MTD 610 User Manual

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5
s
ectiOn
 2 — i
MpOrtant
 s
afe
 O
peratiOn
 p
ractices
Children
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.
Keep children out of the mowing area and in 
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the 
operator. 
Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the 
area. 
Before and while backing, look behind and down for 
small children. 
Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut off. 
They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere 
with safe machine operation.
Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, 
doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may 
block your vision of a child who may run into the 
path of the machine.
To avoid back-over accidents, always disengage 
the cutting blade(s) before shifting into Reverse. 
If equipped, the “Reverse Caution Mode” should 
not be used when children or others are around.
Keep children away from hot or running engines. 
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler. 
Remove key when machine is unattended to  
prevent unauthorized operation.
Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this 
machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand 
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual 
and on the machine and should be trained and supervised 
by an adult.
Towing
Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for 
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the 
hitch point.
Follow the manufacturers recommendation for weight 
limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause 
loss of traction and loss of control.
Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
Service
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme 
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely 
flammable and the vapors are explosive.
 Serious 
personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on 
yourself or your clothes which can ignite.  Wash your skin 
and change clothes immediately.
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Use only an approved gasoline container.
Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck 
or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place 
containers on the ground away from your vehicle 
before filling.
When practical, remove gas-powered equipment 
from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. 
If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on 
a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a 
gasoline dispenser nozzle.
Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel 
tank or container opening at all times until fueling is 
complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other 
sources of ignition.
Never fuel machine indoors.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine 
is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two 
minutes before refueling.
Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ 
inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for 
fuel expansion.
Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and 
equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5 
minutes before starting the engine. 
To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of grass, 
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel 
spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.
Never store the machine or fuel container inside 
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light 
as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes 
dryer or other gas appliances. 
Allow a machine to cool at least five minutes before 
storing.
General Service
Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. 
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless, 
and deadly gas.
Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the 
blade(s) and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the 
spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent 
unintended starting. 
Periodically check to make sure the blades come to 
complete stop within approximately (5) five seconds after 
operating the blade disengagement control. If the blades 
do not stop within the this time frame, your machine 
should be serviced professionally by an authorized MTD 
Service Dealer.
Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected to wear 
during normal operation. Adjust and service as required.
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