Starting The Engine; Stopping The Engine - Cub Cadet 980 Series Operator's Manual

WARNING: The operation of any lawn
mower can result in foreign objects being
thrown into the eyes, which can damage
your eyes severely. Always wear safety glasses
while operating the mower, or while performing any
adjustments or repairs on it.

Starting the Engine

WARNING: Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower
while starting engine or operating mower.
Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly
ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands,
feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving
parts on engine and lawn mower.
1. Place the fuel valve lever found on the left side of the
engine into the ON position. See Figure 4-2.
2. Move the choke lever (if equipped) all the way
backward into the choke position. See Figure 4-2.
3. Standing behind the mower, squeeze the blade
control against upper handle. See Figure 4-2. The
choke will now begin to slowly return to the off choke
position after activating the blade control. Therefore,
quickly move onto step four below. Refer to the engine
manual for further details.
4. Holding these two handles together firmly, grasp recoil
starter handle and pull rope out with a rapid, continu-
ous, full arm stroke. See Figure 4-2. Keeping a firm
grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
Repeat until engine cranks. Let the rope rewind each
time slowly.

Stopping the Engine

1. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and
ground against the engine.
Using Your Lawn Mower
WARNING: Do not operate mower without
mulching baffle, discharge chute or grass
catcher properly installed.
Be sure 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.
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object,
stop the engine. Remove wire from the
spark plug, thoroughly inspect mower
for any damage, and repair damage before restarting
and operating. Extensive vibration of mower during
operation is an indication of damage. The unit should
be promptly inspected and repaired.
• For best results, do not cut wet grass.
• For a healthier lawn, never cut off more than one-third
of the total length of the grass.
4
Figure 4-2: The steps involved in starting the mower.
Using as Mulcher
For mulching grass, remove the grass catcher and
adapter from the mower. Reattach mulching baffle with
the three wing nuts.
• For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass.
• New or thick grass may require a narrower cut.
Adjust ground speed according to condition of lawn.
• If the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of
four inches, mulching is not recommended. Use the
grass catcher to bag clippings instead.
Using Grass Catcher
You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings
while you are operating the mower.
The grass bag is equipped with a bag-fill indicator to
add convenience to your work. While the mower is
running, air will flow through the bag and into the Grass
Gauge. If the grass catcher is empty, air flows through
easily pushing the gauge up. If the grass catcher is full,
air does not flow through it allowing the gauge to fall.
So the position of the gauge acts as a bag-fill indicator
signifying when to empty the grass bag.
1. Attach grass catcher following instructions in "Setup
and Adjustment". Grass clippings will automatically
collect in the bag as you run the mower.
2. Operate the mower till the grass bag is full.
3. Stop engine completely by releasing the blade
control. Make sure that the unit has come to a
complete stop.
4. While holding the grass bag by both the rear handle
and the lower handle, lift the grass bag straight up
off the adapter. The chute door will move the rope
out of the way of the bag.
5. Continue to hold the lower handle and raise the rear
of the grass bag up toward your chest. The grass
bag will open and the grass clippings will disperse.
When replacing the grass bag, be sure the top of the
bag rests on the wire support between the handles.
9
3
1
2
OFF
ON
4
Operating
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
The operation of any
lawn mower can re-
sult in foreign objects
being thrown into
the eyes, which can
damage your eyes se-
verely. Always wear
safety glasses while
operating the mower,
or while performing
any adjustments or
repairs on it.
Be sure no one other
than the operator is
standing near the
lawn mower while
starting engine or op-
erating mower. Never
run engine indoors or
in enclosed, poorly
ventilated areas.
Engine exhaust
contains carbon
monoxide, an odor-
less and deadly
gas. Keep hands,
feet, hair and loose
clothing away from
any moving parts
on engine and lawn
mower.