Operator's Manual 21" Self-Propelled Mower Model 986 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), If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator, In the State o
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 Content Maintaining Your Lawn Mower Servicing Your Lawn Mower Off-Season Storage Troubleshooting Illustrated Parts List 11 Page 13 14 15 16 18 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 RemovingUnitFromCarton SettingUpYourLawnMower • AssemblingHandle • • • 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. Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton • Lift up and pull the handle into 3.
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 5. Grass Bag Adapter Cable Tie Lower Handle Nuts Figure 5 Figure 7 Attaching StarterRope NOTE: Make certain the drive cable is routed around the outside and above the lower handle so # 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 8.
SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER Drive Clutch Control Control Handle Height Adjustment Lever Grass Catcher Recoil Trail Shield Side-Discharge Chute ............................... Mulching Plui Figure 10 Read this operator's manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 10 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.
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.
UsingYourLawnMower _ ARNING" not operate the chute moweror without mulchingDobaffle, discharge grass catcher properly installed. • For best results, do not cut wet grass. It may stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you to slip and fall. New grass or thick grass may require a narrower cut. For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less of the total length of the grass. • For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass.
CasterLockAdjustment DriveClutchControl The casters can be locked in a straight ahead position or position to swivel freely. See Figure 13. The adjustment wheel is located in the drive clutch control handle housing and is used to tighten or loosen the drive belt. You will have to adjust the drive clutch control if, with the drive clutch engaged, the mower either does not self-propel or hesitates. • • Lift and place the lock pins in the larger holes to lock the wheels for straight ahead operation.
SECTION7: MAINTAININGYOURLAWNMOWER _ Inspect muffler periodically, and replace if necessary. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters can create a fire hazard. Make sure to avoid muffler ARNING" the Always stopwire the before engine and disconnect spark plug performing any maintenance work or adjustments on your lawn mower. and surrounding areas while the mower engine is hot because temperature of these areas of the engine may exceed 150 ° F.
SECTION8: SERVICING YOURLAWNMOWER • WARNING: Always stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before performing any maintenance work or adjustments on your lawn mower. • BladeCare • WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade. 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.
• Remove the hex bolt from the rear of unit holding the transmission to the mower housing. See Figure 18. • • • • jHex Bolt • • Cutting Height Adjustment 4-\ ,/ Wheel IMPORTANT:When replacing the belt, do not disassemble the lower pulley assembly. • 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. • Make sure the belt is routed inside the pulley halves and the belt guard pin.
SECTION10: TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Engine fails to start Cause Remedy 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Choke lever not in the "On" position Blocked fuel line. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Engage blade control handle. Connect wire to spark plug. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Place choke lever to the "On" position Clean fuel line. 6. 7. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded 6. 7. Clean, adjust gap, or replace.
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SECTION11: PARTSLISTFORMODEL986 \\ \ \ \ 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.
Model986 Ref. No. Pa_ No. Ref. No. Description 1. 647-0004 Control Handle 28. 2. 731-1057 29. 3. 731-0620 Upper Control Housing Control Lever 4. 731-1058 31. 5. 710-1667A 6. 731-1059 7. 746-0711B Lower Control Housing C Sunk Tap Screw #10 x.75 Leg Cable Mounting Cap Drive Cable 51" 8. 712-0324 Top Lock Nut 1/4-20 Control Housing Oval C-Sunk Screw Control Cable 47" 35. Upper Handle Wing Nut Saddle Washer.320 ID x.830 OD 39. Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2.0 Cable Tie Lower Handle 42.
Model986 ! \ 2O
Model986 Ref. No. Part No. Ref. No. Part Description Part No. Part Description 1. 731-1901A Trail Shield 44. 714-0474 Cotter Pin 2. 732-0842 Trail Shield Wire 45. 682-3053 Handle Bracket Assembly - LH 3. 736-0264 Flat Washer.330 ID x.630 OD 46. 682-3052 4. 714-0104 Cotter Pin 47. 725-0157 Handle Bracket Assembly - RH Cable Tie 5. 732-0306 48. 710-1348 Screw 1/4-14 x.500 6. 734-2044 Compression Spring Wheel 9 x 2 49. 710-0260A 7. 712-0414 50.
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MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY rized service dealer. The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United FOR: e. States, its possessions and territories.
