OPERATOR'S MANUAL 21" Self-Propelled Mower Model Number 979 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 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). 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 .................................................................................... 8 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.
unclogging thechute.Thecutting bladecontinues to obscure your vision of a child who may run into the mower. rotate forafewseconds aftertheengine isshutoff.Never placeanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntilyouare 5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler. surethebladehasstopped rotating. 20. Neveroperate mowerwithout proper trailshield, 6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a discharge cover,grasscatcher, bladecontrol handle or power mower.
3. Check thebladeandengine mounting boltsatfrequent intervals forproper tightness. Also,visually inspect blade fordamage (e.g.,bent,cracked, worn)Replace blade withtheoriginal equipment manufacture's (G.EM.)blade only,listedinthismanual. "Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginal equipment specifications mayleadto improper performance andcompromise safety!" 4. Mowerblades aresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor weargloves, anduseextracaution whenservicing them. 5.
H SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE 1"9 c H A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING O OR A FENCE POST oJ o c o I co u} O c co E I O J_ H u} C_ 15 ° ._. Z co "& u} WARNING co . 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 co c_ overturn and cause serious injury.
SECTION3: ASSEMBLING YOURLAWNMOWER 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. f Handle Assembly / NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position. Wing Nut RemovingUnitFromCarton Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton.
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. The rope guide, which is connected to the support rod, is located on the right side of lower handle. See Figure 5. With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, hold the blade control handle against the upper handle, and pull the starter rope out of the engine. Release the blade control handle. Slip the starter rope into the rope guide.
SECTION5: OPERATING YOURLAWNMOWER TowardsBetterMowerPerformance 1. Pour fresh, clean gasoline into the mower's gas tank until the tank is full. Do not use gasoline that is more than 30 days old. 2. Make sure to connect the mower's spark plug wire before trying to start the engine. 3. Add engine oil to the oit fill on the mower engine. Check the dipstick and add more if necessary. Remember that the oit level has to touch the fill line. 4.
the engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others. 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. For best results, do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you to slip and fall.
SECTION6: MAKINGADJUSTMENTS 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 handle. Attach the starter rope as instructed in the Assembly Section.
required due to normal wear on the cable. Adjustment is needed if all six speeds do not work. Loosen hex nut which secures the adjustable cable bracket. See Figure 14. Push back on the adjustable cable bracket and tighten hex nut. The adjustable cable bracket is located on the left side of the mower beside the engine. See Figure 14. Start engine and place speed control lever in the sixth speed position. See Figure 13. Hex Nut Bottom View _® Adjustable Cable Bracket \ \ \\ ® Speed Control Lever Upper
Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight. Follow the maintenance schedule under Customer usually indicate that the air cleaner should be serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine manual packed with your unit. 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.
speeds.It maycausedamagetothemower,andcould breakcausingpersonalinjury. Thebladecanbetestedbybalancing it ona round shaftscrewdriver. Removemetalfromtheheavyside untilitbalancesevenly.It isrecommended thatthe bladealwaysberemoved fromtheadapterwhen testingforbalance.Beforereinstalling thebladeand thebladeadaptertotheunit,lubricatetheengine crankshaft andtheinnersurfaceofthebladeadapter withlightoil.
Six*Speed Cable Slot \ 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 22. Belt Control Arm Lower Pulley Half\ / o 1 o Belt Lower Pulle_ o o Figure 22 .Crankshaft Pivot the control arm back 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.
Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage instructions. NOTE: When storing any type of power equipment in a poorly ventilated or metal storage shed, care should be taken to rust-proof the equipment. Using a light oil or silicone, coat the equipment, especially cables and all moving parts. Coat mower's cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting. Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.
Notes 17
Model979 3_ 2 93 15 17 18 1 16 J 38 57 48 88 55 89 51 27 53 45 59 62 47 29 92 31 71 81_ 30 85 87 18 57
Model979 Ref. No. Part No. Part Description 1, 647-0004 2, 731-0904A Upper Control Handle 3, 16864 4, 731-0620 6 Spd. Rack Cable Bracket Control Lever 5, 713-0397 Ref. No. Control Handle 52, Part No. Part Description 748-0381 Pawl RH 748-0188B Pawl LH 53, 738-0137A Shld Screw ,340 ID x ,285 OD 54, 748-0318 Wheel Rachet Gear Insert 55, 736-0270 Bell Washer .265 ID x .
Model979 16 15 17 28 27 26 25 24 10 23 22 _31 __ 2O 3O _32 6O 36 i° \ 44 J48 49 58 62 _53 63 2O
Model979 Ref. No. Part No. Ref. No. Part Description Part Description Part No. 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 L9. 35. 741-0600 Bearing 4, 710-0751 Cap Screw 1/4-20 x ,620 36. 732-0849A Extension Spring 5, 736-0270 Bell Washer .285 ID x .75 OD 37. 750-1050 Flange Spacer 6, 748-0318 Wheel Rachet 38. 682-0027A Idler Bracket Assembly 7, 736-0369 Flat Washer .
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth 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.
