MTD 970 Series Operator'S Manual Download Page 1

21” Self-Propelled 

Mower

Model Series 970

Operator’s Manual

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

 

770-10075E.fm

(4/2007)

Form No.

IMPORTANT: 

Read safety rules and instructions carefully

Warning: 

This unit is equipped with an internal combustion 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 of California the 
above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply 
on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your Cub Cadet dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 
361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

MTD Products, LLC., P.O. Box 361131, Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019

Summary of Contents for 970 Series

Page 1: ...s 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 of California the above is required by law Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code Other states may have similar laws Federal laws apply on federal lands A spark arrester for the muffler is available ...

Page 2: ...p from the experts Choose from the options below Visit mtdproducts com for many useful suggestions Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately available To reach a Customer Support Representative please call 1 800 800 7310 The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine related issues with regards ...

Page 3: ... rotating parts or under the cutting deck Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet 9 A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries 10 Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling release the handle immediately 11 Never pull the mo...

Page 4: ...ose your footing or balance 2 Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge 3 Do not mow on wet grass Unstable footing could cause slipping Children Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing activity They do not understand the dangers Never assume that children will remain whe...

Page 5: ...lead to improper performance and compromise safety 4 Mower blades are sharp and can cut Wrap the blade or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them 5 Keep all nuts bolts and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition 6 Never tamper with safety devices Check their proper operation regularly 7 After striking a foreign object stop the engine disconnect the spark pl...

Page 6: ... N T I N G A 1 5 S L O P E 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 overturn and cause serious injury If operating a walk behind mower on such a slope it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip resulting in serious injury Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes never across ...

Page 7: ...Up Your Lawn Mower Assembling Handle Lift up and pull back on the upper handle to raise the handle into the operating position See Figure 3 Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle bracket assemblies Figure 3 Tighten wing nuts on each side of the handle making sure that the carriage bolts are seated properly into the handle See Figure 3 Remove hairpin clip from the outer ho...

Page 8: ... as you want to mulch the grass clippings For bagging purposes you will have to attach the grass bag and its adapter in place of the mulching baffle Remove three wing nuts holding the mulching baffle or side discharge chute in place and remove the accessory from the unit Replace with grass bag adapter while making sure the front lip of adapter goes under the edge of the deck Secure with wing nuts ...

Page 9: ...Release the clutch control to disengage the drive system Release the clutch control to slow down when approaching an obstacle making a turn or stopping Shift Lever The shift lever is located on the drive clutch control housing on the upper handle This lever is used to select the forward speed of the mower When changing speed selection release the drive clutch control NOTE Move the shift lever only...

Page 10: ...s full arm stroke Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle let the rope rewind slowly Stopping Engine Release blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting Using Your Lawn Mower Do not operate the mower without any one of the mulching baffle discharge chute or grass catcher properly installed For best ...

Page 11: ...the handles SECTION 6 MAKING ADJUSTMENTS Handle Height Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position To lower the height proceed as follows Remove the starter rope from the rope guide Remove the wing nuts and carriage bolts securing the upper handle Remove and lay the upper handle out of the way being careful not to bend or kink the cables Remove the hairpin clips from the we...

Page 12: ...e Figure 12 Figure 12 NOTE For some people the drive clutch control may not be in a comfortable position You can adjust the handle out by tightening the adjustment wheel Shift Lever 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...

Page 13: ...er extremely dusty conditions Clean the engine periodically Remove dirt and debris with a cloth or brush Clean the spark plug and reset the gap to 030 at least once a season Refer to the engine manual for correct spark plug type Inspect muffler periodically and replace if necessary Damaged mufflers or spark arresters can create a fire hazard Make sure to avoid muffler and surrounding areas while t...

Page 14: ... 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 lbs min 600 in lbs max NOTE To ensure safe operation of your mower...

Page 15: ...he belt is seated in transmission pulley Place the belt between the idler pulley and the belt keeper bracket 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 20 Figure 20 IMP...

Page 16: ...f the new rod over to secure to deck SECTION 9 OFF SEASON STORAGE Storing Your Lawn Mower The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions IMPORTANT We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage instructio...

Page 17: ...ngine overheats 1 Engine oil level low 2 Air flow restricted 3 Carburetor not adjusted properly 1 Fill crankcase with proper oil 2 Remove blower housing and clean 3 Adjust carburetor Occasional skip hesitates at high speed 1 Spark plug gap too close 1 Adjust gap to 030 Idles poorly 1 Spark plug fouled faulty or gap too wide 2 Carburetor improperly adjusted 3 Dirty air cleaner 1 Reset gap to 030 or...

Page 18: ...49 45 51 50 52 53 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 33 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 64 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 56 55 54 68 23 24 30 26 27 28 29 25 37 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 77 77 18 ...

Page 19: ...1 782 7575A Cable Mounting Bracket 42 736 0329 Lock Washer 1 4 43 756 0625 Roller Cable 44 738 0924A Shoulder Screw 375 ID x 1 4 14 45 714 0104 Cotter Pin 46 736 0286 Bowed Washer 47 782 0565 Single Lever Control Arm 48 734 2044 Wheel 9 x 2 125 49 712 0414 Top Lock Tab Weld Nut 1 4 20 50 16855 Ratchet Pawl Plate 51 10622B Plastic Spring Ratchet 52 748 0381 Pawl RH 748 0188B Pawl LH 53 738 0137A Sh...

Page 20: ...20 Model Series 970 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 7 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 33 32 31 6 4 5 35 34 ...

Page 21: ...90 Lg 15 682 7526 Transmission Axle Assembly 16 618 0263A Transmission Assembly Complete 17 710 0604A Hex Screw 5 16 18 18 713 0453 Chain 19 638 0012 Rear Axle Assembly 20 741 0522 Flange Bearing 506 ID x 715 Lg 21 732 0832 Torsion Spring 22 750 0151 Spacer 550 ID x 750 OD 23 710 1315 Screw 3 8 16 x 25 24 711 0835 Clevis Pin 50 Dia x 4 82 Lg 25 750 0807 Spacer 385 ID x 624 OD 26 782 0568 Hgt Adjus...

Page 22: ...22 NOTES ...

Page 23: ... of this publication may be reproduced without our prior written permission This publication includes the latest information available at the time of printing However there may be minor differences between the actual product and illustrations and text in this manual All products are subject to change without prior notice or obligation EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION 24 GENERAL INFORMATION 26 FUEL AND...

Page 24: ... alcohol or drug before or while operating this engine Do not run the engine in a closed area Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide an odorless and deadly poison Gasoline is extremely flammable and can be explosive under certain condition Stop engine and allow the engine to cool before refueling Do not smoke Make sure area is well ventilated and free from any source of flame or sparks including the...

Page 25: ...on levels This Owner s Manual contains those maintenance recommendations for your engine Those items identified by the Periodic Maintenance Chart are necessary to ensure compliance with the applicable standards As the owner of the engine you have the responsibility to make sure that the recommended maintenance is carried out according to the instructions in this Owner s Manual at your own expense ...

Page 26: ...ure 3 A Fuel Tank Cap B Fuel Tank capacity 2 0L 0 528US gal C Fuel Tube D Carburetor E Priming Pump F Air Cleaner G Recoil starter H Recoil Starter Grip I Oil Drain Plugs engine oil capacity 0 65L 0 69US gal Figure 4 J Oil Gauge Filler Cap K Spark Plug Cap Spark Plug L Muffler M P T O Shaft Tune up Specifications ITEM SPECIFICATION Valve Clearance IN 0 12mm 0 005 in EX 0 12mm 0 005 in Ignition Tim...

Page 27: ...gure 5 Figure 5 NOTE Using multi grade oils 5W 20 10W 30 and 10W 40 will increase oil consumption Check oil level more frequently when using them Figure 6 Preparation Fuel Level the engine equipment before fueling Remove the fuel tank cap Slowly pour fuel into the fuel tank to bottom B of the filler A Do not over fill the fuel tank fill only to bottom B of the filler A to prevent spill out of the ...

Page 28: ... This may cause damage to the recoil starter assembly Hold the brake control lever A on the equipment against the handle B on the equipment Pull the recoil starter grip C slowly until you feel compression then pull fast and steady Figure 9 A Brake Control Lever B Handle C Recoil Starter Grip Warming up CAUTION Allow engine to warm up before loading This will allow oil to reach all the engine parts...

Page 29: ...ce Chart MAINTENANCE INTERVAL DAILY FIRST 8 HOURS EVERY 25 HOURS EVERY 50 HOURS EVERY 100 HOURS EVERY 200 HOURS EVERY 300 HOURS Check oil level and add engine oil z Check for loose or lost nuts and screws z Check for fuel and oil leakage z Check for brake control lever function z Check or clean recoil starter and air intake screen Tighten nuts and screws z z Clean air cleaner foam element z z z Cl...

Page 30: ...COMMENDATIONS chapter NOTE If you followed the second method of draining oil the dipstick is already removed from the engine Check the oil level See PREPARATION chapter and secure dipstick to the filler plug Cooling System Cleaning Before each use make sure recoil starter A is free from grass and debris to prevent engine overheating Figure 13 Air Cleaner Service CAUTION To prevent excessive engine...

Page 31: ...se C Fasteners CAUTION After servicing the air cleaner be sure all the removed parts are reinstalled properly in place Failure to secure fastening of the air cleaner case with the air cleaner body may cause dirt or other foreign materials to enter the engine while it is running through the air cleaner resulting in engine troubles or failures Clean or replace the spark plug and reset gap A every 10...

Page 32: ...ug hole A slowly pull the recoil starter grip several times and reinstall the spark plug Figure 18 A Spark Plug Hole Slowly pull the recoil starter grip until you feel compression and leave it there Clean every part of the engine After period of storage change engine oil Refer to Oil Change section in MAINTENANCE section WARNING Gasoline is extremely flammable and can be explosive under certain co...

Page 33: ...fuel in fuel tank 2 Blocked rue tube 3 Blocked air vent in fuel tank cap 4 Faulty carburetor 1 Fill fuel tank 2 Clean 3 Clean 4 Spark plug fouled by fuel 1 Over rich fuel air mixture 2 Clogged air cleaner 3 Faulty carburetor 4 Incorrect grade type of fuel 5 Water in fuel 1 Slowly pull the recoil starter grip with spark plug removed to discharge excess fuel clean spark plug 2 Clean 3 4 Change Gasol...

Page 34: ...ized Kawasaki small off road engine dealer located within the United States of America Any manufacturer approved replacement part may be used in the performance of any warranty maintenance or repairs on emission related parts and must be provided without charge to the owner if the part is still under warranty Any part or parts replaced under this warranty shall become the property of Kawasaki The ...

Page 35: ...35 ...

Page 36: ... and normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure d Cub Cadet does not extend any warranty for products sold or exported outside of the United States its possesions and territories except those sold through Cub Cadet s authorized channels of export distribution e Replacement parts that are not genuine Cub Cadet parts f Service completed by someone other than an authorized ser...

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