| Handheld Products | Lawn Mowers | Snow Throwers | Tillers | Tractors |
| | | | + | How do I remove the bump knob on my SpeedSpool™ unit? | | | The Speed Spool bump knob can be removed by unscrewing it counter-clockwise. Sometimes the bump knob can be too tight to unscrew by hand. In these cases, you may need to unscrew it with a pair of channel locks or large pliers. | | + | What is the gas/oil mix ratio for a MTD 2-cycle engine? | | | All two-cycle engines must run on a mixture of gas and two-cycle engine oil. Never run a two-cycle engine on straight gasoline, because it will cause damage to the engine. MTD recommends a 40:1 fuel to oil ratio. | | + | How do I start my 2-cycle product? | | | Starting most 2-cycle engines is simple if you follow the procedures outlined in the operator's manual. In general:
| 1. | If there is an on/off switch, move it to the on position. | | 2. | If the unit has a primer bulb, fully depress and release the primer bulb 5 to 7 times. | | 3. | Move the choke to the FULL position. | | 4. | Hold or lock the throttle in the on position. | | 5. | Set the unit on the ground. | | 6. | Make short, brisk pulls on the starter rope until the engine attempts to start (typically between 1-5 pulls). Your unit will not run in the choke position. | | 7. | Move the choke to PARTIAL and continue pulling the starter rope until the engine starts (3 pulls maximum). If this fails, start over from the beginning. | | 8. | After allowing 10 seconds for the engine to warm up, move the choke to RUN and release or unlock the throttle. | | 9. | If the unit dies, start over from step number 3. | | 10. | Once the unit warms up, you should be able to stop and restart the unit with the choke in the off position. |
NOTE: On the four stroke units, do not squeeze the throttle during the starting procedures. | | + | Why won't my gas product start? | | | | 1. | Check to make sure the on/off switch is in the on position. | | 2. | If you smell gas, the engine may be flooded. | | 3. | Old fuel left in the gas tank over a long period of inactivity (more than 60 days) may cause the engine to run poorly or not start at all. First, dispose of old gas at a facility in your area that accepts such material. Then refill the tank with fresh fuel mix and try to restart. Even if you get old fuel mix to work, it becomes acidic after time and won't offer good lubrication. | | 4. | If fuel was stored in the unit over the winter, you may need a carburetor rebuild kit. Areas such as the inlet screen and the metering needle may become gummed up or glazed from the fuel mixture. A cleaning of the carburetor, and possibly a rebuild, are the only cures for this situation. Visit a servicing dealer for a full assessment. | | 5. | If you are pulling more than five times in the FULL CHOKE position you will be flooding the unit. Move the choke lever to PARTIAL after hearing the initial sputter in FULL CHOKE. If it is flooded, just pull 10 to 15 times in the RUN setting until the unit fires. | | 6. | If you can't get the engine to turn-over you may have a spark, ignition or compression problem. Try changing the spark plug or taking your unit to a servicing dealer for assistance. |
| | + | How do I start my 4-cycle product? | | | | 1. | Check the oil level in the crankcase. Fill the fuel tank and put the ignition switch in the "RUN" ( | ) position. | | 2. | Fully depress and release the primer bulb 5 to 7 times. | | 3. | Place the choke lever in the full "CHOKE" position. | | 4. | With the unit on the ground, pull the starter rope quickly until the engine sounds like it wants to run (no more than 5 pulls). | | 5. | Place the choke lever in the "PARTIAL" position. Pull the starter rope quickly until the engine starts (no more than 5 pulls). | | 6. | If the engine does not start, repeat steps 2 to 5. | | 7. | Run the engine for 30 seconds, with the throttle lever fully squeezed to warm up. Place the choke lever in the "RUN" position. | | 8. | NOTE: in colder weather, run the engine for 2 to 3 minutes to warm up. | | 9. | To stop the engine, put the ignition switch in the "STOP" ( 0 ) position. | | 10. | NOTE: when storing the unit, place the unit flat on the floor instead of hanging it by the guard or the cutting head. |
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| | + | What type of gas and oil should I use in my lawn mower? | | | Use regular unleaded automotive gasoline in your lawn mower. If the gas supply in your mower won't be used up within 30 days, add gasoline stabilizer additive to your can of gas. SAE 10W30 motor oil is recommended for use in your lawn mower. The exact amount will be specified in your owner's manual but the approximate amount is 0.6 litres or 20 ounces. | | + | Do I have to change the oil in my lawn mower? | | | Yes. Just like your car engine, your lawn mower engine will run smoother and last longer if you change the oil regularly. The engine oil should be changed after the first 5 hours of operation to remove any initial contaminants. After that, it is recommended that you change the oil approximately every 25 hours or, as a rule of thumb, after every lawn mowing season. | | + | Why would I want a self-propelled mower over a regular push mower? | | | With a push mower, all the energy required to move forward comes from the operator, while a self-propelled mower generates its own energy and, in effect, pushes itself forward. If you have a large lawn; or if your lawn has some sections that require uphill cutting; or if the operator is an older individual, then a self-propelled mower will be a big help by saving both time and energy. | | + | What is the benefit of high wheel designs? | | | The high-wheel design on the rear wheels is recommended for hilly or rough terrain. The larger wheels roll easily over uneven ground and smooth out any bumpiness. It's also easier to push a high wheel mower up a hill. | | + | What should I do to get my mower ready in the spring and then to store it for the winter? | | | At the end of each season you should drain the gas and oil out of the engine and clean the underside of the cutting deck. At the beginning of the season you should add new SAE 10W30 Grade engine oil and fresh gas, check the blade and sharpen it, check the air filters, and make sure the spark plug is clean and properly gapped. You can either do these things yourself or have your nearest MTD service dealer do it for you. | | + | What is an electric start mower? | | | Simply start your mower by turning the key. No more rope starts. |
| | + | What is steerable wheel drive and how does it help? | | | Steerable wheel drive is an exclusive feature designed by MTD. An easy-to-operate finger trigger control allows the operator to slow or stop the wheel or track on one side of the machine while the wheel or track on the opposite side continues to turn. The unit virtually turns itself with minimal operator effort. Operator fatigue is greatly reduced while maneuvering around curves or reversing direction, and overall control is greatly improved. | | + | What is the difference between a single-stage snow blower and a two-stage snow blower? | | | A single-stage snow blower has only the front auger to gather in and then throw the snow. This design is meant for light duty applications, such as a short walkway or small driveway, under light snow conditions of 6" of snowfall or less. A two-stage snow blower has the front auger to gather the snow and then an impeller that pushes the snow up and out the chute. They are designed for much heavier workloads, such as a long lane way or larger driveway where the snow must be thrown a fair distance, under medium to heavy snow conditions of 6" annual snowfall or more. | | + | Why is it always more difficult to clear packed or icy snow? | | | Packed or icy snow is harder to clear if the snow blower only has regular smooth auger blades. They aren't designed to cut or penetrate packed snow. If you regularly have to clear hard packed or icy snow, make sure your snow blower has serrated augers. They cut into hard or icy snow and break it up. | | + | What type of oil and gasoline should I use in my snow blower? | | | Use regular unleaded automotive gasoline in your snowblower. If the gas supply won't be used up within 30 days, pour in a gasoline stabilizer additive as well. SAE 5W-30 oil is recommended for your snow blower. The exact amount will be specified in your owner's manual. Remember to change the oil after the first 5 hours of operation and then change it regularly after every 25 hours of use, or as a general rule, at the end of every season. | | + | What should I do to get my snow blower ready at the start of the season and then to store it for the summer? | | | At the end of each season you should drain the gasoline and oil out of the engine and clean the entire unit thoroughly. At the beginning of each season add new engine oil and fresh gas, check the auger and impeller, lubricate all the moving parts, check the air filters, and make sure the spark plug is clean and properly gapped. You can either do these things yourself or have your nearest MTD service dealer do them for you. |
| | + | What is the differences/advantages of a front tine or rear tine tiller? | | | Front tine tillers are best suited for small to medium gardens, yet offer the greatest maneuverability in tight areas. Rear tine tillers are mainly designed for larger gardens or soils that require a more thorough tilling, but are self-propelled offering greater ease of operation. Either front tine or rear tine tillers can be used for breaking sod when creating a flower or vegetable garden. |
| | + | When do I know I need a tractor as opposed to a lawn mower? | | | A number of factors will affect your decision. Generally speaking, if your lawn is larger than 100' x 100', you could consider a lawn tractor. Also the age and physical condition of the operator will have a bearing on your decision. A lawn tractor will significantly reduce the amount of energy and effort expended by the operator when cutting the grass. Time is always an important consideration as well. It will take about 1 hour to cut a 100' x 100' area with a walk behind mower and only about 20 minutes with a lawn tractor. That's a big time saver. One other consideration is the fact that often-larger properties have a longer-than-ordinary driveway. With the proper attachment, your lawn tractor can see double-duty as a snow thrower in winter. | | + | How big of a lawn tractor do I need? | | | It is more important to consider the deck size you need rather than the tractor itself. There are different deck sizes. Each 4: increase in deck size reduces cutting time by roughly 10%. Once you determine the proper deck size for your needs, the tractor size will follow. | | + | What is the difference between a lawn tractor and a garden tractor? | | | Only a garden tractor accepts ground-engaging attachments. A lawn tractor will only accept surface attachments such as a 2-stage snow thrower, dozer blade, front bumper, grass catcher, mulch kit and tow-behind. A garden tractor is generally larger and more powerful. It accepts all the surface attachments plus the ground engaging attachments such as a tiller, plow and disc harrow tiller. | | + | What kind of oil should I use? | | | SAE 10W30 oil is recommended for summer use in your Troy-Bilt lawn or garden tractor. To help your engine run smoother and last longer, change the oil after the first 5 hours of operation and then again after every 50 hours of use or, as a general rule, after every lawn care season. If you use your tractor in winter as a snow blower, change the oil after the lawn care season and switch to SAE 5W-30 during the cold winter months. | | + | What is a transmatic transmission? | | | A transmatic transmission offers a set number of forward and reverse gears, usually between 5 and 7 speeds. While there is no clutch per say, the operator need only depress the brake/clutch pedal in order to reduce the ground speed. No pedal contact is needed for shifting from low to high through the speed range while in the forward or reverse mode. If you are downshifting a gentle tap of the brake/clutch pedal is all that is required to shift from high to low ground speed. With this patented system you can set the speed selector for a given speed, then if you have to slow down for a turn (cutting around trees, flower beds or other obstacles) all that is required of the operator is to slightly depress the clutch/brake pedal. When you release the pedal, the unit will automatically resume the original set speed. This type of drive system allows shift-on-the-go speed control and enables you to match your ground speed to your particular mowing conditions without reducing the speed of the cutting blades thereby eliminating any compromises in cutting quality. | | + | What attachments or accessories are available for my tractor? | | | If you have an MTD lawn tractor there are a number of attachments available. You can get a 2-stage snow blower, a dozer blade, front bumper, grass catcher, lawn sweeper, mulch kit and tow-behind cart. Accessories available include a Sunshade for summer use and a snow cab for protection in winter. |
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