedy is repair or replacement of the product

as set forth above.

The provisions as set forth in this warranty provide the

sole and exclusive remedy arising from the sale. MTD

shall not be liable for incidental or consequential loss or

damage including, without limitation, expenses incurred

for substitute or replacement lawn care services or for

rental expenses to temporarily replace a warranted

product.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of

incidental or consequential damages, or limitations on how

long an implied warranty lasts, so the above exclusions or

limitations may not apply to you.

In no event shall recovery of any kind be greater than the

amount of the purchase price of the product sold. Alteration

of safety features of the product shall void this warranty.

You assume the risk and liability for loss, damage, or injury to

you and your property and/or to others and their property

arising out of the misuse or inability to use the product.

This limited warranty shall not extend to anyone other than the

original purchaser or to the person for whom it was purchased

as a gift.

HOW STATE LAW RELATES TO THIS WARRANTY: This

limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may

also have other rights which vary from state to state.

IMPORTANT:Owner must present Original Proof of

Purchase to obtain warranty coverage.

MTD LLC, P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019; Phone:1-800-800-7310,1-330-220-4683