MTD 504 - Page 6

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Rules for Safe Operation (continued)
26. Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operat ng con¬
dition, and keep safety devices in place. Use giards as
instructed in operator’s manual.
27. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure th 3 equip¬
ment is in safe working condition.
28. Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tan < inside
a building where ignition sources are present, :;uch as
hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and :he like.
Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
29. To reduce fire hazard, keep engine free of grass leaves
or excessive grease.
30. The vehicle and attachments should be stopped and in¬
spected for damage after striking a foreign objf ct. The
damage should be repaired before restarting and
operating the equipment.
31. Do not change the engine governor settings or ov< irspeed
the engine.
32. When using the vehicle with mower, proceed as follows:
(1) M ow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
(2) Never make a cutting height adjustment while engine
is running if operator must dismount to do so.
(3) Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes
to a complete stop before removing the grass
catcher.
(4) Check blade mounting bolts for proper tightness at
frequent intervals.
33. Check grass catcher bags frequently for wear or
deterioration. For safety protection, replace only with new
bag meeting original equipment specifications.
34. Look behind to make sure the area is clear before plac¬
ing the transmission in reverse and continue looking
behind while backing up. Disengage blades before shift¬
ing into reverse and backing up.
35. This unit should not be driven up a ramp onto a trailer
or truck under power, because the unit could tip over,
causing serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed
manually to load properly.
■ ^IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL; however, a small amount of oil may be
present from the factory. Do not overfill. After assembly, service engine with gasoline and
oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the unit is observed from the driver’s seat, facing
forward.
ASSEMBLY
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2.
This owner’s manual covers various models of lawn
tractors. The units illustrated may vary slightly from
your unit.
Examine the steering box cover on your unit, and
determine if it is Style A or Style B as shown in
—figure 1. Follow only those instructions which per¬
tain to your style riding mower. Refer to the
separate deck manual for all information concern¬
ing the deck.
UNPACKING
1. Remove the riding mower from the carton as
follows. Open the top flaps. Remove all loose parts
and carton inserts. Cut the front corners of the car¬
ton. Make certain brake is released, and push the
unit out of the carton.
2. Remove page four from this manual and separate
the contents of the hardware pack according to the
illustration for identification.
-*—Loose Parts in Carton: (See Figure 2)
A (1) Seat
B (1) 12 Volt Battery*
C (1) Steering Wheel
D (1) Steering Gear Cover
E (1) Steering Tube—Chrome (Style A)
F (1) Steering Shaft (Style A)
G (1) Steering Shaft Assembly (Style B)—Not Shown
* Electric start models only.
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