Craftsman 247250020 Owner’s Manual

perator_s nual

I:RRFrgMRN°

ZERO=TURN RIDER

26 HP, 50" MOWER DECK

Model No. 247.25002

, SAFETY , ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

CAUTION: Before using this product, read this manual and follow all safety rules and operating instructions.

Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com

PARTS LIST

o ESPANOL

FormNo.769-07727

(November23,2011)

Warranty Statement .................................. Page 2

Safe Operation Practices .......................... Pages 3-8

Assembly .................................................. Pages 9-12

Operation .................................................... Pages 13-21

Service and Maintenance ......................... Pages 22-34

Parts List ..................................................... Pages 38-52

Labels ....................................................... Page 53

Repair Protection Agreement ................... Page 55

Espa_ol ..................................................... Page 60

Service Numbers ...................................... Back Cover

Off-Season Storage .................................. Page 35

Troubleshooting ........................................ Page 36-37

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthe dateof purchase,all non-expendablepartsofthis ridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsin materialor workmanship.A defectivenon-expendablepartwill receivefreein-homerepairorreplacementif repairisimpossible.

FOR90 DAYSfromthedateofpurchase,thebattery(anexpendablepart)ofthis ridingequipmentis warrantedagainstany defectsinmaterialor workmanship(ourtestingprovesthat it willnotholda charge).A defectivebatterywillreceivefreein-homereplacement.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailsto obtainfree repairor replacement,call1-800-659-5917or visitthe website: www.craftsman.com Inallcasesabove,if part repairor replacementis impossible,theridingequipmentwillbe replacedfreeofchargewiththesameor anequivalent

model. Allofthe abovewarrantycoverageis voidif thisridingequipmentis everusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorif rentedto anotherperson.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.Warrantycoveragedoes NOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwear outfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,spark plugs,air cleaners,belts,andoilfilters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,or tune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedby puncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,orglass.

• Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationor maintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedto damagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityofthe ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendthe frame,axleassemblyor crankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper storage,failureto usethepropergradeand amountofengineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe ridingequipmentaccordingto theinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedor oxidized(stale). Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

Normaldeteriorationandwearofthe exteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears Brands ManagementCorporation, HoffmanEstates, IL 60179

EngineOil: SAE30 Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: RC12YC Engine: Briggs& StrattonTwinPlatinumProfessional

ModelNumber Serial Number

Dateof Purchase

Recordthe modelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

Thissymbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof yourselfandothers. Readandfollowall instructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failureto complywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuiltto beoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera- tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroron thepartofthe operatorcanresultin serious injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknownto StateofCalifornia tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleandoperate. Keepthis manualina safeplaceforfutureand regularreference andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheir properoperation.Knowhow tostopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofageto operatethis machine.Children14andover shouldreadandunderstandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

• Neverallowadultsto operatethismachinewithoutproper instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keep bystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthe machinewhile itis in operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used. Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownbythe blade(s). Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperforminganadjustmentorrepairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjuryto the eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycan becaughtin movable parts.Neveroperatethis machinein barefeetor sandals.

• Beawareof themowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand

Your Responsibility--Restricttheuse ofthispowermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandon the machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

do notpointitat anyone.Donot operatethemowerwithoutthe dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherinits properplace.

• Donotputhandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting deck.Contactwiththe blade(s)can amputatehandsandfeet.

A missingordamageddischargecovercan causebladecontact or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,orroads andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfor trafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineis notintendedforuseonanypublic roadway.

• Donotoperatethemachinewhileunderthe influenceof alcohol or drugs.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Backup slowly.Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile

backingto avoida back-overaccident.Beawareand payatten- tionto thesafetysystemfunctionthatstopspowertothe blades whendrivingin reverse.Ifnotfuctioningproperly,contactan authorizeddealerfor safetysysteminspectionand repair.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil theblade(s)cometo acompletestopbeforeremovinggrass catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor debris,or makinganyadjustments.

• Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff blade(s),placedrivecontrollevers inneutral,setparkingbrake, stopengineand removekeybeforedismounting.

• Useextracarewhenloadingor unloadingthemachineintoa

traileror truck.Thismachineshouldnotbe drivenupor down

ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtipover,causingserious personalinjury.Themachinemustbepushedmanuallyon ramp(s)toloadorunloadproperly.

• Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot touch.

• Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow hangingtree branches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthe machine,whichcould resultinseriousinjury.

• Disengageallattachmentclutches,setthe parkingbraketothe 'on'positionandmovethe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversto the neutralpositionbeforeattemptingto startthe engine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassof a heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpilesof dryleaves.Drygrassor leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfire hazard.

• Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedfor this machine bythe machinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall instructionsprovidedwiththe approvedaccessoryorattachment.

Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheriding mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom seriousinjury.

• If situationsoccurwhicharenot coveredinthismanual,usecare andgoodjudgment.ContacttheCraftsmanHelpLineat1-800-

659-5917for assistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossof controlandtip-over accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeorifyoufeeluneasyon it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartofthismanual to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineona slopedor hilly area.Ifthe slopeis greaterthan15degreesasshownonthe slope gauge,donot operatethismachineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes. Watchfor holes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscan hide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsothatyouwillnot haveto stopwhileon the slope.Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope.Ifthetiresareunableto maintaintraction,disengagethe bladesandproceedslowlyandcarefullystraightdowntheslope.

Followthe manufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor counterweightsto improvestability.

Useextracarewithgrasscatchersorotherattachments.These canchangethestabilityof the machine.

• Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donot makesuddenchangesinspeedor direction.Rapidacceleration

or decelerationcouldcausethefrontof themachineto lift and

rapidlyrollover backwards,whichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

DoNot:

• Donotturnonslopesunlessnecessary;thenturn slowlyuphill

and useextracarewhileturning.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments.Themower couldsuddenlyturnoverif a wheelis overthe edgeofa cliff, ditch,or if an edgecavesin.

• Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the ground.

• Donotuseagrasscatcheron steepslopes.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart, lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing downhill,theextraweighttendsto pushthe ridingmowerand maycauseyouto loosecontrol(e.g.ridingmowermayspeed up,brakingandsteeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmay jack-knifeandcauseridingmowertooverturn).

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccurifthe operatorisnotalert tothe presence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto themachineandthe mowing activity.Theydo notunderstandthe dangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaand inwatchfulcare ofa responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifa childentersthearea.

• Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwayslookbehindanddownfor

smallchildren.

• Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)shutoff.Theymay falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionofa child whomayrunintothe pathofthemachine.

• Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofageto operatethismachine. Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshould betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfortowing.Donot attachtowedequipmentexceptat thehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfortowed equipmentandtowingonslopes.

Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment. Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof

tractionandlossof control. Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

Donot shiftto neutralandcoastdownhill. Donottowheavypullbehindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,

lawnroller,etc.)onslopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoingdown hill,the extraweighttendsto pushtheridingmowerandmaycause youto loosecontrol(e.g.ridingmowermayspeedup,brakingand steeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause ridingmowerto overturn).

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline:

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled on yourselforyour clotheswhichcan ignite.Washyourskinand changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron a truckortrailerbed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck

or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltankor

containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors.

• Neverremovegascap or addfuelwhiletheengineis hotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

• Neveroverfill fueltank. Filltankto no morethan1/2"belowbottom

offiller necktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.Move

machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlightas ona waterheater,spaceheater, furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

• Allowa machineto coolat leastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunan engineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe

blade(s)andall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe spark plugwireandgroundagainsttheengineto preventunintended starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocompletestop

withinapproximately(5) fivesecondsafteroperatingtheblade disengagementcontrol,ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthethis timeframe,aveyourmachineservicedprofessionallyby Searsor anotherqualifieddealer.

• Regularlycheckthesafetyinterlocksystemforproperfunction,as

describedlaterinthis manual.Ifthe safetyinterlocksystemdoes

notfunctionproperly,haveyourmachineservicedprofessionally

bySearsoranotherqualifieddealer.

• Checkthe blade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s)for damage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked). Replacethe blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.) blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useof partswhichdo not meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis in safeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafety devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

• Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthe sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore startingandoperating.

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothe machine whilethe engineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoveraresubject towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allow objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis manual.Useof partswhichdo notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmay leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donotchangethe enginegovernorsettingsor over-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeed ofthe engine.

• Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsfor gas,oil,etc. to

protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingto theConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC) andtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct hasan AverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or270hoursof operation.At theendof theAverageUsefulLifehavethe machine inspectedannuallyby Searsoranotherqualifieddealerto ensure thatall mechanicalandsafetysystemsareworkingproperlyand notworn excessively.Failuretodo socan resultinaccidents, injuriesordeath.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoid seriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththe governorsettingcanleadto a runawayengineand causeitto operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.

Notice RegardingEmissions

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are certifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if soequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand shouldnot beusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered, brush-coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,it shouldbe maintainedin effectiveworking orderbythe operator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveis required bylaw (Section4442of the CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthe muffleris availablethroughyournearest engineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,

RO.Box361131Cleveland,Ohio44136-0019.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson the machine beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

READTHEOPERATOR'SMANUAL(S) Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsinthemanual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleand

operate

WARNING--ROTATINGBLADES

Donot puthandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecuttingdeck.Contactwiththeblade(s)can

amputatehandsandfeet.

sJ / _

WARNING--THROWNOBJECTS Thismachinemaypickupandthrowandobjectswhichcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

BYSTANDERS Keepbystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachinewhileitis inoperation.

WARNING--SLOPEOPERATION

Donot operatethismachineona slopegreaterthan15degrees.

DANGER-- ROTATINGBLADES

Toreducetheriskof injury,keephandsandfeetaway.Donotoperateunlessdischargecoveror grass catcheris in itsproperplace.Ifdamaged,replaceimmediately.

15° Slope

(OK)

'_. _ Figure1

(TOO STEEP)

Figure2

15°

dashedline

USETHISSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

IFA SLOPEIS TOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfold alongthedashedline.

2. Locatea verticalobject onor behindtheslope (e.g.a pole,building,fence, tree,etc.)

3. Align eithersideoftheslopegaugewiththeobject(SeeFigure1andFigure2 ).

4. Adjust gaugeupor down untilthe left cornertouchestheslope(SeeFigure1andFigure2).

If thereis agap belowthe gauge,theslopeis too steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-overaccidentswhichcan resultin severe injury or death. Do not operatemachineonslopes in excess of 15degrees.All slopes require extracaution. Ifyou cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.

Always mow across the face of slopes, never mow up and downthe face of slopes.

SET-UP

Moving The Riding mower Manually

Yourridingmower'stransmissionisequippedwithahydrostaticrelief valveforoccasionswhenitisnecessaryto movethe ridingmower manually.Openingthisvalvepermitsthefluidinthe transmissionto bypassitsnormalroute,allowingthereartiresto "freewheel."Toopen thehydrostaticreliefvalve,proceedasfollows:

1. Locatethehydrostaticbypassrodintherearof theridingmower. SeeFigure1.

Removethetwoshoulderboltsandlocknutsin theseatpanas

showninFigure2.

Seat Pan

Shoulder

Bolt

RH Transmission

Bypass

RodThenLower

IntoSlot

Keyhole Slot

Figure1

2. Pullthehydrostaticbypassrodoutward,thendown,tolockit in place.

3. Repeattheaboveproceduretoengagetheotherbypassrodon theother sideof the ridingmower.

4. Withthe bypassrodsengagedandwiththeaidofanassistant, carefullypushtheridingmoweroffof theshippingpallet.

5. Aftermovingthe ridingmower,disengagebothbypassrods.Lift therodandguidethe flangeof therod backthroughthe larger

circularopeningof thekeyhole,thenreleasetherod.

NOTE:The transmissionwillNOTengagewhenthehydrostatic bypassrodis pulledout. Returnthe rodto itsnormalpositionpriorto operatingthe ridingmower.

PullOut Bypass

Shoulder

Bolt

Figure2

Rotatetheseatintopositionandsecuretheseatintoplacewith thepreviouslyremovedshoulderboltsand locknuts.Becareful notto crimpordamagethewireharnesswhileinstallingtheseat. See Figure3.

iHarness ii

Seat Bracket /

Neverattemptto movetheridingmowermanuallywithoutfirstopen-

ling thehydrostaticr,elief valve.Doingsowill resultinseriousdamage [to theridingmowers transmission.

Removethedeckwashsystemnozzleadapterandoildraintubefrom themanualbagandstoreforfutureuse.

Install Operator's Seat Toinstallthe seatproceedasfollows:

NOTE:Theseatisshippedwiththe seatswitchandseatpanattached.

1. Cutanystrapssecuringtheseatassemblyandthedrivecontrol leverstothe ridingmower.Removeanypackingmaterial.

NOTE:Becarefulnottocut thewiringharnessconnectingtheseat andtheseatswitch.

Shoulder

Bolts

Figure 3

Position Drive Control levers

Thedrivecontrolleversof theridingmowerareloweredforshipping purposes.Theflangelocknuts,hex screws,andflatwashersthat normallysecurethe controlleversintheiroperatingpositionare

unfastenedandinstalledintheslottedholesofthecontrolleversfor shipment.Thecontrolleversmustbe repositionedtooperatethe

ridingmower.Torepositionthecontrolleversforoperation,proceedas follows:

1. Removethehexscrew,flat washer,andflangelocknutfromthe slotofoneof thedrivecontrollevers.

2. Liftand swingthatcontrolleverupwarduntilthe slottedholeinthe leverbracketalignswithoneof theholesinthepivotbracket.See Figure4.

SlottedHole

Pivot

Connecting the Battery Cables

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknownto theStateof Californiatocause cancerand reproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red) wireto itsterminalfirst,followedbythe NEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycableson yourequipmentmay havebeenleftdisconnectedfromtheterminalsatthe factory.To

connectthe batterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative batteryterminalismarkedNeg.(-).

NOTE:If the positivebatterycable isalreadyattached,skipaheadto step2.

1. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthe positivebattery terminalandattachthe redcableto thepositivebatteryterminal

(+)withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure5.

Figure4

3. Slidetheflatwasherontothe hexscrew.Fromtheoutside,insert thehexscrewwithwasherthroughthecontrolleverslotandthe

holeofthe pivotbracket.Securewiththe flangelocknut.See Figure4.

4. Notethe relativepositionofthecontrollevertothepivotbracket, thenrepeatthepreviousstepsto repositiontheothercontrollever inapproximatelythe same position.

5. Referto"AdjustingtheDriveControlLevers"intheMaintenance& Adjustmentsforinstructionsonthefinaladjustmentofthe levers.

Figure5

2. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthe negativebattery terminalandattachthe blackcableto thenegativebattery terminal(-) withthe boltand hexnut.SeeFig.3-5.

3. Positionthe redrubberbootoverthe positivebatteryterminalto

helpprotectitfromcorrosion.

NOTE:If the batteryisputintoserviceafterthe dateshownon top

or sideof battery,chargethe batteryasinstructedintheServiceand

MaintenancesectionyourOperator'sManualpriortooperatingthe ridingmower.

Lower Deck Discharge Chute Deflector Adjusting the Gauge Wheels

Neveroperatethemowerdeckwithoutthechutedeflectorinstalled andinthedownposition.

Checkthe mowerdeckfor a shippingbrace(withtag)that maybe holdingthechutedeflectorupwardforshipment. Ifa braceis present, itmust beremovedbeforeoperatingthe ridingmower.Holdingthe chutedeflectorfullyupward,removetheshippingbracebygraspingit androtatingitclockwise.Lowerthechutedeflector.SeeFigure6.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthe dischargeopeningof thecutting

deck.

NOTE:Thedeckgaugewheelsarean anti-scalpfeatureof the deck andare notdesignedtosupportthe weightofthe cuttingdeck.

Themowerdeckcuttingheightcanbe setinanyof sixheightsettings usingthe ridingmower'sdecklift handle.Thedeckheightsrangefrom

1-1/2"to4".The deckgaugewheelpositionshouldbeapproximately 1/4"to 1/2"abovethegroundwhenthedeckissetinthedesiredheight

setting.

Usingthelifthandle,setthedeckinthedesiredheightsetting,then checkthe gaugewheeldistancefromthegroundbelow.If necessary adjustasfollows:

1. Visuallycheckthedistancebetweenthefrontgaugewheelandthe ground.Ifthe gaugewheelisnearortouchingtheground,itshould be raised.If morethan1/2"abovetheground,itshouldbelowered.

2. Removetheflangelocknutsecuringthefrontgaugewheel shoulderbolttothe deck.Removethegaugewheelandshoulder bolt. RefertoFigure7.

Figure6

Checking Tire Pressure

Donotoverinfiatetires.Checksidewalloftiresfor maximumpsi. Equaltirepressureshouldbemaintainedat alltimes.

Thetireson yourridingmowermaybeoverinflatedforshipping purposes.Reducethetire pressurebeforeoperatingthe ridingmower. Checksidewalloftiresformaximumpsi.

Figure7

3. Insert the shoulder bolt into the one of four index holes in the

front gauge wheel bracket that will give the gauge wheel a W' to W' clearance with the ground and secure with the flange

locknut.

4. Note the index hole of the just adjusted wheel, and adjust the

rear gauge wheel into the respective index holes of the other gauge wheel bracket on the deck.

Adjusting the Seat Toadjustthe positionofthe seat,pullupand holdthe seatadjustment

lever.Slidetheseatforwardor rearwardto thedesiredposition;then releasetheadjustmentlever.Makesureseatislockedintoposition beforeoperatingthe ridingmower.See Figure8.

5. Replacethefuelcapandtightensecurely.Wipeupspilledfuel beforestartingengine.IffuelisspilledDONOTstartengine.Move ridingmowerawayfromareaof spillage.Avoidcreatinganysource

ofignitionuntilfuelvaporsaregone.

Checking and Adding Oil

Yourridingmoweris shippedwithoilintheengine.However,youMUST

Figure8

GAS AND OIL

Fuel Recommendations

Useautomotivegasoline(unleadedor low leadedtominimizecombus- tionchamberdeposits)witha minimumof87octane.Gasolinewith upto 10%ethanolor 15%MTBE(MethylTertiaryButylEther)canbe used.Neveruse anoil/gasolinemixtureordirtygasoline.Avoidgetting dirt,dust,or waterin the fueltank. DONOTuse E85gasoline.

• Refuelina well-ventilatedareawiththe enginestopped.Donot smokeorallowflamesorsparksintheareawheretheengineis refueledorwheregasolineis stored.

Donotoverfillthefuel tank.Afterrefueling,makesurethetank capis closedproperlyandsecurely.

Becarefulnotto spillfuelwhenrefueling.Spilledfuelor fuelvapor mayignite.Ifanyfuel isspilled,makesuretheareais drybefore startingtheengine.

Avoidrepeatedorprolongedcontactwithskinor breathingof vapor.

Adding Fuel

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelthe ridingmower indoorsorwhiletheengineis hotor running.Extinguishcigarettes, cigars,pipesand othersourcesofignition.

checkthe engineoil levelbeforeeachuseasinstructedinthe IAlways

Serviceand Maintenancesection.Addoilas necessary.Failuretodo I

[so mayresut nser ousdamagetoyourengne. J

1. Placetheridingmoweron aflat,level surface.

2. Removetheoilfiller cap/dipstickandwipe thedipstickclean.See Figure9.

Figure9

3. Insertthecap/dipstickintothe oilfillerneck,butdonotscrewitin.

4. Removetheoilfiller cap/dipstick.Ifthe levelislow,slowlyaddoil untiloillevel registersbetweenFULLandADD,Figure8.

NOTE:Do notoverfill.Overfillingwithoil maycausesmoking,hard starting,or sparkplugfouling.

5. Replaceandtightencap/dipstickfirmlybeforestartingengine.

NOTE:DO NOTallowoil leveltofall belowthe ADDmarkonthe

dipstick.Doingsomayresultinequipmentmalfunctionsor damage.

NOTE:Tochangetheoil inyourengine,seethe Serviceand Maintenancesectionof thismanual.

1. Besureengineisoutdoorsandin awell-ventilatedarea.

2. Cleanareaaroundthefuelfillcapandremovethefuelfillcap.

3. UsinganapprovedredGASOLINEcontainer,addfuelslowly,being carefulto avoidspilling.

4. Fillthetankuntilthefuelreachesthebottomof thefueltankneck.

Deck Lift

Deck Height Handle

Throttle/Choke Control

Hour Meter/

indicator Panel

SeatAdjustmentLever

FuelTankCap

Parking

// _ / -PTOSwitch

LH Drive RH Drive nition Switch

Control Lever Control Lever

Cup Holder

Storage Tray

Nowthat youhavesetup yourridingmower,it'simportanttobecome acquaintedwith itscontrolsandfeatures.Referto Figure11.

NOTE:ReferencestoLEFT,RIGHT,FRONT,andREARindicatethatposi- tionontheridingmowerwhenfacingforwardwhileseatedintheoperator's

seat.

DECK HEIGHT INDEX

Thedeckheightindexconsistsof sixindexnotcheslocatedon thefront!rightd theseatboxframe.Eachnotchcorrespondsto a 1/2"changeinthedeckheightpositionrangingfrom1-1/2"at thelowest notchto4 inchesatthehighestnotch.

DECK LIFT HANDLE

Thedecklift handleis locatedon the front!rightof the seat boxframe,andisusedto raiseand lowerthemowerdeck.

Pullthehandletotheleftoutoftheindexnotchandpush downwardto lowerthedeck,orpullupwardto raisethedeck. Whenthedesiredheightisattained,movethe lifthandleto the rightuntilfullyintheindexnotch.

CUP HOLDER

Thecup holderislocatedtowardtherearofthe RHconsole tothe rightof theoperator'sseat.

Meets ANSI Safety Standards

CraftsmanTillersconformto thesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI)

Figure11

STORAGE TRAY

Thestoragetrayislocatedatthe rearofthe RHconsole.

RH AND LH DRIVE CONTROL LEVERS

TheRHandLH controlleversarelocatedon eachsideofthe opera- tor'sseat.Thesehingedleverspivotoutwardtoopenspacetopermit theoperatortoeither sitintheridingmowerseat,orto dismountthe

ridingmower.Theleversmustbefullyopenedoutand intheneutral

positionto starttheridingmowerengine.

Eachlevercontrolsthe respectiveRHorLH transmission.Conse-

quently,theseleverscontrolallof themovementsof theridingmower.

Drivingand steeringutilizingthesecontrolleversisquitedifferentfrom

conventionalridingmowers,andwill takesomepracticetomaster.

Refertothe Drivingthe Ridingmowersectionforinstructionsonusing

thecontrollevers.

iGNiTiON SWITCH

Theignitionswitchis locatedon theRHconsoleto therightofthe operator'sseat.Theignitionswitch hasthree positions.

STOP_ -- Theengineandelectri- calsystemisturnedoff.

RUN_ -- Theridingmowerelectricalsystemisenergized. START_ -- Thestartermotorwillturn overtheengine.Releasethe

keyimmediatelywhentheenginestarts NOTE:Topreventaccidentalstartingand/or batterydischarge,

removethe keyfromtheignitionswitchwhenthe ridingmowerisnot

inuse.

RUN_ I

POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) SWITCH

ThePTOswitchislocatedonthe RHconsoletothe rightof theopera- tor'sseat.ThePTOswitchoperatestheelectricPTOclutchmounted onthebottomoftheenginecrankshaft.Pullthe switchknobupward toengagethe PTOclutch,or pushtheknob downwardto disengage theclutch.The PTOswitchmustbeinthe"disengaged"positionwhen startingtheengine.

TRANSMiSSiON BYPASS RODS

Thetransmissionbypassrods(onefor eachthe RHandLHtransmis- sion)arelocatedbeneaththeframeplatform,justinsideeach rear

wheel. Whenengaged,the two rodsopena bypasswithinthe hydrostatic

transmissions,whichallowstheridingmowerto be pushedshort distancesby hand.Referto theAssemblysectionforinstructionson usingthe bypassfeature.

Nevertowyourridingmower.Towingthe ridingmowerwiththe rear wheelsonthe groundmaycauseseveredamageto thetransmissions.

SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

Theseatadjustmentleverislocatedbelowthefront!leftoftheseat. Theleverallowsforadjustmentoftheforetoaft positionofthe operator'sseat.Referto Serviceand Maintenanceforinstructionson adjustingthe seatposition.

FUEL TANK CAP

Thefuel tankcapislocatednearthemiddleoftheLHconsole.Turn thefill capapproximately1/4turnandpull upwardtoremove.Thefuel capistetheredto the ridingmowerto preventitsloss.Do notattempt toremovethecapfromthe ridingmower.

Pushthecapdownwardonthe fueltankfill neckand turnapproxi- mately1/4turnclockwisetotightenAlwaysre-installthe fuelcap tightly ontothe fueltankafter removing.

Neverfillthe fueltankwhentheengineis running.Ifthe engineis hotfrom recentlyrunning,allowtocoolforseveralminutesbefore refueling.Highlyflammablegasolinesplashingontoa hot engine

couldcausea fire.

HOUR METER/INDICATOR

PANEL

Thehourmeter/indicatorpanelislocatedonthe

LHconsoletotheIdtoftheoperator'sseat.

Hour Meter Features

Thehourmeterrecordsthehoursthatthe

ridingmowerhasbeenoperatedinthedigital

display(tenthsofanhour-- rightmostdigit).

NOTE:Thehourmeterisactivatedwhenevertheignitionswitchis

turnedto theRUN_ position.Keepa recordoftheactualhoursof operationtoassureall maintenanceproceduresarecompletedaccord-

ingtothe instructionsinthis manualandthe enginemanual.

Whenkeyis turnedto theRUN_ position,thebatteryindicatorlight

brieflyilluminatesandthebatteryvoltageis brieflydisplayed.The

displaythenchangestotheaccumulatedhours. TheIndicatorMonitorwillalsoremindtheoperatord maintenanceinter-

valsforchangingtheengineoil.TheLCDwillalternatelyflash,CHG;OIL andtherecordedhoursforfiveminutesafterevery50hoursof recorded operation.Themaintenanceintervallastsfortwohours(from50-52,100-

102,150-152,etc.).TheLCDwillflashasdescribedforfiveminutesevery

timetheridingmower'sengineisstartedduringthismaintenanceinterval.

Followtheoilchangeintervalsprovidedintheenginemanual.

indicator Panel Features

Battery Indicator Illuminatesandthe batteryvoltageisdisplayedbrieflywhenthe ignition

switchitturnedtothe RUN_ position. Illuminatesto indicatethe batteryvoltagehasdroppedbelow11.5(+0.5/-

1.0)volts,andthevoltageis displayedonthe hourmeter.Ifthisindicator

anddisplaycomeonduringoperation,checkthebatteryandcharging

systemforpossiblecausesand/orcall1-800-659-5917to schedule ridingmowerinspectionservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

Oil PressureIndicator (if EngineSo Equipped)

Thiswarninglampindicateslowengineoilpressure,if theindicatorcomes onwhiletheengineis running,stoptheengineimmediatelyandcheckfor

possiblecauses.Donotruntheenginewhilethisindicatorisilluminated. Call1-800-659-5917toscheduleservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

NOTE:Theoil_ressureindicatormayilluminatewhentheignitionswitch isin the RUNO position,butshouldturnoffwhentheengineisstarted.

PTOEngagedIndicator

ThisindicatorilluminateswhenthePTOswitchis pulledupwardinthe

ENGAGEDpositionandtheignitionswitchisturnedtothe START position.Checkthisindicatoriftheenginewillnotcrankwiththeignition

switchinthe START_ position.Ifnecessary,movethePTOswitchto

theDISENGAGEDposition.

ParkingBrake Engaged Indicator

Thisindicatorilluminateswhenthe parkingbrakeisin the DISEN-

GAGEDpositionandtheignitionswitchisturnedtothe START position.Checkthis indicatoriftheenginewill notcrankwiththe

ignitionswitchinthe START_ position.Ifnecessary,movethe parkingbraketo theENGAGEDposition.

Thisindicatoralsoilluminateswhentheignitionswitchisturnedtothe

START_ positionandtheRHand/orLHdrivecontrolleversare in

a positionotherthanthefullyout in neutralposition.Movethe control

leversfullyoutward.

THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL

Thethrottle/chokecontrolislocatedonthe LHconsoleto theleftof theoperator'sseat.Whensetina givenposition,a

uniformenginespeedwill bemaintained. Pushthethrottle/chokecontrolhandleforwardtoincrease

theenginespeed.Theridingmowerisdesignedtooperate withthethrottle/chokecontrolintheFAST_ position

whentheridingmoweris beingdrivenandthemowerdeck isengaged. Pullthethrottle/chokecontrolhandlerearwardtodecrease

theenginespeed. Whenstartingtheengine,pushthecontrolhandlefully

forwardintothe CHOKEI'_,1position. Afterstartingandwarmingtheengine,movethe controlhandle

rearwarduntilyoufeel it movepastthechokedetent.

PARKING BRAKE ENGAGEMENT LEVER

Theparkingbrakeengagementleveris locatedonthefront/ leftofthe seatboxframe,andis usedtoengagethe parking

brake. Pulltheleverfullyupwardandtothe left;thenlowerintothe

short"J"slottoengagethe brake. Pulltheleverupoutof the"J"slotandto theright;then lower

completelyto disengagetheparkingbrake. NOTE:Ifthe LHandRHdrivecontrolleversarenotfully

openedoutto eachsidein theneutralpositionwhenengag- ingtheparkingbrake,theenginewill stop.The parkingbrake mustbe placedin theengagedpositionwhenstartingthe ridingmowerengine.

GENERAL SAFETY

• RECEIVEINSTRUCTION-- Entirelyreadthisoperator'smanual. Learnto operatethismachineSAFELY.DonotriskINJURYor DEATH.Allowonlythosewho havebecomecompetentin its

usageto operatethisridingmower.

• Beforestartingtheengineor beginningoperation,be familiarwith

thecontrols.Theoperatorshouldbein theoperator'sseat.The

PTOswitchmustbein thedisengagedposition,theparkingbrake

engaged,andthe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversmovedfully outwardin theneutralposition.

• Keepallshieldsin place.Keepawayfrommovingparts.

• NORIDERS!Keepall peopleandpetsa safedistanceaway. Lookbehindanddowntobothsidesoftheridingmowerbefore

andwhilebackingup.

• DONOTdirectthemowerdischargeatpeople.

• Avoidslopeswherepossible.Neveroperateon slopesgreater

than15°.Slopeswitha greaterinclinepresentdangerousoperat- ing conditions.Ridingmowerscanbe rolledover.

• Beforeleavingtheoperator'sseat:ShutoffthePTO,move

the RHand LHdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardin the neutral position,engagetheparkingbrake_:_, shutoff theengineand

removethe ignitionkey.Waitforall movementto stopbefore

servicingorcleaning.

• Operatethedrivecontrolleverssmoothlyandavoidanysudden

movementsofthe leverswhenstartingandstopping.Keepafirm gripon thecontrollevers.

• Becarefulwhenoperatingnearroadways.Stoptheridingmower

motionandwaitforvehiclestopassbeforeoperatingalongthe

road.

• Donotoperatetheridingmowerwiththemowerdeckremoved. Removalofthe deckwillchangethebalanceofthe ridingmower,

andcouldcontributetoa ridingmowerrollover.

• Avoidoperationontractionsurfacesthatare unstable;use

extremecautionif thesurfaceis slippery.

• Slowdown beforeturningandcometo a completestopbefore

anyzeroturnmaneuver.

• Donotstoptheridingmowerorparktheridingmowerover

combustiblematerialssuchasdry grass,leaves,debris,etc.

• Donotfillthefueltankwhentheengineis runningor whilethe

engineishot.Allowtheengineseveralminutesto coolbefore

refueling.Tightenthe fuelcap securely.

BEFORE OPERATING YOUR RiDiNG MOWER

• Beforeyouoperatetheridingmower,studythismanualcarefully tofamiliarizeyourselfwiththeoperationofallthe instrumentsand controls.Ithasbeenpreparedtohelpyouoperateandmaintain yourridingmowerefficiently.

• Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonlyonclean,fresh,unleadedregu- largasoline.Forbestresults,fill thefueltankwithonlyclean,fresh, unleadedgasolinewithapumpstickeroctaneratingof87orhigher.

• Unleadedgasolineis recommendedbecauseitleavesless combustionchamberdepositsand reducesharmfulexhaust emissions.Leadedgasolineis notrecommendedand mustnotbe usedwhereexhaustemissionsareregulated.

NOTE:Purchasegasolineinsmallquantities.Donotusegasolineleftover fromthe previousseason,tominimizegumdepositsinthefuelsystem.

• Gasohol(upto 10%ethylalcohol,90% unleadedgasolineby volume)isanapprovedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblendsare notapproved.

• MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends (uptoa maximumof 15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels. Othergasoline/etherblendsarenotapproved.

• Checktheengineoil level.

• Cleantheair cleanerelementif necessary.

• Checkthetireinflationpressures.

• Adjusttheseatforoperator'smaximumcomfort,visibilityandfor

maintainingcompletecontrolofthe ridingmower.

SAFETY iNTERLOCK SYSTEM

Thisridingmowerisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystemforthe protectionoftheoperator.Ifthe interlocksystemshouldevermalfunc- tion,donotoperatetheridingmower.Call 1-800-659-5917to schedule servicefromSearsParts& Repair.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromcranking orstartingunlessthe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversaremoved fullyoutwardto eachsidein theneutralposition,theparking brakeisengaged,andthe PTOis disengaged.

• Toavoidsuddenmovementwhendisengagingthe parkingbrake, thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoffthe engineifthe RHand/ or LHdrivecontrolleversare movedto a positionotherthan thefullyout intheneutralpositionwhenthe parkingbrakeis engaged.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutofftheengineiftheoperator leavestheseatbeforeengagingthe parkingbrake.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutofftheengineiftheoperator leavestheseatwiththe PTOengaged,regardlessof whetherthe parkingbrakeisengaged.

NOTE:The PTOswitchmustbe movedto the"OFF"positionto restart theengine.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoffthe PTOandthe mower bladeswillstopif bothdrivecontrolleversare movedintothe reverseposition.ThePTOwillre-engagewhenoneor bothof the leversaremovedbacktoeither theneutralorforwardposition.

STARTING THE ENGINE

Thisridingmowerisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystemdesignee forthe protectionofthe operator.Donotoperatethe ridingmowerif anypartofthe interlocksystemis malfunctioning.Periodicallycheck thefunctionsofthe interlocksystemforproperoperation.

Forpersonalsafety,theoperatormustbesittingintheridingmower

seatwhenstartingtheengine.

1. Operatormustbesittinginthe ridingmowerseatwithbothdrive controlleversoutwardto eachsidein theneutral/startposition.

2. Engagethe parkingbrakeO. Referto Figure12.

LHControlLever RHControlLever

Outin I_eutral Out in Neutral

ParkingBreak

-- Engaged

ThrottleControl / ( PTOSwitchinDown FullyForwardto / __ (Disengaged)Position

CHOKEPosition

Figure12

3. MakecertainthePTOswitchisin the disengaged(down)posi- tion. Referto Figure12.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverfullyforwardintotheCHOKEt"°,1

position.

NOTE:Iftheengineiswarmedup,it maynotbe necessarytoplace

thethrottle/chokecontrolinthe CHOKE!'_1position.

5. Turnthe ignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTART_ positionand

releaseitassoonasthe enginestarts;however,do not crank theenginecontinuouslyfor morethan5 secondsata time.If the enginedoesnot startwithinthis time,turnthe keytoSTOP andwaitat least15secondstoallowtheengine'sstartermotor tocool.Tryagainafterwaiting.Ifaftera fewattemptstheengine failstostart,do not keeptryingto startit withthechokeclosedas thiswillcausefloodingandmakestartingmoredifficult.

6. Astheenginewarmsup,graduallypullthethrottle/chokecontrollever rearwardpastthechokedetentposition.Donotusethechokeposition

toenrichthefuelmixture,exceptasnecessarytostarttheengine.

7. Allowtheengineto runfora fewminutesatmid throttlebefore puttingtheengineunderload.

8. Observethe hourmeter/ indicatorpanel.Ifthebatteryindicator lightoroil pressurelightcomeon,immediatelystoptheengine. Call1-800-659-5917toscheduleridingmowerinspectionservice

fromSearsParts& Repair.

ColdWeatherStarting Whenstartingtheengineattemperaturesnearorbelowfreezing,

ensurethecorrectviscositymotoroilisusedintheengineandthe batteryisfullycharged.Starttheengineasfollows:

1. Besurethebatteryisingoodcondition.Also,awarmbatteryhas muchmorestartingcapacitythanacoldbattery.

2. Usefreshwintergradefuel.Wintergradegasolinehashighervolatility toimprovestarting.Donotusegasolineleftoverfromsummer.

3. FollowthepreviousinstructionforStartingtheEngine.

UsingJumper CablesTo Start Engine

Batteriescontainsulfuricacid andproduceexplosivegasses.Make certaintheareais wellventilated,wearglovesandeyeprotection,

land avodsparksor famesnearthe battery. Ifthe batterychargeis notsufficienttocranktheengine,rechargethe

battery.Ifa batterychargeris unavailableandtheridingmowermust be started,the aidof aboosterbatterywillbenecessary.Connectthe boosterbatteryasfollows:

1. Connecttheendofonecabletothe disabledridingmowerbat- tery'spositiveterminal;thenconnecttheotherendof thatcableto

theboosterbattery'spositiveterminal.

2. Connectoneendofthe othercabletotheboosterbattery'snega- tiveterminal;thenconnecttheotherendofthatcabletothe frame

ofthedisabledridingmower,as farfromthe batteryaspossible.

3. Startthedisabledridingmowerfollowingthe normalstarting instructionspreviouslyprovided;thendisconnectthejumper

cablesin theexact reverseorderof theirconnection.

4. Havetheridingmower'selectricalsystemcheckedandrepaired assoonaspossibleto eliminatethe needforjump starting.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

1. Placethe PTOswitchintheOFFposition.

2. Movethe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardinthe neutralposition.

3. EngagetheparkingbrakeO.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontroltomidwaybetweenthe SLOW'_ andFAST_ positions.

5. Turntheignitionkeytothe STOP_ positionandremovethe key fromtheignitionswitch.

NOTE:Alwaysremovethe keyfromtheignitionswitchtopreventacci- dentalstartingor batterydischargeiftheequipmentisleft unattended.

PRACTICE OPERATION (INITIAL USE)

Operatinga zero-turnridingmoweris notlikeoperatingaconventionaltype ridingridingmower.Becausea zeroturnridingmowerismoremaneuver- able,gettingusedtooperatingthecontrolleverstakessomepractice.

Westronglyrecommendthatyoulocatea reasonablylarge,levelandopen "practicearea"wheretherearenoobstructions,pedestrians,oranimals.You shouldpracticeoperatingtheridingmowerforaminimumof30minutes.

Carefullymove-- orhaveanexperiencedusermove--the ridingmower tothepracticearea.Whenperformingthe practicesession,the PTO shouldnotbeengaged.Whilepracticing,operatetheridingmower atapproximately1/2to 3/4throttleandat lessthanfull speedinboth

forwardandreverse. Carefullypracticemaneuveringtheridingmowerandproceedto driveas

describedin thefollowingDrivingtheRidingmowerForwardsection.

DRIVING THE RIDING MOWER

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops, j

1. Adjusttheoperator'sseatto themostcomfortablepositionthat allowsyouto operatethecontrols.See"AdjustingtheSeat" the Assemblysection.

2. ReleasetheparkingbrakeO.

3. MovetheRHand LHdrivecontrolleversinwardin theneutral position.Referto Figure13.

Control Lever Moved

inward and in Neutral

Figure13

NOTE:Ifthecontrolleversarenotevenintheneutralposition,refer to ServiceandMaintenancefor instructionstoadjustthe leverssothat theyareeven.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverforwardtotheFAST (fullthrottle)position.

NOTE:Althoughtheridingmower'sengineisdesignedto runat full throttle,whenperforminga practicesessiontheridingmowermustbe operatedatlessthanfullthrottle.Thisonlyappliesto practice.

Alwaysmaintainafirm griponthe controllevers.DONOTreleasethe controlleversto slowor stopthe ridingmower;moveleversto neutral positionusingyour hands.

5. Todrivetheridingmower,firmlygrasptherespectivedrivecontrol leverswithyourrightandleft handsandcontinuewithDrivingthe

RidingmowerForwardon thefollowingpage.

Driving the Riding mower Forward

Turning the Riding mower While Driving Forward

Keepall movementof thedrivecontrolleversslowandsmooth.

Abruptmovementofthe controlleverscanaffectthe stabilityofthe

ridingmowerandcouldcausetheridingmowerto flipover,which mayresultin seriousinjury ordeathto theoperator.

Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrive controlleversforward.The ridingmowerwill startto moveforward.SeeFigure14.

Driving Forward

Faster

Whenreversingthedirectionof travel,werecommendperforming gradual'U' turnswherepossible.Sharperturnsincreasethepossibil- ity ofturfdefacement,andcouldaffectcontrolofthe ridingmower. ALWAYSslowtheridingmowerbeforemakingsharpturns.

Toturn theridingmowerwhiledrivingforward,movethecontrollevers as necessarysothat oneleveris rearwardd theother.Theriding

mowerwill turninthe directionof the rearwardcontrollever.

1. Toturntotheleft,movetheleftdrivecontrolleverrearwardofthe rightlever.SeeFigure15.

Figure14

2. Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherforwardthespeedof the ridingmowerwill increase.

3. Toslowthe ridingmowermovethecontrolsleverrearwardto attainthedesiredspeed,ormovetheleverstotheneutralposition tostopthe ridingmower.

Alwaysmaintainyourgraspon the drivecontrollevers.Donot release the leversto slowthe ridingmowerorto returntoneutral.

Figure15

2. Toturntothe right,movetherightdrivecontrollever rearwardof theleft lever.SeeFigure16.

ForwardRightTurn F

-oZ-

Figure16

3. Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthe twolevers,the

sharpertheridingmowerwillturn.

4. Toexecuteazeroturnmovetheturnsidedrivecontrolleverto theinwardneutralposition,whilemovingtheothercontrollever

forward.

NOTE:Makingazeroturnongrasswillgreatlyincreasethepotential fordefacementoftheturf.

Driving the Riding mower in Reverse

Turning While Driving Rearward

1. Toturntheridingmowerwhiledrivingrearward,movethecontrol leversasnecessaryso thatoneleverisforwardofthe other.The

ridingmowerwillturninthedirectionof theforwardcontrollever.

Toturn tothe leftwhiletravelinginreverse,movethe left drive controlleverforwardofthe rightlever.See Figure18.

1. Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrivecontrolleversrearward.The ridingmowerwill startto moveinthe reversedirection.SeeFigure

17.

Figure17

Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherrearwardthe speedof the ridingmowerwill increase.

Toslowthe ridingmowermovethecontrolsleverforwardto attain thedesiredspeed,or movetheleversto theneutralpositionto stoptheridingmower.

Rearward Left Turn

Figure18

Toturn tothe rightwhiletravelinginreverse,movetherightdrive controlleverforwardoftheleft lever.SeeFigure19.

Rearward Right Turn

Figure19

4. Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthe twolevers,the sharperthe ridingmowerwillturn.

5. Toexecutea zeroturn,movetheturnsidedrivecontrolleverto theneutralposition,whilemovingtheother controlleverrearward.

NOTE:Makinga zeroturnon grasswill greatlyincreasethepotential fordefacementoftheturf.

Executing a Zero Turn

When executinga zeroturn,the ridingmowerMUSTBESTOPPED.

Executinga zeroturn whilethe ridingmowerismovingcansignifi-

cantlyreduceyourcontrolof theridingmowerandwillcausesevere turf defacementto occur.

Stopthe forwardor reversemotionof theridingmowerbymoving thetwodrivecontrolleverstoneutral.

2. Toturnclockwise,movetheleftcontrolleverforwardwhilesimulta- neouslymovingtherightcontrolleverrearward.SeeFigure20.

Clockwise Zero Turn

Figure20

3. Toturncounterclockwise,movetherightcontrolleverforwardwhile simultaneouslymovingtheleftcontrolleverrearward.SeeFigure21.

Counterclockwise

Zero Turn

2. Pushthe PTOswitchdownwardtothe DISENGAGEDposition.

3. Usethedecklift handleto raisethe decktoitshighestposition.

4. Ifdismountingtheridingmower,movethedrivecontrolleversfully outwardintheneutralposition,engagethe parkingbrakeO, move

thethrottle/chokecontrollevertothe FAST_ position,turnthe

ignitionswitchto STOP_ and removethekeyfromtheswitch.

Donot leavetheseatofthe ridingmowerwithoutdisengagingthe

PTO, movingdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardinthe neutralposition, andengagingthe parkingbrake.If leavingtheridingmowerunat- tended,turnthe ignitionkeyoffand removekey.

DRIVING ON SLOPES

Referto theslopegaugeinthe SafeOperationSectionto help

determineslopeswhereyoumaynot operatesafely.

Donot operateoninclineswitha slopein excessof15degrees(a

riseof approximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).The ridingmowercould overturnandcauseseriousinjury.

1. Alwaysdriveacrossslopes,neverupanddown.Controlthe speedanddirectionof theridingmowerusingprimarilythe control leveronthedownhillsideofthe ridingmower,withtheuphill

controlleverremainingessentiallyinafixedposition.

2. Avoidturningdownhillif possible.Startat thebottomof a slope andworkupward.Alwaysslowdownbeforeturning.

3. Useextracareandgo slowlywhenturningdownhill.

OPERATING THE PTO

Operatethe PTOclutchas follows:

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrollevertoapproximatelythemid throttleposition.

2. Pullthe PTOswitchupwardtothe ENGAGEDposition.

3. Advancethethrottle/chokelevertothe FAST_ position(full throttle).

4. Theoperatormustremainintheridingmowerseatat all times.If theoperatorshouldleavetheseatwithoutturningoffthe power take-offswitch,theridingmower'senginewillshutoff.

5. ThePTOclutchcannotbeoperatedwhenthe ridingmoweris drivinginthe reversedirection.ThePTOwilldisengagewhen

bothdrivecontrolleversaremovedtothe reverseposition,and

willre-engagewhenone(or both)controllever(s)is movedto the

neutralorforwardposition.

Figure21

STOPPING THE RIDING MOWER

1. Movebothdrivecontrolleverstotheneutralpositiontostopthe motionofthe ridingmower.

USING THE MOWER DECK

l Makecertaintheareato be mowedisfreeof debris,sticks,stones,

wireorother objectsthatcan bethrownbythe rotatingblades. ]

NOTE:Donotengagethe mowerdeckwhenloweredingrass. Prematurewearand possiblefailureofthe 'V" beltand PTOclutch willresult.Fullyraisethe deckormovetoa non-grassyareabefore engagingthe mowerdeck.

1. Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Ifmowinga slope,startat bottomandworkupwardtoensureturnsaremadeuphill.

2. Onthefirst passpicka pointon theoppositesideoftheareato be mowed.

3. Engagethe PTOclutchusingthe PTOswitchandmovethe throttle/chokecontrolto theFAST_ position.

4. Lowerthemowerdecktothe desiredheightsettingusingthelift handle.

5. Slowlyandevenlypushthe RHandLHdrivecontrollevers forwardtomovethe ridingmowerforward,andkeepthe riding mowerheadeddirectlytowardthealignmentpoint.

NOTE:The speedof theridingmowerwill affectthequalityof the mowercut.Mowingatfullspeedwilladverselyaffectthecut quality. Controlthegroundspeedwiththecontrollevers.

6. Whenapproachingtheotherendof thestrip,slowdownorstop beforeturning.AU-turnis recommendedunlessa zeroturn is required.

7. Alignthe mowerwithan edgeof themowedstripandoverlap approximately3".

8. Directtheridingmoweroneachsubsequentstripto alignwitha previouslycut strip.

9. Topreventruttingorgroovingof theturf,if possible,changethe directionthatthe stripsare mowedbyapproximately450for the nextandeachsubsequentmowing.

CHECKING SAFETY iNTERLOCK CiRCUiTS

Periodicallycheckthesafetyinterlockcircuitstoensuretheyare

workingproperly.If a safetycircuitis notworkingasdesigned,call

1-800-659-5917to scheduleridingmowerinspectionservicefrom SearsParts& Repair.DONOToperatethe ridingmowerifany safety circuitis notfunctioningproperly.Tocheckthe safetycircuits,proceed

asfollows:

1. Sittingin theridingmowerseatwithbothdrivecontrollevers openedfullyoutward,DISENGAGEthe parkingbrake0 and

momentarilyturn theignitionswitchtothe START_ position. Theengineshouldnotcrank.

2. Engagethe parkingbrake0 andpullthePTOswitchupwardto the ENGAGEDposition.Momentarilyturnthe ignitionswitchto theSTART_ position;theengineshouldnotcrank.

3. PushthePTOswitchdownwardtotheDISENGAGEDposition and ENGAGEtheparkingbrake0. Starttheengineandmove oneofthe drivecontrolleversfromthe fullyoutwardneutral position.Theengineshouldstoprunning.Repeattheprocedure withtheoppositecontrollever.

4. Movebothcontrolleversfullyoutwardintheneutralpositionand

DISENGAGEtheparkingbrake0; then liftupwardfromthe

operator'sseat.The engineshouldstop.

5. Withbothcontrolleversfullyoutwardinthe neutralpositionand theparkingbrakeENGAGED0, ENGAGEthe PTO.Liftupward fromtheoperator'sseat;theengineshouldstop.

6. Startthe ridingmower,DISENGAGEtheparkingbrake0, and movethecontrolleversinwardtothe neutraloperatingposition.

ENGAGEthe PTOand movebothcontrolleverslowlyintothe slowreverseposition;thePTOshoulddisengageandthemower deckshouldstopuntiloneor bothof thecontrolleversis moved tothe neutralorforwardposition.

Becarefulwhencrossinggravelpathsor driveways.Disengagethe

PTOandraisethedeckto thehighestpositionbeforecrossing.

NOTE:Whenstoppingtheridingmowerfor anyreasonwhileona grasssurface,always:

• Placethecontrolleversinneutral,

• Engagethe parkingbrake8,

• Shutengineoff andremovethekey.

• Doingso willminimizethe possibilityof havingyourlawn "browned"byhotexhaustfromyourridingmower'srunning engine.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeof maintenance/service,disengageall controlsandstopthe engine.Waituntilall movingpartshavecome toacompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireand grounditagainst theengineto preventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglasses duringoperationorwhile performingany adjustmentsor repairs.

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumnto keeptrack ofcompletedmaintenancetasks.To schedule service from Sears Parts& Repair,call 1-800-659-5917,,

Eachuse

Every25 hours

Every50 hours

Every100hours

Every500 hours Everyseason/Before

storage

Aftermowing

OnceMonthly

1. Engineoillevel.

2. Gasoline

3. Mowerandexhaustarea

4. HydraulicTransaxle

5. Tiresand pressure

6. Deck,moweranddrivebelts

7. Bladesandbolttightness

8. Safetyswitchoperation

1. Pre-Cleaner

2. SpindleBearings

3. SparkPlug

1. WearPoints

2. Greasefitting

1. AirCleaner

2. Oilandfilter

3. Coolingshroudsandcooling areas

4. FuelFilter

5. Sparkplug

6. Fastenersand components

1. Sparkplug

1. Pivotpoints

2. Controlhandle

3. Extensionspring

1. EngineIntakeScreen/Cover

2. Mowerandexhaustarea

3. Wearpoints

1. SpindlePulleys

2. V-Belt

1. Check

2. Check

3. Clean

4. Checkfor leaks

5. Check

6. Check

7. Check

8. Check

1. Service/Replace

2. Grease

3. Check

1. Lubricate

2. Lubricate

1. Replace

2. Change

3. Removeandclean

4. Replace

5. Change

6. Checkandsecure

1. Replaceandsetgap

1. Lubricate

2. Lubricate

3. Lubricate

4. Check

5. Clean

6. Lubricate

1. Clean

2. Clean

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengagethe PTO, movethedrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardintheneutralposition, engagetheparkingbrake,stoptheengineand removethekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Thoroughlywashyourhandswithsoapandwaterassoonas possibleafterhandlingusedoil.

Check Engine Oil

1. Checkoilbeforeeachuse.Stopengineandwaitseveralminutes beforecheckingoil level.Withengineon levelground,theoil must beto FULLmarkon dipstick.

2. Refertothe Assemblysectionofthismanualforinstructionson checkingtheoil.

Change Engine Oil and Filter

• Refertothe viscositychart(Figure21)for oil recommenda-

tions.Do notoverfill.SAE30 isrecommendedfor general,all temperatureuse.Usea 4-stroke,or anequivalenthighdetergent, premiumqualitymotoroilcertifiedtomeetor exceedU.S. automobilemanufacturer'srequirementsfor serviceclassification SF,SG,SH,SJ or higher.MotoroilsclassifiedSF,SG,SH,SJ will showthisdesignationon thecontainer.

a6 .

°22

iU L:F ¸3o

i...................................................................20

C C

10 _20

-30

Draining the Oil

1. Runthe enginefora shorttimetowarmtheengineoil.Theoil willflowmorefreelyandcarryawaymoreimpurities.Usecareto

avoidburnsfromhotoil.

2. Locatetheoildrainvalveontheleftsideoftheengine.SeeFigure22.

Figure22

3. Popopentheprotectivecapontheendof theoildrainvalveto exposethedrainport.Referto Figure22.Removetheoilfillcap/ dipstickfromtheoil fill tube.

4. Pushtheoildrainhose(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoildrain

port.Routetheoppositeendd thehoseintoanappropriateoilcollec-

tioncontainerwithatleasta2.5quartcapacity,to collecttheusedoil.

5. Turntheoildrainvalve1/4-turn,thenpulloutwardtobegindraining oil.Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,pushtheendoftheoildrain valvebackin andturn1/4-turntosecureit backinplace.Re-capthe endoftheoildrainvalvetokeepdebrisfromenteringthedrainport.

6. Cleantheareaaroundtheoil filter.Placeacontainerunderthe filtertocatchanyoiland removethefilter.See Figure23.

-- Below 40 ° F (4 ° C) the use of SAE 30W will result in hard starting.

** -- Above 80 ° F (27 °C) the use of 10W-30 may cause increased oil consumption, Check the oil level more frequently,

Figure21

NOTE:DOnotusenon-detergentoil or2-strokeengineoil. it could shortentheenginesservicelife.

o Changeengineoil afterthefirst fivetoeighthoursof operation,

andeveryfifty hoursoreveryseasonthereafter.Changeoilevery twentyfivehourswhenoperatingengineunderheavyloadorin hightemperatures.

23 Figure23

7. Placethe newfilterinan openpanwiththe opensidefacingup. Fillwith newoil untilthe oil reachedthebottomofthe threads.

Waittwo minutesfortheoil to beabsorbedbythefiltermaterial.

8. Applya thinfilmof cleanoilto the rubbergasketonthefilter.

9. Carefullyinstallthenewfilter.

10. Refilltheenginewiththerecommendedoil andcheckthe oil level;referto CheckingandAddingOilin theAssemblySection.

11.

Reinstalltheoilfillercap/dipsticksecurely.

12.

Reconnectsparkplugwire.

Air Filter and Pre=Cleaner

1. Removetheairfiltercover.SeeFigure24.

Spark Plug

DONOTcheckfora sparkwiththe sparkplugremoved.DONOT

cranktheenginewiththe sparkplugremoved.

Iftheenginehas beenrunning,themufflerwillbeveryhot. Becardul notto touchthemuffler.

Thesparkplugshouldbecheckedevery25hoursandchangedonce a seasonor every100hours.Toensureproperengineoperation,the sparkplugmustalsobe properlygappedandfreeofdeposits.

1. Removethesparkplugbootandusea sparkplugwrenchto removethe plug,Figure25.

Air Filter

Pre=Cleaner

Air

Figure24

2. Removetheairfilterandpre-cleaner.

3. Removethe pre-cleanerfromtheair filter.

4. Replaceorwashthe pre-cleanerinwarmwaterwithdetergent. Rinsethoroughlyandallowthepre-cleanerto air dry.

5. Closetheairfiltercover.

AirCleaner

1. Removetheairfiltercover.SeeFigure24.

2. Removetheairfilterandpre-cleaner.

3. Servicethepre-cleaneras instructedabove.

4. Installthe newor servicedpre-cleaneroverthenewaircleaner andinstall.

5. Closetheairfiltercover.

Spark

Pluc

Figure25

2. Visuallyinspectthe sparkplug.Discardthesparkplugif thereis anyapparentwear,or if theinsulatoris crackedorchipped.Clean thesparkplugwitha wire brushif it is tobe reused.

3. Measurethepluggapwitha feelergauge.Correctas necessary To Drainthe Fuel: bybendingthesideelectrode,Figure26.Thegapshouldbeset 1. Locatethefuelfilter,whichis routedontherightsideofthe

to.02-.03inches(0.60-0.80ram). enginebetweenthe fueltankandthe engine.SeeFigure27.

Electrode

Clamps_

.030 in.

(0.76ram)

Figure26

4. Checkthatthe sparkplugwasherisingoodconditionandthread thesparkplugin by handtopreventcross-threading.

5. Afterthesparkplugis seated,tightenwitha sparkplugwrenchto compressthe washer.

NOTE:Wheninstallinga newsparkplug,tighten1/2-turnafterthespark plugseatstocompressthewasher.Whenreinstallinga usedsparkplug, tighten1/8-to1/4-turnafterthe sparkplugseatstocompressthewasher.

Thesparkplugmustbetightenedsecurely.A loosesparkplugcan becomevery hotandcandamagetheengine.

Fuel Filter

Gasolineanditsvaporsareextremelyflammableandexplosive.Fire

or explosioncan causesevereburnsor death.

• Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat, andotherignitionsources.

• Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracks orleaks.Replaceif necessary.SeeaSearsorotherqualified servicedealerto replacefuelline.

• Beforereplacingthe fuelfilter,drainthefueltankor closethefuel shut-offvalve.

• Replacementpartsmustbethesameandinstalledinthesame positionasthe originalparts.

• If fuelspills,waituntilit evaporatesbeforestartingengine.

Figure27

2. Pinchthein-lineclamponthefuelfilterwithapairof pliers.

3. Slidetheclampup thefuelline.

4. Pullthefuel linefreefromthe filterandplacetheopenendofthe lineintoanapprovedcontainerto drainthefuel.

To Replacethe Fuel Filter:

1. Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltankorclosethefuelshut- offvalve.Otherwise,fuelcanleakoutandcauseafireorexplosion.

2. Usepliersto squeezetabson theclamps,thenslidetheclamps awayfromthefuelfilter.Twistandpullthe fuellinesoffof thefuel filter.Referto Figure26.

3. Checkthefuellinesforcracksorleaks.Replaceifnecessary.

4. Replacethefuelfilterwithanoriginalequipmentreplacementfilter.

5. Securethefuellineswiththeclamps.

HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION

Thezeroturnridingmoweris equippedwithdualintegratedhydrostatic

pumps/transaxlesthatare sealedandare maintenance-free.Fluid levelscannotbecheckedandfluidcannotbeaddedorchanged.

TIRE MAINTENANCE

Checkthetireairpressureafterevery50 hoursofoperationorweekly. Keepthetires inflatedtotherecommendedpressures.Improperinfla-

tionwill shortenthetireservicelife.Seethe tiresidewallfor proper

inflationpressures.Observethefollowingguidelines:

• Donotinflatea tireabovethemaximumpressureshownon the

sidewallof thetire.

• Donotreinflatea tirethathas beenrunflator seriouslyunder

inflated.Haveaqualifiedtiremechanicinspectandservicethe

tire.

LUBRiCATiON

Usinga pressurelubricatinggun, lubricatethefrontcastorwheel axlesandthefrontpivotaxlewith No.2 multipurposelithium greaseafterevery10hoursof service.

Periodicallylubricateallotherpivotpointswitha qualitylubricat-

ingoil.

GENERAL BATTERY iNFORMATiON

Shouldbatteryacidaccidentallysplatterintotheeyesor ontothe skin,rinsetheaffectedareaimmediatelywithcleancold water.If thereis anyfurtherdiscomfort,seekpromptmedicalattention.Ifacid spillsonclothing,firstdiluteit withcleanwater,thenneutralizewitha solutionofammonia/wateror bakingsoda/water.

NEVERconnect(ordisconnect)batterychargerclipstothebatterywhile thechargeris turnedon,asitcancausesparks.Keepallsourcesofignition

(cigarettes,matches,lighters)awayfromthebattery.Thegasgenerated duringchargingcanbecombustible.Asafurtherprecaution,onlycharge thebatteryina wellventilatedarea.Alwaysshieldeyesandprotectskin

_andcothngwhenworkngnearbatteres.

BATTERY REMOVAL

leadcompounds.Washhandsafterhandling.

Thebatteryislocatedonthe right/rearofthe ridingmowerbeneaththe seatboxframe.Toremovethebattery:

1. Removethetwohextappingscrewsfromthebatteryhold-down bracketandremovethebracket.Usecareto avoidlosingthetrim stripfromthebottomof thebracket.SeeFigure28.

Battery Hold Down Bracket

Hex Tap Screw

Batteriescontainsulfuricacidandmayemitexplosivegases.Useextreme cautionwhenhandlingbatteries.Keepbatteriesoutofthereachofchildren.

Battery Maintenance Thebatteryisfilled withbatteryacidandthensealedatthefactory.

However,evena "maintenancefree"batteryrequiressomemainte- nanceto ensureitsproperlife cycle.

Spraytheterminalsandexposedwirewitha batteryterminalsealer, orcoattheterminalswitha thincoatof greaseorpetroleumjelly,to protectagainstcorrosion.

Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof corrosion.

Avoidtipping.Evena sealedbatterywillleak electrolytewhentipped.

Figure28

2. Removethehexcapscrewandseresnutsecuringtheblack negativebatteryleadto thenegativebatterypost(markedMEG).

Movethecable awayfromthenegativebatterypost.

3. Removethehexcapscrewandseresnutsecuringtheredposi- tive batteryleadto thepositivebatterypost(markedPOS).

4. Carefullyliftthe batteryoutofthe ridingmower.

5. Installthebatteryby repeatingtheabovestepsinthe reverse order.

Alwaysconnectthepositiveleadtothe batterybeforeconnectingthe

negativelead.Thiswillpreventsparkingor possibleinjuryfroman

electricalshortcausedbycontactingthe ridingmowerbodywithtoolsI

Ibengusedtoconnectthecabes. j

Charging the Battery

1, Testand,ifnecessary,rechargethebatteryaftertheriding

mowerhasbeenstoredfor a periodoftime.

2. A voltmeterorloadtestershouldread12.6volts(DC)orhigher acrossthebatteryterminals,SeeFigure29,

Voltmeter Stateof Charging

Reading Charge Time

12.7 100% FullCharge

12.4 75% 90 Min.

12.2 50% 180 Min.

12.0 25% 280 Min. Figure29

3. Chargethebatterywitha 12-voltbatterychargerata MAXIMUM rateof 10amps.

SERViCiNG ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A fuseisinstalledto protecttheridingmower'selectricalsystemfrom damagecausedbyexcessiveamperage,Alwaysusethe samecapac- ityfusefor replacement.Iftheelectricalsystemdoesnotfunction,

checkfor a blownfuse. If youhavea recurringproblemwithblownfuses,call1-800-659-5917

toschedule electricalsystemservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

RELAYS AND SWITCHES

Thereareseveralsafetyswitchesintheelectricalsystem.Ifa function ofthe safetyinterlocksystemdescribedearlieris notfunctioningprop- erly,havethe electricalsystemcheckedbyyour SearsServiceCenter orto scheduleservice,simplycontactSearsat 1-800-4-MY-HOME®

USING THE DECK WASH SYSTEM

Whenusingthedeckwashsystem,neverengagethedeckfromany positionotherthantheoperator'sseatof theridingmower.Donot usean assistantorengagedeckin thepresenceofanybystanders.

Pullbackthelockcollarofthe nozzleadapterandpushthe adapterontothedeckwashnozzleat theleftendofthemower deck.Releasethelockcollarto locktheadapteron thenozzle.

Referto Figure30.

Deck Wash

Nozzle

Figure30

4. Turnonthe watersupply.

5. Fromthe ridingmoweroperator'sseat,startthe engineand engagethePTO.Allowto runas needed.Disengagethe PTO and stoptheengine.

6. Turnoffthe watersupply.

7. Pullbackthelockcollarofthe nozzleadaptertodisconnectthe adapterfromthe nozzle.

CLEANING THE SPINDLE PULLEYS

Oncea monthremovethebeltcoverstoremoveanyaccumulationof grassclippingsfromaroundthe spindlepulleysandV-belt.Cleanmore oftenwhenmowingtall,dry grass.

Attachthe nozzleadaptertoa standardgardenhoseconnected toa watersupply.

Movetheridingmowertoan areawithinreachof thehosewhere thedispersalofwetgrassclippingsisnotobjectionableto you. Disengagethe PTO,engagethe parkingbrake,andstopthe engine.

USING THE TRANSMiSSiON BYPASS RODS

Ifforany reasonthe ridingmowerwillnot driveor youwishtomovethe ridingmower,thetwohydrostatictransmissionsareequippedwitha bypassrodthatwill allowyou tomanuallymovetheridingmowershort

distances.

Donottowthe ridingmower,evenwiththebypassrodengaged. Serioustransmissiondamagewillresultfromdoingso.

1. Fromjustin frontofthetworeartires,locatethetransmission bypassrods.Referto Figure31.

forwardor rearwardwithintherangeofthe slotin eachcontrollever mountingbracket.

Toadjustthedrivecontrolleverheight,proceedasfollows:

1. Removetheflangelocknut,flatwasher,andhexscrewsecuring thelevertothe pivotbracket.

2. Whilesupportingthecontrolleverto keepitfromfalling,remove thehex insertflangelocknut andshoulderscrewfromthe bottom ofthe controlleverandpivotbracket.Referto Figure32.

Pivot Bracket

RH Transmission

Bypass Rod

RodThenLower

intoSlot

Keyhole Slot

Figure31

2. Pullonerodtowardthefrontof the ridingmoweruntiltheflange ontherod isforwardof the keyholeslotintheframeassembly.

3. Lowerthebypassrodintothe keyholeslotandreleasesotherod flangeis againstthefrontof theframebracket.

4. Repeattheaboveproceduretoengagetheotherbypassrodon theother sideof the ridingmower.

5. Aftermovingthe ridingmower,disengagebothbypassrods.Lift therodandguidethe flangeof therod backthroughthe larger circularopeningof thekeyhole,thenreleasetherod.

NOTE:Theridingmowerwillnotdrivewiththebypassrodsintheengage position.

ADJUSTMENTS

Shutthe engineoff,removetheignitionkeyand engagetheparking brakebeforemakingadjustments.Protectyour handsbyusingheavy

[goveswhenhand ngthebades.

PullOut Bypass

Flange

Nut

Fiat Washer

3. Repositionthecontrolleverto alignwith theothersetof holesin thepivotbracketandinserttheshoulderscrewremovedearlier.

Fastenwiththe hexinsertflangelock nutandtightenuntilsnug.

4. Insertthehexscrewwithwasherthroughthecontrolleverslot andthepivotbracket.Threadtheflangelocknutontothescrew, butdo nottightennow.

5. Ifyouaregoingto adjustthecontrolleversforwardorrearward, proceedtothe nextstep.Ifnot,fullytightentheflangelocknut.

Toadjustthedrivecontrolleversforwardor rearward,proceedasfollows:

1. Ifnotalreadyloose,loosentheflangelocknut androtatethe controllevereitherforwardor rearwardtothedesiredposition. See Figure31.

NOTE:Ifthecontrolleveristootightto move,slightlyloosenthehexinsert flangelocknutandshoulderscrewatthebottomofthecontrollever.

2. Tightentheflangelocknutto fixthecontrolleverintheadjusted position

3. Repeatthe aboveprocedureto adjusttheothercontrolleverinto thesameposition.Adjustsothatbothleversareevenwitheach otherwhen intheneutralposition.

Adjusting RH & LH Drive Control Levers

TheRHand LHdrivecontrolleverscanbe adjustedup ordownand fore-and-aftforthe comfortofthe operator.The drivecontrollevers canbeplacedineitherof two heightpositions,and/orcanbe moved

Leveling the Mower Deck

Whencorrectlyadjustedthemowerdeck shouldbelevelsidetoside, andthefrontof thedeckshouldbeapproximately1/4inchlowerthan

therearof deck. NOTE:Checktheridingmower'stirepressurebeforeperformingany

decklevelingadjustments.Seethetire sidewallforproperinflation pressures.

Side to Side Leveling If thecuttingdeckappearsto bemowingunevenly,a sidetoside

adjustmentcan be performed.Adjustif necessaryasfollows:

1. Withtheridingmowerparkedon a firm,levelsurface,placethe decklift handleinthetop notch(highestposition)androtateboth bladessothattheyare perpendiculartothe ridingmowerframe.

2. Lowerthedecktothe middleheightposition.

3. Measurethedistancefromtheoutsideleftbladetiptotheground andthedistancefromtheoutsiderightbladetip totheground. Themeasurementsshouldbeequal.If they'renot,proceedtothe

nextstep.

4. Comparingthetwo measurements,determinewhethertheright sideof thedeckmust beraisedorlowered.

Loosen,butdo not remove,thehexscrewonthe leftdeckhanger bracket.RefertoFigure33.

Front to Back Leveling

1. Thefrontofthedeckshouldbeapproximately1/4"lowerthanthe rearofthe deck.Adjustif necessaryas follows:

2. Withthedeckraisedoffofthe ground,rotatetheouterbladesso thattheyareparalleltothe frameofthe ridingmower.

3. Ifthesideto sidelevelingwasdonecorrectly,measuringjustthe

rightbladeshouldbeacceptabletoattainthecorrectbacktofront pitchofthe deck.

4. Measurethedistancefromthe fronttipof thebladeto the groundandthedistancefromthereartip tothe ground.Thefront distanceshouldbe approximately1/4"lessthantherear.If itis

not,proceedtothenextstep.

5. Ifthefrontof thedeckwastoolow,turntheflangelocknuts clockwiseagainstthehangerbracketto shortenthe fronthanger

rodand raisethefrontofthe deck.Referto Figure34.

Figure33

6. Levelthedeckbyusinga wrenchtoturntheadjustmentgear (foundimmediatelybehindthehex screwjustloosened)clock-

wisetolowertheleft sideofthe deck,or counterclockwiseto raisethe leftsideof thedeck.SeeFigure32.

7. Thedeckis properlyleveledwhenbothbladetip measurements takenearlierareequal.

8. Retightenthehex capscrewonthe rightdeckhangerbracket whenproperadjustmentisachieved.

Bracket

Front Hanger Rod

Figure34

Ifthefrontof thedeckwastoo high,turn theflangelock nuts

counterclockwisetolengthenthefronthangerrodandlowerthe frontofthe deck.

NOTE:Thedeckfronthangerrodshouldbeatthefrontoftheslots

ofthe frontdeckbracket.Ifonesideof therodisnotatthefrontof its

slot,turntheinnerflangelocknuton thatsideuntilrodjusttouchesthe

frontofthe slot.Then re-measureand re-adjustthefronthangerrodas

necessary.

Adjusting the Gauge Wheels

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningofthecuttingdeck.

NOTE:The deckgaugewheelsareananti-scalpfeatureofthedeck andarenotdesignedtosupporttheweightofthecuttingdeck.

Themowerdeckcuttingheightcan besetinanyof six heightsettings usingthe ridingmower'sdecklifthandle.Thedeckheightsrangefrom 1-1/2"to4".Thedeckgaugewheelpositionshouldbe approximately 1/4"to 1/2"abovethegroundwhenthedeckisset inthedesiredheight setting.

Usingthelift handle,setthedeckinthe desiredheightsetting,then checkthegaugewheeldistancefromthegroundbelow.Ifnecessary adjustasfollows:

1. Visuallycheckthedistancebetweenthefrontgaugewheeland theground.Ifthegaugewheelisnearortouchingtheground,it shouldberaised.Ifmorethan1/2"abovetheground,itshouldbe

lowered.

Removetheflangelocknutsecuringthefrontgaugewheel shoulderboltto thedeck.Removethe gaugewheelandshoulder bolt.Referto Figure35.

DECK REMOVAL

1. Removethemowerdeckfromtheridingmowerasfollows:

2. Movetheridingmowerto a levelsurface,disengagethe PTO, stoptheengine,andsetthe parkingbrake.

3. Movethedeckgaugewheelsor rollerstotheir highestsetting (lowestdecksetting).

4. Removethe'V' beltfromthePTOpulley,locatedonthe bottomof theengine,usingoneof thefollowingtwomethods..

Themufflerattherearoftheridingmowermaybeextremelyhot,andcould causeseriousburns.Useextremecautionwhennearthemuffler.AllowtheI

Imuffertofuy coobeforeremovngthebetfromthePTOpu ey. j

ReleasingBeltTensionwiththe IdlerPulley

a. Usingthedeck lifthandle,raisethedecktothe positionthat

providesthemosthorizontalrunof thebelt betweenthe deck idlerpulleysandthe PTOpulleyonthebottomoftheengine.

b. Workingfromthemiddleofthe ridingmower,pivottheidler

bracketandmovableidlerpulleyrearwardawayfromthe backsideofthe'V" beltjustfar enoughto liftthe beltupand overthe idlerpulley.SeeFigure36.

ulder Screw

....._ Front Gauge

Gaug

Bracket

//'

indexHoles

Lock Nut

Figure35

3. Insertthe shoulderboltintothe oneoffourindexholesin the front gaugewheelbracketthatwillgivethegaugewheela 1/4"to 1/2"

clearancewiththe groundandsecurewiththeflangelocknut.

4. Notetheindexholeofthe justadjustedwheel,andadjustthe rear gaugewheelintothe respectiveindexholesofthe othergauge

wheelbracketonthedeck.

Pull'idler Puiley ""

Rearward Movable idler

V-Beit

Figure36

c. Frombeneaththe rearofthe ridingmower,slidethebeltoff

ofthe PTOpulleyonthebottomoftheengine.

RollingtheBeltoff the PTOPulley

a. Usingthedeck lifthandle,raisethedecktothe positionthat

providesthemosthorizontalrunof thebelt betweenthe deck idlerpulleysandthe PTOpulleyonthebottomoftheengine.

b. Sittingbehindtheridingmowerfacingforward,reach

beneaththe ridingmowerto graspthebeltatthefrontofthe

PTOpulley.

Usecautiontoavoidpinchingyourfingerswhenrollingthebeltoff the PTOpulley.

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