Yard Machines 829 - Manual (Page 10)

10
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in
the separate engine manual packed with your mower.
Read instructions carefully.
WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors with
engine running or until the engine has
been allowed to cool for at least two
minutes after running.
Before Starting Your Mower
(Models 820 Thru
829)
• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is
fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark
plug.
• Check for proper drive clutch operation using the
NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT TEST.
Neutral Adjustment Test
To perform the neutral adjustment test answer the
following questions.
• With the drive clutch control released, push mower
forward and pull it backward. Does it move freely?
• Squeeze the drive clutch control and pull the
mower backward. Do the rear wheels lock?
• Is the drive clutch control cable free of kinks or
sharp bends?
• If you answered “yes” to all three questions, your
mower passed the test and you can start your
mower.
• If you answered “no” to any of the three questions,
you will have to adjust the drive clutch control in the
ADJUSTMENT SECTION.
Starting Engine
• Prime engine as instructed in the separate engine
manual packed with your unit.
• Your lawn mower is equipped with a constant
speed throttle, which is set at full throttle for best
performance.
• Stand behind the mower and squeeze the blade
control handle against the upper handle.
• Grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope out slowly
until engine reaches the start of compression cycle
(rope will pull slightly harder at this point).
• Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke.
Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the
rope return to the starter slowly.
WARNING: Never operate your unit
without either the side chute deflector or
entire rear discharge chute and grass
catcher assembly in place.
Using Your Lawn Mower
Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or
other objects which could damage the lawn mower or
the engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by
the mower in any direction and cause serious personal
injury to the operator and others.
For best results, do not cut wet grass because it tends
to stick to the underside of the mower, preventing
Towards Better Mower Performance
1. Read this manual in its entirety before you start
the lawn mower. Instructions given here have
been designed for maintaining safety while
getting the best performance from your mower.
Follow the instructions closely.
2. Pour fresh, clean gasoline into the mower’s gas
tank until the tank is full. Do not use gasoline
that is more than 30 days old.
3. Always use a fuel stabilizer. It will double the life
of the gasoline used.
4. Make sure to connect the mower’s spark plug
wire before trying to start the engine.
5. Add engine oil to the oil fill on the mower engine.
Check the dipstick and add more if necessary.
Remember that the oil level has to touch the fill
line.
6. Locate the primer decal near the primer bulb on
the engine, and read its instruction. Using your
thumb, press the primer bulb slowly as many
times as the decal advises.
7. Set cutting height adjustment lever to middle
setting and mow a single pass on your lawn;
then adjust to desired height for a closer cut.
8. In heavy growing season, it may be necessary
to mow lawn twice weekly. Clumps of grass
clippings left behind on the lawn usually means
that the grass is too high to mulch.
9. Before storing the lawn mower for the winter,
use stabilizer-treated fuel and run the tank dry.
10. Thirty days before start of the new season,
check the air filter, spark plug and blade on the
lawn mower, and replace if needed.
For more details about proper lawn care, visit our website at www.mtdproducts.com