Operator's Manual 21" Self-Propelled Mower Model 979K IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment. Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Page 3 6 7 9 10 Important Safe Operation Practices Slope Gauge Assembling Your Lawn Mower Know Your Lawn Mower Operating Your Lawn Mower Making Adjustments 11 Content Maintaining Your Lawn Mower Servicing Your Mower Off Season Storage Troubleshooting Illustrated Parts List Page 12 13 16 17 20 Warranty 24 FINDINGMODELNUMBER 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.
SECTION1: IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATION 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--HEED ITS WARNING.
16. Mowindaylightor goodartificiallight;walk,notrun. Children 17. Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives, Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to walkways orroads. 18. Iftheequipment shouldstarttovibrateabnormally, the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing activity. They do not stoptheengineandcheckimmediately forthe understand the dangers. Never assume that children cause.Vibrationisgenerallya warningoftrouble. will remain where you last saw them.
11. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely. 12. If gasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineand equipment. Moveunittoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingtheengine. 13. Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinside wherethereisanopenflame,sparkor pilotlightas ona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothes dryerorothergasappliances. 14. Toreducefirehazard,keepmowerfreeof grass, leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up. Cleanupoilorfuel spillageandremoveanyfuelsoakeddebris. 15. Allowmowertocool5 minutesbeforestoring.
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE o E i,II t- A POWER POLE ! O >, A CORNER OFA BUILDING I OR A FENCE POST Q,. o o 1:3 09 Q. O _6 t>, E co o >, ,o I t-(,9 Q. o 15 ° o o WARNING O3 64 o tO .co r- 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.
SECTION3: ASSEMBLING YOURLAWNMOWER Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle bracket assemblies. RemovingUnitFromCarton • • • • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. _ Remove loose parts, if included with unit (i.e., grass bag etc.), and save it appropriately. Cut along corners, lay the carton down flat, and remove all packing material.
• Fasten the cable to the lower handle with the two cable ties found on the lower handle. Pull the cable ties tight and trim off the excess. See Figure 4. Bag Cable Tie Lower Handle Nuts Figure 4 Figure 6 Attaching StarterRope NOTE: Make certain the drive cable is routed around the outside and above the lower handle so it does not interfere with attaching the grass bag. • Lift chute door on the grass bag adapter and slide grass bag onto the adapter. See Figure 7.
SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER Read this operator's manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 9 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to start the unit. DriveClutchControl The drive clutch control is located on the upper handle.
SECTION5: OPERATING YOURLAWNMOWER WARNING: _ ARNING"andRead, understand, and follow all instructions warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating. _, NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set with the wheels in a low cutting height position. For best results, raise the cutting position until # is determined which height is best for your lawn. See the Adjustment Section for details.
• For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be trimmed in fall as long as there is growth. BaggingGrassClippings You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings while you are operating the mower. IMPORTANT: Move the shift lever only when the engine is running. Changing the shift lever setting with the engine off can cause damage to the mower. • • • WARNING" the mower strikesspark a foreign object, stop the Ifengine.
ShiftLever Cable • Periodic adjustment of the six speed shift cable may be necessary due to normal wear on the cable. Adjustment is needed if all six speeds do not work. • • The adjustable cable bracket is located on the left side of the mower beside the engine. See Figure 12. • Adjustable Cable Bracket Start engine and place shift lever in the sixth speed position. Refer to Figure 11. Stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire and ground it against engine.
Lubrication Refer to the lubrication chart in Figure 13. BladeControlHandle • Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle at least once a season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely in both directions. Lubricate Rear DischargeDoor • Lubricate the torsion spring and the pivot point on each end of the rear discharge door using a light oil. This will prevent rusting of the discharge door.
• • • • Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the blade on the adapter. Be certain the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges. Place blade bell support on blade. Make sure the notches on the blade bell support are aligned with small holes in the blade. Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. Ibs. min., 600 in. Ibs. max. Remove the hex bolt from the rear of unit holding the transmission to the mower housing. See Figure 16.
Pivot the control arm back to its original position and reinstall the six-speed cable into the slot. See Figure 21. \\\\ Six-Speed Cable Slot Belt Six-Speed Cable Slot Control Arm Figure 18 • • • Arm Using pliers, rotate the belt keeper bracket so that it snaps into slot on the idler bracket. Tighten the idler pulley bolt and lock nut half a turn. Place the belt between the two pulley halves on the crankshaft. Make sure to route the belt inside the belt guard pin. See Figure 19.
SECTION9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE StoringYourLawnMower • The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage. • • Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions. NOTE: When storing any type of power equipment in a poorly ventilated or metal storage shed, care should be taken to rust-proof the equipment. Using a light oil or silicone, coat the equipment, especially cables and all moving parts.
SECTION10: TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Engine fails to start Cause Remedy 1. 2. 3. 4. Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Blocked fuel line. 1. 2. 3. 4. Engage blade control handle. Connect wire to spark plug. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Clean fuel line. 5. 6. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded 5. 6. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. Wait a few minutes to restart, do not prime. 1. 2. Spark plug wire loose.
YOURNOTES Date Comments 18
Safety& DecorativeLabels 777S30116 (MODEL PLATE ON RIGHT SIDE) 777S30118 777120291 777120067 777D00535 777S30128 777S30145 NNNNNI 777D06796 I DANQmR I 19
SECTION11: PARTSLISTFORMODEL979K 17 20 1 19 16 8 35 37 38 48 21 -41 88 \ / 45 89 57 27 .9 45 29 91 92 61 31 73 30 IMPORTANT: For a proper working machine, use Factory Approved Parts. V-BELTS are specially designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (non OEM) V-Belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely.
Model979K Ref. No. Part No. Ref. No. Description 1. 2. 647-0004 731-0904A Control Handle 3. 16864 53. 4. 731-0620 6 Speed Rack Cable Bracket Control Lever 5. 713-0397 6. 7. 8. 52. Part No. Description 748-0381 Pawl RH 748-0188B Pawl LH 738-0137A Shld Screw.340 ID x.285 OD 54. 748-0318 Wheel Rachet Gear Insert 55. 710-0969 HL Screw #12-16x 732-0627 Shift Lever Spring 56. 710-0751 Hex Cap Screw 1/4-20 x.620 731-0924 731-0905A 6 Speed Shift Lever 57.
Model979K 15 16 28 17 11 \ 12 14 29 13 31 20 64 6O 65 22
Model979K Ref. No. Part No. Ref. No. Part Description Part No. Part Description 720-0223 Grip 34. 782-7598 Belt Keeper 732-0803A Spring Lever 35. Bearing 738-0529 Shoulder Nut.825 x.165 Lg. 36. 741-0124 732-0849A 710-0751 736-0270 Cap Screw 1/4-20 x.620 Bell Washer.285 ID x.75 OD 37. 38. 750-1050 682-0027A Flange Spacer 748-0318 Wheel Ratchet 39. 736-0369 Flat Washer.508 ID x 1.00D 40. 710-0299 741-0682A 682-0531 Pivot Arm Assembly 41. 736-0570 Bearing Sleeve Flat Washer.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. MTD LLC warrants this product against defects 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.
