YaRD-MaN OWNER'S GUIDE Model Series 950-959 970-979 E970-E979 Model Shown E979 IMPORTANT: Warning: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS This unit is equipped with an internal combustion CAREFULLY engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest- covered, 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).
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY. I SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE I A POWER POLE Ill r,o Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
SECTION 2: IMPORTANT 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 YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS WARNING.
• Never operate the mower in wet grass. Aways be sure of your footing. A slip and fail can caus_ serious personal injury. Keep a firm hold on the h_ ndle and walk, never run. If you feel you are Io,_ing your footing, RELEASE THE BLADE CONTROL -{ANDLE IMMEDIATELY and the blade wilI stop rotat ng within three seconds. • Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. • Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads. • Do not mow slopes greater shown on the slope gauge.
worn). Replace with blade which meets original equipment specifications listed in this manual. ° Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition. • Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. • After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug, and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage.
• ThemodelplatewilllooklikeFigure2. This is where your model number will be. l XXX-X-XXX-X-XXX XXXXXXXXXXX I This is where your serial number will be. Copy the model number here: irlc CLEVELAND, OHIO 441 _6 Copy the serial number here: Figure 2 SECTION 4: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT If you are having difficulty assembling this product or if you have any question regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this mower, please call the Ct stomer Support Department.
DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it against the engine by attaching rubber boot to a bolt or metal clip to the grounding post on the engine. See Figure 4. Figure 4 SECTION ITEMS 6: SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY • Pair of Pliers (Not necessary, but helpful) • Motor Oil • Fresh Gasoline IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL in the engine.
Step 4. Raise complete handle assembly until it clicks into place. Make sure not to kinkthe control cables. Step 3. Tighten wing nuts. HE11E Handle Assembly Step 5. Pinch lower handle against moun :ing bracket with pliers. Step 7. Attach control cables to handle with pull ties found on the handle. Step 6. Move hairpin clip from outer to in ler hole on left and right handle mounting br ickets. Inner Hole ....... _ Hairpn Clip Pinch Here \ Step 8.
SECTION 7: CONTROLS Blade Control Handle Control Cutting Height Adjustment Lever Drive Clutch Control Figure 5 BLADE CONTROLHANDLE The blade control handle is located on the upper handle of the mower. See Figure 5. The blade control handle must be depressed in order to start and operate the unit. Release the bIade control handle to stop the engine and blade, blade will be rotating whenever engineis is WARNING: The blade controlthe handle a running. safety device.
RECOIL STARTER The recoil starter handle is attached to the Io _er handle. See Figure 5. Stand behind the unit in the operating position to start the unit. DRIVE CLUTCH CONTROL Squeezing the drive clutch control engages the,,drive system. Releasing the clutch control disengages the drive system. Release the clutch control to slow dow ! when negotiating an obstacle, making a turn or stopping. SHIFT LEVER The shift lever is located on the drive clutch co itrol housing on the upper handle. See Figure 5.
GAS AND OIL FILL-UP Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate carefully. ,_ engine manual. Read all instructions cool for at leastNever two minutes WARNING: fill fuel after tank running. indoors, with engine running or until the engine has been allowed to EACH TIME BEFORE YOU START ELECTRIC START UNITS ONLY: YOUR MOWER from children.The Warning: Dobattery not puncture containsdisassemble, corrosive fluid mutilate and toxic or incinerate.
If youanswered"yes"to all threequestions,y_urmowerpassed the test and you can start your mower. If you answered "no" to any of the three questions, you need to go through the DRIVE CLUTCH CONTROL ADJUSTMENT found in the ADJUSTMENTS s, ,_ction. TO START ENGINE AND ENGAGE BI,ADE • Move the throttle control lever all the wa_ forward. • Prime engine as instructed in the separa e engine manual. • Stand behind the unit, squeeze and hold the blade control handle against the upper handle. • Electric starts.
BAGGING GRASS CLIPPINGS (Model 979 Only) This mower can bag grass clippings. FoI!ow steps 1 through 3 to ready the mower for bagging. Step 1. Remove wing nuts holding mulching baffle or side discharge chute in place. Then remove plug or discharge chute. Step 2. Replace with bagging adapter. Attach using wing nuts. Be sure that inner lip of attachment goes under the edge of the deck. ..... .I Step 3. Lift flap and slide bag onto adapter.
EMPTYING YOUR GRASS BAG Lift grassbag from the bagging adaptor using the lower handle. While holding the lower handle lift up the rear section of the grassbag. The bag will open a_d the grass clippings will fall out. See Figure 9. When replacing your grassbag be sure the top of the bag rests on the wire support between the handles, Figure 9 SIDE DISCHARGE GRASS CLIPPIN¢ iS This mower can also side discharge grass cli_ pings. Follow steps 1 and 2 to ready this mower for side discharge operation.
SECTION 9: ADJUSTMENTS disconnecting wire.time make any adjustment to lawn mower without first stopping engine and WARNING: spark Do notplug at any ,_ HANDLE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT Noah Lower Handle Figure 10 Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower handle height, proceed as follows: • Remove the starter rope from the rope guide. • Remove the upper handle by removing the hand knobs and carriage bolts.
DRIVE CLUTCH CONTROL ADJUSTI AENT The drive clutch control adjustment wheel is located in the drive clutch control handle housing and is used to tighten or loosen the drive belt. You will have o adjust the drive clutch control if any of the following happens: • The mower does not propel itself with th ._drive clutch engaged. • The mower's drive wheels hesitate with he drive clutch engaged. To resolve the above problems, rotate the adj_tstment wheel with your fingers.
SECTION 10: MAINTENANCE maintenance. WARNING: _, Be sure to disconnect and ground the spark plug wire before performing any repairs or NOTE: When tipping the unit, empty the fuel tank and keep engine, spark plug side up. Never tip the mower more than 90 degrees and do not leave the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem. ENGINE Refer to the separate engine manual for all engine maintenance instructions.
CUTTING BLADE REMOVAL, REPLA _EMENT AND SHARPENING Blade Adapter "" Blade Bell Support Figure 13 • When removing the cutting blade for Sh_Lrpening or replacement, protect hands with heavy gloves or a rag before grabbing the blade. • Remove the bolt and blade bell support \ zhich hold the blade and adapter to the engine crankshaft. • Remove the blade and adapter from the _rankshaft.
DRIVE BELT REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT Step 1. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine. Step 9. Remove the hex bolt holding the transmission to the mower housing. Step 2. Drain the fuel tank or place a piece of plastic beneath the cap to prevent gasoline leakage. Step 3. Place shift lever in the first position. Step 4. Tip the mower on its side. Block securely. Step 5. Remove the center bolt which secures the blade to the crankshaft.
_ep 13, S_e the heather andpu _h-belt forward. Press the control arm inwar _ towards the deck and remove the sb speed i Steplp161 Place_e new beito_er the tran_n-I pulley. Start the belt in pulley groove and ! rotate pulley until belt is seated in cable from the slot. Six-Speed Cable Slot transmission pulley. Step 17. Place belt between dier pulley and the belt keeper bracket. Belt Step 18.
Step 21. Pinch belt together so that it is not in the pulley groove, and the lower pulley can be pushed towards the engine. Step 22. Pivot the control arm back to its original position and reinstall the six-speed cable into the slot. Step 23. Check and make sure the belt is routed inside the pulley halves and the belt guard pin. Lower Pulley Half \ o ,, \ \ o Guard Pin Step 24. Reinstall the bolt securing transmission to rear mower housing. Step 25.
SECTION 11: LUBRICATION any kind of workAlways on the stop lawnengine mower.a _d disconnect spark plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or doing WARNING: Ble(e Control Handle Wheels )ine / SEE ENGINE MANUAL Figure 14 Blade Control: Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle and the brake cable at least once a season with light oil. See Figure 14. The blad_ control must operate freely in both directions.
SECTION 13: TROUBLE Trouble Engine fails to start Engine runs erratic SHOOTING GUIDE Corrective Action Possible Cause(s) Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Throttle control lever not in correct starting position. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Blocked fuel line, Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded, Engage blade control handle, Connect wire to spark plug. Move throttle lever to FAST or START 3osition. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
Models 959/979/E.q79 TRANSMISSIC N AND PULLEY F 3R 64 / Y 32 / 38 / 62 63 6O \ \ \\ 45 39 37 73 2 6 25 6 16 61 74 43 42 43 8O \ \ 79 77 9 8 10 5O 52 8 \\ 76 \ 54 68 24 53
Models 959/979/E979 Ref. No. Part No. Ref. No. Description 1 710-0134 Scr. Carr. 1/4-20 x .62 2 710-0654A Scr. _:3/8-18:1.00 3 4 710-0703 712-0397 Scr. 1/4-20 x .750 5 723-0233 6 736-0204 7 782-0046-0665 8 710-0653 N Part No. Description Traii-S 40 41 42 731-1901 732-O842 611-0064-0665 Wing Nut 1/4-20 Nut, Push .25 I.D. x ,50 O.D. 43 710-1241 F£ Axle Ass'y. Hx Scr. Wash Hd. HL-Lo. 44 710-1242 Scr. Torx, Truss HL-Lo. Wash. FL .334 LD.x .62 x.
Models 959/979 27 24 23 13 19 17 3 26 5 7 36 \ 3 4 \ 5 3O 31 26 22
Models 959/979 Rt,_.f" Ref, No. Description Part No. Part No. Description 19 714-0104 720-0241 726-0240 I Cotter Pin .072 x 1.12 Lg. Knob Ass-'y Wingnut 5/16-18 C Sunk Tap Screw #10 x 175 L 20 732-0627 Shift Lever Spring 21 16864 6 Spd. Rack CabIe Brkt, 22 731-0905 Lower Control Housing 23 731-0906 Cable Mounting Cap Contro! Lever 5 736-0451 Strap 4.3 Lg. Wash. Sad..
Model E979 16 29 -----2! 37 53 \ 19 43 17 22 3 26 4 36 3 31 28 25
Model E979 Ref. No. Part No. Ref. No. Description Part No. Description 1 710-1174 Bolt Cur. Carr. 5/16-18 x 2.0 29 749-0439B 2 714-0104 Cotter Pin .072 x 1.12 Lg. 30 749-0907 3 720-0241 Knob Ass'y Wingnut 5/16-18 31 631-0071 4 726-0240 32 747-0939 5 736-0451 Strap 4.3 Lg. Wash. Sad. ,320 ID x,830 OD 33 726-0106 6 720-0279 Knob Handle ERS - 1/4-20 34 747-0937 N Frame - Grassbag 9 746-0876 Throttle Lever 35 747-0940 N Rod, Support 10 736-0501 Spring Wash.
Models 959/979/E' )79 8 6 13 2 9 16 18 / 17 7 Ref. No. Par No. Description 6 Spd. Cabie- 1 2 746-093:) 656-061 3 710-016 ' 4 710-089,_ 5 711-111 _ 6 712-028 ' Nut 1/4-20 7 732-080 ' 8 736-027' ) Torsion Spring LH Bell Wash..265 X .75 X .062 N Pulley Ass'y Multi- Spd. Scr, 1/4-20 x .50 Carr. Scr, AB 1/4-14 x ,625 Hxinwsh N Pivot Shaft 9 736-O32 ) 10 736-052, 11 738-092 Lock Wash. 1/4 Reg Duty Wave Wash. 1.38 x .88 x ,029 Shld,Scr, ,375 xli4-14AB 12 750-107 ) Slev Spcr .
Models 959/979/E979 5_ _4 22 24 / 27 ......... No. Rei-I No." Description -1"_ Hx. Jam Nt_t-_ 2 3 4 I 736-0425 I 756-0856 736-3084 5 712-0896 6 782-7598 N 7 8 741-0600 750-1050 N 9 682-0027 N N 17 Description Part NO. J I 717-1468 N Pinion Shaft 10T, Thr. Wash. 3/8 x .70 x ,030 Bell Wash..325 x .930 x .045 Pulley FL Wash..510 x 1,120 x .060 18 19 20 I 736-0314 I 736-0569 I 618-0252 N N Thr. Wash..388 Hx.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR" YaRD-MaN)// For TWO YEARS from the date of retail purchase within the United States of America, its possessions and territories, MTD Products will, at its option, repair or replace, for the original purchaser, free of charge, any part or parts found to be defective in material or workmanship.
For Parts, Accessories or Service Information, Call: 1 (800) 800-7310 Please have your model number ready when you call. Call Now! The only way to ensure tPe performance of your product is to use original equipment parts and accessories. MTD designs and engineers quality parts to exacting specifications. When you substitute, you take a chance on quality, reliability, safety and performance. Use MTD original equipment! PRODUCT _PURCHASEINFORMATION Where Purchased:.
