0 T_R£1KRILT" Operator's Manual \ 21" Smart TouchStarter Mower Model $979 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 Important Safe Operation Practices ...................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge ......................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower ............................................................................. 7 Know Your Lawn Mower ....................................................................................... 9 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.
immediately andthebladewillstoprotatingwithin 3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could threeseconds. cause slipping. 9. Mowindaylightorgoodartificiallight;walk,notrun. 10.Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives, Children walkways or roads. accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to 11. Iftheequipment shouldstarttovibrateabnormally, Tragic the presence of children. Children are often attracted to stoptheengineandcheckimmediately forthe the mower and the mowing activity. They do not cause.
10. Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltankto nomorethan½ inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoprovidespacefor fuelexpansion. 11. Replace gasolinecapandtightensecurely. 12. Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeitofftheengineand equipment. Moveunittoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingtheengine. 13. Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinside wherethereisanopenflame,sparkorpilotlightas ona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothes dryerorothergasappliances. 14.Toreducefirehazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass, leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up.
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST ! I I _D ! o _ 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 O c. _ o_ x: c_ ._ o _ o and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. overturn and cause seriousupinjury, If operating a walk-behind mower onslopes.
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 Grass Bag Adapter\ ties tight and trim off the excess. See Figure 5. \\\\ \ Cable Tie Handle Wing_ Nuts Figure 5 Figure 7 AttachingStarterRope • 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 8.
SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER 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. Blade ControlHandle The blade control handle is located on the upper handle of the mower. The blade control handle must be depressed in order to operate the unit. Release blade control handle to stop engine and blade.
SECTION5: OPERATING YOURLAWNMOWER ,_ 2. 3. 4. WARNING: understand, and follow instructions andRead, warnings on the machine andall in this manual before operating. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Open shut-off valve (if equipped) 1/4 turn. Push spark plug wire firmly on spark plug. Turn safety key 1/4 turn clockwise to RUN. Firmly push primer bulb 3 times. While standing at upper handle, depress the starter control button fully with your right thumb. 10.
2. Turn safety key 1/4 turn counterclockwise to LOCK position. Remove key and store in a safe place. To De-Energize SmartTouch Starter • • • • • • • Remove spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn safety key to RUN position (1/4 turn clockwise). While standing in the operating position, depress the starter control button fully with your right thumb. Using your left hand, pull the control handle all the way toward the upper handle. (Release button and wait until blade and starter stop rotating).
SECTION6: MAKINGADJUSTMENTS _b ARNING: without Do notfirst at any time make adjustments stopping engineany and disconnecting spark plug wire. _lotch Lower Handle CuttingHeight Your mower is shipped with the cutting height in the lowest position. The cutting height adjustment lever is located above the left rear wheel. To adjust the cutting height, proceed as follows: • Figure 12 • Pull the lever out and away from the mower and then move it forward or backward to another slot. See Figure 11.
ShiftLeverCable • Periodic adjustment of the three-speed shift cable may be necessary due to normal wear on the cable. Adjustment is needed if all three speeds do not work. • • The adjustable cable bracket is located on the left side of the mower beside the engine. See Figure 14. Hex Nut • Adjustable Cable Bracket _ "-. Start engine and place shift lever in the third speed position. Refer to Figure 13. Stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire and ground it against engine.
Rear DischargeDoor • Also, if the wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and the inner 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. surface of the wheel with light oil. Engine Wheels • • Lubricate the wheels and bearings, if so equipped, at least once a season with light oil or engine oil.
Move the cutting height adjustment to the highest position. Remove the three hex screws holding the baffle to the deck and pivot baffle towards the rear of the mower. See Figure 16. Slide the belt out from between the belt keeper bracket and the idler pulley.See Figure 18. Squeeze the belt together and push it forward, while pressing the control arm inward towards the deck and remove the three speed cable from the slot.See Figure 19. Three-Speed Cable Slot Belt Control Arm "_ i- \ Baffle Figure 16 Remo
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 21. Lower Pulley Half\\ • • • O O Belt / • • Make sure the belt is routed inside the pulley halves and the belt guard pin. Reinstall the bolt securing transmission to rear mower housing. Pivot the baffle back to its original position and secure with three hex screws removed earlier.
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 777S30128 77706814 777S30145 I_DP, NGIR /I 777120877 777S30567 19
SECTION11: PARTSLISTFORMODEL$979 96 26 95 1 \ \ A \ 2\ 4 13 38 _57 48 88 \ 27 \ \ \ 29 92 61 30 IMPORTANT: For a proper workin machine, use Factory Approved Parts. V-BELTS are specially designed to engag, and disengage safely. A substitute (nor OEM) V-Belt can be dangerous by no1 disengaging completely.
Model$979 Ref. No. Pa_ No. Ref. No. Description Pad No. Description $47-0070 Control Handle 50. 16855 Ratchet Pawl Plate 731-2623 Bail Cover (Not shown) 51. 10622B 2. 731-0904A Upper Control Handle 52. 748-0381 Plastic Spring Ratchet Pawl RH 3. 16864 4. 731-0620 6 Spd. Rack Cable Bracket Control Lever 53. 738-0137A 5. 713-0397 Gear Insert 54. 748-0318 6. 732-0627 55. 736-0270 Wheel Rachet Bell Washer .265 ID x .75 OD 7.
Model$979 15 16 28 \ \ \ 8_ \\\ 17 \ \ 11 \ \ \ 13 19 31 6O \ \ \ I I 46_ 47_ 51_ -58 62 / / 63 / 22
Model$979 Ref. No. Part No. Refi No. Part Description Part No. Part Description 1. 720-0223 Grip 33. 712-0896 Hex Jam Nut 1/4-28 2. 732-0803A Spring Lever 34. 782-7598 Belt Keeper 3. 738-0529 Shoulder Nut .825 x .165 Lg. 35. 741-0600 Bearing 4. 710-0751 36. 732-0849A Extension Spring 5. 736-0270 Cap Screw 1/4-20 x .620 Bell Washer .285 ID x .75 OD 37. 750-1050 Flange Spacer 6. 748-0318 Wheel Rachet 38. 682-0027A 7. 8. 736-0369 682-0531 Flat Washer .508 ID x 1.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: 0 T_RtI _ RILT'__ The limited warranty set fedh below is given by Troy-Bilt LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. Troy-Bilt 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.
