YaRD-MaN OPERATOR'S

MANUAL

22" String Trimmer Mower Model Number 25A-253N401

IMPORTANT: Warning:

READ SAFETY

This unit is equipped

RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS

CAREFULLY

with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

MTD PRODUCTS PRINTED IN U.S.A.

INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND,

OHIO 44136-9722 FORM NO. 770-10387 (2/00)

TABLE OF CONTENTS Content

Page

Important Safe Operation Practices ...................................................................

3

Slope Gauge ......................................................................................................

6

Assembling Your String Trimmer Mower ............................................................

7

Know Your String Trimmer Mower .....................................................................

8

Operating Your String TrimmerMower

9

Making Adjustments

...............................................................

..........................................................................................

9

Maintaining Your String TrimmerMower .............................................................

10

Troubleshooting

13

.................................................................................................

Parts List ............................................................................................................

14

FINDINGMODELNUMBER This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new string trimmer mower. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an authorized dealer. •

You can locate the model number by looking down at the rear of the string trimmer mower. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.

p,(Model Number)

(Serial Number)

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

YaRD-MaN,/[

MTDPRODUCTS NC CLEVELAND, OHIO I44136

CALLINGCUSTOMER SUPPORT If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department. Call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-7310 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.

2

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATION PRACTICES WARNING:

This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed Its warning.

WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. DANGER:

This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this

manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

GENERALOPERATION * Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand,and follow all instructionson the machine and in the manual(s) beforeoperation. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for orderingreplacementparts. • This machine is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to cut vegetation and grass. Do not use it for any other purpose. • Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructionsand safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervisedby an adult. Only responsibleindividuals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation shouldbe allowedto use this machine. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys, and other foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the string trimmer mower in any direction which could cause serious personal injury to the operator or any others allowed in the area. Plan your trimming pattern to avoid discharge of material toward building, walls, roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To help avoid trimmer line contact or a thrown object injury, keep children, bystanders, and helpers at least 75 feet from the string trimmer mower while it is in operation. Stop the string trimmer mower if anyone enters the area.

• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operationor while performing an adjustmentor repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that may be thrown fromthe machinein any direction. • Wear sturdy,rough-soledwork shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are

recommended. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.

•

Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of discharge area at all times as the rotating trimmer head and lines can cause injury.

• Never pull the string trimmer mower back toward you while you are walking. If you must back the string trimmer mower away from a wall or obstruction first look down and behind, and then follow these steps: •

Step back from the string trimmer mower to fully extend your arms.

Be sure you are well balancedwith sure footing. o

Pull the string trimmer mower back slowly, no more than halfway towardyou.

•

Repeat these steps as needed.

Do not operate the string trimmer mower while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• The trimmer head controlhandle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety device inoperativeand may resultin personal injurythroughcontactwith the rotatinghead or lines. The trimmer head control handle must operate easily in both directions and automatically returnto the disengagedpositionwhen released. • Disengage the trimmer head before starting the

engine. Never operate the string trimmer mower in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your footing, release the trimmer head control handle immediately and the trimmer head will stop rotating within a few seconds. • Trim or mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Walk never run. Stop the trimmer head when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

• Shut the engine off and wait until the trimmer head comes to a complete stop before replacing trimmer line, making any adjustment or repairs. The trimmer head continuesto rotate for a few secondsafter the engine is shut off. Never place any part of the bodyin the trimmer head area until you are sure the blade has stoppedrotating. • Never operate the trimmer-mower without proper shields, guards,trimmer head controlhandle or other safety protectivedevices in place and working.Never operate the trimmer-mower with damaged safety devices. Failureto do so, can resultin personalinjury.

string trimmer mower and the trimming or mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. • Keep children out of the trimming or mowing area and under the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. ° Be alert and turn string trimmer mower off if a child enters the area.

Before and while movingbackwards, lookbehind and downfor small children. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,trees, or other objectsthat may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the stringtrimmer mower.

• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn.Do not touch. •

Only use parts and accessories made for this string trimmer mower by the manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.

Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.

•

If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer for assistance. Telephone 1-800-800-7310 for the name of your nearest dealer.

Never allow children under age 14 to operate a string trimmer mower. Children 14 years of age and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by an adult.

SLOPEOPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requiresextra caution.If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not trim or mow it. For your safety, use the slopegauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hillyarea. If the slope is greaterthan 15 degrees, do nottrim or mow it.

DO: • Trim or mow across the face of slopes; never up or down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. • Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tall grass can hide obstacles. •

Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release the trimmer head control handle immediately, and the trimmer head will stop rotating within a few seconds.

DO NOT: • Do not trim or mow near embankments. The operator balance.

drop-offs, ditches or could lose footing or

• Do not trim or mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge. • Do not trim or mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.

CHILDREN Tragic accidentscan occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the

SAFEHANDLINGOFGASOLINE: To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately. •

Use only an approved gasoline container.

•

Extinguish all cigarettes, sources of ignition.

•

Never fuel machine indoors because vapors wilt accumulate in the area.

cigars, pipes, and other flammable

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling. • Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel expansion. • Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely. • If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine. • Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light as on a gas water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances. • To reduce fire hazard, keep the string trimmer mower free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris. • Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.

GENERALSERVICE

mower for any damage. Repair the damage before startingand operating.

• Never run an engine indoorsor in a poorlyventilated area. Engine exhaust containscarbon monoxide, an odorlessand deadlygas. • Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the trimmer head and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnectthe spark plug wire and ground againstthe engine to preventunintendedstarting. • Check the trimmerhead and engine mountingboltsat frequent intervalsfor proper tightness.Also, visually inspecttrimmer head for damage. Replace with the original equipment manufacture's (OEM) parts only, listedin this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improperperformanceand compromisesafety!" • Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipmentis in safe workingcondition. • Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operationregularly. • After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnectthe spark plug wire and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the string trimmer

• Never attempt to replace the trimmer line or make a cuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe engine is running. • Never use other lengths, diameters, or materials as trimmerline. Doingso can resultin personalinjury. • Trimmer head components,guards, and shields are subject to wear and damage which could expose moving partsor allow objectsto be thrown.For safety protection,frequentlycheck componentsand replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) parts only, listedin this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specificationsmay lead to improperperformanceand compromisesafety!" • Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeedthe engine. • Maintain or replace safety and instructionlabels, as necessary. • Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment.

understand and -follow the warnings and instructions in Restrict this manual and of onthis thepower machine. WARNING YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: the use machine

to persons who read,

NOTE: Not all safety labels shown may apply to your string trimmer mower.

....... KEEPSAFETYDEVICES TRIMMER HEADCONTROL.TRAILSHIELD. REPLACE IMMEDIATE

I • On not adjust heed, install j

line while • Use ,1SS

trimmer trimmer

or uorvioo unit engine Is running, MTD replacement (OEM-743-0110)

dimmoter only,

trimmer

lime

"Follow steps shown for proper Installation. • R4dlor to your Oporator*s Manual for Instructions.

detailed

SECTION2: SLOPEGAUGE Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower or string trimmer mower on such slopes. 1

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