Operator's Manual 21" Self-Propelled Mower Model997 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.
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 GrassBag ties tight and trim off the excess. See Figure 5. Adapter / \ Cable Tie Handle Win_ Nuts Figure 5 Figure 7 AttachingStarterRope Lift chute door on the grass bag adapter and slide grass bag onto the adapter. See Figure 8. 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.
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. WARNING: The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can damage your eyes severely.
SECTION5: OPERATING YOURLAWNMOWER WARNING: ,_ Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower. WARNING: understand, and follow instructions andRead, warnings on the machine andall in this manual before operating. WARNING: 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 it is determined which height is best for your lawn.
thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others. a, • • • WARNING: If the mower strikes a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove spark plug wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect for any damage. Repair the damage promptly before restarting and operating the mower. • For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. If the grass has grown in excess of 4", mulching is not recommended.
The front wheel cutting height is determined by selecting one of six positions on each caster assembly. To adjust front cutting height, proceed as follows: • • Bottom View I® Remove the wing nut from the axle bolt. See Figure 13. Slide the axle bolt and spring washer from the assembly and select a cutting height. With the spring washer on the axle bolt, reinsert hardware in the square hole desired through the wheel assembly and secure with the wing nut previously removed.
SECTION7: MAINTAININGYOURLAWNMOWER Inspect muffler periodically, and replace if necessary. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters can create a fire hazard. Make sure to avoid muffler WARNING: Always stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before 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 THE MOWER • 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 19. • Pivot the control arm down away from the pulley and belt. • Lift off the lower pulley assembly and remove the old belt from around the crankshaft. • Place the new belt over the transmission pulley. Start the belt in the pulley groove and rotate the pulley until the belt is seated in transmission pulley. Place the belt between the idler pulley and the belt keeper bracket.
• Six-Speed Cable Slot Attach the new flap and new rod to deck, bending the ends of the new rod over to secure to deck. ReplacingBatteryPack (Model E977 only) • • Control Arm Figure 24 • • • • • 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 Cause Engine fails to start 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 Some of the labels found on your mower are representeted here with the corresponding part numbers. Please use these part numbers when ordering replacement labels.
SECTION11: PARTSLISTFORMODEL997 4 /15 / 17 88 \ 89 28 27 \ \ \ \ 29 31 78 3O IMPORTANT: For a proper working machine, use Factory Approved Par_s. V-BELTS are specially designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (non OEM) V-Belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely.
Model997 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 27. 28. 29. 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. Pa_ No.
Model997 15 16 28 \ \ \ 8_ \\\ 17 \ \ 11 \ \ \ 13 19 31 6O \ \ \ I I 46_ 47_ 51_ -58 62 / / 63 / 22
Model997 Ref. No. Part No. Ref. 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 736-0270 36. 37. 732-0849A 750-1050 Extension Spring 5. Cap Screw 1/4-20 x .620 Bell Washer .285 ID x .75 OD 6. 748-0318 Wheel Rachet 38. 682-0027A 7. 8. 736-0369 782-0566B Flat Washer .508 ID x f .00D 39.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: ® The limited warranty set fedh below is given by Cub Cadet LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. Cub Cadet 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.
