Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty OPERATOR’S MANUAL 21-inch Self-Propelled Mower — Model Series 980 IMPORTANT READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brushcovered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or st
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble, prepare, and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Table of Contents Slope Gauge........................................................ 3 Safe Operation Practices.................................... 4 Setup and Adjustment........................................ 6 Operating Your Lawn Mower............................. 10 Maintaining Your Lawn Mower......................
1 Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. Slope Gauge 3IGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE &O OR A FENCE POST OR A CORNER OF A BUILDING OT LD ALO NG D ESEN TED L I N E REPR LOPE TS A S 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.
2 Safe Operation Practices 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.
19. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body in the blade area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotating. 20. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety protective devices in place and working.
3 1. Remove any packing material which may be between upper and lower handles. Setup and Adjustment a. Pull up and back on upper handle as shown in Figure 3-1. Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle mounting brackets. b. Tighten hand knobs securing upper handle to lower handle. Make sure that each carriage bolt is seated properly in the handle. 2. Locate hairpin clip in one hole on the weld pin on each side of lower handle. a. Remove hairpin clip from this hole.
3 c. Lift chute door on the grass bag adapter and slide grass bag onto the adapter. See Figure 3-5. 6. Follow steps below to install the side discharge chute: a. Remove mulching baffle or grass bag adapter from unit by disconnecting wing nuts. b. Attach side discharge chute to unit and secure with the three wing nuts. See Figure 3-6. Setup and Adjustment 2 7. The cutting height adjustment lever is located above the rear left wheel. See Figure 3-7A insert. a.
4 Operating Your Lawn Mower Know Your Lawn Mower Blade Control Drive Control Cutting Height Adjustment Lever Recoil Starter Side Discharge Chute WARNING The blade control mechanism is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. Mulch Plug Discharge Chute Figure 4-1: The major components on the mower. Now that you have setup your lawn mower, it’s important to become acquainted with its controls and features. Use extreme care when handling gasoline.
WARNING: The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can damage your eyes severely. Always wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while performing any adjustments or repairs on it. 4 3 Starting the Engine WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas.
5 Lubrication • Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least once a season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely in both directions. See Figure 5-1. • Lubricate the wheels and casters at least once a season with light oil (or motor oil). If wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate the axle bolt and inner surface of the wheel with light oil.
5 Blade Care WARNING: When removing cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold blade. 1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and carburetor are facing up. Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 2. Remove bolt, bell blade support, blade, and blade adapter from the engine crankshaft. See Figure 5-3.
5 6. Lift baffle towards the rear of the mower. Remove the hex bolt that holds the tranmission to the mower deck from the rear of unit, Figure 5-5. 7. Tilt the transmission forward to make it easier to work in this area. 8. Loosen the belt keeper bolt and lock nut half a turn, Figure 5-6. Maintaining Your Lawn Mower 9. Using a pair of pliers, pull back and rotate belt keeper from the slot on the idler bracket. See Figure 5-7. 10. Slide the belt out from between the belt keeper and the idler bracket. 11.
5 6. Place upper pulley on crankshaft, loop belt around crankshaft, and then install the lower pulley. See Figure 5-9. 7. a. Squeeze the blade control against the upper handle to tighten the belt. b. Return baffle back to its original position and release the blade control. See Figure 5-10. Maintaining Your Lawn Mower NOTE: It is important that the belt is routed within the inside of the belt keeper rod attached to the underside of the baffle. Refer to Figure 5-11. 8.
6 Problem Engine fails to start Trouble Shooting Engine runs erratic 1. 2. 3. 4. Engine overheats Idles poorly Excessive Vibration Mower will not mulch grass (If Equipped) 8. Fuel valve (if equipped) closed. 9. Engine not choked (if equipped w/choke). 8. 9. 1. Spark plug wire loose. 2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. 1. Connect and tighten spark plug wire. 2. Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 3. Clear vent. 4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel. 5.
Safety Labels Found On Your Lawn Mower 7 Safety Labels TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, DO NOT OPERATE UNLESS DISCHARGE COVER OR GRASS CATCHER IS IN ITS PROPER PLACE. IF DAMAGED, REPLACE IMMEDIATELY. WARNING DO NOT remove safety (or any) labels from mower for any reason. A V O I D S E R I O U S I N J U R Y O R D E AT H • K E E P H A N D S A N D F E E T A W AY F R O M ROTATING PARTS. • REMOVE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE THROWN BY THE BLADE IN ANY DIRECTION. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.
Model Series 980 1 2 6 3 11 5 41 4 8 12 9 7 36 13 19 43 42 18 44 17 45 20 47 14 19 18 21 19 22 33 16 24 23 10 25 15 26 25 35 37 40 32 34 31 46 27 38 28 29 39 16 30
Ref. Part No. Description Deluxe Control Handle Assembly 25 736-0277 Flat Washer 1.031 x 1.620 x .095 753-05096A Control Lever Assembly 26 736-0447 Wave Washer, 1.5 x 1.0 x .029 3 746-0711B Drive Cable 51” 27 748-04082 Blade Adapter 4 712-0324 Top Lock Nut 1/4-20 28 736-0452 Bell Washer, .396 x 1.140 x .095 5 746-0883 Control Housing 29 710-1257 Hex Bolt 3/8-24 x 2.
Model Series 980 12 14 13 20 21 47 2 24 22 45 1 25 29 27 43 42 23 34 44 33 40 35 32 28 30 36 31 55 56 41 7 8 11 18 39 38 48 10 23 16 17 30 56 18 46 49 5 9 48 26 53 37 6 23 19 3 4 50 57 54 59 58 18 51 52 55 19 15
Description Ref. Part Number Description 1 731-1901A Trail Shield 29 682-7528 Chain Cover Assembly 2 732-0842 Trail Shield Wire 30 741-0324A Flange Bearing .506 ID x .590 Lg 3 736-0264 Flat Washer.330 ID x.
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR The limited warranty set forth below is given by Cub Cadet LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. “Cub Cadet” warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in materials or workmanship.