Yard-Man 247.37979 User Manual

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Operator’s Manual

21” Self-Propelled

Mower

Model No. 247.379790

Factory No. 12A-979L402

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 forestcovered, 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 arrester for the muffler is available 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. 770-10214
	(12/98)

SECTION 1: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new walk behind. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain your walk behind. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start to prepare your walk behind for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information from it in this Operator’s Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your dealer or the MTD customer support department.

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

•The model plate will look like Figure 1.

This is where your model number will be.

XXX-X-XXX-X-XXX XXXXXXXXXXX

This is where your serial number will be.

Copy the model number here:

MTD PRODUCTS INC	Copy the serial number here:
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

Figure 1

SECTION 2: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

•LOCATE YOUR MODEL NUMBER AND SERIAL NUMBER — Record this information in the space provided. To find your unit’s specific model number and serial number, see SECTION 1: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER.

•If you are having difficulty assembling this product or if you have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.

•Customer Support can be reached by dialing: 1- (330) 220-4MTD

(4683)

1- (800)-800-7310

•Please have your model number and serial number ready when you call.

•Although both numbers are important, you will be asked to enter only your serial number before your call can be processed.

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

SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE

A POWER POLE

A CORNER OF A BUILDING

OR A FENCE POST

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15°

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.

GAUGE SLOPE 3: SECTION

SECTION 4: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING 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 shirts. 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 be 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 well 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 released.

•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 1-800-800-7310 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.

•Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

•After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug, and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating the mower.

•Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while the engine is running.

•Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety

protection, frequently check components and replace with manufacturer’s recommended parts, when necessary.

•Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

•Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are dangerous.

•Do not adjust the throttle with the engine running.

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.

ARNI

F INJURY,NEVER

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CAT

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Figure 2 Safety Labels Found On Lawn Mower

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., operator’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.

REMOVE MANUAL & LOOSE PARTS

PUSH

Figure 3

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.

Spark Plug

Wire

Spark Plug

Figure 4

SECTION 6: SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS

ITEMS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

•Pair of Pliers (Not necessary, but helpful)

•Motor Oil (Included)

•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 UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

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

Step 1. Remove grass bag from unit and set it out	Step 2. Lift upper handle. Align it with lower
of the way.	handle.
Grass		Upper Handle
Bag

Step 3. Tighten wing nuts.

HERE

Step 4. Raise complete handle assembly until it clicks into place. Make sure not to kink the control cables.

Handle Assembly

		K
	IC
L
C

Step 5. Pinch lower handle against mounting bracket with pliers.

Step 6. Move hairpin clip from outer to inner hole on left and right handle mounting brackets.

Inner Hole

Hairpin Clip

Pinch Here

Step 7. Attach control cables to handle with pull ties found on the handle.

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

SQUEEZE

Upper Handle

Rope Guide

Starter Rope

Look Here

SECTION 7: CONTROLS

Blade Control Handle

Throttle Control

Recoil Starter

Cutting Height

Adjustment Lever

Drive

Clutch

Control

Shift Lever

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.

WARNING: The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. The blade will be rotating whenever the engine is running.

THROTTLE CONTROL

The throttle is located on the engine. It is used to regulate the engine speed.

WARNING: The throttle control cannot be used to stop the engine. Do not adjust the throttle control with the engine running.

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.

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