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Important Safe Operation Practices

2

3

General Operation

1. 

Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the 

machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to 

assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place for 

future and regular reference and for ordering replacement 

parts. 

2. 

Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. 

Know how to stop the machine and disengage them 

quickly.

3. 

Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this 

machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand 

the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual 

and on the machine and should be trained and supervised 

by an adult. 

4. 

Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper 

instruction. 

5. 

To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, 

keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet 

from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if 

anyone enters the area.

6. 

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 picked up and thrown by 

the blade(s). Thrown objects can cause serious personal 

injury. 

7. 

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. 

8. 

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. 

9. 

Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting 

slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes and jewelry can be 

caught in movable parts. Never operate this machine in 

bare feet or sandals. 

10. 

Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction 

and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower 

without the discharge cover or entire grass catcher in its 

proper place.

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

cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate 

hands and feet.

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!

DANGER! 

This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices 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.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

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.

WARNING! 

Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead 

compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive 

harm. 

Wash hands after handling

Summary of Contents for Mini-Rider

Page 1: ...nce Service Troubleshooting Warranty WARNING READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RE...

Page 2: ...able to all models We reserve the right to change product specifications designs and equipment without notice and without incurring obligation If applicable the power testing information used to estab...

Page 3: ...ects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes 9 Wear sturdy rough soled work shoes and close fitting slacks and shirts Loose fitting clothes and jewelry can be caught in movable parts Never...

Page 4: ...mselves and others from serious injury 29 If situations occur which are not covered in this manual use care and good judgment Contact your customer service representative for assistance Slope Operatio...

Page 5: ...not shift to neutral and coast downhill Service Safe Handling of Gasoline 1 To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline Gasoline is extremely flammable and the v...

Page 6: ...to protect the environment 15 According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission CPSC and the U S Environmental Protection Agency EPA this product has an Average Useful Life of seven 7 years or 270...

Page 7: ...with the blade s can amputate hands and feet DANGER ROTATING BLADES Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back over accident WARNING THROWN OBJECTS This machine may pick up...

Page 8: ...IS FLAMMABLE Allow the engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling WARNING CARBON MONOXIDE Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide...

Page 9: ...gauge up or down until the left corner touches the slope See Figure 1 and Figure 2 5 If there is a gap below the gauge the slope is too steep for safe operation See Figure 2 above 1 2 d a s h e d l i...

Page 10: ...ow the steps below 1 Slide the pedestal cap onto the steering shaft so that when the steering shaft is installed on the tractor the pedestal cap will be upright as shown in Figure 3 1 Figure 3 1 2 Rem...

Page 11: ...he adjustment bolt on the bottom of the seat Slide the seat forward or backward as desired Reinstall the adjustment bolt Refer to Figure 3 5 7 Slide the Pedestal cap down onto the tractor 1 and slight...

Page 12: ...Service and check the engine oil as instructed in the separate Engine Owner s Manual packed with your tractor Read the instructions carefully Connecting the Battery Cables CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 W...

Page 13: ...Oil Fill Cap Figure 4 1 Lawn Tractor controls and features are illustrated in Figure 4 1 and described on the following pages WARNING Read and follow all safety rules and instructions in this manual...

Page 14: ...and REVERSE The brake pedal must be completely depressed and the tractor must not be in motion when moving the shift lever See Figure 4 3 IMPORTANT Never force the shift lever Doing so may result in...

Page 15: ...ing the lever all the way rearward into the PTO OFF position disengages power to the cutting deck NOTE The PTO blade engage lever must be in the disengaged PTO OFF position when starting the engine Fu...

Page 16: ...the PTO Blade Engage lever is moved into the engaged ON position with the shift lever in Reverse WARNING Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning This system was designed...

Page 17: ...eeds until after the belts have seated themselves into the pulleys during the break in period WARNING Before leaving the operator s position for any reason disengage the blade place the shift lever in...

Page 18: ...with your tractor WARNING Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward roads sidewalks bystanders and the like Also avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which ma...

Page 19: ...l Rear Wheels The rear wheels should be removed from the axles once a season Lubricate the axles and the rims well with an all purpose grease before re installing them Front Axles The front wheels sho...

Page 20: ...d Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosive build up After cleaning the battery and terminals apply a light coat of petroleum jelly or grease to both terminals IMPORTANT...

Page 21: ...To prevent gum deposits from forming inside the engine s carburetor and causing possible malfunction of the engine the fuel system must be either completely emptied or the gasoline must be treated wi...

Page 22: ...il Air Filter s Foam Pre cleaner ifEquipped P Replace Air Filter Element P Change Engine Oil P Clean Battery Terminals P P Lube Axles and Rims P P Clean Engine Cooling Fins P P Check Spark Plug Condit...

Page 23: ...and out of the mounting bracket on the cutting deck See Figure 7 4 Figure 7 4 8 Gently slide the cutting deck from the left side out from underneath the tractor Cutting Deck Removal To remove the cutt...

Page 24: ...ee Figure 7 5 Figure 7 5 5 Loosen the idler pulley by loosening the flange lock nut that secures it enough to alloy clearance for the belt to move past it and off Remove the belt by working it off of...

Page 25: ...or Instructions for using this feature will accompany the battery charging accessory Basically the unit will plug in right next to the battery as shown in Figure 7 7 Plug for the Separately Available...

Page 26: ...rpened or if any metal separation is present replace the blades with new ones WARNING A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive vibration may cause damage to the tractor and or result in personal i...

Page 27: ...if damaged 5 Drain fuel tank Refill with clean fresh gasoline 6 Replace air cleaner paper element or clean foam precleaner Engine overheats 1 Engine oil level low 2 Air flow restricted 1 Fill crankca...

Page 28: ...r 16 0 x 6 50 8 00 731 2477 Discharge Chute Assembly NOTE Download a complete Parts Manual free of charge at www mtdproducts com or phone 800 800 7310 to purchase a Parts Manual Be sure to have your m...

Page 29: ...or use with any type of ground engaging attachments e g tiller or plow Use of this type of equipment WILL void the tractor s warranty Model Number Description 490 290 0013 Tractor Cover 490 850 0005 B...

Page 30: ...ent purchaser that the outdoor equipment engine is Designed built and equipped so as to conform with all applicable regulations and free from defects in materials and workmanship that cause the failur...

Page 31: ...he need for repair or replacement of the part That notwithstanding any adjustment of a component that has a factory installed and properly operating adjustment limiting device is still eligible for wa...

Page 32: ...ese 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...

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