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MTD S53MSPB 53cm Self Propelled Petrol Lawnmower - 140cc

Product details

  • Brand: MTD
  • Catalogue number: 280/5540

MTD Support

UK: Eire:
01869 363 636 +44 1869 363 636
Mon-Fri: Sat-Sun:
9am to 5pm Closed

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FAQs

First step would be check the product support section on the website for a short video that will talk you through the best way to start your lawnmower. If you are still experiencing difficulties our team of technical experts are available 7 days a week to talk through the start up process and establish what the problem may be.
If the Lawn mower has had the recommended 0.5l of SAE 30 Lawnmower oil added, this will be due to compression in the engines cylinder, engage the start stop bar and with a slow but continuous force pull the pull cord out. Alternatively remove the spark plug located on the front of the machine to relieve all compression, fit pull cord into the pull cord guide and then replace spark plug and HT cable.
We recommend SAE 30 lawnmower oil but any four stroke lawnmower/garden tool oil of the rating 10w30 is fine.
Ensure you have put the correct grade of oil in your lawnmower, ensure the mower has not been tipped for storage or cleaning purposes, then run the mower as normal in a stationary position until the smoke clears. Once clear, check oil level again, and top up if necessary. If you are seeing any form of thick black smoke, contact the helpline immediately.
Check that the air filter is clear, that the spark plug is connected properly to your HT cable and that the fuel cap has not been over tightened, this should be no more than finger and thumb tight.
Contact our technical helpline for guided instructions on how to adjust the revs of your machine.

You can use E10 with your appliance but we advise taking caution with fuel as you would with any petrol powered device. E10 fuel contains 10% bio-ethanol, more than its predecessor. This essentially means it has a higher risk of attracting more water and moisture than E5. 

We recommend the following to best maintain your appliance:

  • Only use the required amount of petrol and avoid any overfilling.
  • Completely drain any excess petrol by using the appliance until it physically stops.
  • Store any extra fuel in an airtight can and keep out of direct sunlight.

If the engine idles poorly, it can usually indicate the lawnmower is low on fuel and needs to be refilled. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, check the following: 

  • Check the correct fuel has been used. 
  • Check that the spark plug has is correctly fitted. 
  • Check the spark plug for any build-up of dirt or wear over time. If necessary, the spark plug may need to be replaced. 
  • Remove the filter and check for blockages. If required, clean the filter. Check your user manual for this procedure.

Uneven cutting of grass can usually be caused by the grass collection or the length of the grass. 

If the lawnmower is cutting unevenly, check the following: 

  • Check that there is not a build-up of grass clipping and debris. Before removing the clippings, ensure the mower is powered off completely and unplugged. 
  • Check that the grass is not too long for the cutting height. If the grass is quite long, we recommend adjusting the cutting height higher and only cutting a small amount at a time. 
  • Check that there is no damage to the blades. If there is any damage, you may need to sharpen or replace the blade. Refer to your user manual for how to proceed with this. 

If the lawnmower is not cutting at all, check the following: 

  • Check that there is not a build-up of grass clipping and debris. Before removing the clippings, ensure the mower is powered off completely and unplugged. Once any clippings are removed, carefully check to see if there is movement when turning. 
  • Check that the grass is not too long for the cutting height. If the grass is quite long, we recommend adjusting the cutting height higher and only cutting a small amount at a time. Similarly, ensure that the cutting blade height is not too high that it is not touching the grass at all. 
  • Check that there is no damage to the blades. If there is any damage, you may need to sharpen or replace the blade. Refer to your user manual for how to proceed with this.

It is normal for the lawnmower to make a noise whilst cutting due to the motor operation and the turning of the blades. However, if the noise seems abnormal or louder than usual, check the following: 

  • Check that there is not a build-up of grass clipping and debris. Before removing the clippings, ensure the mower is powered off completely and unplugged. 
  • Check that there is no damage to the blades. If there is any damage, you may need to sharpen or replace the blade. Refer to your user manual for how to proceed with this. 
  • Remove the filter and check for blockages. If required, clean the filter. Check your user manual for this procedure. 
  • Check the level and condition of the oil. If the oil level is low or dirty, it may cause excessive noise from the engine. 
  • Check that the grass collection container is full. If it is full of clippings, then you may hear excess noise from the container. To resolve this, turn off, empty the container, and then turn on to resume operation.

If the lawnmower won’t start, try the following: 

  • Ensure that the engine has been primed. If your mower has a primer bulb, press it 3-4 times before starting the engine. 
  • Check that there is fuel in the tank and refill if necessary. 
  • Consider when the fuel was last refilled; if left for a long period of time then it may have gone stale. To rectify the issue, drain out the old fuel and replace with new fuel. 
  • Check that the spark plug has is correctly fitted. 
  • Check the spark plug for any build-up of dirt or wear over time. If necessary, the spark plug may need to be replaced. 
  • Check that the engine has not been flooded. If you can smell fuel after you have been trying to start the power then place the mower on level ground, wait 15 minutes and try again. 
  • Remove the filter and check for blockages. If required, clean the filter. Check your user manual for this procedure. 

If there is a loss of power when mowing, check the following: 

  • Check that there is not a build-up of grass clipping and debris. Before removing the clippings, ensure the mower is powered off completely and unplugged. 
  • Check that the grass is not too long for the cutting height. If the grass is quite long, we recommend adjusting the cutting height higher and only cutting a small amount at a time. 
  • Check that there is fuel in the tank and refill if necessary. 
  • Check that the spark plug has is correctly fitted. 
  • Check the spark plug for any build-up of dirt or wear over time. If necessary, the spark plug may need to be replaced. 
  • Remove the filter and check for blockages. If required, clean the filter. Check your user manual for this procedure. 
  • Check the fuel cap vent hole if applicable to your model. Most fuel caps have a small vent hole to allow air into the tank. This is to provide atmospheric pressure in the tank. If the vent is blocked, this would create a vacuum as fuel is used and prevent flow of fuel to the engine. Take off the cap, inspect for a blockage and remove the blockage is necessary. 

How-to videos

  • Get your Lawnmower started for Spring

Interactive Help

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If you need advice or support for your product, please in the first instance contact the support provider using the number on this support page.

If you still need to return your product then please visit our most up to date returns policy here.