@ OPERATOR'S MANUAL 21" Self-Propelled Mower Model Number 979 _ii_, i!i!i!i!i _ ,, MTD'"#!!:;( ..... _!i!i!i!i!i!i IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY iiii RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS _ iiiiiiii CAREFULLY 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 Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 8 Operating Your Lawn Mower ............
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.
unclogging thechute.Thecuttingblade continues to obscure your vision of a child who may run into the mower. rotate forafewseconds aftertheengine isshutoff.Never placeanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntilyouare 5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler. surethebladehasstopped rotating. 20. Never operate mower without proper trailshield, 6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower.
3. Check thebladeandengine mounting boltsatfrequent 9. Grass catcher components, discharge cover,andtrail intervals forproper tightness. Also,visually inspect blade shield aresubject towearanddamage whichcould fordamage (e.g.,bent,cracked, worn)Replace blade expose moving partsorallowobjects tobethrown. For withtheoriginal equipment manufacture's (O.EM.)blade safety protection, frequently check components and only,listedinthismanual.
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE ' ql A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST _D O 15 ° 03 .£ ._. 5cO O3 WARNING CO • ¢0 _ 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 CO O a. r_ --_ o, '-_ "= _ C and you overturn Operate Operate could slip, resulting in seriousIf operating injury. and cause serious injury.
SECTION3: ASSEMBLING YOURLAWNMOWER IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual before operating your mower. Assembly NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position. Wing N_at RemovingUnitFromCarton Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton.
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. The rope guide, which is connected to the support rod, is located on the right side of lower handle. See Figure 5. With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, hold the blade control handle against the upper handle, and pull the starter rope out of the engine. Release the blade control handle. Slip the starter rope into the rope guide.
SECTION5: OPERATING YOURLAWNMOWER TowardsBetterMowerPerformance 1. 2. 3. 4. Pour fresh, clean gasoline into the mower's gas tank until the tank is full. Do not use gasoline that is more than 30 days old. Make sure to connect the mower's spark plug wire before trying to start the engine. Add engine oil to the oil fill on the mower engine. Check the dipstick and add more if necessary. Remember that the oil level has to touch the fill line.
youtoslipandfall.Newgrass,thickgrass,orwetgrass mayrequirea narrowercut. Fora healthier lawn,nevercutoffmorethanone-third ofthetotallengthofthegrass.Yourlawnshouldbecut inthefallaslongasthereisgrowth.Thismoweris designedtobeoperatedatfullthrottletogiveyouthe bestcutanddothemosteffectivejobofmowingor mulching. NOTE: The chute door has been designed to move the starter rope out of the way of the bag when the chute door is opened. Chute WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine.
SECTION6: MAKINGADJUSTMENTS Place the hairpin clips in the inner holes in the weld pins and insert the carriage bolts the upper hole on the handle mounting bracket and secure with plastic wing nuts. Reassemble the upper handle to the lower handle. Attach the starter rope as instructed in the Assembly Section.
required due to normal wear on the cable. Adjustment is needed if all six speeds do not work. Loosen hex nut which secures the adjustable cable bracket. See Figure 14. Push back on the adjustable cable bracket and tighten hex nut. The adjustable cable bracket is located on the left side of the mower beside the engine. See Figure 14. Adjustable Cable Bracket Start engine and place speed control lever in the sixth speed position. See Figure 13.
Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight. Follow the maintenance schedule under Customer usually indicate that the air cleaner should be serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine manual packed with your unit. The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each mowing season. Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush.
speeds.It maycausedamagetothemower,andcould breakcausingpersonalinjury. Thebladecanbetestedbybalancing it ona round shaftscrewdriver. Removemetalfromtheheavyside untilitbalancesevenly.It isrecommended thatthe bladealwaysberemoved fromtheadapterwhen testingforbalance.Beforereinstalling thebladeand thebladeadaptertotheunit,lubricatetheengine crankshaft andtheinnersurfaceofthebladeadapter withlightoil.
Six-Speed Cable Slot Pinch both sides of the belt together so that the belt is not in the pulley groove, and the lower pulley can be pushed towards the engine. See Figure 22. Belt Control Arm Lower Pulley o o Belt Lower Pulley H o o Figure 22 Pivot the control arm back to its original position and reinstall the six-speed cable into the slot. See Figure 23. Check and make sure the belt is routed inside the pulley halves and the belt guard pin.
Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage 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. Coat mower's cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting. Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.
Notes 17
Model979 23 22 48 57 27 29 18
Model979 Ref. No. Part No. Ref. No. Part Description Part Description Part No.
Model979 16 15 17 28 11 I 13 I I I 31 20 I 20
Model979 Ref. No. I, Part No. Ref. No. Part Description Part No. Part Description Grip 30, 736-0425 Bell Washer ,325 ID x ,930 OD 732-0803A Spring Lever 31, 756-0656 Pulley 738-0529 Shoulder Nut ,825 x ,165 Lg, 32, 736-3084 Flat Washer .510 ID x 1,120 OD Cap Screw 1/4-20 x .620 33, 712-0896 Hex Jam Nut 1/4-28 736-0270 Bell Washer ,285 ID x .75 OD 34, 782-7598 Belt Keeper 748-0318 Wheel Rachet 35, 741-0600 Bearing 7, 736-0369 Flat Washer ,508 ID x 1.00D 36.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: YaRD'MaN:}// The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD PRODUCTS INC ("MTD") with respect to new merchandise pur- chased and used in the United States, its possessions territories. and MTD 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 material or workmanship.
