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Operators Manual
Model Series
370 thru 389
Rotary Mowers
IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Warning: This unit is equipped 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.
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SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION 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 YOUR LAWN MOWER. 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 Sta
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• Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on • Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can units so equipped while starting engine. cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance release the blade control • The blade control handle is a safety device. Never handle immediately and the blade will stop in less attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes than 3 seconds. the safety device inoperative and may result in personal injury through contact with the rot
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• To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, • After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or remove the wire from the spark plug, and fuel spillage. Allow mower to cool at least 5 thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. minutes before storing. Repair the damage before starting and operating the mower. • Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have • Never attempt to make a wheel or cut
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FOLD ON DOTTED LINE, REPRESENTING A 15° SLOPE USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY. SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footi
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SECTION 1: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new walk behind. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain your walk behind. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start to prepare your walk behind for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information from it in this Operator’s Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your dealer or the MTD customer support department. • E
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SECTION 3: UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS REMOVE UNIT FROM CARTON • See Figure 2. • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. • Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., owner’s manual, etc.). • Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat. • Remove packing material. Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts. REMOVE MANUAL & LOOSE PARTS PUSH Figure 2 DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE Before setting up
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SECTION 4: SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS This guide covers models 370 - 379 single speed self propelled mowers and 380 - 389 six speed self propelled mowers. Much of this guide pertains to both models. However, there are some areas where only one model is covered. Use only the information that is appropriate for your model. ITEMS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY • Pair of Pliers (Not necessary, but helpful) • Motor Oil • Fresh Gasoline IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL in the engine. Be cert
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Step 4. Raise complete handle assembly until it Step 3. Tighten wing nuts. clicks into place. Make sure not to kink the control cables. Handle Assembly HERE Control Cables Step 5. Pinch lower handle against mounting Step 7. Attach control cables to handle with pull bracket with pliers. ties found on the handle. Step 6. Move hairpin clip from outer to inner hole on handle mounting bracket. HERE PINCH HERE Step 8. Loosen the wing nut holding the rope guide to the upper handle. Step 9. Squeeze
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SECTION 5: CONTROLS Blade Control Handle Recoil Starter Drive Clutch Control Throttle Control Shift Lever Cutting Height Adjustment Lever All Models Models 380 - 389 Figure 4 BLADE CONTROL HANDLE The blade control handle is located on the upper handle of the mower. See Figure 4. The blade control handle must be depressed in order to start and operate the unit. Release the blade control handle to stop the engine and blade. WARNING: The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to
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NOTE: Only move the shift lever when the engine is running. Changing the shift lever setting with the engine off can cause damage to the mower. CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER The cutting height adjustment lever is located above the left rear wheel. To adjust the cutting height, pull the lever out and away from the mower and then move it forward or back for a new cutting height. See Figure 5. LOWER Cutting Height Adjustment Lever HIGHER Figure 5 NOTE: For rough or uneven lawns, move the hei
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EACH TIME BEFORE YOU START YOUR MOWER • Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug. • Check for proper drive clutch operation using the NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT TEST. NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT TEST To perform the NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT TEST answer the following questions. • With the drive clutch control released, push mower forward and pull it backward. Does it move freely? • Squeeze the drive clut
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BAGGING GRASS CLIPPINGS This mower can bag grass clippings. Follow steps 1 and 2 to ready the mower for bagging. Step 1. Remove mulching plug, if installed. Step 2. Hang grass bag on mower. HERE LIFT PULL EMPTYING A FULL BAG OF GRASS Once the grass bag is full it will need to be emptied, follow steps 3 and 4 to empty the grass bag. Step 3. Lift flap and pull bag away from mower. Step 4. Lift bag up and away from mower. Dump the grass clippings. LIFT PULL LIFT MULCHING GRASS CLIPPINGS This m
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SIDE DISCHARGING GRASS CLIPPINGS (Optional) Step 1. Lift rear flap, remove grass bag, or Side Discharge Top and Left View. mulch plug if installed,. Hang side This side up discharge chute. Hang LIFT SECTION 7: ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Do not at any time make any adjustment to lawn mower without first stopping engine and disconnecting spark plug wire. HANDLE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT Lower Handle Notch Figure 6 Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower the handle heig
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THROTTLE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT Screw Control Cable Lever Clamp On Engine Figure 7 If the throttle control requires adjustment or if it has been replaced, adjust the throttle control as follows. • Remove the screw shown in Figure 7. Remove the cable clamp from the cable. • Push the throttle control lever on the handle all the way forward as far as it will go, then back it off one “click”. Make certain the throttle control lever remains in this position. • Push the control lever on the engine as fa
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SECTION 8: LUBRICATION WARNING: Always stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of work on the lawn mower. Blade Control Handle LUBRICATE Wheels Engine SEE ENGINE MANUAL Figure 9 Blade Control: Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle and the brake cable at least once a season with light oil. See Figure 9. The blade control must operate freely in both directions. Wheels: Lubricate the wheel at least once a season with light oil (
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DECK The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned after each use to prevent a buildup of grass clippings, leaves, dirt or other matter. If this debris is allowed to accumulate, it will invite rust and corrosion, and may prevent proper mulching, discharge or bagging. The deck may be cleaned by tilting the mower and scraping clean with a suitable tool (make certain the spark plug wire is disconnected). CUTTING BLADE REMOVAL, REPLACEMENT AND SHARPENING Blade Adapter Blade Bell Support Hex Bolt
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SHIFT LEVER CABLE ADJUSTMENT (Models 380 - 389 Only) Periodic adjustment of the six speed shift cable may be required due to normal wear on the cable. Adjustment is needed if all six speeds do not work. The adjustable cable bracket is located on the left side of the mower, beside the engine. Follow steps 1 through 7 to adjust the shift lever. Step 1. Start engine. Step 2. Place speed control in the sixth speed position. Step 3. Stop engine. Step 4. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it.
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DRIVE BELT REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT (Model 370 Series) If you need to replace a worn or broken drive belt, follow steps 1 through 22. Step 1. Disconnect the spark plug and ground it. Step 2. Drain the fuel tank. Step 3. Remove rear hub caps and wheels. Step 4. Remove eight phillips head screws. 6 5 7 4 (Behind Wheel) 8 1 2 3 Step 5. Tip mower back on its handle and block Step 10. Loosen hex lock nut holding idler bearing. securely. Step 11. Push back and rotate belt keeper. Step 6. Remove blade a
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Step 14. Replace large baffle. Step 17. Replace the eight phillips head screws that hold the large baffle in place. Step 15. Replace small baffle and three hex head screws holding it in place. Step 18. Replace the rear wheels, rear wheel gears and hub caps. The gears need to be put Step 16. Replace blade adapter and blade. See on in the right way for the self propelled the Blade Removal, Sharpening and mechanism to work. Check the Replacement Section for proper installation of the ge
