MTD 779 Owner's manual

Safety • AssembJy • Operation • Adjustment • Maintenance • TroubJeshooting • Warranty

A OR'S MANUAL

Shift-On-The-Go TM Lawn Tractor -- Models 760=779

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-

coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(ifany).

If a sparkarresterisused,itshouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator.Inthe StateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw

(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.Asparkarrester

forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealerorcontacttheservicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

FORMNO.769-01598C

PRINTEDIN U.S.A. MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHiO 44136=0019 01/22/2007

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor, it will help you assemble,

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

Table of Contents

Slope Gauge ........................................................ 3

Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4

Setting UpYour Lawn Tractor ............................ 8

Operating Your Lawn Tractor ........................... 12

Adjusting Your Lawn Tractor ............................ 20

Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor ........................ 22

Off=Season Storage / Attachments ................. 28

Safety Labels .................................................... 29

Trouble Shooting .............................................. 30

Warranty .............................................. Back Page

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOUSTARTASSEMBLING YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,

please locatethe model plateon the equipment and copythe

informationto the samplemodel plateprovidedto the right.You

can locate themodel plate by looking beneaththe seat.

This informationwillbe necessaryto use themanufacturer'sweb

siteand/or obtainassistancefrom the CustomerSupportDepart-

mentor an authorized servicedealer.

Model Number

www,mtdproducts.com

Serial Number

MTD LLC

P.O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND, OH 44136

330=220=4683

800=800=731 0

Customer Support

Please do NOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

ifyou havedifficulty assemblingthis productor have anyquestions regardingthe controls,operation,or maintenanceof this

unit,you can seekhelp fromthe experts.Choose fromtheoptions below:

1. Visitwww.mtdproducts.com.

2. Phonea Customer Support Representative at 1 (800) 800-7310.

3. The engine manufacturer isresponsiblefor all engine-relatedissueswith regardsto performance,power-rating,specifica-

tions,warrantyand service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packedseparatelywith

your unit.

lyUsethispageasaguidetodetermineslopeswhereyoumaynotoperatesafe. .....

Do not operate your hwn mower on such slopes.

C_L

C'D

WARNING

Do not mowon inclines

with a slope in excess

of 15degrees (a rise

of approximately2-1/2

feet every 10feet). A

riding mowercould

overturnand cause

seriousinjury.

Operateriding mowers

up and downslopes,

neveracrossthe face

of slopes.

/ ,j_ WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of itsconstituents,and certainvehicle compo-

L A_k nentscontain or emitchemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and

birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.

Ii i i

DANGER: This machine was builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safeoperation in this

manual.As with any type of powerequipment,carelessnessor erroronthe partof the operatorcan

Safe resultin seriousinjury.This machineis capableof amputatinghandsand feetand throwingobjects.

- = Failureto observethe following safetyinstructionscould resultin seriousinjury or death.

operation

Practices Children Operation

1. Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnot Safe Handling of Gasoline:

alerttothepresenceofchildren.Childrenareoften

attractedto themachineandthemowingactivity. 1. Toavoid personalinjuryor propertydamageuse

Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassume extremecareinhandlinggasoline. Gasolineis

thatchildrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem. extremelyflammableand the vapors areexplo-

sive. Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasoline

a. Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaandin isspilledonyourselfor yourclotheswhichcanignite.

watchfulcareofa responsibleadultotherthan Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.

theoperator.

b. Bealertandturnmachineoff ifa childenters a. Useonlyan approvedgasolinecontainer.

b. Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleor ona

thearea.

truckor trailerbedwithaplasticliner.Always

WARN IN G c. Beforeandwhilebacking,lookbehindand

placecontainerson thegroundawayfrom

downforsmallchildren.

yourvehiclebeforefilling.

. . d. Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)

This symbol points c. Whenpractical,removegas-powered

. shutoff.Theymayfalloffandbeseriously equipmentfromthetruckortrailerand refuelit

out mportantsafety injuredor interferewithsafemachineoperation.

nstruct!0nswhich, !f ontheground.Ifthisisnotpossible,then

..... e. Useextremecarewhenapproachingblind refuelsuchequipmentonatrailerwitha

i /

not followed, could corners,doorways,shrubs,treesor other portablecontainer,ratherthanfromagasoline

objectsthatmayblockyourvisionofa child dispensernozzle.

endanger the personal whomayrunintothemachine, d. Keepthenozzlein contactwiththerimof

safety and!or property f. Toavoid back-overaccidents, always

thefueltankor containeropeningatall

of yoursef and others, disengagethe cutting blade(s) before timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotusea

Read and follow all shiftingintoReverse.If equipped,the nozzlelock-opendevice.

"ReverseCaution Mode" should not be e. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesand

instructions inthis man- usedwhenchildrenor othersare around.

othersourcesofignition.

ualbeforeattempt ngto g. Keepchildrenawayfromhotor running f. Neverfuelmachineindoors.

operate this machine; engines.Theycansufferburnsfroma hot

. . muffler, g. Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhilethe

engineishotor running.Allowenginetocool

Failureto complywith h. Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedto atleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

these instructions may preventunauthorizedoperation.

. . . h. Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktonomore

result In personal Injury, 2. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operate

. thanYzinchbelowbottomoffillerneckto

When you see this themachine.Children14yearsoldandovershould allowspaceforfuelexpansion.

symbol, readandunderstandtheoperationinstructionsand

safetyrulesinthismanualandshouldbetrainedand i. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

HEED iTS WARNING supervisedbya parent, j. If gasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengine

andequipment.Moveunittoanotherarea.

Wait5 minutesbeforestartingtheengine.

k. Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeof

You r

grass,leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up.Clean

Responsibility upoilorfuelspillageand removeanyfuel

soakeddebris.

Restrictthe use I. Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainer

of ths power roachne insidewherethereisanopenflame,spark

to personswho read, orpilotlightasonawaterheater,space

n'erstand heater,furnace,clothesdryeror othergas

U Cl , appliances.

and followthe warnings . . .

m. Allowa machinetocoolatleastfiveminutes

and instructions beforestoring.

n th_smanual

General Operation: 14.Watchfortrafficwhenoperattngnearorcrossmg

1. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsonthe roadways.Thismachineisnotintendedforuseon

machineandinthe manual(s)beforeattemptingto

assembleandoperate.Keepthismanualina safe

placeforfutureandregularreferenceandforordering

replacementparts.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.

Knowhowtostopthemachineanddisengagethem

quickly.

3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsold tooperate

this machine.Children14yearsoldandovershould

readandunderstandtheoperationinstructionsand

safetyrulesin thismanualandshouldbetrainedand

supervisedbyaparent.

4. Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithout

properinstruction.

5. Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,

keepbystanders,helpers,childrenand petsat least

75 feetfromthemachinewhileit isinoperation.Stop

machineifanyoneentersthearea.

6. Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentisto

beused.Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,

andotherforeignobjectswhichcouldbepickedup

andthrownbytheblade(s).Thrownobjectscancause

seriouspersonalinjury.

7. Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof

materialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe

like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta wallor

obstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterialto

ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

8. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduring

operationandwhileperformingan adjustmentor

repairtoprotectyoureyes.Thrownobjectswhich

ricochetcancauseseriousinjurytotheeyes.

9. Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fitting

slacksandshirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelry

canbecaughtinmovableparts.Neveroperatethis

machinein barefeetor sandals.

10.Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischarge

directionanddo notpointitatanyone.Donotoperate

themowerwithoutthedischargecoverorentiregrass

catcherin itsproperplace.

11.Donotputhandsor feetnearrotatingpartsorunder

thecuttingdeck.Contactwiththeblade(s)can

amputatehandsandfeet.

12.Amissingor damageddischargecovercancause

bladecontactor thrownobjectinjuries.

13.Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,

or roadsandwhilenotcuttinggrass.

anypublicroadway.

15.Donotoperatethemachinewhileunderthe influ-

enceofalcoholordrugs.

16.Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.

17.Nevercarrypassengers.

18.Disengageblade(s)beforeshiftingintoreverse.

Backupslowly.Alwayslookdownandbehindbefore

andwhilebackingtoavoida back-overaccident.

19.Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethe machine

smoothly.Avoiderraticoperationandexcessive

speed. Practices

20.Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengine

andwaituntiltheblade(s)cometo acompletestop

beforeremovinggrasscatcher,emptyinggrass,

uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor debris,or

makinganyadjustments.

21.Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Always

turnoff blade(s),placetransmissionin neutral,set

parkingbrake,stopengineand removekeybefore

dismounting.

22.Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthe

machineintoa trailerortruck.Thisunitshouldnot

bedrivenupor downramp(s),becausethe unit

couldtipover,causingseriouspersonalinjury.The

unitmustbepushedmanuallyonramp(s)toloador

unloadproperly.

23.Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea

burn.Donottouch.

24.Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedriving

underlowhangingtreebranches,wires,dooropen-

ingsetc.,wheretheoperatormaybe struckor pulled

fromtheunit,whichcouldresultinseriousinjury.

25.Disengageallattachmentclutches,depressthe

brakepedalcompletelyandshiftintoneutralbefore

attemptingtostartengine.

26.Yourmachineisdesignedtocutnormalresidential

grassof aheightno morethan10".Donotattemptto

mowthroughunusuallytall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)

or pilesofdryleaves.Drygrassor leavesmay

contacttheengineexhaustand/orbuildup onthe

mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

27.Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedfor

thismachinebythemachinemanufacturer.Read,

understandandfollowall instructionsprovidedwith

theapprovedaccessoryor attachment.

28.Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60 yearsand

above,areinvolvedin a largepercentageofriding

mower-relatedinjuries.Theseoperatorsshould

evaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheridingmower

seriousinjury.

29.If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis

manual,usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyour

customerservicerepresentativeforassistance.

__ i_i_i_iii_iiiii_ii_i_

WARNING

Thissymbol points

out importantsafety

instructionswhich, if

notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal

safety and/or property

of yourselfand others.

Readand followall

instructionsin this man-

ual beforeattemptingto

operatethis machine.

Failureto complywith

these instructionsmay

'esult in personalinjury.

Whenyou seethis

symbol.

HEED iTS WARNING

Your

safelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom

Responsibility

Restriclthe use

d this powermachine

to personswho read.

understand

and follow thewarnings

and instructions

in this manual

l i

l i i i

i i i i

Safe

Operation

Practices

out mportantsafety

_nstruct!onswhich,!f

not followed,could

endangerthe personal

safety and!or property

of yourselfand othersl

Readand fol!owa!l

instruct onsin this man'

ual beforeattempting to

operateth_smachine:

oc iy

Fa!luret omP w!th

these instructionsmay

jeSUit inpersonal injury,

When youseethis

symbol,

HEED ITS WARNING

OUr

Responslbd_ty

Restnctthe use

of ths powerroachne

to personswho read,

understand

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossofcontroland

tip-overaccidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor

death.All slopesrequireextracaution.Ifyoucannot

backuptheslopeorifyoufeeluneasyonit, do notmow

it.

Foryoursafety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartof

thismanualto measureslopesbeforeoperatingthisunit

onaslopedor hillyarea.If theslopeisgreaterthan15

degreesasshownontheslopegauge,do notoperate

thisunitonthatareaorseriousinjurycouldresult.

Do:

1. Mowupanddownslopes,notacross.Exercise

extremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

2. Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,or otherhidden

objects.Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.

Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

3. Useslowspeed.Choosealowenoughspeed

settingsothatyouwillnothaveto stoporshiftwhile

ontheslope.Tiresmaylosetractiononslopeseven

thoughthe brakesarefunctioningproperly.Always

keepmachineingearwhengoingdownslopesto

takeadvantageofenginebrakingaction.

4. Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsfor

wheelweightsorcounterweightsto improvestability.

5. Useextracarewithgrasscatchersorotherat-

tachments.Thesecanchangethestabilityofthe

machine.

6. Keepall movementon theslopesslowandgradual.

Donotmakesuddenchangesinspeedor direction.

Rapidengagementor brakingcouldcausethefront

ofthemachineto liftandrapidlyflipoverbackwards

whichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

7. Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope.If tireslose

traction,disengagetheblade(s)andproceedslowly

straightdowntheslope.

Do Not:

1. Donotturnonslopesunlessnecessary;then,turn

slowlyandgraduallydownhill,if possible.

2. Donotmowneardrop-otis,ditchesor embankments.

Themowercouldsuddenlyturnoverif awheelisover

theedgeof acliff,ditch,orif anedgecavesin.

3. Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfoot

ontheground.

4. Donotusea grasscatcheronsteepslopes.

5. Donotmowonwetgrass.Reducedtractioncould

causesliding.

6. Donotshifttoneutralandcoastdownhill.Over-speed-

ingmaycausetheoperatortolosecontrolofthe

machineresultingin seriousinjuryordeath.

7. Donottow heavypullbehindattachments(e.g.loaded

dumpcart,lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan

5 degrees.Whengoingdownhill,theextraweight

tendsto pushthetractorand maycauseyoutoloose

control.(e.g.tractormayspeedup,brakingandsteer-

ingabilityarereduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeand

causetractortooverturn).

Towing:

1. Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfor

towing.Donotattachtowedequipmentexceptatthe

hitchpoint.

2. Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweight

limitsfortowedequipmentandtowingonslopes.

3. Neverallowchildrenor othersin oron towedequip-

ment.

4. Onslopes,theweightofthetowedequipmentmay

causelossoftractionandlossofcontrol.

5. Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

6. Donotshifttoneutralandcoastdownhill.

Service

1. Neverrun anengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilated

area.Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an

odorless,anddeadlygas.

2. Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertain

theblade(s)andall movingpartshavestopped.

Disconnectthesparkplugwireandgroundagainstthe

engineto preventunintendedstarting.

3. Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometo

completestopwithinapproximately(5) fiveseconds

afteroperatingthebladedisengagementcontrol.Ifthe

bladesdo notstopwithinthethis timeframe,yourunit

shouldbeservicedprofessionallybyanauthorized

MTDServiceDealer.

4. Checkbrakeoperationfrequentlyas itissubjectedto

wearduringnormaloperation.Adjustandserviceas

required.

5. Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsat

frequentintervalsforpropertightness.Also,visually

inspectblade(s)fordamage(e.g.,excessivewear,

bent,cracked). Replacetheblade(s)with theoriginal

equipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.)blade(s)only,

listedin thismanual."Useofpartswhichdonotmeet

theoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto

improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"

6. Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorwear

gloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.

7. Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstight tobesurethe

equipmentis insafeworkingcondition.

8. Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemor other

safetydevices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

9. Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,

disconnectthesparkplugwire(s)and groundagainst

theengine.Thoroughlyinspectthemachineforany

damage.Repairthedamagebeforestartingand

operating.

10.Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothe

machinewhiletheengineisrunning.

11.Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischarge

coveraresubjecttowearanddamagewhichcould

exposemovingpartsorallowobjectstobethrown.

Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponents

andreplaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment

manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis

manual."Useof partswhichdo notmeettheoriginal

equipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper

performanceandcompromisesafety!"

12.Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsor

over-speedtheengine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe

maximumsafeoperatingspeedof theengine.

13.Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as

necessary.

14.Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsfor

gas,oil,etc.toprotecttheenvironment.

This symbolpoints

outimportant safety

instructionswhich, if

notfollowed,could

endangerthepersonal

safetyand/or property

ofyourself and others,

Readandfollow all

instructionsin this man-

ual beforeattemptingto

operatethis machine.

Failureto complywith

these instructionsmay

result inpersonalinjury.

Whenyousee this

sym3ol.

HEED iTS WARNING

Your

Responsibility

Restrictthe use

of this powermachine

to personswho read.

understand

and followthe warnings

and instructions

in this manual

f _ NOTE:This OperatorsManualcoversa rangeofproduct

r ......

[ _ _ I RubberBoot I i j specfcatonsforvarousmodes Characterst csandfea-

, i ',

"--'E J <_ i turesdiscussedand/orillustratedinthis manualmaynot

J 'i:__!_i'i':,;. _b_ i beapplicabletoall models.MTDLLCreservestheright

// "_I_i_ !_ \', tochangeproductspecificationsdesignsandequipment

;, _'-_ ,= -! :J!_: _ wthoutnotceand wthout ncurrngob gaton

etll:lnCl UD .::..... 'o .....i,

v -- / _::, i " Attaching the Battery Cables

I : I . .

YOU_' LSW_ , I_,: , NOTE Somemodesareshppedwththebatterycabes

I ::: }

, I i_i:: '@ alreadyconnected.

| r'SC'_O r ' NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).

The negativebatteryterminalis markedNeg.(-).

....

', ', • Thepost vecabe(heavyredwre) s securedtothe

" ' post vebatterytermna (+)wth a hexbot andhex

, nutatthefactory.Makecertainthatthe rubberboot

coverstheterminaltohelpprotectitfromcorrosion.

WARNING

Use extreme care

when handling

gasoline.Gasolineis

extremely flammable

and the vapors are

;exp!osive:Never fuel

machine indoors

or Whilethe engine

is hot or running.

Extinguishcgarettes,

cigars, pipes, and

other sourcesof

_gnJt on. ;

Removethehexboltandhexnutfromthenegative

cable.

Removetheblackplasticcover,if present,fromthe

negativebatteryterminalandattachthenegative

cable(heavyblackwire)tothenegativebattery

terminal(-) withthe boltandnut.

NOTE:If thebatteryis putintoserviceafterthedate

shownontop/sideof battery,chargethebatteryas

instructedin theMaintainingYourLawnTractorsectionof

thismanualpriortooperatingthetractor.

Gas and Oil Fill-up

Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthehoodandhasa

capacityof1-1/2gallons.Donotoverfill.

,_ WARNING:Useextremecare when

handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely

flammableand the vapors are explosive.

Neverfuel machineindoors or whilethe

engine is hot or running. Extinguish ciga-

rettes, cigars,pipes, and othersources of

ignition.

Servicetheenginewithgasolineandoil asinstructedin

theseparateEngineOperator/OwnerManualpackedwith

yourtractor.Readinstructionscarefully.NOTE: This Operators

Manual coversa range

.... IMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwith motoroil inthe

of productspecifications engine.However,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbefore

forvarious models: operating.Becarefulnottooverfill.

Characteristicsand

. Shipping Brace Removal

features d scussed

and/or' ustrated'n _ WARNING:Makesure theriding mower's

engine is off, remove theignition key,and

th's manua maynotbe

applicab e to al! model& set theparkingbrakebefore removing the

shipping brace,

MTD LLC reservesthe

right tochange product

Specif!cationsldesigns

and equipmentwithout

notice andwithout incur-

obligation.,

ring

• Locatetheshippingbrace,ifpresent,andaccompany- f-

ingwarningtagfoundon therightsideofthemower,

betweenthedischargechuteandthecuttingdeck.

SeeFig.3-2.

,, Whileholdingthedischargechutewithyourleft hand,

removetheshippingbracewithyourrighthandby

graspingitbetweenyourthumbandindexfingerand

rotatingitclockwise.

,_ WARNING:Theshipping brace, used

for packaging purposes only, must be

removed and discarded before operating

your riding mower.

_ WARNING:Themowing deck is capable

of throwing objects. Failure to operatethe

riding mower without the discharge cover

in theproper operating position could

result in serious personal injury and/or

property damage.

Figure 3=2

WARNING

Attaching The Steering Wheel

If thesteeringwheelforyourtractordid notcome

attached,thehardwareforattachingit hasbeenpacked

withinthesteeringwheel,beneaththesteeringwheel

cap.Carefullypryoff thesteeringwheelcapand remove

thehardware.

1. Withthe wheels ofthe tractor pointing straight

forward, placethesteeringwheeloverthesteering

shaft.

2. Placethewasher(withthecuppedsidedown)over

thesteeringshaftandsecurewiththehexbolt.See

Fig.3-3.

3. Placethesteeringwheelcapoverthecenterofthe

steeringwheelandpushdownwarduntilit "clicks"into

place.

Attaching the Hood Scoop

(if so equipped)

If thehoodscoopwasnotsecuredto thehoodofyour

tractoratthefactory,youwillfinditina plasticbag,

hangingfromthethrottlelever.

Toinstall:

1. Carefullypivotthetractorhoodforward.

2. Removethefourscrewsfromtheundersideof the

hoodscoop.

3. Lineup thefourholesin thehoodscoopwiththefour

holes visiblethroughthetractor'shoodIouvres.See

Figure3-4.

4. Whileholdingthescoopin place,usea3/8" socket

wrench(orboxwrench)tocarefullytightenthescoop

ontothehood.

DoNOTovertighten.

%**,,,

Figure 3-3

Figure 3-4

Make sure the riding

mower's engine is

off, remove the igni-

tion key, and set the

parking brake before

removing the shipping

brace.

The shipping brace,

used for packaging

purposes only, must

be removed and

discarded before

operating your riding

mower.

The mowing deck is

'capable of throwing

objects. Failure to

operate the riding

mower without the

discharge cover in

the properoperating

position could result

in serious personal

injuryand/or property

damage.

F--, _, Attaching The Seat

f f_ _ Seatstylesvarybytractormodelandtherearethree

. .

--r 'J <] dfferentstyesave abe

r--....._"j"_ • StandardAdjustment

• QuickAdjustment&

_l_tt IIN tll ||1t_ • KnobAdjustment

If theseatforyourtractorwasnotattachedatthefactory,

Your Lawn refertoFig.3-5,Fig.3-6,andFig.3-7toidentifyyour

#tor

ING

Before operating this

machinemakesure

theseatengaged

the seat stop, stand

behind the machine

andpu,baoko,seat

until fully engaged

intostop.

i iill i iI i

NOTE:For Shippingtea!

sons seats are e_ther

fastened to the tractor

seat s pivotbracketwth

a plast,ct_e,or mounted

backwardto the pvot

bracket.In either case,

freetheseatform its

Shipping p°sition and

removethe two hex

screws(or knobs,on

models SOequqoped)

from the bottomof seat

. .

beforeproceed!rigw!th

apphcable _nstruct!ons.

Figure 3-6

tractor'sseatstyleandfollowtheapplicableinstructions

belowtoattachit.

NOTE:Forshippingreasons,seatsareeitherfastened

tothetractorseat'spivotbracketwitha plastictie,or

mountedbackwardtothepivotbracket.Ineithercase,

freetheseatformitsshippingpositionand removethe

twohexscrews(orknobs,on modelssoequipped)from

thebottomofseatbeforeproceedingwithapplicable

instructionsbelow.

Standard Adjustment Seat

1. Positiontheshoulderscrews(foundonthe baseof the

seat)insidetheslot openingsintheseatpivotbracket.

Fig.3-5.

2. Slidetheseatslightlyrearwardintheseatpivot

bracket,lininguptherearslotsinthepivotbracket

withtheremainingtwo holesintheseat'sbase.

3. Selectdesiredpositionfortheseat,andsecurewith

thetwohexscrewsremovedearlier.SeeFig.3-5.

Quick Adjustment Seat

NOTE:If yourseatwasshippedmountedbackwardson

theseatpivotbracket,pulloutthetabfoundontheseat

stopandholditopenwhileslidingtheseatofftheseat

pivotbracket.SeeFig.3-6.

1. Lineuptheplasticseatspacerswiththeslotsin seat

pivotbracket.

2. Slideseatinuntilfrontseatspacerengagestheseat

stop.SeeFig.3-6.

,_ WARNING:Before operating this machine,

makesure theseat is engagedin the seat

stop,stand behind themachine and pull

back on seat until fully engaged into stop.

Knob Adjustment Seat

1. Positiontheshoulderscrews(foundonthebaseof the

seat)insidetheslot openingsintheseatpivotbracket.

Fig.3-7.

2. Slidetheseatslightlyrearwardintheseatpivot

bracket,lininguptherearslotsinthepivotbracket

withtheremainingtwo holesintheseat'sbase.

3. Selectdesiredpositionfortheseat,andsecurewith

thetwoknobsremovedearlier.SeeFig.3-7.

Identlfvma the Mulch Plua F "_ 1----.

On tractormodelssoequipped,a mulchplugcanbe ( '_............. "_ [f-m

, , , g , , / / , ,

foundwthnthecuttngdeeksdsehargeopenng | _ " ' , | , _r J 4

• / 'x

• . ,, . / ...... |

)

NOTE:Referto Mulching tnthe OperattngYourLawn ..... \ , w /

Tractor secttonofthtsmanualformoredetatledtnforma.......

tion. Setting p

If you'dpreferto operatethecuttingdeckwithoutmulch- "'"

ing,simplyremovethemulchplugbyunthreadingthe ' your Lawn

plasticwingnutwhichfastensittothecuttingdeck•This Tractor

willallowtheclippingstodischargeoutofthedischarge

openingduringoperation.SeeFig.3-8.

Tire Pressure

_lk ARNING:Maximum tirepressure under

anycircumstancesis30psi. Equal tire

pressure should be maintained at all times.

Thetiresonyourunitmaybeover-inflatedforshipping

purposes.Reducethetirepressurebeforeoperating

thetractor.Recommendedoperatingtirepressureis

approximately10p.s.iforthereartires& 14p.s.i,forthe

fronttires.Checksidewalloftirefor maximump.s.i.

Figure 3-8

WARNING

Max" "

imurn tire pres,

sure under any

circumstancesiS 30

psL Equal tire pressure

should be maintained

at all times.

NOTE:For shipping rea-

sons! seatsare either

fastened tOthetractor

seat s p!vot bracket w!th

a plastic tie, ormounted

backward tothe

brackeLIneithercase,

free the seat form its

shipping positionand

rernovethetwo hex

screws (or knobs, on

models so equ,pped)

from the bottomof seat

beforeproceedingWith

applicable instruction&

Ii_ i i

...... ;/

NOTE:Any reference

in this manualto the

RIGHTor LEFTside of

the tractor isobserved

from operator'sposition.

NOTE:Forshippingrea-

sons,seats are either

fastenedto the tractor

seat's pivotbracketwith

a plastictie, or mounted

backwardto the pivot

bracket.Ineither case.

Freethe seatform its

shippingpositionand

removethetwo hex

screws (or knobs,on

nodelsso equipped)

from the bottomof seat

beforeproceedingwith

applicableinstructions.

Know Your Lawn Tractor

/ _-_J

i ,..............................)

Figure 4=1

g wheel

1 Ifso equipped

A SpeedControlLever/ParkingBrake E ThrottleControlLever

B Clutch-BrakePedal F IgnitionSwitchModule

C ShiftLever G DeckLift Lever

D ChokeControl1" H PTO(BladeEngage)Lever

NOTE:Anyreferencein thismanualtotheRIGHTor LEFTsideofthetractorisobservedfromoperator'sposition.

i i _ i ii

Throttle Control Lever ,f- _

Thethrottlecontrolleverislocatedon therightsideof

thetractor'sdashpanel.Thislevercontrolsthespeed

oftheengineand,on somemodels,whenpushedall

thewayforward,thechokecontrolalso.Whenset ina

givenposition,thethrottlewillmaintaina uniformengine

speed.SeeFig.4-2.

IMPORTANT:Whenoperatingthetractorwiththecutting

deckengaged,becertainthatthethrottleleverisalways

inthe FAST(rabbit)position.

Choke Control

Onsomemodels,movingthe

throttleleverallthewayforward

activatestheengine'schoke

control.Onall othermodels,the

chokecontrolcanbefoundon

theleftsideofthedashpanel

andisactivatedbypullingthe

knoboutward.Activatingthe

chokecontrolclosesthechoke

plateonthecarburetorandaids

instartingtheengine.Referto Starting TheEngine on

page16of thismanualfordetailedstartinginstructions.

ignition Switch

Theignitionswitchisactivatedtostarttheengine.Insert

keyintotheignitionswitchandturnclockwisetothe

STARTposition.ReleasethekeyintotheONposition

onceenginehasfired.SeeFig.4-3A.

ignition Switch Module (Ifso Equipped)

Tostarttheengine,insertthe keyintothe ignitionswitch

andturnclockwiseto theSTARTposition.Releasethe

keyintotheNORMALMOWINGMODEpositiononce

theenginehasfired.

Tostoptheengine,turnthe ignitionkeycounterclockwise

totheOFFposition.SeeFig.4-3B.

,_ WARNING:Never leavearunning machine

unattended.Always disengagePTO,move

shift lever into neutral position, setpark-

ing brake, stop engine and removekey to

prevent unintended starting.

IMPORTANT:Priortooperatingthetractor,refertoboth

SafetyInterlock Switches on page14andStarting

TheEngine on page16ofthismanualfordetailed

instructionsregardingtheIgnitionSwitchModuleand

operatingthetractorin REVERSECAUTIONMODE.

Deck Lift Lever

Foundon yourtractor'srightfender,thedecklift leveris

usedtochangetheheightofthecuttingdeck.Touse,

movethelevertotheleft,thenplacein thenotchbest

suitedforyourapplication.

FAST _,_

_LOW =_ ---,-- SLOW

mmm.

Figure 4-2

f --,,

Off On/Lights

•_Start

Pnsition

Figure 4-3

WARNING

Never leave a running

machine unattended.

Awaysdsengage

PTO, move shift lever

into neutralposition,

set parking brake stop

engineand removekey

to preventunintended

starting.

Pnorto operat!ngthe

tractor referto both

SafetyInterlock

Switches on page

Parking Brake

14and Starting The

Tosetthe parkingbrake,fullydepresstheclutch-brake Engine on page 16

pedal.Movethespeedcontrolleverallthewaydownand

intotheparkingbrakeposition.Releasetheclutch-brake of this manualfor

pedaltoallowtheparkingbraketoengage, detailed instructions

Toreleasetheparkingbrake,depresstheclutch-brake regard!ng.... the !gnltlon

pedalandmovethespeedcontrolleveroutof the .

Switch Moduleand

notchesto thedesiredposition.Releasethespeed . .

controlleverandtheclutch-brakepedal, operatingthe tractor in

REVERSE CAUTION

Your Lawn

Tractor

WARNING

Donot operate the

tractor if the interlock

system is maffunctiom

ing.This systemwas

designed for your

iafety and protection:

NOTE: The parking

brake must beset if the

;

operator leavestheSeat

with the engine run_

ning Orthe enginewill

automaticallyshut off.

NOTE: The PTO(Blade

Engage) levermust be

in the disengaged (PTO

OFF) positionwhen

sta[ting theengine:

iMPORTANT

Never force the shift

levei. DoingSo

result in serious

damage to thetiactor s

transrnissionl

FORWARD

NUETRAL

REVERSE

Figure 4-4

NOTE:Theparkingbrakemustbe setif theoperator

leavestheseatwiththeenginerunningortheengine

willautomaticallyshutoff.

Clutch=Brake Pedal

Theclutch-brakepedalislocatedon theleftsideof

thelawntractor,alongtherunningboard.Depressthe

clutch-brakepedalpartwaydownwhenslowingthe

tractorbychangingspeeds(RefertoSpeedControl

Lever).Depressthepedalall thewaydowntoengage

thedisc brakeand bringthetractortoa completestop.

NOTE:Thepedalmustbedepressedtostarttheengine.

Referto SafetyInterlockSwitcheson page14.

Shift Lever

Theshiftleverislocatedonthe leftsideof thefender

andhasthreepositions,FORWARD,NEUTRALand

REVERSE.Thebrakepedalmustbe depressedand

thetractormustnotbe in motionwhenthe movingshift

lever.SeeFig.4-4.

IMPORTANT:Neverforcetheshift lever.Doingsomay

resultinseriousdamagetothetractor'stransmission.

Speed Control Lever

Thespeedcontrollever,locatedon

theleftsideofthetractor'sdash

console,allowsyouto regulatethe

groundspeedofthelawntractor.To

use,depresstheclutch-brakepedal

andmovetheleveroutof theparking

brakenotchandforwardtoincrease

thetractor'sgroundspeed.Whena

desiredspeedhasbeenreached,

releasetheleverintoanappropriate

notchto maintainthatspeed.

Toslowthetractor'sgroundspeed,

depresstheclutch-brakepedaland

movethespeedcontrolleverrearward

andreleaseit intoanotch.

NOTE:Lawntractorsvarybymodelandare availablewith

eithera6- or7-speedcontrollever.

PTO (Blade Engage) Lever _,

Foundon thetractor'srightfender,the __-

PTO(bladeengage)leverisusedto --,

engagepowertothecuttingdeckor t

other(separatelyavailable)attachments. ; 2

Tooperate,movethe leverall theway

forward.Movingtheleveralltheway

rearwardintothePTOOFFposition

disengagespowertothecuttingdeck/

attachment, i 4

NOTE:The PTO(bladeengage)lever

mustbe inthedisengaged(PTOOFF) _,5

positionwhenstartingtheengine. _ 4_

Safety interlock Switches

Thistractorisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystem

fortheprotectionoftheoperator.If theinterlocksystem

shouldevermalfunction,donotoperatethetractor.

ContactanauthorizedMTDservicedealer.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheengine

fromcrankingorstartingunlesstheparkingbrakeis

engaged,and thePTO(BladeEngage)leverisinthe

disengaged(OFF)position.

• Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff iftheoperator

leavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

• Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff iftheoperator

leavesthetractor'sseatwiththePTO(BladeEngage)

leverintheengaged(ON)position,regardlessof

whethertheparkingbrakeisengaged.

• Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff iftheoperator

engagesthePTOwiththeparkingbrakeON.

Models without Reverse Caution Mode

• Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff ifthePTO(Blade

Engage)leveris movedintotheengaged(ON)position

withtheshiftleverin Reverse.

Models with Reverse Caution Mode

• Withtheignitionkeyin theNORMALMOWINGposi-

tion,theenginewillautomaticallyshutoffifthePTO

(BladeEngage)leverismovedintotheengaged(ON)

positionwiththeshiftleverinReverse.

,_ WARNING:Do not operate thetractor if the

interlock systemis malfunctioning. This

system wasdesigned for your safety and

protection.

Reverse Caution Mode

(Models equipped with ignition switch

module)

_ ARNING:Useextremecaution while

operating the tractor in theREVERSE

CAUTIONMODE.Always look down and

behind before and whilebacking. Do

not operatethe tractor whenchildren

or others arearound. Stopthe tractor

immediately if someone enters thearea.

TheREVERSECAUTIONMODEpositionofthekey

switchmoduleallowsthetractortobe operatedin

reversewiththe blades(PTO)engaged.

iMPORTANT:Mowingin reverseis notrecommended.

TousetheREVERSECAUTIONMODE:

iMPORTANT:TheoperatorMUSTbeseatedinthe

tractorseat.

1. Starttheengineasinstructedon page16under

Starting TheEngine.

2. TurnthekeyfromtheNORMALMOWING(Green)

positiontotheREVERSECAUTIONMODE(Yellow)

positionofthekeyswitchmodule.SeeFig.4-5.

3. DepresstheREVERSEPUSHBUTTON(Orange,

TriangularButton)atthetop,rightcornerofthekey

switchmodule.Thered indicatorlightat thetop, left

cornerofthekeyswitchmodulewillbeONwhile

activated.SeeFig.4-5.

4. Onceactivated(indicatorlightON), thetractorcan

bedrivenin reversewiththecuttingblades(PTO)

engaged.

5. Alwayslookdownand behindbeforeandwhile

backingtomakesurenochildrenarearound.

6. Afterresumingforwardmotion,returnthekeytothe

NORMALMOWINGposition.

iMPORTANT:TheREVERSECAUTIONMODEwill

remainactivateduntil:

a.The keyisplacedin eithertheNORMALMOWING

positionorSTOPposition.

b.Theoperatorengagestheparkingbrakebyfully

depressingtheclutch-brakepedaland holdingit

downwhilemovingthespeedcontrolleverintothe

PARKBRAKEposition.

Engaging the Parking Brake

Toengagetheparkingbrake:

1. Fullydepresstheclutch-brakepedalandholditdown

withyourfoot.

2. Movethespeedcontrolleverallthewaydownand

intotheparkingbrakeposition.

3. Releasetheclutch-brakepedaltoallowthe parking

braketoengage.

Reverse

Indicator Push Button

Light Reverse

Stop CautionMode

Position Position

Start

Position

Figure 4-5

Toreleasetheparkingbrake:

1. Depresstheclutch-brakepedalandmovethespeed

controlleveroutoftheparkingbrakepositionand into

a desiredspeed.

Setting the Cutting Height

1. Selecttheheightpositionofthecuttingdeckbyplac-

ing thedeckliftleverinanyofthesixdifferentcutting

heightnotcheson therightsideofthefender.

2. Adjustthedeckwheels,ifequipped,sothattheyare

betweenl_-inchandY2-inchabovethegroundwhen

thetractorisona smooth,flatsurfacesuchas a

driveway.

_lib ARNING:Keephands and feet away from

the discharge opening of the cutting deck.

NOTE:On modelssoequipped,thedeckwheelsarean

anti-scalpfeatureofthedeckandarenotdesignedto

supporttheweightofthecuttingdeck.

Referto Levelingthe Deckon page20 ofthismanual

formoredetailedinstructionsregardingvariousdeck

adjustments.

WARNING

Useextremecaution

while operating

i the tractor in the

i REVERSECAUTION

• MODE.Always ook

i down and behind

before and while

backing. Do not oper-

ate the tractor when

children or others

are around. Stop the

tractor immediately if

someone enters the

area.

Keep hands and

feet away from the

discharge opening of

the cutting deck.

Do not operate

the tractor if the

interlocksystem is

malfunctioning. This

system was designed

for your safety and

protection.

Operating

Your Lawn

WARNING

ifyou strikeaforeign

object,stopthe engine,

disconnectthe spark

plug wire(s) and

groundagainstthe

engine.Thoroughly

inspectthe machine for

any damage.Repairthe

damagebefore restart-

ingandoperating.

Avoidsuddenstarts,

ex-cessivespeed and

sudden stops.

Donot leavethe seat

ofthe tractor without

first placingthe PTO

(Blade Engage)leverin

the disengaged(OFF)

position,depressing

the brakepedal and

engagingthe parking

brake, if leavingthe

tractor unattended, also

turn the ignitionkey off

and remove the key.

Alwayslookdown

and behindbefore

and while backingup

to avoida back-over

accident.

Starting the Engine

_ ARNING:Donot operate thetractorif

theinterlock system is malfunctioning.

This system wasdesigned for your safety

andprotection.

NOTE:RefertotheTRACTORSET-UPon page8 of

thismanualforGasolineandOil fill-upinstructions.

1. insertthetractorkeyintotheignitionswitch.

2. PlacethePTO(BladeEngage)leverinthedisen-

gaged(OFF)position.

3. Engagethetractor'sparkingbrake.

4. Activatethechokecontrol.

5. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTARTposi-

tion.Aftertheenginestarts,releasethekey.itwill

returntotheON(or NormalMowing)position.

IMPORTANT:DoNOTholdthekeyintheSTART

positionforlongerthantensecondsata time.Doingso

maycausedamagetoyourengine'selectricstarter.

6. Aftertheenginestarts,deactivatethechokecontrol

andplacethethrottlecontrolin theFASTposition.

NOTE:DoNOTleavethechokecontrolonwhileoperat-

ingthetractor.Doingsowillresultina "rich"fuelmixture

andcausetheenginetorun poorly.

Stopping the Engine

,_ WARNING:If you strike a foreign object,

stop theengine, disconnect the spark

plug wire(s) and ground against the

engine.Thoroughly inspect the machine

for anydamage.Repair the damage

beforerestarting andoperating

1. if thebladesareengaged,placethePTO(Blade

Engage)leverinthedisengaged(OFF)position.

2. TurntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheSTOP

position.

3. Removethekeyfromtheignitionswitchto prevent

unintendedstarting.

Driving The Tractor

,_ WARNING:Avoid sudden starts, ex-ces-

sive speedand sudden stops.

WARNING:Donot leavethe seatof the

tractor without first placing thePTO

(Blade Engage)leverin thedisengaged

(OFF)position, depressing the brake

pedal and engaging the parking brake. If

leaving thetractor unattended,also turn

theignition key off and removethe key.

Always look downandbehind before and

while backing up to avoida back-over

accident.

AVOID SERIOUS iNJURY OR DEATH

GO UPANDDOWNSLOPES,NOTACROSS.

AVOIDSUDDENTURNS.

DO NOTOPERATETHEUNITWHEREIT COULDSLIPORTIP.

IFMACHINESTOPSGOINGUPHILL,STOPBLADE(S)AND

BACKDOWNHILLSLOWLY.

DO NOTMOWWHEN CHILDRENOR OTHERSAREAROUND.

NEVERCARRYCHILDREN,EVENWITHBLADES OFE

LOOK DOWNAND BEHINDBEFOREANDWHILEBACKING.

KEEPSAFETYDEVICES(GUARDS,SHIELDS,ANDBWlTCHE_

INPLACEANDWORKING.

REMOVEOBJECTSTHATCOULDBE THROWNBYTHE

BLADE(S).

KNOWLOCATIONANDFUNCTIONOFALL CONTROLS.

BE SUREBLADE(S) ANDENGINEARESTOPPEDBEFORE

PLACINGHANDSORFEETNEAR BLADE(S).

BEFORELEAVINGOPERATOR'SPOSITION,DISENGAGE

BLADE(S), PLACETHESHIFT LEVERIN NEUTRAL,ENGAGE

BRAKELOCK,SHUTENGINEOFFANDREMOVEKEY.

READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL

1. Depressthebrakepedalto releasetheparkingbrake

andletthepedalup.

2. MovethethrottleleverintotheFAST(rabbit)position.

3. Placetheshiftleverin eithertheFORWARDor

REVERSEposition.

IMPORTANT:DoNOTusetheshiftleverto changethe

directionoftravelwhenthetractorisinmotion.Always

usethebrakepedaltobringthetractortoa completestop

beforeshifting.

4. Releasetheparkingbrakebydepressingtheclutch-

brakepedaland positioningthespeedcontrolleverin

desiredposition.

IMPORTANT:First-timeoperatorsshouldusespeedposi-

tions 1or2. Becomecompletelyfamiliarwiththetractor's

operationandcontrolsbeforeoperatingthetractorin

higherspeedpositions.

5. Releaseclutch-brakepedalslowlyto putunitinto

motion.

6. Thelawntractorisbroughttoa stopbydepressingthe

clutch-brakepedal.

NOTE:Whenoperatingtheunitinitially,therewillbe little

differencebetweenthehighesttwo speedsuntilafterthe

beltshaveseatedthemselvesintothepulleysduringthe

break-inperiod.

WARNING:Before leavingthe operator's

position forany reason,disengage the

blades,place theshift leverin neutral,

engagetheparking brake, shut engine off

and removethe key.

IMPORTANT:Whenstoppingthetractorforanyreason

whileona grasssurface,always:

1. Placetheshiftleverin neutral,

2. Engagethe parkingbrake,

3. Shutengineoff andremovethekey.

Doingsowillminimizethepossibilityof havingyourlawn

"browned"byhotexhaustfromyourtractor'srunning

engine.

If unit stalls withspeedcontrolinhighspeed,or ifunit

willnotoperatewith speedcontrolleverina lowspeed

position,proceedasfollows:

1. PlaceshiftleverinNEUTRAL.

2. Restartengine.

3. Placespeedcontrolleverin highestspeedposition.

4. Releaseclutch-brakepedalfully.

5. Depressclutch-brakepedal.

6. Placespeedcontrolleverindesiredposition.

7. PlaceshiftleverineitherFORWARDor REVERSE,

andfollownormaloperatingprocedures.

Driving On Slopes

RefertotheSLOPEGAUGEon page3 tohelpdetermine

slopeswhereyoumayoperatethetractorsafely.

,_ WARNING:Do not mow on inclines with

aslope in excess of 15degrees(arise of

approximately 2-1/2feet every 10feet). The

tractor could overturnand cause serious

injury.

,, Mowupanddownslopes,NEVERacross.

,, Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon

slopes.

,, Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhidden

objects.Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.

Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

,, Avoidturnswhendrivingona slope.Ifa turnmustbe

made,turndowntheslope.Turningupa slopegreatly

increasesthechanceofa rollover.

Engaging the Blades

EngagingthePTO(BladeEngage)transferspowerto the

cuttingdeckor other(separatelyavailable)attachments.

Toengagethe blades,proceedasfollows:

1. Movethethrottlecontrollevertothe FAST(rabbit)

position.

2. Graspthe PTO(BladeEngage)leverandpivotitall

thewayforwardintotheengaged(ON)position.

3. KeepthethrottleleverintheFAST(rabbit)position

forthemostefficientuseofthecuttingdeckorother

(separatelyavailable)attachments.

IMPORTANT:Models with ReverseCaution Mode:

Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff if thePTOis

engagedwiththeshiftleverinpositionforreversetravel

withtheignitionkeyinthe NORMALMOWINGposition.

Operating

Your Lawn

Modelswithout ReverseCaution Mode:

ThePTO(BladeEngage)levermustbe inthedisen-

gaged(OFF)positionwhenstartingtheengine,when

travelingin reverse,and iftheoperatorleavestheseat.

RefertoSafetyInterlockSwitcheson page14. WARNING

Using the Deck Lift Lever

Toraisethecuttingdeck,movethedecklift leverto

theleft,thenplaceitinthenotchbestsuitedforyour

application.Referto BettingTheCuttingHeightearlierin

thissection.

Do not mow On

inclineswith a slope

in excess of 15

degrees (a rise of

approximately 2-1/2

feet every 10feet).

I The tractor could

overturn and cause

e i i jury

S r ous n

Avoidstoppingwhendrivingupa slope.If itis

necessarytostopwhiledrivingup aslope,startup

smoothlyandcarefullyto reducethepossibilityof

flippingthetractoroverbackward.

operating

) avoidblade

contactor a thrown

object injury, keep

bystanders,helpers,

chUdrenand pets at

least 75feet from the

machinewhile it is in

operation. Stop ma-

chine if anyoneenters

the area.

Planyour mowing

patternto avoid

discharge of materi-

als toward roads,

sidewalks,bystanders

and the like.Also,

avoid discharging

matedal against a wall

or obstructionwhich

may cause discharged

material to ricochet

backtowardthe

operator.

Mowing

,_ WARNING:Tohelp avoidblade contact or

a thrown object injury, keepbystanders,

helpers, children andpets at least75feet

from the machine whileit is inoperation.

Stopmachine if anyoneenters the area.

Thefollowinginformationwillbehelpfulwhenusingthe

cuttingdeckwithyourtractor:

,_ WARNING:Planyour mowing pattern

to avoid discharge of materials toward

roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like.

Also, avoid discharging material against

a wall or obstruction which maycause

discharged material to ricochet back

toward the operator.

• Donotmowathighgroundspeed,especiallyifa

mulchkitorgrasscollectorisinstalled.

• Forbest resultsit isrecommendedthatthefirsttwo

lapsbe cutwiththedischargethrowntowardsthe

center.Afterthefirsttwo laps,reversethedirection

tothrowthedischargetotheoutsideforthebalance

ofcutting.Thiswillgivea betterappearancetothe

lawn.

,, Donotcut thegrasstooshort.Shortgrassinvites

weedgrowthandyellowsquicklyindry weather.

,, Mowingshouldalwaysbe donewith theengineatfull

throttle.

,, Underheavierconditionsitmaybenecessaryto go

backoverthecut areaasecondtimetogeta clean

cut.

,, DoNOTattempttomowheavybrushandweedsand

extremelytallgrass.Yourtractorisdesignedtomow

lawns,NOTclearbrush.

,, Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhen

worn.Referto Cutting Blades onpage25ofthis

manualforproperbladesharpeninginstructions.

AVOID SERIOUS iNJURY OR DEATH

, GO UPANDDOWNSLOPES,NOTACROSS.

* AVOIDSUDDENTURNS.

* DO NOTOPERATETHEUNITWHEREIT COULDSLIP

OR TIR

* IFMACHINESTOPSGOINGUPHILL,STOPBLADE(S)

ANDBACKDOWNHILLSLOWLY.

* DO NOTMOWWHEN CHILDRENOROTHERSARE

AROUND.

* NEVERCARRYCHILDREN,EVENWITHBLADESOFR

* LOOK DOWNANDBEHINDBEFOREANDWHILE

BACKING.

* KEEP SAFETYDEVICES(GUARDS,SHIELDS,AND

SWITCHES)INPLACEANDWORKING.

* REMOVEOBJECTSTHATCOULD BETHROWNBY

THEBLADE(S).

" KNOWLOCATIONANDFUNCTIONOFALL CON

TROLS.

BE SUREBLADE(S) ANDENGINEARE STOPPED

BEFOREPLACING HANDSORFEETNEAR

BLADE(S).

* BEFORELEAVINGOPERATOR'SPOSITION,DISEN

GAGEBLADE(S), PLACETHESHIFT LEVERIN

NEUTRAL,ENGAGEBRAKELOCK,SHUTENGINE

OFFAND REMOVEKEY.

READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Mulching

Selectmodelscomeequippedwitha mulchkitwhich

incorporatesspecialblades,alreadystandardonthe

tractor,inaprocessof recirculatinggrassclippings

repeatedlybeneaththecuttingdeck.Theultra-fine

clippingsarethenforcedbackintothelawnwherethey

actasanaturalfertilizer.

Observethefollowingpointsforthebestresultswhen

mulching:

,, Neverattempttomulchif thelawnisdamp.Wetgrass

tendstosticktothe undersideofthecuttingdeck

preventingpropermulchingoftheclippings.

,, DoNOTattempttomulchmorethan1/3thetotal

heightofthegrassor approximately1-1/2inches.

Doingsowillcausetheclippingstoclumpupbeneath

thedeckandnotbemulchedeffectively.

,, Maintaina slowgroundspeedtoallowthegrass

clippingsmoretimeto effectivelybe mulched.

,, AlwayspositionthethrottlecontrolleverintheFAST

(rabbit)positionandallowittoremaintherewhile

mowing.Failingtokeeptheengineatfullthrottle

placesstrainonthetractor'sengineanddoesnot

allowthebladestoproperlymulchgrass.

NOTE:It isnotnecessarytoremovethedischargechute

tooperatethemowerwiththemulchkit installed.

,_ WARNING:Never operatethe mower

without thedischarge chute properly

attached.

Tooperatethecuttingdeckwithoutmulching,simply

removethemulchplug byunthreadingtheplasticwing

nutwhichfastensitto thecuttingdeck.Thiswillallowthe

clippingstodischargeouttheside.SeeFig.4-6.

Figure 4-6

Headlights

,, On somemodels,thelampsare ONwheneverthe

tractor'sengineisrunning.On othermodels,the

lampsareONwhenevertheignitionkeyismovedout

oftheSTOPposition.

,, On allmodels,thelampsturnOFFwhentheignition

keyis movedtotheSTOPposition.

l i i i

i!i_ _ _ i _ _i_i_iii

Your LaWn

TraCtor

i ii

WARNING

Never operate the

mower w thout the

dischargechute

proPer!Y attached,

I i_ i '

NOTE: This Operators

Manual Coversa range

of product speclficat ons

forvariousmodels.

i /

Characteristicsand

features discussed

and/or illustratedin

th_smanua! maynot be

/ /

cable toall mo

ros0r os, h°;

right to change product

specifications,designs

and equipment without

notice and without incur-

ring obiigationl

1. Withthetractorparkedona firm,levelsurface,place

Adj

ust|nq

Yo rL

U awn

Tract

Never attempt to

i make any adjust-

i merits while the

i engine is running,

i except where speci-

f ed n the operator s

i manual.

Figure 5-1

Figure 5-2

WARNING:Never attempt to make any

adjustments while the engine is running,

except wherespecified in the operator's

manual

thedeckliftleverin thetopnotch(highestposition)

androtatethebladenearestthedischargechuteso

thatit isparallelwiththetractor.

2. Measurethedistancefromthefrontofthebladetipto

thegroundandtherearofthe bladetiptotheground.

Thefirstmeasurementtakenshouldbebetween

1/4"and3/8" lessthanthesecondmeasurement.

Determinetheapproximatedistancenecessaryfor

properadjustmentandproceed,ifnecessary,tothe

nextstep.

3. Locatethejam nutandlocknutonthefrontsideof the

stabilizerbracket.SeeFig.5-1.Afterlooseningthejam

nut:

Tightenthelocknutto raisethefrontofthedeck;

Loosenthelocknuttolowerthefrontofthedeck.

4. Retightenthejamnutloosenedearlierwhenproper

adjustmentisachieved.

Side to Side

If thecuttingdeckappearstobemowingunevenly,aside

tosideadjustmentcanbeperformed.Adjustif necessary

asfollows:

1. Withthetractorparkedona firm,levelsurface,place

thedeckliftleverin thetopnotch(highestposition)

androtatebothbladessothattheyare perpendicular

withthetractor.

2. Measurethedistancefromtheoutsideoftheleftblade

tiptothegroundandthedistancefromtheoutsideof

therightbladetipto theground.Bothmeasurements

takenshouldbeequal.If they'renot,proceedtothe

nextstep.

3. Loosen,butdo NOTremove,thehexcapscrewon

theleftdeckhangerbracket.SeeFig.5-2.

4. Balancethedeckbyusingawrenchto turnthe

adjustmentgear(foundimmediatelybehindthehex

capscrewjust loosened)clockwise/uporcounter-

clockwise/down.Thedeckis properlybalancedwhen

bothbladetipmeasurementstakenearlierareequal.

5. Retightenthehexcapscrewon theleftdeckhanger

bracketwhenproperadjustmentisachieved.

Leveling the Deck

NOTE:Checkthetractor'stirepressurebeforeperform-

inganydecklevelingadjustments.RefertoTires on

page24 forinformationregardingtirepressure.

Front To Rear

Thefrontofthecuttingdeckissupportedbya stabilizer

barthatcanadjustedtolevelthedeckfromfronttorear.

Thefrontofthedeckshouldbebetween1/4-inchand

3/8-inchlowerthantherearofthedeck.Adjustif

necessaryasfollows:

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MTD 779 Owner's manual

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