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SECTION 1:  IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

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.

General Operation

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. 

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

17. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the 

engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is 
generally a warning of trouble.

18. 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.

19. 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.

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

touch.

21. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the 

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

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

and good judgment.  Call customer assistance for the name of 
your nearest servicing dealer.

Summary of Contents for 080 Series

Page 1: ...r s Manual PRINTED IN U S A FORM NO 772C0726 11 2004 22 Rotary Mower Model Series 080 P O BOX 1386 KITCHENER ONTARIO N2G 4J1 IMPORTANT Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equ...

Page 2: ...TOMER SUPPORT Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from which it was purchased without first contacting Customer Support If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions r...

Page 3: ...use 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...

Page 4: ...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 ca...

Page 5: ...N T I N G A 1 5 S L O P E DANGER 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...

Page 6: ...ing fingers out of the way Upper Lower Handles 1 Pull up and back on the upper handle to raise the handle into the operating position Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle m...

Page 7: ...our mower is equipped with a mulching baffle install it on the right side of the deck Follow the sequence indicated here 1 Lift up and hold the side discharge chute deflector 2 Insert bottom lip of th...

Page 8: ...cted in the separate engine manual Read instructions carefully Attach spark plug wire to spark plug If unit is equipped with a rubber boot over the end of the spark plug wire make certain the metal lo...

Page 9: ...r 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 l...

Page 10: ...ckets and remove the lower handle being careful not to bend or kink the cables 3 Reassemble placing the top holes in the handle over the weld pins in the handle mounting brackets 4 Secure with hardwar...

Page 11: ...accompanying engine manual for lubrication schedule and instruction Cleaning Mower The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned after each use to prevent a buildup of grass clippings leaves dirt...

Page 12: ...shaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil Install the blade adapter on the crankshaft with the star away from the engine See Figure 11 Place the blade with the side marked bottom...

Page 13: ...el 5 Clean air cleaner 6 Adjust carburetor Engine overheats 1 Engine oil level low 2 Air flow restricted 3 Carburetor not adjusted properly 1 Fill crankcase with proper oil 2 Remove blower housing and...

Page 14: ...ents 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 MTD does not ex...

Page 15: ...17 NOTES...

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