MTD VB20 series Operator'S Manual Download Page 2

Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Mower  manufactured by MTD.  

It was carefully engineered to provide excellent performance 

when properly operated and maintained. 
Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.  

It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and 

maintain your machine.  Please be sure that you, and any other 

persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the 

recommended safety practices at all times.  Failure to do so could 

result in personal injury or property damage. 
All information in this manual is relative to the most recent 

product information available at the time of printing.  Review 

this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine, 

its features and operation.  Please be aware that this Operator’s 

Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various 

models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated 

in this manual may not be applicable 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 establish 

the power rating of the engine equipped on this machine can be 

found at www.opei.org or the engine manufacturer’s web site.
If you have any problems or questions concerning the machine, 

phone your local authorized MTD service dealer or contact us 

directly.  MTD’s Customer Support telephone numbers, website 

address and mailing address can be found on this page. We want 

to ensure your complete satisfaction at all times.
Throughout this manual, all references to 

right

 and 

left

 side of the 

machine  are observed from the operating position
The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related 

issues with regards to performance, power-rating, specifications, 

warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s 

Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your 

machine, for more information.

Thank You

Record Product Information

Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please 

locate the model plate on the equipment and record the 

information in the provided area to the right. You can locate the 

model plate by standing at the operator’s position and looking 

down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary, 

should you seek technical support via our web site, Customer 

Support Department, or with a local authorized service dealer.

M

odel

 N

uMber

S

erial

 N

uMber

Customer Support

Please do NOT return the machine to the retailer or dealer without first contacting the Customer Support Department.

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

this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
◊  Visit us on the web at www.mtdproducts..com

  See How-to Maintenance and Parts Installation Videos at 

www.mtdparts.com/KnowledgeCenter

◊  Call a Customer Support Representative at (800) 800-7310 or (330) 220-4683
◊ 

Write to MTD LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019

Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 3

Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 9

Controls & Features ................................................13

Operation ................................................................14

Maintenance  & Adjustment .................................15

Service .....................................................................17

Troubleshooting .................................................... 20

Replacement Parts ................................................ 22

Attachments & Accessories .................................. 24

Warranty ..................................................Back Cover

To The Owner

1

2

Table of Contents

Summary of Contents for VB20 series

Page 1: ...ce 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 RES...

Page 2: ...tion at all times Throughout this manual all references to right and left side of the machine are observed from the operating position The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine related iss...

Page 3: ...and pets at least 75 feet from mower while it is in operation Stop machine if anyone enters area 9 Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation and while performing an adjustment or...

Page 4: ...ment while the engine is running 26 Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the manufacturer Failure to do so can result in personal injury 27 When starting engine pull cord slowly unt...

Page 5: ...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...

Page 6: ...al 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 arrestor meeting ap...

Page 7: ...jury keep hands and feet away Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass catcher is in its proper place If damaged replace immediately DANGER BYSTANDERS Do not mow when children or others are arou...

Page 8: ...ct See Figure 1 and Figure 2 4 Adjust 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 S...

Page 9: ...3 2 Do not crimp cable while lifting the handle up B Figure 3 2 Assembly NOTE This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine Fill up with gasoline and oil as instructed in the accompanyin...

Page 10: ...4 c Reattach wing nuts and carriage bolts removed earlier into lower holes of handle as shown in Figure 3 5 C C Figure 3 5 4 The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle Loosen th...

Page 11: ...There is a cutting height adjustment lever located above the front and rear right wheel 1 Pull the height adjustment lever towards wheel unit will tend to fall when lever is moved outward b Slip plas...

Page 12: ...justment wheel is located in the drive control handle housing and is used to tighten or loosen the drive belt You will need to adjust the drive control if the mower does not propel itself with the dri...

Page 13: ...eck Wash If Equipped Your mower s deck is equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck wash system Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck s underside Side Discharge...

Page 14: ...operating the mower or while performing any adjustments or repairs on it Using as Mulcher For mulching grass remove the grass catcher and allow the rear discharge door to close the rear opening of mo...

Page 15: ...h directions See Figure 6 1 Figure 6 1 2 The transmission is pre lubricated and sealed at the factory and does not require lubrication 3 Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrication schedule...

Page 16: ...ng in fuel system or on essential carburetor parts Deck Wash If Equipped Your mower s deck may be equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck wash system Use the deck wash to rinse g...

Page 17: ...ening the blade follow the original angle of grind Grind each cutting edge equally to keep the blade balanced WARNING An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds It...

Page 18: ...the season for instance when bagging more frequent charging may be necessary 3 After charging disconnect charger plug from outlet first then disconnect charger lead from battery and reattach cover se...

Page 19: ...ng steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions Coat mower s cutting blade with chassis grease to prev...

Page 20: ...rratic 1 Spark plug boot 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 Unit running with CHOKE if equipped applied 1 Connect an...

Page 21: ...eplace blade Uneven cut 1 Wheels not positioned correctly 2 Dull blade 1 Place front and rear wheels in same height position 2 Sharpen or replace blade Mower will not self propel 1 Belt not installed...

Page 22: ...MTD BS 591868 Spark Plug Briggs Stratton 951 10298 Air Cleaner Kit MTD BS 491588S Air Filter Cartridge Briggs Stratton BS 493537S Pre Cleaner Briggs Stratton 951 12738 Fuel Cap Assembly Phase 3 Engin...

Page 23: ...erial number ready Parts Manual downloads are also available free of charge at www mtdproducts com Component Part Number and Description 731 07486 Discharge Chute 942 0741A Mulching Blade 942 0741 X X...

Page 24: ...s need for separate blower Easy installation with no tools 490 850 0015 Cargo Carrier Conveniently holds drinks tools and more Simple installation Attaches in less than two minutes with no tools 490 2...

Page 25: ...starts Prevents corrosion from moisture and ethanol induced attraction Prevents gum and varnish 490 290 0012 Mower Cover Protects your mower against sun rain and dust damage Coated for maximum water r...

Page 26: ...26...

Page 27: ...27...

Page 28: ...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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