MTD 500 Thru 509, Operator'S Manual

3

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 this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may 
result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle 
components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer 
and 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.

General Operation

1.

Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety 
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, 
understand, and follow all instructions on the machine 
and in the manual(s) before operation. 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 ordering 
replacement parts.

2.

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 
mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.

3.

Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this 
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and 
understand the operation instructions and safety rules in 
this manual and should be trained and supervised by a 
parent. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with 
these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use 
this machine.

4.

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 blade. Thrown objects can 
cause serious personal injury. Plan your mowing pattern 
to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, 
bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material 
against a wall or obstruction which may cause 
discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator. 

5.

To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay 
in the operator zone behind the handles and keep 
children, bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet 
from the mower while it is in operation. Stop machine if 
anyone enters the area.

6.

Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during 
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to 
protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can 
cause serious injury to the eyes.

7.

Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting 
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms 
and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never 

operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or 
light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.

8.

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the 
cutting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands 
and feet.

9.

A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade 
contact or thrown object injuries.

10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled 

over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. 
Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the 
handle immediately. 

11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are 

walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall or 
obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tripping 
and then follow these steps:

a.

Step back from the mower to fully extend your 
arms.

b.

Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.

c.

Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way 
toward you.

d.

Repeat these steps as needed.

12. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of 

alcohol or drugs.

13. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so 

equipped while starting engine.

14. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never 

attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the 
safety device inoperative and may result in personal 
injury through contact with the rotating blade. The blade 
control handle must operate easily in both directions and 
automatically return to the disengaged position when 
released.

15. Never operate the 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 
blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop 
rotating within three seconds.

16. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk, never 

run.

17. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or 

roads.