MTD Self-Propelled Mower 979 - Manual (Page 7)

7
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER
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.
Removing Unit From Carton
• 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, oil, etc.)
• Cut along corners, lay carton down flat, and remove
packing material.
• Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton
thoroughly for loose parts.
Loose Parts in Carton
• Grass Bag
• Grass Bag Adapter
• Side Discharge Chute
• Hardware Pack
Disconnecting Spark Plug Wire
• Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the
spark plug wire from the spark plug and ground
against the engine. See Figure 1.
Figure 1
Setting Up Your Lawn Mower
• Remove grass bag and other loose parts from unit
and set it aside.
• Lift up and pull back on the upper handle to raise
the handle into the operating position. Make
certain the lower handle is seated securely into the
handle mounting brackets. Tighten the wing nuts
on each side of the handle (carriage bolts must be
seated properly into the handle). See Figure 2.
NOTE: Your mower is shipped with the handle in the
higher height position. If you wish to lower the height of
the handle, refer to the Adjustment Section at this time.
Figure 2
• Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in the
weld pins on the handle mounting brackets. Using a
pair of pliers, squeeze one leg of the lower handle
against the handle mounting bracket. Insert the
hairpin clip into the inner hole on the weld pin.
Repeat on other side. See Figure 3.
• After moving the hairpin clip, insert the carriage bolt
from hardware pack in the upper hole on the handle
mounting bracket and secure with plastic wing nut
from the hardware pack. Repeat on other side.
Figure 3
• Fasten the cables to the lower handle with the two
cable ties found on the lower handle. Be sure to
insert the post on the cable ties into the holes
provided on the lower handle. These holes may be
found on either the inside or outside of the handles.
Pull the cable ties tight and trim off the excess.
See Figure 4.
Figure 4
Spark
Plug
Spark Plug
Wire
Handle Assembly
Handle Mounting
Bracket
Wing Nut
Handle Mounting
Bracket
Lower
Handle
Hairpin
Clip
Inner Hole
Carriage Bolt
Wing Nut
Cable Tie
Lower
Handle