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12

For repairs beyond 

the minor adjustments 

listed here, contact 

an authorized service 

dealer. 

6

Trouble 

Shooting

Cause

Problem

Remedy

Engine fails to start

1.  Blade control disengaged.
2.  Spark plug wire disconnected.
3.  Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.
4.  Engine not primed.

5.  Faulty spark plug.
6.  Blocked fuel line.
7.  Engine flooded.

1.  Engage blade control.
2.  Connect wire to spark plug.
3.  Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
4.  Prime engine as instructed in 

“Operating Your Lawn Mower”.

5.  Clean, adjust gap, or replace.
6.  Clean fuel line.
7.  Wait a few minutes to restart, but 

do not prime.

Engine runs erratic

1.  Connect and tighten spark  

plug wire.

2.  Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean,  

fresh gasoline.

3.  Clear vent.
4.  Drain fuel tank. Refill with  

fresh fuel.

5.  Refer to engine manual.
6.  Refer to engine manual.

1.  Spark plug wire loose. 

2.  Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. 

3.  Vent in gas cap plugged.
4.  Water or dirt in fuel system. 

5.  Dirty air cleaner.
6.  Carburetor out of adjustment.

Engine overheats

1.  Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2.  Remove blower housing  

and clean.

3.  Refer to engine manual.

1.  Engine oil level low.
2.  Air flow restricted. 

3.  Carburetor not adjusted properly.

Occasional skips 

(hesitates) at 

high speed

1.  Adjust gap to .030”.
2.  Refer to engine manual.

1.  Spark plug gap too close.
2.  Carburetor idle mixture adjustment 

improperly set.

Idles poorly

1.  Reset gap to .030” or replace  

spark plug.

2.  Refer to engine manual.
3.  Refer to engine manual.

1.  Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap  

too wide.

2.  Carburetor improperly adjusted.
3.  Dirty air cleaner.

Mower will not  

mulch grass

1.  Do not mow when grass is wet; 

wait until later to cut.

2.  Mow once at a high cutting height, 

then mow again at desired height 
or make a narrower cutting path.

3.  Sharpen or replace blade. 

1.  Wet grass.

2.  Excessively high grass.

3.  Dull blade.

Uneven cut

1.  Place all four wheels in same  

height position.

2.  Sharpen or replace blade.

1.  Wheels not positioned correctly.

2.  Dull blade.

Excessive

Vibration

1.  Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.

2.  Bent cutting blade.

1.  Tighten blade and adapter. 

Balance blade.

2.  See an authorized service dealer.

Summary of Contents for Yard-Man 588

Page 1: ...ntained in effective working order by the operator In the State of California the above is required by law Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code Other states may have similar laws Feder...

Page 2: ...Customer Support If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls operation or maintenance of this unit you can seek help from the experts Choose from the o...

Page 3: ...lk behind mower on such a slope it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip resulting in serious injury Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes never across the face of slop...

Page 4: ...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...

Page 5: ...hile engine is hot or running Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling 10 Never over fill fuel tank Fill tank to no more than inch below bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel exp...

Page 6: ...control handle against upper handle b Pull starter rope out of the engine Release blade control handle c Slip starter rope into rope guide d Tighten wing nut 4 Insert post on cable ties into holes pro...

Page 7: ...he grass catcher a Place bag over frame so that its black plastic side is at the bottom b Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on the frame See Step 7 All the plastic channels except center to...

Page 8: ...rter is attached to the right upper handle Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to start the unit Gas and Oil Fill Up 1 Check oil level and add oil if necessary Follow engine manual...

Page 9: ...for the blade to stop completely before doing any work on the mower or to remove the grass catcher Stopping Engine 1 Release blade control to stop the engine and blade 2 Disconnect spark plug wire fr...

Page 10: ...igure 3 4 Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrica tion schedule and instruction for engine lubrication Deck Care Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to prevent build up of grass...

Page 11: ...ge to mower and could break causing personal injury 8 Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft 9 Pla...

Page 12: ...retor out of adjustment Engine overheats 1 Fill crankcase with proper oil 2 Remove blower housing and clean 3 Refer to engine manual 1 Engine oil level low 2 Air flow restricted 3 Carburetor not adjus...

Page 13: ...13 7 Safety Labels WARNING DO NOT remove safety or any labels from mower for any reason...

Page 14: ...14 39 38 41 10 17 46 47 19 40 30 44 12 30 24 32 18 32 25 27 45 22 21 43 23 26 15 28 29 45 42 16 14 4 8 3 2 33 20 6 7 9 11 5 1 13 37 34 35 45 45 31 36...

Page 15: ...m Assembly LH 26 736 0524B Blade Bell Support 27 787 01290 Front Adjustment Plate 28 720 0426 Adjustment Lever Knob 29 732 0866 Spring Lever 30 738 0507B Shoulder Screw 31 734 04086 Front Wheel 7 x 1...

Page 16: ...the exterior finish due to use or exposure d Service completed by someone other than an authorized service dealer e MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or exported outside of the United...

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