October 3, 2003
Drive Belt Wear
2003 Model Year Vertical Crankshaft Engine Edgers
Models 25A-521; -550; -551; -553 and -556
Edgers
PURPOSE: MTD has become aware that the drive belt may experience premature wear and/or jumping off track under
some operating conditions. To address this issue a new Compression Spring, Drive Belt and Blade Adjustment Rod
have been incorporated into production as of May 1, 2003. Production units manufactured prior to May 1, 2003 may
have been reworked while in MTD warehouses. To tell if a unit has the new production hardware check the Compres-
sion Spring and Drive Belt. The new Compression Spring is gold in color and the new Drive Belt has orange paint over
the part number area.
Models
Affected:
Subject:
Date:
Service Advisory
.
Preparation for Disassembly: Refer to the Owner’s Manual for part terminology and controls location
1. Allow engine and muffler to cool before working on the unit.
2. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and ground wire to engine block.
3. If there is fuel in the fuel tank, drain or remove the fuel cap and place a thin sheet of plastic over the opening and
replace and tighten the fuel cap.
4. Ensure that the oil plug is tight.
5. Rotate the edger blade so that both ends are within the Blade Guard. See Figure 1.
6. If so equipped - Set the Bevel Adjustment Lever to the left. Left and right are viewed from the operator’s position.
7. Set the Blade Depth Control Lever to the STARTING POSITION (H).
8. Proceed to the Disassembly Instructions on Page 2.
MTD-003
November 18, 2002 (Date Code =...K182...) through
April 30th, 2003 (Date code =...D303...)
Serial Number Range:
* Each unit is identified with a unique 11 digit serial number. The 2
nd
through 5
th
digits identify the
month, day and year of production (date code). The rest of the digits should be ignored for
purposes of determining if your unit is affected. For example, in Ser. No. 3B063Z80001, the date
code is “B063”. B= February, 06= the 6
th
day of the month and 3= 2003. In Ser. No. 3C213Z80999, “C213” is the date
code. C= March, 21= the 21st day of the month and 3= 2003.
Warranty: Normal warranty terms apply. Indicate Service Advisory MTD-003 and 754-0465 and 732-0187 as the origi-
nal failed part(s) on the claim. Repair time allowance is
SERVICE MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
SALES MANAGER
SERVICE TECH.
SERVICE TECH.
Circulate and Initial
REF.
NO.
PART
NUMBER
QTY
DESCRIPTION
1
754-04032
1
“V” Belt, Polyester Tensile Cord (Color Code = Orange)
2
732-04169
1
Compression Spring (Gold color)
3
747-04110
1
Blade Adjustment Rod
NOTE:
These materials are prepared for use by trained technicians who are experienced in the service and repair of
equipment of the kind described in this publication, and are not intended for use by untrained or inexperienced
individuals. Such individuals should seek the assistance of an authorized service technician or dealer.
NOTE:
Save this Instruction Sheet. Refer to it when ordering replacement parts.
