MTD 142-760 - Maintenance

STARTING YOUR ENGINE
To get the feel of your tractor, operate it in a large open
space until you become familiar with the controls.
1. Be sure you have read the manual to acquaint yourself
with the controls.
2. Fill engine with oil and gasoline as outlined on page 5
of this manual.
3. O p e n fuel shut-off valve located under the gasoline
tank. See Figure 16.
FIGURE 16. FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE
4. Attach the spark plug wire.
5. Pull the choke knob all the way out.
6. Place the throttle control lever halfway between FAST
and SLOW.
7. Place the PTO Lever in the disengaged position. See
Figure 14. The engine will not start unless the PTO Lever
is disengaged.
8. Depress the Clutch Pedal. The engine will not start
unless the clutch pedal is depressed.
9. Turn the ignition key to the right to engage the starter.
When the engine starts, move the choke knob in half
way. After the engine warms up, push the choke knob in
gradually until completely in.
I NOTE I
When the engine is hot, the choke may not
be needed to start the engine.
CAUTION
Do NOT run starter for more than 30 seconds at
a time. If engine does not start after several
tries, place throttle control in FAST position,
wait several minutes and try again without
moving the throttle lever from the FAST
position.
STOPPING YOUR ENGINE
To stop the engine, turn the ignition key to the left.
I^JWARNINgJ
Never leave the ignition key in the tractor when
not in use to prevent accidental starting.
Remove the sprak plug wire from the spark plug when
tractor is not in use to prevent accidental starting.
POWER TAKE OFF (PTO)
The PTO should be in the "OFF" position (Handle Down)
when starting the engine and when attachments using the
PTO are not on the tractor. If, while using the cutting unit or
the rotary tiller, they become clogged and will not operate,
shut off the engine AND THE PTO and remove the spark
plug wire before clearing the attachment.
The PTO engagement lever should be engaged fast to
prevent wear on the PTO belts.
The cutting unit and the rotary tiller can be raised or
lowered while they are operating under full power. For
example, the rotary tiller can be lifted from the ground
with the lift lever in order to turn the tractor around without
shutting off the PTO.
MAINTENANCE
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT
Step 1. Remove the spark plug from the engine.
Step 2. Rotate the clutch disc by hand and tighten the
elastic locknut (Figure 17) until the bearing stops
rotating (Figure 18).
r NOTE j
When the bearing stops turning, all the play
has been taken from the throw out assembly.
Step 3. Back off the elastic locknut just enough for the
bearing to rotate freely when you rotate the clutch
disc.
CLUTCH DISC
FIGURE 17. CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT