Section 5: Operating Y Our Lawnmower; Gas& Oilfill-Up; Starting Engine; Stopping Engine - MTD 979K Operator's Manual

21" self-propelled mower
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SECTION 5: OPERATING Y OUR LAWNMOWER
_
ARNING"
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 # is determined
which height is best for your lawn. See the Adjustment
Section for details.
Gas& OilFill-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.
BeforeStartingMower
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 AdjustmentTest
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.
StartingEngine
Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds
between each push. In cold weather around 55 ° F
or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a
warm engine after a short shutdown.
WARNING:
Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower while
starting engine or operating mower.
WARNING:
Never run engine indoors or in
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING:
Keep hands, feet, hair and
loose clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower.
Standing behind the mower, depress the blade
control handle and hold it against the upper handle.
Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches the start of compression cycle
(rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the
rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid,
continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on
the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
Stopping Engine
Release blade control handle to stop the engine
and the blade.
Disconnect spark plug wire and move it away from
spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
Using
Your LawnMower
WARNING:
When using grass catcher,
never operate the mower unless the hooks on
the grass catcher are seated in the slots on the
handle bracket assemblies, and the rear
discharge door rests firmly against the top of
the grass catcher.
Do not operate the mower without any one of the
mulching plug, discharge chute or grass catcher
properly installed.
_
ARNING:
Be sure that the lawn is clear of
stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which
could damage lawn mower or engine. Such
objects could be accidently thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.
For best results, do not cut wet grass. It may stick to
the underside of the mower, preventing proper
discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you
to slip and fall. New grass or thick grass may
require a narrower cut.
10

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