User manual MTD 2057-1

[. . . ] Install the mulch plug and secure it in place with the carriage screw, bell washer and plastic wing nut as illustrated in Figure 2. Bell Washer Plastic Wing Nut Tractor’s Manufactured Prior to 2001 (without pre-drilled holes) 1. Place the mulch plug drill guide included with this kit in place on the surface (NOT over the lip) of the mulch plug as shown in Figure 3. Pivot the discharge chute upward and place the mulch plug (with the drill guide still resting in the hole on its surface) inside the discharge chute opening. The drill guide will slide smoothly over the top lip of the discharge chute opening. [. . . ] Secure the mulch plug by snugging the hex screw (NOT one of the self-tapping screws) with a 7/16inch wrench. Drill Guide Figure 2 Mulch Plug Figure 3 Hex Screw Bell Washer Plastic Wing Nut Figure 4 3 Attaching the Deck Skirts 38-inch Decks The following instructions are for the installation of the mulch kit on tractor’s equipped with a 38-inch deck only. If your tractor is equipped with a 42-inch deck, disregard these instructions and skip to the instructions on page 6 under the heading 42-inch Decks. WARNING: Before attempting to install the mulch kit, move the machine to flat, level ground, disengage PTO, shift to neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting. WARNING: Always wear safety glasses before performing the following instructions. NOTE: On tractor’s with pre-drilled holes along the cutting deck’s front lip, it is easier, but NOT necessary, to remove the cutting deck from the tractor in order to complete the following steps. 1. Remove the cutting deck as instructed in your tractor’s Operator’s Manual. Carefully flip the cutting deck over to expose its underside. Clean all debris from the underside of the deck, specifically the area near the front edge. Position the deck skirt segments over the front edge of the cutting deck as illustrated in Figure 5. Use locking pliers or C-clamps to secure the skirt segments in place. NOTE: On newer-style tractor decks (manufactured in 2001 or later), holes are drilled into the deck at the factory that will align with the holes found in the deck skirt segments. IMPORTANT: The numeral “38” is stamped into the BOTTOM of each deck skirt segment (when viewed in its operating position). Be certain that the stamped side is facing you when positioning the skirt segments over the front edge of the cutting deck, with the deck flipped upside down. 5. On tractor’s without pre-drilled holes, use a hammer and center punch (or large nail) to mark the six locations where it will be necessary to drill holes into the cutting deck. Using a 1/8” bit, carefully drill pilot holes into the cutting deck where the six center-punch marks were made in the step 5. Make Sure that the deck segments butt flushly up against each other. IMPORTANT: Line up the deck skirts evenly along the edge of the cutting deck’s front lip. Figure 6 SECTION 4: USING THE MULCH KIT This mulch kit incorporates special blades, already standard on your tractor’s cutting deck, in a process of recirculating grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck. After which, the ultra-fine clippings are forced back into the lawn where they act as a natural fertilizer. Observe the following recommendations for the best results when mulching. WARNING: Follow all safety warnings and instructions in your tractor’s Operator’s Manual before operating. • • • • Never attempt to mulch if the lawn is damp. Wet grass tends to stick to the underside of the cutting deck preventing proper mulching of the clippings. Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the total height of the grass or approximately 1-1/2 inches. Doing so will cause the clippings to clump up beneath the deck and not be mulched effectively. Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass clippings more time to effectively be mulched. For effective mulching, position the throttle control in the FAST (rabbit) position and allow it to remain there while mowing. Failing to keep the engine at full throttle places strain on the tractor’s engine and does not allow the blades to properly mulch grass. NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the discharge chute to operate the mower with the mulch kit installed. [. . . ] Damage resulting from the installation or use of any accessory or attachment not approved by MTD Products Inc. for use with the product(s) covered by this manual will void your warranty as to any resulting damages. Normal wear parts or components thereof are subject to separate terms as follows: All normal wear part or component failures will be covered on the product for a period of 90 days regardless of cause. After 90 days, but within the two year period, normal wear part failures will be covered ONLY IF caused by defects in material or workmanship of OTHER component parts. [. . . ]