MTD 020 Series - Manual (Page 12)

12
Lubrication
• Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least once
a season with light oil. The blade control must operate
freely in both directions. See Figure 5-1.
• Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light
oil (or motor oil). If wheels are removed for any reason,
lubricate surface of the axle bolt and inner surface of
the wheel with light oil. See Figure 5-1.
• Follow the accompanying engine manual for engine
lubrication schedule and instructions.
Deck Care
Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to
prevent build-up of grass clippings or other debris. Follow
steps below for this job.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from lawn
mower, or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.
2. Tip mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the
side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower firmly.
WARNING: Never tip the mower more than 90
degrees in any directions and do not leave
the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain
into the upper part of the engine causing a starting
problem.
3. Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a
suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you
had put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make sure to
remove it now.
Engine Care
A list of key engine maintenance jobs required for good
performance by the mower is given below. Follow the
accompanying engine manual for a detailed list and
instructions.
1. Maintain oil level as instructed in engine manual.
2. Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal
conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely
dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and
flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should be
serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the engine
manual.
3. Clean spark plug and reset the gap once a season.
Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of
each mowing season. Check engine manual for correct
plug type and gap specifications.
4. Clean engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keep
the cooling system (blower housing area) clean to
permit proper air circulation. Remove all grass, dirt and
combustible debris from muffler area.
5
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Mower
Always stop engine,
disconnect spark
plug, and ground
against engine before
performing any type
of maintenance on
your machine.
Never tip the mower
more than 90º in
any direction and do
not leave the mower
tipped for any length
of time. Oil can drain
into the upper part of
the engine.
General Recommendations
WARNING: Always stop engine, disconnect
spark plug, and ground against engine
before cleaning, lubricating, or performing any kind
of maintenance on your machine.
• Always observe safety rules when performing
maintenance work.
• The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover
items that have been subjected to operator abuse or
negligence. To receive full value from warranty, op-
erator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed
here.
• Changing of engine-governed speed will void engine
warranty.
• All adjustments should be checked at least once
each season.
Figure 5-1: Lubrication areas on the mower.
WARNING
NOTE: Do not use a pres-
sure washer or garden hose
to clean the mower. These
may cause damage to the
engine. The use of water will
result in shortened life and
reduce serviceability.