Yard Machines 690, 699 User Manual

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Operator’s Manual

Hydrostatic Lawn

Tractor

Model Series

690 through 699

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

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. 770-10117A.fm

(11/99)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content	Page
Important Safe Operation Practices...................................................................	3
Slope Gauge......................................................................................................	6
Assembling Your Lawn Tractor ..........................................................................	7
Know Your Lawn Tractor....................................................................................	11
Operating Your Lawn Tractor.............................................................................	13
Making Adjustments ..........................................................................................	14
Maintaining YourLawn Tractor ...........................................................................	16
Off-Season Storage ...........................................................................................	20
Optional Equipment ...........................................................................................	21
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................	22

FINDING MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor. 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. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an authorized dealer.

•You can locate the model number by pivoting the seat forward and looking under it at the seat pivot bracket. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.

(Model Number)		(Serial Number)	Copy the model number here:
		(Serial Number)

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

CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

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

Call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-7310 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have your unit’s model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call .

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

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 rider mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.

Your rider 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. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.

WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to casue cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

General Operation

•Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the operator’s manual and on the machine before starting. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

•Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the instructions to operate the machine. Know controls and how to stop the machine quickly.

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

•Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the blade. A small object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a bystander. 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. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.

•Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

•Never carry passengers.

•Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and backing up. Always look down and behind before and while backing.

•Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place.

•Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.

•Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set park brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.

•Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.

•Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a complete stop before (a) removing grass catcher or unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass or debris.

•Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

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

•Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.

•Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, because the unit could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload properly.

•Never make a cutting height adjustment while engine is running if operator must dismount to do so.

•Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or sneakers.

•Check overhead clearance carefully before driving under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situation where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in serious injury.

•Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral before attempting to start engine.

•Your mower is designed to cut normal residential grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.

Slope Operation

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tipover accidents which can result in severe injury or death.

All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.

•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° as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.

Do:

•Mow up and down slopes, not across.

•Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.

•Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

•Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.

•Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.

•Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.

•Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards which could cause serious injury.

•Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose

traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.

•

Do Not:

•Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.

•Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.

•Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

•Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

•Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

•Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of an adult other than the operator.

•Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.

•Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children.

•Never carry children, even with the blades off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with the safe machine operation.

•Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the machine. Children 14 years and over should only operate machine under close parental supervision and proper instruction.

•Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child or other hazard.

•Remove key when machine is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation.

Service

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

•Use only an approved container.

•Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

•Replace fuel cap securely and wipe off any spilled fuel before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or explosion.

•Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

•Never refuel the machine indoors because fuel vapors will accumulate in the area.

•Never store the fuel container or machine inside where there is an open flame or spark, such as a gas hot water heater, space heater or furnace.

•Never run a machine inside a closed area.

•To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free of grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine 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., excessive wear, bent, cracked). Replace with blade which meets original equipment specifications.

•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. Use all guards as instructed in this manual.

•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 restarting and operating the mower.

•Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose

moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For your 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 blade(s).

•Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required.

•Muffler, engine and belt guards become hot during operation and can cause a burn. Allow to cool down before touching.

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

•Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment and the ecology.

•Prior to disposal, determine the proper method to dispose of waste from your local Environmental

Protection Agency. Recycling centers are established to properly dispose of materials in an environmentally safe fashion.

•Use proper containers when draining fluids. Do not use food or beverage containers that may mislead someone into drinking from them. Properly dispose of the containers immediately following the draining of fluids.

•DO NOT pour oil or other fluids into the ground, down a drain or into a stream, pond, lake or other body of water. Observe Environmental Protection Agency regulations when disposing of oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, filters, batteries, tires and other harmful waste.

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.

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

I N G

S L O

P E

F O L D

O N

D O T

T E D

L I N E

R E P

R E S

E N T

GUAGE SLOPE 2: SECTION

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.

SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR

NOTE: This manual covers various models of hydrostatic tractors within the 690 series. Please use instructions pertaining only to your tractor.

Unpacking

•Remove all screws from top of the crate using 1/4" hex head socket or a flat blade screwdriver.

•To remove ends, grasp top board on the end, and pull towards you in downward motion. (A hammer may be helpful). Set panel aside to avoid tire damage.Repeat procedure on other sides.

•Remove and discard plastic bag which covers unit.

•Loose parts (may include the owner’s guide, steering wheel, optional oil drain sleeve or hose, battery fluid, chute deflector, optional mulching plug, etc.) are on the seat or in a box wrapped in plastic. Carefully cut and remove the plastic wrap. Remove the loose parts.

•Make sure that parking brake and hydrostatic transmission relief valve are released and unit is in neutral. See page 11-12 for the location of the parking brake release and the hydrostatic relief valve.

•Raise the deck and push the unit off the skid.

NOTE: Reference to right or left side of the unit is observed from the operating position on the driver’s seat, facing forward.

Tools Required

1.Socket wrench 1/4" or flat blade screwdriver

2.Adjustable or socket wrench 1/2" *

3.Adjustable or socket wrench 9/16"

4.Pair of adjustable or socket wrenches 7/16"

* If your tractor steering wheel cap is square, you must use a socket wrench to install the steering wheel.

Handling Battery

WARNING: The battery contains sulfuric acid. This battery acid must be handled with great care as contact with it can burn and blister skin. Wear protective clothing (goggles, rubber gloves and apron) when working with it.

Keep batteries out of the reach of children.

IMPORTANT: Should battery acid accidentally splatter into the eyes or onto the face, rinse the affected area immediately with clean, cold water. Refer to the antidotes mentioned below. If there is any further discomfort, seek prompt medical attention.

Antidote

Use the following antidotes if you come in contact with the battery acid.

EXTERNAL — Flush with water.

INTERNAL — Drink large quantities of water or milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable oil. Call physician immediately.

EYES — Flush with cool water for at least 15 minutes, then get prompt medical attention.

If acid spills on clothing, first dilute it with clean water, then neutralize with a solution of ammonia/ water or baking soda/water.

IMPORTANT:Since battery acid is corrosive, do not pour it into any sink or drain. Before discarding empty electrolyte containers, rinse with a neutralizing solution.

WARNING: To avoid sparks, NEVER connect or disconnect charger clips to battery while charger is turned on.

Keep all lighted materials (cigarettes, matches, lighters) away from the battery as the hydrogen gas generated during charging can be combustible.

As a further precaution, only charge the battery in a well-ventilated area. Make certain venting path of battery drain tube (if equipped) is always open.

Identifying Battery Type

Type "A"

Type "B"

Figure 1

•Compare the battery in your lawn tractor (located under the seat) with the illustration above. Type “A” batteries are activated and are ready to use. Type “B” batteries must be filled with battery fluid (acid) and charged before they are put into service. Follow instructions which apply to the battery in your lawn tractor only.

Activating & Charging Battery

(Type “B” Battery Only)

WARNING: Do not activate battery (i.e. fill with battery acid) until battery is actually placed in service. Read warnings about battery usage in the previous page before activating the battery.

•Pivot the seat pivot bracket forward. Unhook the strap which secures the battery (hook is on rear frame, under the fender). Disconnect the positive cable from the positive terminal. Save the hardware for reassembly.

•Remove the battery from the lawn tractor, paying attention to how the battery is placed in the unit, and how the drain tube (attached to the battery) is routed.

•Activate the battery as instructed in the “Quick Start” brochure included with the battery fluid. Read instructions carefully.

NOTE: You can continue to assemble the lawn tractor while the battery is standing for 30 minutes after acid fill-up, and later while you are charging the battery.

IMPORTANT: To obtain maximum life from the battery, charge it prior to initial use.

•Battery P/N 725-1705D: Charge at 2-3 amps for one hour.

•Battery P/N 725-1707D, 725-0453G, and 7251750: Charge at 6 amps for one hour.

•Charge battery after the 30-minute standing period.

NOTE: If you charge the battery at a lower AMP rate, use a hydrometer to make sure the battery is completely charged. The hydrometer should read 1.260

minimum at an electrolyte temperature of 60-110oF.

WARNING: Do not charge the tractor battery at more than 6 amps.

Attaching Steering Wheel

•The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has been packed inside the steering wheel. Carefully pry off the steering wheel cap and remove the hardware.

•Remove the steering bellow from the lift lever on the right side of the tractor.

•Place the steering bellow over the steering shaft extending through the dash. See Figure 2 .

NOTE: If the openings on each end of the steering bellow are of two sizes, the smaller end goes down against the dash of the lawn tractor.

•With the wheels pointing straight, place the steering wheel over the steering shaft, positioning the steering wheel as desired.

•Place the washer with the cupped side down over the steering shaft. Secure with hex lock bolt. See Figure 2 .

NOTE: If your tractor steering wheel cap is square, you must use a socket wrench.

•Place the steering wheel cap over the center of the steering wheel and press it with your hand.

Steering	Hex Lock
Wheel Cap	Bolt
	Cupped
	Cupped
	Washer
	Washer

Steering

Bellow

Steering

Shaft

Figure 2

Attaching Seat

NOTE: Your tractor is equipped with one of the following types of seats. Identify the seat type from the illustrations below, and follow instructions pertaining to your tractor.

Manual Adjustment Seat

•Remove the four screws which secure the seat to the seat pivot bracket. See Figure 3 .Turn the seat around and place it in position against the seat pivot bracket, lining up the slotted holes in the pivot bracket with the holes in the seat. Select desired position for the seat, and secure with the four screws removed earlier.

Screws

Seat

Pivot

Bracket

Figure 3

+ 16 hidden pages