Maintaining Your Lawn Mower; General Recommendations; Engine Care - MTD 414 Serie Manual Del Operador

5
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
Always stop engine,
disconnect spark
plug, and ground
against engine before
cleaning, lubricating
or doing any kind of
maintenance on your
machine.
We do not recommend
the use of pressure
washers or garden
hose to clean your
unit. These may cause
damage to electric
components, spindles,
pulleys, bearings, or
the engine. The use
of water will result in
shortened life and
reduce serviceability.
Figure 3

General Recommendations

1. Always observe safety rules when performing
any maintenance.
2. 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,
operator must maintain the lawn mower as
instructed here.
3. Changing of engine-governed speed will void
engine warranty.
4. All adjustments should be checked at least once
each season.
5. Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these
are tight.
WARNING: Always stop engine,
disconnect spark plug, and
ground against engine before
cleaning, lubricating or doing
any kind of maintenance on your
machine.
Lubrication
1. Lubricate pivot points on the blade control handle at
least once a season with light oil. The blade control
must operate freely in both directions. See Figure 3.
2. 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 pivot arm and inner
surface of the wheel with light oil. See Figure 3.
3. Lubricate the torsion spring and pivot point on the
rear discharge door periodically with light oil to
prevent rust. See Figure 3.
4. Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrica-
tion schedule and instruction for engine lubrication.
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
Lubricate these
side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower firmly.
points before
reassembly.
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.
10
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.