MTD 970 Series 21 Inch Self Propelled Rotary Lawn Mower Owners Manual

Operator’s Manual 21 ” Self-Propelled Mower Model Series 970 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 arrester for the muffler is available through your Cub Cadet dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019. MTD Products, LLC., P.O. Box 361131, Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019 PRINTED IN U.S.A. Form No.770-10075E.fm (4/2007) TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Important Safe Operation Practices Slope Guage Assembling Your Lawn Mower Know Your Lawn Mower Operating Your Lawn Mower Making Adjustments Page 3 6 7 9 10 11 Content Maintaining Your Lawn Mower Servicing Your Lawn Mower Off-Season Storage Troubleshooting Illustrated Parts List Warranty Page 13 14 16 17 18 36 FINDING MODEL NUMBER 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. Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. A sample model plate is also given below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position and looking down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s web site and/or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized service dealer. Copy the model number here: MTD LLC P. O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND,OH 44136 330-220-4683 800-800-7310 Copy the serial number here: www.mtdproducts.com CUSTOMER SUPPORT Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support. If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below: Visit mtdproducts.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately available. The answer you are looking for could be just a mouse click away! The answer you are looking for could be just a mouse click away! To reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1-800-800-7310. Engine Manual The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s manual at the end of this manual for more information. 2 SECTION 1: 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 this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol–HEED ITS WARNING. WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. WARNING: This machine 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. General Operation 1. Read this operator’s manual 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. 2. This machine 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. 3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these safe operation rules should use this machine. 4. Thoroughly inspect the area where equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.

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Company Web Site: www.mtdproducts.com