MTD 791, 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.

DANGER:

This machine

was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this man-

ual. 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.

California Proposition 65 Warning:

WARNING: 

Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain

or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.

GENERAL OPERATION

1.

Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the 
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to 
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe 
place for future and regular reference and for 
ordering replacement parts. 

2.

Be familiar with all controls and their proper 
operation. Know how to stop the machine and 
disengage them quickly.

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. 

4.

Never allow adults to operate this machine without 
proper instruction. 

5.

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

6.

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 picked up and thrown by the blade(s). Thrown 
objects can cause serious personal injury. 

7.

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. 

8.

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. 

9.

Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes and 
jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never 
operate this machine in bare feet or sandals.

10. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge 

direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not 
operate the mower without the discharge cover or 
entire grass catcher in its proper place

.

11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or 

under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) 
can amputate hands and feet.

12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause 

blade contact or thrown object injuries. 

13. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, 

walks, or roads and while not cutting grass. 

14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing 

roadways. This machine is not intended for use on 
any public roadway. 

15. Do not operate the machine while under the 

influence of alcohol or drugs. 

16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
17. Never carry passengers.
18. Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse. 

Back up slowly. Always look down and behind 
before and while backing to avoid a back-over 
accident.

19. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine 

smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive 
speed.

20. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine 

and wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop 
before removing grass catcher, emptying grass, 
unclogging chute, removing any grass or debris, or 
making any adjustments. 

21. Never leave a running machine unattended. 

Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in 
neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and remove 
key before dismounting.

22. Use extra care when loading or unloading the 

machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not 
be driven up or down ramp(s), because the unit 
could tip over, causing serious personal injury

. 

The 

unit must be pushed manually on ramp(s) to load or 
unload properly.