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4

Slope Operation

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can 
result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If 
you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your safety, use the 
slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before 
operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 
15 degrees, do not mow it.

Do:

1.

Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise 
extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

2.

Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can 
cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

3.

Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious 
personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release 
the blade control handle immediately, and the blade will stop 
rotating within 3 seconds.

Do Not:

1.

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you could 
lose your footing or balance.

2.

Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the 
slope gauge.

3.

Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence 
of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing 
activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that 
children will remain where you last saw them.
1.

Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful 
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.

2.

Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.

3.

Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for 
small children.

4.

Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, 
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a 
child who may run into the mower.

5.

Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer 
burns from a hot muffler. 

6.

Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power 
mower. Children 14 years old and over should read and 
understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this 
manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

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 
vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when 
gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. 

2.

Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

3.

Use only an approved gasoline container.

4.

Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed 
with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away 
from your vehicle before filling.

5.

Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and 
refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such 
equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from 
a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

6.

Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or 
container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not 
use 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 cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or 
running.  Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before 
refueling.

10. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below 

bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel expansion.

11. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
12. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move 

unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.

13. Never store the machine or fuel container near an open flame, 

spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater,  furnace 
,clothes dryer or other gas appliances. 

14. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other 

debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel 
soaked debris. 

15. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.

General Service:

1.

Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. 
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and 
deadly gas.

2.

Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade 
and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug 
wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended 
starting. 

3.

Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at 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 of parts which do not meet the original equipment 
specifications may lead to improper performance and 
compromise safety!”  

4.

Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear 
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

5.

Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is 
in safe working condition.

6.

Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation 
regularly.

7.

After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the 
spark plug wire and ground against the engine. Thoroughly 
inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before 
starting and operating the mower.

8.

Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment 
while the engine is running.

9.

Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail shield are 
subject to wear and damage which could expose moving parts or 
allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection, frequently 
check components and replace immediately with original 
equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this 
manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment 
specifications may lead to improper performance and 
compromise safety!”

10. Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the 

engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating 
speed of the engine. 

11. Maintain or replace safety labels, as necessary.
12. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper 

disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment.

Your Responsibility

Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, 
understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this 
manual and on the machine. 

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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