MTD 791, Operator'S Manual

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23. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a 

burn. Do not touch.

24. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving 

under low hanging tree branches, wires, door 
openings etc., where the operator may be struck or 
pulled from the unit, which could result in serious 
injury.

25. Disengage all attachment clutches, depress the 

brake pedal completely and shift into neutral before 
attempting to start engine.

26. Your machine is designed to cut normal residential 

grass of a height no more than 10”. Do not attempt 
to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., 
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves 
may contact the engine exhaust and/or build up on 
the mower deck presenting a potential fire hazard.

27. Use only accessories and attachments approved 

for this machine by the machine manufacturer. 
Read, understand and follow all instructions 
provided with the approved accessory or 
attachment. 

28. Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and 

above, are involved in a large percentage of riding 
mower-related injuries. These operators should 
evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower 
safely enough to protect themselves and others 
from serious injury. 

29. If situations occur which are not covered in this 

manual, use care and good judgment. Contact an 
authorized MTD Service Dealer for assistance.

SLOPE OPERATION 

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and 
tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or 
death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot 
back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow 
it. 

For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of 
this manual to measure slopes before operating this 
unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 
15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge, do not 
operate this unit on that area or serious injury could 
result.

DO:

1.

Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise 
extreme caution when changing direction on 
slopes.

2.

Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other 
hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the 
machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

3.

Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed 
setting so that you will not have to stop or shift while 
on the slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes 
even though the brakes are functioning properly. 
Always keep machine in gear when going down 
slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.

4.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for 
wheel weights or counterweights to improve 
stability.

5.

Use extra care with grass catchers or other 
attachments. These can change the stability of the 
machine.

6.

Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. 
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. 
Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front 
of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards 
which could cause serious injury.

7.

Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose 
traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed 
slowly straight down the slope.

DO NOT: 

1.

Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn 
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.

2.

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or 
embankments. The mower could suddenly turn 
over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff, ditch, or if 
an edge caves in.

3.

Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your 
foot on the ground.

4.

Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes. 

5.

Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could 
cause sliding.

6.

Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-
speeding may cause the operator to lose control of 
the machine resulting in serious injury or death.

7.

Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. 
loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes 
greater than 5 degrees. When going down hill, the 
extra weight tends to push the tractor and may 
cause you to loose control. (e.g. tractor may speed 
up, braking and steering ability are reduced, 
attachment may jack-knife and cause tractor to 
overturn).

CHILDREN

1.

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not 
alert to the presence of children. Children are often 
attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. 
They do not understand the dangers. Never 
assume that children will remain where you last 
saw them.

a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in 

watchful care of a responsible adult other 
than the operator.

b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters 

the area. 

c.

Before and while backing, look behind and 
down for small children. 

d. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) 

shut off. They may fall off and be seriously 
injured or interfere with safe machine 
operation.