Know Your Lawn Mower - Troy-Bilt S979 Operator's Manual

SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWNMOWER
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.
Blade ControlHandle
The blade control handle is located on the upper handle
of the mower. The blade control handle must be
depressed in order to operate the unit. Release blade
control handle to stop engine and blade.
_ WARNING:
This blade control mechanism is
a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its
operations.
CuttingHeightAdjustmentLevers
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.
Recoil Starter
The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle.
Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to
start the unit.
Smart Touch Starter
The Smart Touch Starter button is located on the upper
left side of the upper handle. This button must be
depressed fully while pulling the blade control handle
toward upper handle for the engine to start. The starter
button wilt automatically return to the off/up position
once the blade control handle is released.
NOTE: The starter button must be depressed to start
the engine either with the Smart Touch starter or recoil
starter system.
Safety Key
The safety key, located on the engine, is used to
activate/deactivate the Smart Touch starter system.
This key must be in the run position to start the mower
for both the Smart Touch starter and the recoil starter.
See your engine manual for more information.
Drive ClutchControl
The drive clutch control is located on the upper handle.
Squeeze the drive control to engage the drive system.
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 when the engine is
running. Changing the shift lever setting with the engine
off can damage the mower.
MulchingPlug
The mulching plug is used only for mulching purposes.
Instead of collecting grass clippings in a grass catcher,
this mower has the option of recirculating the clippings
back to the lawn.
Blade Control Handle_.
_Smart Touch Starter Button
Drive Clutch Leve_
Recoil
Mulch Plug
Trail Shield
Side-Discharge
Chute
\
Height Adj.
Figure 10