Yard Machines 509 Series Operator's Manual

Also see for 500 Series: Operator's manual Owner's guide Operator's manual

Contents

Yard Machines 509 Series Operator's Manual Manual pdf 12 page image

12SECTION 6: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWERWARNING: Keep hands and feet away fromchute area on the cutting deck. Theoperation of any lawn mower can result inforeign objects being thrown into the eyes,which can result in severe eye damage.Always wear safety glasses or eye shields.NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set withthe wheels in a low cutting height position. For bestresults raise the cutting position until it is determinewhich height is best for your lawn. See the AdjustmentSection for details.Gas and Oil Fill-UpService the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed inthe separate engine manual packed with your mower.Read instructions carefully.WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors withengine running or until the engine hasbeen allowed to cool for at least twominutes after running.Starting Engine• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certainthe metal cap on the end of the spark plug isfastened securely over the metal tip on the sparkplug.• Prime engine as instructed in the separate enginemanual packed with your unit.• Your lawn mower may be equipped with a constantspeed throttle, which is set at full throttle for bestperformance.• Stand behind the mower and squeeze the bladecontrol handle against the upper handle.• Grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope out slowlyuntil engine reaches the start of compression cycle(rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let therope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid,continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip onthe starter handle, let the rope return to the starterslowly.Using Your Lawn MowerBe sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, orother objects which could damage the lawn mower orthe engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown bythe mower in any direction and cause serious personalinjury to the operator and others.For best results, do not cut wet grass because it tendsto stick to the underside of the mower, preventingproper discharge of grass clippings, and could causeyou to slip and fall. New grass, thick grass, or wet grassmay require a narrower cut.Towards Better Mower Performance1. Read this manual in its entirety before you startthe lawn mower. Instructions given here havebeen designed for maintaining safety whilegetting the best performance from your mower.Follow the instructions closely.2. Pour fresh, clean gasoline into the mower’s gastank until the tank is full. Do not use gasolinethat is more than 30 days old.3. Always use a fuel stabilizer. It will double the lifeof the gasoline used.4. Make sure to connect the mower’s spark plugwire before trying to start the engine.5. Add engine oil to the oil fill on the mower engine.Check the dipstick and add more if necessary.Remember that the oil level has to touch the fillline.6. Locate the primer decal near the primer bulb onthe engine, and read its instruction. Using yourthumb, press the primer bulb slowly as manytimes as the decal advises.7. Hold control handle down and pull rope firmly tostart the engine.8. Set cutting height adjustment lever to middlesetting and mow a single pass on your lawn;then adjust to desired height for a closer cut.9. When bagging the grass clippings, removemulch plug/cover and store.10. To mulch insert the mulch plug/cover on themower.11. In heavy growing season, it may be necessaryto mow lawn twice weekly. Clumps of grassclippings left behind on the lawn usually meansthat the grass is too high to mulch.12. Before storing the lawn mower for the winter,use stabilizer-treated fuel and run the tank dry.13. Thirty days before start of the new season,check the air filter, spark plug and blade on thelawn mower, and replace if needed.For more details about proper lawn care, visit our website at www.mtdproducts.com/machines/tips