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7

SECTION 3:  ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER

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.

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower
is observed from the operating position.

Removing Unit From Carton

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., 
operator’s manual, oil, etc.)

Cut along corners, lay carton down flat, and remove 
packing material.

Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton 
thoroughly for loose parts.

Loose Parts in Carton

Grass Bag

Grass Bag Adapter

Side Discharge Chute

Hardware Pack 

Disconnecting Spark Plug Wire

Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the 
spark plug wire from the spark plug and ground 
against the engine. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Setting Up Your Lawn Mower

Remove grass bag and other loose parts from unit 
and set it aside.

Lift up and pull back on the upper handle to raise 
the handle into the operating position.  Make 
certain the lower handle is seated securely into the 
handle mounting brackets. Tighten the wing nuts 
on each side of the handle (carriage bolts must be 
seated properly into the handle). See Figure 2.

NOTE:  Your mower is shipped with the handle in the
higher height position. If you wish to lower the height of
the handle, refer to the Adjustment Section at this time.

Figure 2

Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in the 
weld pins on the handle mounting brackets. Using a 
pair of pliers, squeeze one leg of the lower handle 
against the handle mounting bracket. Insert the 
hairpin clip into the inner hole on the weld pin. 
Repeat on other side. See Figure 3.

After moving the hairpin clip, insert the carriage bolt 
from hardware pack in the upper hole on the handle 
mounting bracket and secure with plastic wing nut 
from the hardware pack. Repeat on other side.  

Figure 3

Fasten the cables to the lower handle with the two 
cable ties found on the lower handle. Be sure to 
insert the post on the cable ties into the holes 
provided on the lower handle. These holes may be 
found on either the inside or outside of the handles. 
Pull the cable ties tight and trim off the excess.
See Figure 4.

Figure 4

Spark
Plug

Spark Plug
Wire

Handle Assembly

Handle Mounting
Bracket

Wing Nut

Handle Mounting
Bracket

Lower
Handle

Hairpin
Clip

Inner Hole

Carriage Bolt

Wing Nut

Cable Tie

Lower

 

Handle

Summary of Contents for 979 Series

Page 1: ...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 nearest engine authorized service dealer or c...

Page 2: ... or an authorized dealer You can locate the model number by looking down at the rear of the deck A sample model plate is explained below For future reference please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls operation or maintenance of this unit ...

Page 3: ...perator 5 To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury stay in the operator zone behind the handles and keep children bystanders helpers and pets at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation Stop machine if anyone enters the area 6 Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes Thrown objects whic...

Page 4: ...doorways shrubs trees or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the mower 5 Keep children away from hot or running engines They can suffer burns from a hot muffler 6 Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be traine...

Page 5: ...r attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while the engine is running 9 Grass catcher components discharge cover and trail shield are subject to wear and damage which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown For safety protection frequently check components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer s O E M parts only listed in this manual Use of parts...

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: ...is seated securely into the handle mounting brackets Tighten the wing nuts on each side of the handle carriage bolts must be seated properly into the handle See Figure 2 NOTE Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position If you wish to lower the height of the handle refer to the Adjustment Section at this time Figure 2 Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in the weld ...

Page 8: ...ssed in order to operate the unit Release blade control handle to stop engine and blade See Figure 6 WARNING This blade control mechanism is a safety device Never attempt to bypass its operations Cutting Height Adjustment Lever The cutting height adjustment lever is located above the left rear wheel To adjust the cutting height refer to the Adjustment Section in this manual See Figure 6 Drive Clut...

Page 9: ...quipped with a constant speed throttle which is set at full throttle for best performance Stand behind the mower and squeeze the blade control handle against the upper handle Grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches the start of compression cycle rope will pull slightly harder at this point Let the rope rewind slowly Pull rope with a rapid continuous full arm strok...

Page 10: ... the grass height to 3 1 4 maximum before mulching Attaching The Grass Bag Remove three wing nuts holding the mulching baffle or side discharge chute in place and remove from 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 previously removed See Figure 7 Figure 7 Lift chute door on the grass bag adapter and slide ...

Page 11: ...dle around so the notch on the bottom of the lower handle is facing forward See Figure 11 Reassemble placing the bottom holes in the handle over the weld pins in the handle mounting bracket 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...

Page 12: ...The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence To receive full value from the warranty operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed in this manual Changing of engine governed speed will void engine warranty Some adjustments will have to be made periodically to maintain your unit properly All adjustments in the Making Adjustments...

Page 13: ... 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 Keep the cooling system blower housing area clean to permit proper air circulation which is essential to engine performance and life Be certain to remove all grass dirt and combustible debris from muffler area De...

Page 14: ...Drain the fuel tank or place a piece of plastic beneath the cap to prevent gasoline leakage Place shift lever in the first position and tip the mower on its side with air filter facing up Remove the center bolt which secures the blade to the crankshaft followed by blade bell support blade and blade adapter Move the cutting height adjustment to the highest position Remove the three hex screws holdi...

Page 15: ...ack 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 Figure 23 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 Lightly lubricate the inside of the blade adapter and...

Page 16: ...onnect and tighten spark plug wire 2 Clean fuel line fill tank with clean fresh gasoline 3 Clear vent 4 Drain fuel tank Refill with fresh fuel 5 Clean air cleaner 6 Adjust carburetor Engine 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...

Page 17: ...17 Notes ...

Page 18: ... 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 45 51 50 52 53 54 56 55 57 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 33 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 25 68 24 28 88 89 90 91 92 93 ...

Page 19: ... x 1 4 14 45 714 0104 Cotter Pin 46 736 0286 Bowed Washer 47 782 0565 Single Lever Control Arm 48 734 1981 Wheel 9 x 2 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 Shld Screw 340 ID x 285 OD 54 748 0318 Wheel Rachet 55 736 0270 Bell Washer 265 ID x 75 OD 56 710 0751 Hex Cap Screw 1 4 20 x 62...

Page 20: ...20 Model 979 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 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 ...

Page 21: ... Spacer 385 ID x 624 OD 26 782 0568 Hgt Adjustment Spring Bracket 27 710 1652 Screw 1 4 14 x 825 28 714 0474 Cotter Pin 29 712 3025 Hex Jam Nut 5 16 24 30 736 0425 Bell Washer 325 ID x 930 OD 31 756 0656 Pulley 32 736 3084 Flat Washer 510 ID x 1 120 OD 33 712 0896 Hex Jam Nut 1 4 28 34 782 7598 Belt Keeper 35 741 0600 Bearing 36 732 0849A Extension Spring 37 750 1050 Flange Spacer 38 682 0027A Idl...

Page 22: ...22 ...

Page 23: ...23 ...

Page 24: ...nty on these items b Log splitter pumps valves and cylinders have a separate one year warranty c Routine maintenance items such as lubricants filters blade sharpening and tune ups or adjustments such as brake adjustments clutch adjustments or deck adjust ments and normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure d MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or exported out...

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