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Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty Model Series 989 21" Self-Propelled Mower iMPORTANT READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION Warning: This unit is equippedwithan internal combustionengineand shouldnot be usedon or nearany unimproved forest-covered, b rush- coveredor grass-covered land unlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemis equippedwith a sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).
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This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower, it will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Table of Contents Slope Gauge ............Trouble Shooting ..........
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Sight and hold this levelwith a vertical tree... >:. also 15° t"b...
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WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle compo- nents contain or emit chemicals known to State of Californiato cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductiveharm. DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual.
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accumulatein the area. after the engine is shut off. Neverplace any part of the body inthe bladearea untilyou are surethe bladehas stopped 9. Neverremovegas cap or add fuel whileengine is hot or rotating. running. Allow engineto cool at least two minutesbefore 20.
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1. Removeanypackingmaterialwhich may be between upperand lowerhandles. a. Pull up and backon upperhandleas shownin Figure3-1.Makecertain the lowerhandleis seated securelyintothe handle mountingbrackets. b. Tightenhandknobs to secureupperhandleto lowerhandle.Make surethat eachcarriagebolt is seatedproperlyin the handle. NOTE:Make certainthe drive cable is routedaround the outside and above the lowerhandle. 2.
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5. Themowerwas shippedwith the mulchingcover installedon the unit. For baggingpurposes,youwill need to attachthedischargechuteand grass bag in placeof the mulchingbaffle. a. Removethree wingnuts holdingthe mulchingcover in placeand removethe cover. b. Replacewith dischargechute,while makingsure the frontlip of chutegoes underthe edge of the deck.Securewith wingnuts previouslyremoved, Figure3-4.
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Know Your Lawn Mower BladeControl DriveControl HeightAdjustmentLever RecoilStarter GasolineFill Side Discharge Chute WARNING MulchCover DischargeChute The bladecontrolis a Figure4-1:The majorcomponentson the mower. safetydevice.DO NOT attemptto bypassits Now thatyou haveset up your lawnmower,it's importantto becomeacquainted with its controlsand features. operation. Blade Control Mulch Cover i Use extremecarewhen Theblade controlis attachedto the upperhandleof...
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WARNING:The operationof any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes,whichcandamageyoureyes severely.Alwayswearsafety glasses whileoperating or maintaining the mower. Starting Engine WARNING:Be sure no one otherthan the op- erator is standingnear the lawnmower while Your Lawn startingengineor operatingmower.Never run engineindoorsor in enclosed,poorly ventilated areas.
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Lubrication • Lubricatepivot pointson theblade controlat least oncea seasonwith lightoil. The bladecontrol must operatefreely in both directions,Figure5-1. Lubricate these • Lubricatethe wheelsat least oncea seasonwith points before lightoil (or motoroil). If wheelsare removedfor any reassembly. reason,lubricatethe axle boltand innersurfaceof the wheelwith lightoil.
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Belt Care Blade Care WARNING:When removingcutting blade When removingthe cuttingblade or when slidingthe belt around it, protectyourhands for sharpeningor replacement, protectyour with a pairof heavygloves. hands with a pairof heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to holdblade. Removing the Belt 1.
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8. Loosenthe belt keeperbolt and lock nut halfa turn, Figure5-6. 9. Usinga pair of pliers, pull backand rotatebelt keeper from the sloton the idler bracket,Figure5-7. 10.Slide the beltout from betweenthe belt keeperand the idler bracket. 11.Slide the beltout fromaround thepulleyon the I aintaining transmission.
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Off-Season Storage Thefollowingstepsshouldbe takento prepareyour lawnmowerfor storage. * Cleanand lubricatemowerthoroughlyas described inthe lubricationinstructions. Donot usea pressure washeror gardenhoseto cleanyourunit. Maintaining * Referto engine manualforcorrectengine storage instructions. * Coat mower'scuttingblade with chassisgreaseto preventrusting. * Storemowerin a dry, cleanarea. Donot storenext to corrosivematerials,suchas fertilizer. Whenstoringanytype of powerequipmentin a poorly ventilatedor metal storageshed, careshouldbe taken '_.,...
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Problem Cause Remedy Engine fails to start I Bladecontroldisengaged. !. EngagebladecOntroL 21 Spaik Plugwire disconnected. 21 connect wireto spark plugl 3. Fuel tank empty or Staiefuel. 31Fill tank Withclean,freshgasoline: 4. Fuel ValVe closed. 4. open fuel valvelsee enginemanual. 5. Faultyspark p!ug, Clean adjustgap orreplace Troub.le &...
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MANUFACTURER'S LiMiTED WARRANTY FOR YaRD-MaN, The limitedwarranty set forth belowisgivenby MTDLLCwith respectto outsideof the UnitedStates,its possessionsand territories, newmerchandisepurchasedand usedin the UnitedStates,its posses- exceptthosesold throughMTD'sauthorized channelsof export sionsand territories. distribution. "MTD"warrantsthis productagainstdefectsin materialand workmanship f. Replacement p artsthat are not genuineMTDparts.