MTD 970-979, E979 Owner’s Manual

YaRD.MaNTM

OWNER'S Gulr)E

Model Series

970-979

E'970-E979

Model Shown E979

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 forest-

covered, 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.
In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have

similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark attester for the muffler isavailable through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-0417B

USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.

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SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE

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A POWER POLE

A CORNER OF A BUILDING

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_ WARNING

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 overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain

your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.

Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.

Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.

SECTION 2: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT

FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OF::{PROPERTY OF YOURSELF

AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE
A-I-TEMPTING TO OPERATE YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE

• INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS
WARNING.

DANGER: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this

manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can
result in serious injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

1. GENERAL OPERATION

• Read this owner's guide carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,

understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be

completely familiar with the controls and the proper
use of this machine before operating it. Keep this
manual in a safe place for future and regular

reference and for ordering replacement parts.

• Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise

extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not

use it for any other purpose.

• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a
power mower. Children 14 years old and over should
only operate mower under close parental

supervision. Only responsible individuals who are
familiar with these rules of safe operation should be
allowed to use your mower.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
particularly small children and pets. Stop engine
when they are in the vicinity of your mower to help
prevent blade contact or thrown object injury.
Although the area of operation should be completely
cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been
overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause serious personal

injury to the operator or any others allowed in the
area.

Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is
to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones,
toys and other foreign objects which could be picked
up and thrown by the mower in any direction and
cause serious personal injury to the operator or any
others allowed in the area. Plan your mowing pattern

to avoid discharge of material toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To help avoid a
thrown objects injury, keep children, bystanders and
helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in
operation.

• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation or while performing an adjustment or
repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that may

be thrown from the machine in any direction.

• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and s;hirts. Shirts and pants that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or
jewelry. They can it)e caught in moving parts. Never
operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.

Keep clear of discharge opening at all times as the

rotating blade can cause injury.

• Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being
pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hang on to

the mower if you are falling; release the handle
immediately.

• Never pull the mower toward you while you are
walking. If you must back the mower away from a

wall or obstruction first look down and behind, and
then follow these steps:

• Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.

• Be sure you are wel!l balanced with sure footing.

• Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way
toward you.

• Repeat these steps as needed.

• Do not operate the mower while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.

• Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on
units so equipped while starting engine.

• The blade control handle is a safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the
safety device inoperative and may result in personal

injury through contact with the rotating blade. The
blade control handle must operate easily in both

directions and automatically return to the disengaged
position when relea.,_ed.

3

Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be

sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious

personal injury. Keep a firm hold on the handle and

walk, never run. If you feel you are losing your
footing, RELEASE THE BLADE CONTROL HANDLE

IMMEDIATLEY and the blade will stop rotating within

three seconds,

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or
roads.

• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check immediately for the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

• Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to
a complete stop before removing the grass catcher
or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues

to rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut
off. Never place any part of the body in the blade
area until you are sure the blade has stopped
rotating.

• Never operate mower without proper guards, grass
catcher, plates or other safety protective devices in
place.

• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.

• Only use accessories approved for this machine by
the manufacturer. Read, understand, and follow all

instructions provided with the approved accessory.

• If situations occur which are not covered in this

manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance. Telephone [phone]
for the name of your nearest dealer.

2. SLOPE OPERATION

For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this

manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a
sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees
as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on
that area or serious injury could result.

DO:

• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction

on slopes.

• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tall

grass can hide obstacles.

• Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can

cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are

losing your balance release the blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop in less than 3

seconds.

DO NOT:

• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments.
The operator could lose footing or balance.

• Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge.

• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could
cause slipping.

3. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the

mower and the mowing activity. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.

• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.

• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.

• Before and while moving backwards, look behind
and down for small children or other objects.

• Never allow children under age 14 to operate the
mower. Children 14 years of age and above should
read and understand the operation instructions and

safety rules in this manual.

• Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your

vision of a child or hazard.

4. SERVICE

• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors
are explosive.

• Use only an approved gasoline container.

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is

running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.

• Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any

spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may
cause a fire or explosion.

• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other

sources of ignition.

;, Never refuel machine indoors because flammable

vapors will accumulate in the area.

• Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame or spark such as a gas
water heater, space heater, or furnace.

• Never run an engine inside a closed area.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel
spillage. Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutes
before storing.

• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped.

Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire

away from the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting.

• Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually

inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked or

worn). Replace with blade which meets original

equipment specifications listed in this manual.

• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the

equipment is in safe working condition.

4

• Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper
operationregularly.

• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stopthe engine,

removethewirefromthesparkplug,andthoroughly
inspectthe mowerfor any damage.Repairthe
damagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.

• Neverattemptto makea wheelorcuttingheight
adjustmentwhiletheengineisrunning.

• Grasscatchercomponentsare subjectto wear,
damageand deterioration,whichcouldexpose

movingpartsor allowobjectsto be thrown.For
safetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsand
replacewith manufacturer'srecommendedparts,
whennecessary.

Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthe
blade(s)orweargloves,anduseextracautionwhen

servicingthem.
Do not changethe enginegovernorsettingor

overspeedtheengine.Excessiveenginespeedsare
dangerous.

WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the

state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm

WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this

power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in

this manual and on the machine.

DANGER

WARNING

Figure 1 Safety Labels Found On Lawn Mower

SECTION 3: FINDING MODEL NUMBER

This Owner's Guide is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain your mower. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start to prepare your mower for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information
from it in this Owner's Guide. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your

dealer or the MTD customer support department.

• Every mower has a model plate. You can locate it by standing behind the unit in the operating position
and looking down at the cutting deck.

5

• The model plate will look like Figure 2.

X-X-XXX-X-XXX XXXXXXXXXXX

[

This is where mower model number will be.

This is where mower serial number will be.

Copy the model number here:

|

___tE® CLEVELAND, OHIO 4413_

SECTION 4: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

If you have any question regarding assembly, controls, operation or maintenance of this mower, please call the

Yardman Customer Support Department at

1-800-800-7310

Before you call, make sure that you have both the model and serial numbers of your mower ready. By doing so,

you help the Customer Support Representative give you faster service. To find your mower's model and serial

numbers, see the preceding section.

SECTION 5: UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS

REMOVE UNIT FROM CARTON

(See Figure 3.)

• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton.

• Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., owner's manual, etc.).

• Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat.

• Remove packing material.

• Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts.

Copy the serial number here:

Figure 2

REMOVE MANUAL & LOOSE PARTS

Figure 3

6

DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE

Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it against the
engine by attaching rubber boot to a bolt or metal clip to the grounding post on the engine. See Figure 4.

Sp_/_rPlUg_ 1_"

v Spark

Figure 4

Plug

SECTION 6: SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS

ITEMS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

• Pair of Pliers (Not necessary, but helpful)

• Motor Oil

• Fresh Gasoline

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.

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position.

SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

Follow steps 1 through 9 to set up your lawn mower.

Step 1. Remove grass bag (model 970-979 only)

from unit and set it out of the way.

Grass

Bag

Step 2. Lift upper handle. Align it with lower

handle.

Upper Handle

Step 3. Tighten wing nuts.

HE

Step 4. Raise complete handle assembly until it

clicks into place. Make sure not to kink the
control cables.

Handle Assembly

Step 5. Pinch lower handle against mounting

bracket with pliers,

Step 7. Attach control cables to handle with pull

ties found on the handle.

Step 6. Move hairpin clip from outer to inner hole

on left and right handle mounting brackets,

Inner Hole _4_

Hairpin Clip

Pinch Here

Step 8. Squeeze the blade control handle against the upper handle and pull out the starter rope slowly.
Step 9. Thread the starter rope into the rope guide.

Blade Control Handle

•Upper Handle

Look Here

Starter Rope

8

SECTION 7: CONTROLS

BladeControl Handle

Control

Recoil Starter

Cutting Height

Adjustment Lever

Control

Figure 5

BLADE CONTROL HANDLE

The blade control handle is located on the upper handle of the mower. See Figure 5. The blade control handle

must be depressed in order to start and operate the unit. Release the blade control handle to stop the engine and
blade.

blade will be rotating whenever the engine is running.

WARNING: The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. The

THROTTLE CONTROL

The throttle control is located on the left side of the upper handle. It is used to regulate the engine speed. See

Figure 5.

• Push the throttle lever forward for FAST position.

• Pull the throttle lever back for SLOW position.

WARNING: The throttle control cannot be used to stop the engine.

IGNITION SWITCH (Electric Start Unit Only)

The ignitionswitch is located on the left side of the handle panel. It is used for starting only.See Figure 6.

Ignition

Figure 6 Electric Start Unit Only

9

RECOIL STARTER

The recoil starter handle is attached to the lower handle. See Figure 5. Stand behind the unit in the operating
position to start the unit.

DRIVE CLUTCH CONTROL
Squeeze the drive clutch control to engage the drive system. Release the clutch control to disengage the drive

system. Release the clutch control to slow down when negotiating an obstacle, making a turn or stopping.

SHIFT LEVER

The shift lever is located on the drive clutch control housing on the upper handle. See Figure 5. 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 cause damage to the mower.

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER
Note: Your mower is shipped With the cutting height in the lowest position. Adjust the cutting height as follows.

The cutting height adjustment lever is located above the left rear wheel. To adjust the cutting height, pull the lever
out and away from the mower and then move it forward or backward to select a new cutting height. See Figure 7.

LOWER

Cutting Height Adjustment Lever

Figure 7

NOTE: For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help stop

scalping.

ENGINE CONTROLS

See the engine manual for the location and function of the controls located on the engine.

SECTION 8: OPERATION

operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can result

WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on the cutting deck. See Figure 1. The

in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields.

NOTE: For best results raise the cutting position until it is determined which height is best for your lawn. See

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER in the CONTROLS section.

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