Operating Your Lawn Mower - Cub Cadet 977A Operator's Manual

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
WARNING:
Read, understand, and follow all
instructions and warnings on the machine and
in this manual before operating.
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. See the Adjustment
Section for details.
Gas & Oil Fill-Up
• Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow
relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.
• Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in
the engine manual.
WARNING:
Use extreme care when
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never
fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is
hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars,
pipes and other sources of ignition.
Before Starting Mower
Charging the Battery (Model E977 only)
Use only the battery charger supplied with
IMPORTANT:
this mower.
WARNING:
The battery contains corrosive
fluid and toxic material; handle with care. Keep
away from children. Do not puncture,
disassemble, mutilate or incinerate the battery.
Explosive gases could be vented during
charging or discharging. Use in a well
ventilated area, away from sources of ignition.
Figure 11
• Remove the protective cap from the end of the
battery pack lead. Always plug charger lead into
battery pack lead first, and then insert battery
charger plug into 120 volt standard household
outlet. See Figure 11. Follow this order of action
every time you charge the battery.
• Charge battery for 16 hours before initial use. Do
not charge longer than 20 hours.
• After charging, disconnect battery charger plug
from household outlet first, then disconnect charger
lead from battery pack lead.
WARNING:
from the handle panel for any reason other
than replacement. When replacing the battery
pack, refer to instructions on page 16.
• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire
(inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over
the metal tip on the spark plug.
• Check for proper drive clutch operation using the
neutral adjustment test described below.
Neutral Adjustment Test
To perform the neutral adjustment test, answer the
following questions.
• With the drive clutch control released, push mower
forward and pull it backward. Does it move freely?
• Squeeze the drive clutch control and pull the
mower backward. Do the rear wheels lock?
• Is the drive clutch control cable free of kinks or
sharp bends?
• If you answered "yes" to all three questions, your
mower passed the test and you can start your
mower.
• If you answered "no" to any of the three questions,
you will have to adjust the drive clutch control as
instructed in the ADJUSTMENT SECTION.
Starting Engine
WARNING:
operator is standing near the lawn mower while
starting engine or operating mower.
Protective
WARNING:
Cap
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
Battery
odorless and deadly gas.
pack
lead
WARNING:
loose clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower.
WARNING:
first time, face the mower against a wall or a
fence. Start the unit and if it shows any signs of
motion while the drive clutch control is still
disengaged, shut engine off immediately.
10
Do not remove the battery pack
Be sure no one other than the
Never run engine indoors or in
Keep hands, feet, hair and
When starting the unit for the