A hydrostatic tractor that creeps in neutral, or a seat switch that kills the engine whenever you shift your weight, is the fault this Mtd 700 service manual PDF was written to fix. It is Mtd's 360-page factory service manual for outdoor power equipment, part number 770-10579, spanning seven lawn tractor and riding mower series from the 300 to the 900, plus Yard Bug, Auto Drive and zero turn models. Safety interlock wiring diagrams fill a good stretch of the electrical section, backed by troubleshooting charts that trace a no-start to the switch or electric clutch at fault. Transaxle teardown, hydrostatic service, belt routing and deck leveling cover most of what remains. Set the belt guard about 1/8 inch off the belt, and store spare belts below 85°F and 70% humidity. Meanwhile the grass grows every weekend the mower sits. Bookmarked and text-searchable, it's bought once and yours for as long as that tractor runs.
What's Inside This MTD 300-900 Series Manual
| System | Pages | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Work Safety | 4-5 | Safety Rules, Gasoline Handling, Hydraulic Fluid Safety, Safety Stands, Compressed Air Safety, Petroleum Based Solvents |
| General Information | 6-19 | Safety Precautions, Batteries and Charging Systems |
| Electrical | 20-77 | Safety Interlock Systems, Safety Interlock Systems - Changes for 1991, Electric Start System, Recoil Start System, Safety Interlock Systems Wiring Diagrams |
| Belts and Drive System | 78-93 | General, Proper Storage of Belts, Causes of V-Belt Problems, V-Belt Problems with Rotary Tillers, Self-Propelled Mowers and Riding Mowers, Belt Wear Due to Normal Life |
| Hydrostatic | 94-101 | Input Assembly, Trunnion Shaft, Brake Assembly, Breather Assembly, Pump Inlet Hoses, Charge Pump Assembly |
| Transaxles | 102-159 | General, Transaxle Changes for 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1997 Models, Disassembly/Assembly of Transaxle, Hydrostatic Transaxle, Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle |
| Lawn Tractors | 160-229 | And 400 Series, Rear Engine Riding Mowers 500 Series, Transmatic LT 600A, Hydrostatic Drive 700 Series |
| Yard Bug | 230-231 | Deck Leveling, Brake Adjustment, Blade Brake/PTO Adjustment, Speed Control Pedal Adjustment, Steering Adjustment, Removal and Installation of Deck Belt |
| Auto Drive | 232-263 | Leveling the Cutting Deck, Deck Belt Removal and Installation, Cutting Deck Removal, Brake Adjustments, Autodrive Pedal Adjustment, Drive Belt Removal and Reinstallation |
| MTD Z Series | 264-285 | Transmission, Neutral/Steering Adjustment, Removal of ZTT Transmission, Transmission Disassembly |
| Zero Turn Tractors | 286-340 | Zero Turn Tractor - the Revolution, 46" Cutting Deck, Cutting Deck Removal, Lower Deck Belt Removal, Servicing the IZT Drive Belt, Servicing the IZT, Adjustments to the IZT |
| Attachments | 341-353 | Cutting Decks, Improvements, Grass Collectors, Front Bumper, Trapac, 42" Dozer Blade |
| Glossary | 354-360 | Mower Terms, Tractor Terms, Hydrostatic Transmission Terms, Engine Terms |
Quick Reference Specifications
| Specification | Value | Page |
|---|---|---|
| All Models | ||
| Maximum air pressure for drying parts | 30 psi | p. 5 |
| Belt guard clearance | approximately 1/8 inch | p. 80 |
| Storage temperature limit | below 85°F | p. 80 |
| Clutch collar parts test limit | 575 ft-lbs | p. 106 |
| Axle shaft torque test limit | 480 ft-lbs | p. 111 |
| Hex washer head self tapping screws torque | 90 to 110 in-lbs. | p. 215 |
| Transmission pulley to input shaft hex nut torque | 10-15 foot pounds | p. 259 |
| Center Bolt Torque | 450 in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max. | p. 339 |
| Blade Adapter Bolts Torque | 200 in. lbs. min., 350 in. lbs. max. | p. 339 |
| 310-0500 | ||
| Hydrostatic Transaxle Oil Level (310-0500) | 1.75 to 2.0 inches | p. 119 |
| Differential Assembly Screw Torque (310-0500) | 16-18 ft-lbs | p. 139 |
| 310-0750 | ||
| Hydrostatic Transaxle Oil Level (310-0750) | 1.0 to 1.25 inches | p. 119 |
MTD 300-900 Series Common Problems This Manual Covers
MTD 300 to 900 series tractor engine will not crank or stalls when engaging the clutch/brake
Check the safety interlock system first on any no-crank, crank but no-start, or stall when the clutch/brake is engaged. Trace the circuit against the wiring diagrams starting. The manual documents interlock changes for 1991 units, so confirm the wiring matches your model year before you replace any parts.
Manual Section: Safety Interlock SystemsRiding mower with electric clutch PTO where the mower deck blades do not engage
Check the safety interlock circuit first, because the manual lists electric PTO blades not engaging as an interlock symptom. Then measure the electric clutch coil resistance and current draw following the Electric Clutches procedure in the Electrical section. Adjust the air gap if it is out of spec, and burnish the clutch as the procedure directs.
Manual Section: Electric Clutches p. 75Drive belt keeps coming off the pulleys, fraying along the edges, or breaking
Check pulley alignment first, because the manual ties belts coming off, fraying and breaking back to alignment problems. Set the belt guards approximately 1/8 inch from the belt, as shown on page 80. Inspect the belt for heat damage, which page 81 says starts at temperatures of 140°F or higher, and replace it if it is cooked.
Manual Section: V-Belt Problems p. 80210-3010L hydrostatic transaxle will not move, will not attain speed, or is sluggish under load
Inspect the transaxle for oil leaks, then work through the 210-3010L troubleshooting procedure for your exact symptom: no movement, low top speed, or sluggish and noisy under load. Check the brake assembly, breather assembly and pump inlet hoses covered in the Hydrostatic section starting on page 94 before you split the case.
Manual Section: Hydrostatic Transaxle (210-3010L)Integrated hydrostatic transaxle 310-0500 or 310-0750 operates in one direction only or runs hot
Check the oil level before anything else. On the 310-0500 it should be 1.75 to 2.0 inches, per page 119. The 310-0750 figure is on the same page. Then work through the troubleshooting for one-direction operation, low power, noise under load or overheating. When you reassemble, torque the center section bolts evenly to 525-700 in-lbs, per page 145.
Manual Section: Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle (310-0500/0750)Cutting deck leaves uncut strips or an uneven cut with the blades not even
Check the zero turn tire pressure at 10 psi, per page 314, then set the deck front-to-rear pitch to 1/4 to 3/8 inch following page 315. Verify that engine speed is not too slow and ground speed is not too fast. Torque the blade center bolt to between 450 and 600 in. lbs., per page 339.
Manual Section: Cutting Deck Problems p. 315Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct torque specification for the transmission pulley hex jam nut on 600 series riders?
For 600 series riders, the hex nut securing the transmission pulley to the input shaft should be torqued to between 10 and 15 foot-pounds. p. 259
What is the recommended oil capacity for the Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle (IHT) on the MTD 300-900 Series?
The correct oil fill volume for both the 310-0500 and 310-0750 models is 2-1/2 quarts, which is equivalent to 80 ounces. p. 149
What is the factory air gap setting for the electric clutch on the MTD 300-900 Series?
The factory air gap setting for electric clutches is between .010 and .025 inch. p. 75
What's the differential assembly screw torque for MTD 300-900 Series 310-0500 and 310-0750 hydrostatic transaxles?
For the 310-0500 model, the differential assembly screws should be torqued to 16-18 ft-lbs, while for the 310-0750 model, they should be torqued to 12-14 ft-lbs. p. 139
What is the correct torque for the perimeter case halve self-tapping screws on the MTD hydrostatic transaxle?
The perimeter case halve self-tapping screws should be torqued between 90 and 110 inch-pounds using a 3/8 socket and a torque wrench. p. 242
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