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SECTION 1:  IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

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 
safe operation rules should use this machine.

4.

Thoroughly inspect the area where 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 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.

Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes 
during equipment operation and while performing 
an adjustment or repair. 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.

5.

Do not operate the mower while under the influence 
of alcohol or drugs.

6.

Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on 
units so equipped while starting engine.

7.

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.

8.

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 

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.

WARNING: 

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.

Summary of Contents for 549

Page 1: ...plicable local or state laws if any If a spark arrester is used it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator In the State of California the above is required by law Section 4442...

Page 2: ...help from the experts Choose from the options below Visit yardman com for many useful suggestions Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here Click on the approp...

Page 3: ...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 oc...

Page 4: ...ooting or balance 2 Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge 3 Do not mow on wet grass Unstable footing could cause slipping Children Tragic accidents can occur if the ope...

Page 5: ...to improper performance and compromise safety 4 Mower blades are sharp and can cut Wrap the blade or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them 5 Keep all nuts bolts and screws tight to be...

Page 6: ...N T I N G A 1 5 S L O P E 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...

Page 7: ...pull back on the upper handle to raise the handle into the operating position See Figure 2 Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle bracket assemblies Figure 2 Make sure that...

Page 8: ...came pre assembled proceed to the next section If it came unassembled follow the steps below to assemble it first before attaching to the mower Insert frame into grass bag with the black plastic side...

Page 9: ...Let mulch plug rest against the deck Operate mower without the grass catcher Refer to page 11 SECTION 4 KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER Figure 12 Read this operator s manual and safety rules before operating yo...

Page 10: ...ld weather around 55 F or below prime five times Do not prime to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown Standing behind the mower depress the blade control handle and hold it against the upper h...

Page 11: ...ps from the weld pins on the handle brackets and remove the wing nuts and carriage bolts from the upper hole on the handle mounting bracket Press out on the legs of the lower handle and remove lower h...

Page 12: ...point on each end of the rear discharge door using a light oil This will prevent rusting of the discharge door Engine Care Follow the accompanying engine manual for detailed list and instructions SEC...

Page 13: ...ne storage instructions Coat mower s cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting Store mower in a dry clean area Do not store next to corrosive materials such as fertilizer SECTION 9 TROUBLES...

Page 14: ...ARTS LIST FOR MODEL 549 1 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 19 2 49 50 55 56 57 58 59 61 62 40 47 54 53 51 52 65 37 42 40 39 36 15 35 22 31 32 16 25 29 26 49 30 49 23 49 21 20 34 43 45 64 29 24 49 33 17 36 5 14...

Page 15: ...82 5004A Rear Baffle RH 31 782 5003 Rear Baffle LH 32 710 1017 Tap Screw 1 4 14 x 625 33 712 3005 Flange Lock Nut 3 8 16 34 710 0703 Hex Carriage Screw 1 4 20 35 687 02033 Handle Bracket RH 687 02031...

Page 16: ...tments and normal deterioration of 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 sol...

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