Craftsman 247289010 Owner’s Manual

perator's

I:RAFrSMAN°

LAWN TRACTOR

17.5 HP

7 Speed, Shift-on=the=Go

42" Deck

Model No. 247.28901

• Espanol, P. 59

This product has a low emission engine which operates differently

from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and

understand this Operator's Manual.

For answers to your questions about

Before using this equipment, 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 FormNo.769-05667B

this product, Call:

1-800=659=5917

CraftsmanTractorHelpLine

7 am = 7 pm CT, Mort. =Sun.

(February12,2010)

Off-Season Storage ........................................................ 27

Trou bleshooting .............................................................. 28

Labels ............................................................................. 29

Parts List ......................................................................... 30

Espafiol ............................................................................ 59

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

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

Whenoperatedand maintainedaccordingtoallsuppliedinstructions,ifanynon-expendablepartof thisridingequipmentfailsdueto a defectin materialor workmanshipwithintwo yearsfromthedate orpurchase,call1-800-659-5917toarrangeforfreein-homerepair.

Theframeandfrontaxlewillbe repairedfreeofchargeforfiveyearsfromthedateof purchaseifdefectiveinmaterialorworkmanship. Alloftheabovewarrantycoverageappliesforonly90 daysfromthedateof purchaseifthisridingequipmentiseverusedfor commercialor

rentalpurposes. Inallcases,ifrepairprovesimpossible,theridingequipmentwillbe replacedfree of chargewiththesameoran equivalentmodel. Thebatterywillbereplacedfreeofchargefor90 daysfromthe dateofpurchaseifdefectiveinmaterialorworkmanship(ourtestingprovesthat it

willnotholda charge). Thiswarranty coversONLYdefects in material andworkmanship. Sears will NOTpayfor:

Expendableitemsthatbecomewornduringnormaluse,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,sparkplugs,aircleaners,belts, andoilfilters.

Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,ortune-ups.

Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,or glass.

Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationormaintenance.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnot limitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthe capabilityoftheridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframeorcrankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecaused byimproperstorage,failuretousethepropergradeandamountofengineoil, failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammable debris,orfailureto maintainthe ridingequipmentaccordingto theinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningorrepairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).In general,fuel shouldbeusedwithin30daysofitspurchasedate.

Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantyappliesonlywhilethisproductiswithinthe UnitedStates.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstateto state.

Sears BrandsManagementCorporation, HoffmanEstates,IL 60179

GrossHP: 17.5 EngineOil: SAE30

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC

Engine: Briggs& StrattonI/C®

Model Number: Serial Number:

Dateof Purchase:

Recordthe modelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

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

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera- tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroron thepartoftheoperatorcanresultin serious injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateofCalifornia tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson the machineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate. Keepthis manualina safeplaceforfutureand regularreference andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhow tostopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldtooperatethismachine. Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadandunderstandthe operationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthismanualandshould betrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethismachinewithoutproper instruction.

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

thearea.

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

• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawall orobstructionwhichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.

Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseof this powermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsandinstruc-

tionsin thismanualandon themachine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperformingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbe caughtin movable parts.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeetorsandals.

• Beawareofthe mowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand do notpointit at anyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthe dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherinits properplace.

Donot puthandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwiththe blade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet. A missingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontact

or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,or roads andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineis notintendedforuseonanypublicroadway.

• Donot operatethemachinewhileundertheinfluenceof alcohol or drugs.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Disengageblade(s)beforeshiftingintoreverse.Backupslowly. Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile backingto avoida

back-overaccident.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethe machinesmoothly.Avoid erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

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

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff blade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeybefore dismounting.

Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoa trailerortruck.Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupor down ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtipover,causingserious personalinjury.Themachinemustbe pushedmanuallyon ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causea burn.Donot touch.

Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow hangingtree branches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe operatormaybestruckorpulledfromthemachine,whichcould resultinseriousinjury.

Disengageallattachmentclutchesanddepressthebrakepedal completelybeforeattemptingto startengine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassof a heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpilesofdry leaves.Drygrassor leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedforthis machine bythemachinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall instructionsprovidedwiththe approvedaccessoryorattachment. Fora list ofapprovedaccessoriesandattachments,call 1-800-

659-5917. Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilityto operatetheriding mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom seriousinjury.

If situationsoccurwhicharenot coveredinthismanual,usecare andgoodjudgment.Contact1-800-659-5917forinformationand

assistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-over accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeor ifyoufeel uneasyon it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usethe SlopeGuideincludedaspartofthis manual to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthismachineona slopedor hilly area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe Slope Guide,do notoperatethis machineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

Mowupanddown slopes,notacross.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orother hiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingso that youwillnothavetostopor shiftwhileon theslope.Tiresmay losetractionon slopeseventhoughthe brakesarefunctioning properly.Alwayskeepmachinein gearwhengoingdownslopes totakeadvantageof enginebrakingaction.

• Followthe manufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweights or counterweightstoimprovestability.Forrecommendations,call

1-800-659-5917.

• Useextracarewithgrasscatchersorotherattachments.These canchangethestabilityofthe machine.

Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donot make suddenchangesinspeedor direction.Rapidengagementor brakingcouldcausethefrontofthemachineto lift andrapidlyflip overbackwardswhichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

• Avoidstartingorstoppingona slope.Iftireslosetraction,disen- gagetheblade(s)andproceedslowlystraightdownthe slope.

DoNot:

• Donot turnon slopesunlessnecessary;then,turnslowlyand graduallydownhill,ifpossible.

• Donot mowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments.The mower couldsuddenlyturnoverifa wheelis overtheedgeofacliff, ditch,or ifanedgecavesin.

• Donot try tostabilizethemachineby puttingyourfooton the ground.

• Donot usea grasscatcheron steepslopes.

• Donot mowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donot attempttocoastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausethe operatortolosecontrolofthemachineresultinginseriousinjury

or death.

• Donot towheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart, lawnroller,etc.)onslopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing downhill,theextraweighttendstopushthetractorandmay causeyoutoloosecontrol(e.g.tractormayspeedup,brakingand steeringabilityarereduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause tractorto overturn).

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothe presence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothemachineandthe mowing activity.Theydonotunderstandthe dangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutof the mowingareaand inwatchfulcareofa responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifa childentersthe area.

• Beforeandwhilebacking,lookbehindanddownforsmall children.

Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththe blade(s)shutoff.Theymay falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine operation.

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

Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwaysdisengagethecutting blade(s)beforeshiftingintoReverse.Ifequipped,the"Reverse CautionMode"(bladesoperatewhilemachineridesinreverse)

shouldnotbe usedwhenchildrenorothersarearound. Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedto preventunauthorized operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofageto operatethismachine. Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon the machineandshould betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywithamachinethathasa hitchdesignedfortowing.Do notattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfor towedequipmentandtowingonslopes.For recommendations,

call1-800-659-5917. Neverallowchildrenor othersinorontowedequipment.

Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof tractionandlossofcontrol.

Alwaysuseextracautionwhentowingwitha machinecapableof makingtightturns(e.g."zero-turn"ride-onmower). Makewide turnstoavoidjack-knifing.

Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop. Donotcoastdownhill.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthe vaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled on yourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleorona truckortrailer bed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwithaportablecontainer,rather

thanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.

Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimof thefueltankor containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuse a nozzlelock-opendevice.

Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuel machineindoors. Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineishotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolat leasttwominutesbeforerefueling. Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltankto no morethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineandequipment.Move machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilorfuelspillageandremoveany fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlightasonawaterheater,spaceheater, furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

Allowa machineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe blade(s)andallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocomplete stopwithinapproximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthe bladedisengagementcontrol.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthe thistimeframe,yourmachineshouldbeservicedprofessionally byaSearsorotherqualifiedservicedealer.

• Checkbrakeoperationfrequentlyasitissubjectedtowearduring normaloperation.Adjustandserviceasrequired.

• Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s) fordamage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked).Replacethe blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.) blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis

insafeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafety devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

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

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothemachine whilethe engineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoveraresubject towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsorallow objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis manual.Useof partswhichdo not meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donot changetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed oftheengine.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsfor gas,oil, etc.to protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingtothe ConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC) andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct hasanAverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or 270hours ofoperation.AttheendoftheAverageUsefulLife,buyanew machineor havethemachineinspectedannuallybya Searsor otherqualifiedservicedealerto ensurethatall mechanicaland safetysystemsareworkingproperlyandnot wornexcessively.

Failuretodoso canresultinaccidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoid seriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththe governorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand causeittooperateatunsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

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

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand shouldnotbe usedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered, brushcoveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(ifany).

Ifa sparkarresteris used,it shouldbe maintainedin effectiveworking orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveisrequired bylaw(Section4442of the CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarresterforthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product. Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthemachine beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident.

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate hands and feet.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

BYSTANDERS Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in

operation.

WARNING-- SLOPE OPERATION

Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees.

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and muffler to cool before touching.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass

catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.

SLOPE GUIDE

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ROTATING BLADES CAUSE

SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

DONOTMOWWHENCHILDRENOROTHERSARE AROUND

NEVERCARRYCHILDRENEVENWITHBLADE(S)OFF. LOOKDOWNANDBEHINDBEFOREANDWHILE BACKING.

MOWINGINREVERSEISNOTRECOMMENDED.

WARNING

Thissymbol points out important safety instructions which, if notfollowed,could endangerthe personal

safety and/or propertyof yourself and others. Readand follow allinstructions inthis manualbeforeattempting

to operatethis machine.Failuretocomply with these instructions mayresultin personalinjury.When you see this symbol HEED ITS WARNING!

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe useof this powermachineto persons who

read, understand,and follow thewarnings and instruc- tions in this manual and on the machine.

IMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroil in theengine. However,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.Refertothe Service& Maintenancesectionforinstructionson checkingtheoil

level. Attaching the Battery Cables

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red) wireto its terminalfirst,followedby the NEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmentmay havebeenleftdisconnectedfromthe terminalsat thefactory.To connectthebatterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).The negative batteryterminalis markedNeg.(-).

1. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthepositivebattery terminaland attachthe redcableto thepositivebatteryterminal (+)withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure1.

2. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthenegativebattery terminaland attachtheblackcabletothenegativebattery terminal(-) withthebolt andhex nut.SeeFigure1.

Shipping Brace Removal

Makesurethe ridingmower'sengineisoff,removetheignitionkey,

andset the parkingbrakebeforeremovingtheshippingbrace.Refer

ItotheOperationsectionfor instructionsonhowto settheparking lbrake.

• Locatethe shippingbrace,ifpresent,andaccompanyingwarning tagfoundonthe rightsideofthemower,betweenthe discharge chutedeflectorandthecuttingdeck.SeeFig.2.

Figure2

Figure1

3. Positionthe redrubberboot overthepositivebatteryterminalto helpprotectitfromcorrosion.

NOTE:If thebatteryisputintoserviceafterthedateshownon topof battery,chargethebatteryas instructedintheService& Maintenance sectionofthis manualpriortooperatingthetractor.

Placethedecklift leverinthe highestcuttingposition.Referto

SettingtheCuttingHeightin theOperationsectionofthismanual. Whilepushingthedischargechuteddlectortowardsthemachinewith

yourlefthand,removetheshippingbracewithyourrighthandbygrasp- ingitbetweenyourthumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

Theshippingbrace,usedfor packagingpurposesonly,mustbe

removedand discardedbeforeoperatingyourridingmower.

Themowingdeck iscapableofthrowingobjects.Failureto operate the ridingmowerwithoutthedischargecoverin theproperoperating

Ipositioncouldresultin seriouspersonalinjuryand/orproperty ldamage.

Attaching The Steering Wheel

Ifthesteeringwheelforyourtractordid notcomeattached,the hardwareforattachingithasbeenpackedwithinthesteeringwheel, beneaththesteeringwheelcap.Carefullypryoff thesteeringwheel capandremovethe hardware.

1. Withthewheelsofthetractorpointingstraightforward,placethe steeringwheeloverthesteeringshaft.

2. Placethewasher(withthecuppedsidedown)overthesteering wheeland securewiththehex bolt.SeeFig.3-3.

Figure3

3. Placethe steeringwheelcap overthecenterofthe steering wheeland pushdownwarduntilit"clicks"intoplace.

Attaching The Seat If theseatforyourtractorwasnotattachedat thefactory,refertothe

followingsteps. NOTE: Forshippingreasons,seatsareeitherfastenedtothetractor

seat'spivotbracketwitha plastictie,ormountedbackwardtothepivot bracket.Ineithercase,freethe seatfromitsshippingpositionand removethe adjustmentknobfromthebottomofseatbeforeproceed- ingwiththe instructionsbelow.

1. Positionthe shoulderscrews(foundon the baseofthe seat) insidethe slotopeningsintheseatpivotbracket. Fig.4.

2. Slidetheseat slightlyrearwardin theseatpivot bracket,lining up thecenterrearslotin thepivotbracketwiththeremaininghole

in theseat'sbase.

Figure4

3. Selectdesired positionfor theseat,and securewiththe adjust- mentknobremovedearlier.

4. Toadjustthepositionof the seat,loosentheadjustmentknob

on thebottomoftheseat.Slidetheseatforwardor backwardas desired.Retightentheadjustmentknob.

Tire Pressure

Maximumtire pressureunderanycircumstancesis30 psi.Equal

tirepressureshouldbe maintainedatalltimes.Neverexceedthe

_maxmum nfatonpressureshownonthe sdewa of thet re. Therecommendedoperatingtirepressureis:

Approximately10psi forthe reartires Approximately14psiforthefronttires

IMPORTANT: Refertothetire sidewallforexacttire manufacturer's recommendedormaximumpsi.Donot overinfiate.Uneventirepres-

surecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

Figure5

A SpeedControlLever/ ParkingBrakeLever B Throttle/chokecontrollever

C IgnitionSwitchModule D Deck LiftLever

E PTOLever(BladeEngage)

F Cup Holder

G ShiftLever H Clutch-BrakePedal

NOTE: AnyreferenceinthismanualtotheRIGHTor LEFTsideofthetractoris observedfromoperator'sseat positionfacingforwardtowardsthefrontof tractor.

Meets ANSi Safety Standards

CraftsmanTractorsconformtothesafetystandardof theAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

SPEED CONTROL LEVER

Thespeedcontrollever,locatedontheleft sideofthe tractor'sdashconsole,allowsyouto regulatetheground speedof thelawntractor.Touse,depresstheclutch- brakepedalandmovetheleveroutoftheparkingbrake notchandforwardtoincreasethetractor'sgroundspeed. Whenadesiredspeedhasbeenreached,releasethe leverintoanappropriatenotchto maintainthatspeed.

Toslowthetractor'sgroundspeed,depressthe clutch- brakepedalandmovethespeedcontrolleverrearward

andreleaseit intoa notch.

PARKING BRAKE

Tosettheparkingbrake,fullydepresstheclutch-brake _._J pedal.Movethe speedcontrolleverallthewaydownand BRAKE intothe parkingbrakeposition.Releasethe clutch-brake pedaltoallowtheparkingbraketo engage.

Toreleasetheparkingbrake,depresstheclutch-brakepedaland movethespeedcontrolleveroutof thenotchestothedesiredposition. Releasethe speedcontrolleverandtheclutch-brakepedal.

NOTE:Theparkingbrakemustbe setifthe operatorleavestheseat withtheenginerunningor theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff.

THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL LEVER

Thethrottle/chokecontrolleverislocatedontherightsideof thetrac- tor'sdashpanel.Thislevercontrolsthe speedoftheengineandwhen pushedallthewayforward,thechokecontrolalso.Whensetina given position,thethrottlewillmaintaina uniformenginespeed.

iMPORTANT:Whenoperatingthetractorwiththecuttingdeck engaged,thethrottle/chokecontrollevermustalwaysbein theFAST (rabbit)position.

IGNITION SWITCH MODULE

Thekeyswitchmoduleisusedto startand stoptheengine.Itis also

usedto activatetheReverseCaution Mode(bladesoperatewhileriding

in reverse).Insertkeyintothekey switchmoduleandturn clockwiseto

theSTARTposition.Releasethekey intothe normalmowingpositiononce enginehasstarted.Theheadlights willbeactivatedin theNormal(and ReverseCaution)modes.

Tostoptheengine,turnthe ignitionkey counterclockwisetotheSTOPposition.

IMPORTANT:Priorto operatingthetractor,refertoboththe"Safety InterlockSystem"and"StartingTheEngine"laterinthissectionofthis manualfordetailedinstructionsregardingtheIgnitionSwitchModule andoperatingthetractorinREVERSECAUTIONMODE.

CHILDREN AROUND

PARK

SHIFT LEVER

Theshiftleverislocatedontheleft

sideof thefenderandhasthree positions,FORWARD,NEUTRAL

and REVERSE.Theclutch-brake

pedalmustbedepressedandthe

tractormustnotbe inmotionwhen themovingshiftlever.

iMPORTANT:Neverforcethe shiftlever.Doingsomayresultin

seriousdamagetothetractor's

transmission.

DECK LIFT LEVER

Foundonyour tractor'srightfender,thedeckliftleveris used

tochangetheheightofthecuttingdeck.Touse,movethe

levertotheleft,thenplacein thenotchbestsuitedfor your

application.

PTO (BLADE ENGAGE) LEVER

Foundonthe tractor'srightfender,the PTO(bladeengage) leveris usedtoengagepowertothecuttingdeckorother (separatelyavailable)attachments.Tooperate,movethe leverallthewayforward.Movingtheleverallthe way rearwardintothePTOOFFpositiondisengagespowertothe

cuttingdeck/attachment.

NOTE:ThePTO(bladeengage)levermustbe inthe

disengaged(PTOOFF)positionwhenstartingtheengine.

CUP HOLDER

Thetractor'scupholderis locatedonthefendertotheleft of theseat.

SEAT ADJUSTMENT KNOB

Theseatadjustmentknobislocatedonthebottomsideoftheseat.

Usethisknobtoadjusttheseatforwardor rearwardtoacomfortable operatingpositionbylooseningtheknob,positioningtheseatto the desiredpreference,thenretighteningthe knob.

CLUTCH-BRAKE PEDAL

Theclutch-brakepedalislocatedontheleft sideofthelawntractor, alongtherunningboard.Depressthe clutch-brakepedalpartway downwhenslowingthetractorbychangingspeeds(RefertoSpeed

ControlLever).Depressthepedalallthewaydownto engagethedisc

brakeandbringthetractortoacompletestop.

NOTE:Thepedalmustbe depressedto startthe engine.Referto

SafetyInterlockSwitcheslaterin thissectionof thismanual.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO (BladeEngageLever),moveshiftleverintoneutralposition,setpark- ingbrake,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Gas and Oil Fill=up 0il

iMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroilintheengine.

However,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.Becareful notto overfill.

Forinstructionsonhowtochecktheengineoil, referto CheckingThe EngineOilin the ServiceandMaintenancesectionofthis manual.

Gasoline

Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthehood.Donotoverfill.

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelmachineindoors

orwhiletheengineishotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,

[ppes,andothersourcesof gn t on. NOTE : Purchasegasolineinsmallquantities.Do notusegasolineleft

overfromthe previousseason,to minimizegumdepositsinthefuel system.

• Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonunleadedgasoline.Forbest results,fillthefueltankwithonlyclean,fresh,unleadedgasoline witha pumpstickeroctaneratingof87or higher.

• Gasohol(upto 10%ethylalcohol,90%unleadedgasolineby volume)isanapprovedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblends,such asE85,arenot approved.

• MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends (uptoa maximumof15%MTBEbyvolume)are approvedfuels. Othergasoline/etherblendsare notapproved.

• Fillfueltankoutdoorsorin well-ventilatedarea.

• Donotoverfillfueltank.Filltankto no morethan1/2inchbelow bottomoffillernecktoallowspacefor fuel expansion.

• Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhilethe engineis hotor run- ning.Allowenginetocoolatleasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

• Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.Move machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe engine.

To Add Gasoline

1. Turntheengineoff andletenginecoolat least2 minutesbefore removingthe fuelcap.Thegasolinetankis underthe rearfender, withthefuelfill cap locatedinthe centerofthe rearfender. Thefuel capistetheredto thetractortopreventitsloss.Donot attempttoremovethecapfromthetractor.

2. Fillthefuel tankwithgasoline.

3. Reinstallthefuelcap.

For California Models: ForCaliforniamodelsequippedwitha tethered,ratchetingfuelcap,

STOPfillingtankoncefuelis seeninsidethefiller neck. Thisensures thata properexpansionvolumeiscreated,otherwisethefuelcanover- flowcreatingahazardoussituation.DoNOTfilltothe top ofthefiller neck.On Californiamodels,fillthetank inaccordancewith Figure6.

Figure6

Avoid Serious injury or Death

• Goupanddownslopes,notacross.

• Avoidsuddenturns.

• Donot operatetheunitwhereitcouldslipor tip.

• Ifmachinestopsgoinguphill,stopbladesand backdownhill slowly.

• Donot mowwhenchildrenorothersarearound.

• Nevercarrychildren,evenwithbladesoff.

• Lookdownand behindbeforeandwhilebacking.

• Keepsafetydevices(guards,shields,and switches)inplace andworking.

• Removeobjectsthatcouldbethrownby the blades.

• Knowlocationandfunctionofallcontrols.

• Besurebladesandenginearestoppedbeforeplacinghandsor feetnearblades.

• Beforeleavingoperator'sposition,stoptractor,disengage blades,engageparkingbrake,shutengineoff,and removekey.

Read Operator's Manual

SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEM

Thesafetyinterlocksystemis designedforsafeoperationofthetrac- tor.If thissystemshouldevermalfunction,donot operatethetractor, immediatelycontact1-800-4-MY-HOMEto havethesystemserviced.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventsthe enginefromstarting unlesstheparkingbrakeisengagedandthe PTO(BladeEngage) leveris inthedisengaged(OFF)position.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutoffthe engineif theoperatorleavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutoffthe engine if theoperatorleavesthetractor'sseatwiththePTO(Blade

Engage)leverengaged,regardlessof whetherthe parkingbrake

is engaged.

REVERSE CAUTION MODE

UseextremecautionwhileoperatingthetractorintheREVERSE CAUTIONMODE.Alwayslookdownand behindbeforeandwhile backing.Donotoperatethetractorwhenchildrenorothersare around.Stopthetractorimmediatelyif someoneentersthearea.

TheREVERSECAUTIONMODEpositionofthekeyswitchmodule allowsthetractorto beoperatedinreversewiththeblades(PTO) engaged.

iMPORTANT: Mowinginreverseisnotrecommended. Touse theREVERSECAUTIONMODE:

iMPORTANT: The operatorMUSTbeseatedinthe tractorseat.

1. Startengineasinstructedunderthe headingStartingTheEngine laterinthissection.

2. TurnthekeyfromtheNORMALMO%NG(Green)positiontothe REVERSECAUTIONMODE(Yellow)positionofthe keyswitch module.SeeFigure7.

3. DepresstheREVERSEPUSHBUTTON(Orange,Triangular Button)atthetop,rightcornerofthekeyswitchmodule.The red indicatorlight at thetop,leftcornerofthekeyswitchmodulewill beONwhileactivated.SeeFigure7.

ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE

To engage the parking brake:

1. Fullydepresstheclutch-brakepedalandholditdownwithyour foot.

2. Movethe speedcontrolleverall the waydownandintothe parkingbrakeposition.

3. Releasetheclutch-brakepedaltoallowtheparkingbraketo

engage.

To release the parking brake:

1. Depresstheclutch-brakepedaland movethe speedcontrollever outofthe parkingbrakepositionandintoadesiredspeed.

SETTING THE CUTTING HEIGHT

1. Selecttheheightpositionofthecuttingdeckbyplacingthedeck

liftleverin anyofthesixdifferentcuttingheightnotchesonthe rightsideofthefender.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningofthecutting

deck.

STARTING THE ENGINE

f Reverse

Push

indicator Light BUTTON--'_

Reverse

REVERSE PUSH

Button

Caution - Normal Mode Driving

Position Mode

Stop

position

Figure 7

4. Onceactivated(indicatorlightON),thetractorcanbedrivenin reversewiththecuttingblades(PTO)engaged.

5. Alwayslookdownand behindbeforeandwhilebackingtomake surenochildrenarearound.

6. Afterresumingforwardmotion,returnthekeytothe NORMAL MO%NG position.

iMPORTANT: The REVERSECAUTIONMODEwillremainactivated until:

ThekeyisplacedineithertheNORMALMO%NGposition orSTOPposition.

Theoperatorengagestheparkingbrakebyfullydepressing theclutch-brakepedalandholdingit downwhilemovingthe speedcontrolleverintothePARKBRAKEposition.

Donot operatethetractoriftheinterlocksystemis malfunctioning.

Thissystemwasdesignedforyoursafetyand protection.

NOTE:Refertothe GasolineandOilfill-upinstructionsearlierin this section.

1. Insertthetractorkeyintotheignitionswitch.

2. PlacethePTO(BladeEngage)leverin thedisengaged(OFF) position.

3. Engagethetractor'sparkingbrake.

4. Activatethechokecontrolbymovingthethrottle/chokeleverall

thewayupintothechokeposition.

5. Turnthe ignitionkeyclockwisetothe STARTposition.Afterthe

enginestarts,releasethekey.ItwillreturntotheON(or Normal

Mowing)position.

DO NOTholdthekeyinthe STARTpositionforlongerthanten

secondsata time. Doingsomaycausedamagetoyourengine's electricstarter.

6. Aftertheenginestarts,deactivatethe chokecontrolandplacethe

throttlecontrolin theFASTposition.

NOTE:DoNOTleavethechokecontrolon whileoperatingthetractor. Doingsowillresultina "rich"fuelmixtureandcausetheengineto run poorly.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

If youstrikea foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthespark plugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthe machinefor anydamage.Repairthedamagebeforerestartingand operating

1. Ifthe bladesareengaged,placethePTO(BladeEngage)leverin thedisengaged(OFF)position.

2. TurntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheSTOPposition.

3. Removethe keyfromthe ignitionswitchto preventunintended starting.

DRIVING THE TRACTOR

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

DonotleavetheseatofthetractorwithoutfirstplacingthePTO

(BladeEngage)leverinthedisengaged(OFF)position,depressing Ithebrakepedalandengagingtheparkingbrake.Ifleavingthetractor [unattended,alsoturntheignitionkeyoffand removethekey.

Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebackingupto avoida

back-overaccident.

1. Depresstheclutch-brakepedaltoreleasetheparkingbrakeand

thenlet thepedalup.

2. MovethethrottleleverintotheFAST(rabbit)position.

3. Placethe shiftleverineitherthe FORWARDor REVERSE

position.

IMPORTANT: DoNOTusetheshiftleverto changethedirectionof travelwhenthe tractorisin motion.Alwaysusetheclutch-brakepedal tobringthetractortoa completestopbeforeshifting.

4. Releasetheparkingbrakebydepressingtheclutch-brakepedal

andpositioningthespeedcontrolleverinthedesiredposition.

IMPORTANT: First-timeoperatorsshouldusespeedpositions1or

2.Becomecompletelyfamiliarwiththetractor'soperationandcontrols beforeoperatingthe tractorinhigherspeedpositions.

5. Releaseclutch-brakepedalslowlytoputunit intomotion.

6. Thelawntractorisbroughttoastopbydepressingthe clutch-

brakepedal.

NOTE:Whenoperatingtheunit initially,therewillbe littledifference betweenthe highesttwospeedsuntil afterthe beltshaveseated themselvesintothepulleysduringthebreak-inperiod.

WARNING!Beforeleavingtheoperator'spositionforanyreason,

disengagetheblades,placetheshiftleverinneutral,engagethe

parkingbrake,shutengineoff andremovethekey. IMPORTANT: Whenstoppingthe tractorforany reasonwhileona

grasssurface,always:

1. Placetheshiftleverinneutral,

2. Engagetheparkingbrake,

3. Shutengineoffand removethekey.Doingsowillminimizethe possibilityofhavingyourlawn"browned"byhotexhaustfrom yourtractor'srunningengine.

Ifunitstallswithspeedcontrolinhighspeed,orif unitwill not operate

withspeedcontrolleverina lowspeedposition,proceedas follows:

1. PlaceshiftleverinNEUTRAL.

2. Restartengine.

3. Placespeedcontrolleverinhighestspeedposition.

4. Releaseclutch-brakepedalfully.

5. Depressclutch-brakepedal.

6. Placespeedcontrolleverindesiredposition.

7. Placeshiftleverineither FORWARDor REVERSE,andfollow normaloperatingprocedures.

DRIVING ON SLOPES

RefertotheSLOPEGAUGEintheSafetyInstructionssectionofthe manualto helpdetermineslopeswhereyoumayoperatethistractor safely.

Donot mowon inclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a rise ofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).The tractorcouldoverturn andcauseseriousinjury.

• Mowupanddown slopes,NEVERacross.

• Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orother hiddenobjects. Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

• Avoidturnswhendrivingon a slope.If a turnmustbe made,turn

downthe slope.Turningupa slopegreatlyincreasesthe chance ofa rollover.

• Avoidstoppingwhendrivingup a slope.If itisnecessarytostop

whiledrivingupa slope,startupsmoothlyandcarefullyto reduce thepossibilityofflippingthetractoroverbackward.

ENGAGING THE BLADES

Engagingthe PTO(BladeEngage)transferspowertothecuttingdeck or other(separatelyavailable)attachments.Toengagethe blades, proceedasfollows:

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrollevertotheFAST(rabbit)position.

2. Graspthe PTO(BladeEngage)leverandpivotitall theway

forwardintotheengaged(ON)position.

3. Keepthethrottleleverinthe FAST(rabbit)positionforthe most

efficientuseofthe cuttingdeckorother(separatelyavailable) attachments.

NOTE:Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff if the PTOisengaged withtheshiftleverinpositionfor reversetravelwiththe ignitionkeyin the NORMALMOWINGposition.

MULCHING

A mulch kitisavailableasanattachment.Mulching isa processof

recirculating grass clippings repeatedly beneaththe cutting deck.

Theultra-fineclippings are then forcedbackinto the lawnwhere

they act asanaturalfertilizer.

A mulchkit canbe purchased,SeetheReplacementParts& Attach- mentssectionofthismanualformoreinformation.

USING THE DECK LIFT LEVER

Toraisethecuttingdeck,movethedecklift levertothe left,then place itinthenotchbestsuitedforyourapplication.RefertoSettingThe CuttingHeightearlierinthisOperationsection.

MOWING

Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keepbystand- ers,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachine whileit is inoperation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea.

Thefollowinginformationwill behelpfulwhenusingthecuttingdeck withyourtractor:

Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialstoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarging materialagainsta wallor obstructionwhichmaycausedischarged materialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Donotmowat highgroundspeed,especiallyifa mulchkitor grasscollectoris installed.

• Forbestresultsitis recommendedthatthefirsttwolapsbecut withthedischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirsttwo laps,reversethedirectionto throwthe dischargetothe outside forthebalanceofcutting.Thiswillgivea betterappearancetothe

lawn.

• Donotcut thegrasstoo short.Shortgrassinvitesweedgrowth andyellowsquicklyindry weather.

• Mowingshouldalwaysbedonewiththe engineatfullthrottle.

• Underheavierconditionsitmaybenecessarytogo backoverthe cutareaa secondtimetogeta cleancut.

• DoNOTattempttomowheavybrushandweedsandextremely tallgrass.Yourtractorisdesignedto mowlawns,NOTclear

brush.

• Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.Refer toCuttingBladesintheServicesectionofthis manualforproper bladesharpeninginstructions.

HEADLIGHTS

• Thelampsare ONwheneverthetractor'sengineis running.

• Thelampsturn OFFwhentheignitionkeyis movedtotheSTOP position.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe enginetopreventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring operationor whileperforminganyadjustmentsorrepairs.

BeforeEachUse

IntheFirstFiveHours Every10Hours

1. Engineoillevel

2. Mufflerareaandcontrols

3. Fingerguard

1. EngineOil

1. Hood/Dashairvents

2. Batteryterminals

3. Deckspindlesandidler

1. Check

2. Clean

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

bracket

Every25 hours

1. Air filter'sprecleaner*

2. Air filter*

3. Midsteeringarms,pivot

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

shafts,andaxles

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

1. Change

2. Check

1. Replace

2. Replace

3. Replace

4. Clean

5. Replace

6. Clean

7. Removeandgreaseaxles

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

Every50 hours

Annually

BeforeStorage

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

1. Engineoil

2. Muffler

1. Air filter

2. Air filter'spre-cleaner

3. Sparkplug

4. Air coolingsystem*

5. Fuelfilter

6. SteeringGears

7. RearWheels

1. Hood/Dashairvents

2. Batteryterminals

3. Midsteeringarms,pivot shafts,andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

6. Deckspindlesandidler

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

6. Lubricate

bracket

7. Pedalpivotpoints

7. Lubricate

Followthe maintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrack ofcompletedmaintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearest Parts&

RepairServiceCenteror to scheduleservice,simplycontact

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

*Servicemorefrequentlyunderdustyconditions.

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengagethePTO (BladeEngageLever),engagetheparkingbrake,stoptheengine

and removethekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

Iftheenginehasbeen recentlyrun,theengine,mufflerandsur- roundingmetalsurfaceswill behotand cancauseburnsto theskin.

Exercisecautiontoavoidburns.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Checking the Engine Oil Onlyuse highqualitydetergentoilratedwithAPIserviceclassification

SF,SG,SH,orSJ,Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccordingto theexpectedoperatingtemperature.Followthe chartbelow.

Althoughmulti-viscosityoils (5W20,10W30,etc.)improvestarting in coldweather,theywillresultinincreasedoilconsumptionwhen

usedabove32°RCheckyourengineoillevelmorefrequentlytoavoid possibleenginedamagefromrunninglowonoil.

f'_older 32°F _Warmer_

,_. Oil Viscosity Chart j

Tochecktheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

1. Ensurethatthe tractorisona levelsurface.

2. Cleantheoil fillareaofanydebris.

3. Removethedipstickandwipewithaclean cloth.

4. Insertandtightendipstick.

5. Removethedipstickandchecktheoillevel.It shouldbeat the Fullmarkonthedipstick.SeeFigure9.

Dipstick_

Changing Engine Oil

Theengineoilshouldbechangedinthe first5 hoursand thenevery 50 hoursoroncea season.Tochangetheengineoil, proceedas

follows:

1. WithengineOFFbut stillwarm,disconnectsparkplugwireand keepitawayfromsparkplug.

2. Removethe oilfill cap/dipstickfromtheoil filltube.SeeFigure9.

3. Cliptheoildrainsleeve(packedwiththis manual)ontotheoil drainport. Routetheoppositeendof thesleeveintoanappropri- ateoilcollectioncontainerwitha capacitygreatenoughtocollect

theusedoil.

4. Removedrainpluganddrainoil intoasuitablecontainerwitha capacityof nolessthan64 oz.

5. Performsteps2 through4intheoppositeorderafteroil has finisheddraining.

6. Refillthe enginewithnewmotoroil untiltheoil levelonthe dipstickreadsFULL.Replacetheoilfillcap/dipstick.

Usedoil isa hazardouswasteproduct.Disposeofusedoil properly. Donotdiscardwithhouseholdwaste.Checkwithyour localauthori-

ties oror contact1-800-4-MY-HOMEfor alistofsafedisposal/

recyclingfacilities.

7. Reconnectsparkplugwire.

OilDrain

Valve

Oil Drain Sleeve

Figure9

6. If low,addoilslowlyintotheengineoilfill. Donotoverfill.After addingoil,waitoneminuteand thenrechecktheoil level.

Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoilmaycausetheenginetonotstart, hardstarting,orenginesmoking.Ifoverthe FULLmarkonthe dipstick,drainoil toreduceoil leveltoFULLmarkondipstick.

7. Replaceandtightendipstick.

Fuel Filter Air Cleaner

Gasolineand itsvaporsareextremelyflammableandexplosive.Fire orexplosioncancausesevereburnsor death.

• Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat, andotherignitionsources.

• Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor leaks.Replaceif necessary.

• Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthe fueltankasperthe instructionsbelow.

• Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengine adequatetimetocool. Drainfuelintoan approvedcontainer outdoors,awayfromopenflame.

• Drainanylargevolumeoffuelfromthetankbydisconnectingthe fuellinefromthein-linefuelfilterneartheengine.

• Removethe fuellinefromtheIn-lineside(sidetowardsthefuel tank)of thefuel filter.

• Replacementpartsmustbethesameand installedinthe same positionastheoriginalparts.

• Iffuelspills,waituntil itevaporatesbeforestartingengine.

• Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthe fueltank.Otherwisefuel canleakoutandcausea fireor explosion.

ToDrainthe fuel:

1. Locatethefuelfilter,whichisroutedonthe leftsideoftheengine betweenthefueltankandthecarburetor,andmaybeattachedto theenginewitha tiestrap.Cutthetie strap,ifpresent,thenpinch thein-lineclamponthefuelfilterwitha pairof pliers,slidethe clampupthefuelline.Pullthefuellinefreefromthefilterandplace theopenendofthe lineintoanapprovedcontainertodrainthefuel.

Tochangethe fuel filter:

1. Useplierstosqueezethetabsontheotherclamp(theout-line sideof thefuelfilter),thenslidetheclampawayfromthefuelfilter. Twistandpullthe fuellineoffofthe fuelfilter.SeeFigure10.

2. Checkthefuellinesforcracksor leaks.Replaceifnecessary.

3. Replacethefuel filterwithan originalequipmentreplacement filter.Call1-800-4-MY-HOME®topurchasetheoriginalequip- mentreplacementfilter.

4. Securethefuellineswiththe clamps.

Iffilters,or coversarenotinstalledcorrectlyseriousinjuryordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Do notattemptto startthe enginewith themremoved.

Donot usepressurizedairor solventsto cleantheair cleaner

cartridge.

1. Removetheairfiltercover.

2. Toremovethe airfilter,liftthe endof thefilter.SeeFigure11.

Figure11

3. Removethe pre-cleanerfromthe filter.

4. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthefilteron a hardsurface.If thefilter isexcessivelydirty,replacewitha newfilter.

5. Washthepre-cleanerinliquiddetergentandwater.Allowitto thoroughlyair dry.Donot oilthepre-cleaner.

6. Assemblethedrypre-cleanertothefilter.

7. Installthefilterintotheenginebaseand pushdownuntilthe filter snapsin place.

8. Installthecover.

Tab

Clamp

Fuel Line

Figure10

Spark Plug

1. Cleanareaaroundthe sparkplugbase.Donotsandblastspark plug,Sparkplugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwirebrushing andwashingwitha commercialsolvent

Removeandinspectthesparkplug.Checkgap tomakesureitis setat.030".SeeFigure12.

Electrode Porcelain

_.030 (.76 mm) gap

Figure12

3. Replacethesparkplug(Champion®RC12YC)oncea season.

Muffler

Temperatureof mufflerandnearbyengineareasmayexceed150°F

(65°0).Avoidcontactwiththeseareas.

• inspectmufflerperiodically,and replaceifnecessary.Replace- mentpartsforthemufflermustbethesameand installedinthe samepositionastheoriginalparts.

Clean Engine

Donotusewatertocleanengineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel system.Useabrushordrycloth.

Dailyor beforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chafforaccumulated debrisfromengine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsclean.

Keepareaaroundandbehindmufflerfreeof any combustible debris.

Keepingenginecleanallowsair movementaroundengine.

• Enginepartsshouldbekeptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheat- ingandignitionofaccumulateddebris.

Carburetor Adjustment

• Thecarburetoronthisengineis notadjustable.

LUBRICATION

Pivot Points & Linkage

Lubricateallthepivotpointsonthedrivesystem,parkingbrakeandlift linkageatleastoncea seasonwithlightoil.

Rear Wheels

Therearwheelsshouldberemovedfromtheaxlesoncea season.

Lubricatetheaxlesandtherimswellwithan all-purposegreasebefore re-installingthem.

Front Axles

Eachendofthetractor'sfrontpivotbarmaybeequippedwitha grease fitting.Lubricatewitha greasegunafterevery25hoursoftractor operation.

Battery Thebatteryissealedandismaintenance-free.Acidlevelscannotbe

checked.

Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof corrosivebuild-up.

Aftercleaningthebatteryandterminals,applyalightcoatof

petroleumjellyorgreasetobothterminals.

Alwayskeepthe rubberbootpositionedoverthepositiveterminal to preventshorting.

iMPORTANT:if removingthebatteryforany reason,disconnectthe

NEGATIVE(Black)wirefromitsterminalfirst,followedby the POSi- TIVE(Red)wire.Whenre-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthe

POSITIVE(Red)wiretoits terminalfirst,followedbythe NEGATIVE

(Black)wire.Becertainthatthe wiresareconnectedtothecorrect terminals;reversingthemcouldchangethepolarityandresultin damageto yourengine'salternatingsystem.

Cleaning Battery

Cleanthebatterybyremovingitfromthe tractorandwashingwith a bakingsodaandwatersolution.Ifnecessary,scrapethe battery terminalswitha wirebrushto removedeposits.Coatterminalsand exposedwiringwithgreaseor petroleumjellytopreventcorrosion.

Battery Failures

Somecommoncausesfor batteryfailureare:

incorrectinitialactivation Overcharging

Freezing Undercharging

Corrodedconnections

ThesefailuresareNOTcoveredbyyourtractor'swarranty.

Beforelubricating,repairing,or inspecting,alwaysdisengagePTO (BladeEngageLever),moveshiftleverintoneutralposition,set parkingbrake,stopengineand removekeytopreventunintended starting.

CLEANING THE ENGINE AND DECK

Anyfuel oroil spilledonthemachineshouldbewipedoff promptly.Do NOTallowdebristoaccumulatearoundthe coolingfinsoftheengine oron anyotherpartof the machine.

IMPORTANT: Theuseofa pressurewasherto cleanyourtractoris NOTrecommended.It maycausedamagetoelectricalcomponents, spindles,pulleys,bearingsortheengine.

A screwplugcanbefoundon yourtractor'sdecksurfaceas seenin Fig. 13.Thisplugcanbereplacedwitha waterporttobe usedas part ofaseparately-availabledeckwashsystem.

Thedeckwashsystemisusedto rinsegrassclippingsfromthe deck's undersideandpreventthebuildupofcorrosivechemicals.

NOTE:Adeckwashsystemcanbepurchasedthroughtheretail locationinwhichyoupurchasedthistractor.Formoreinformation, simplycall 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

2. Measurethedistancefromthe frontof thebladetiptotheground andthe rearofthebladetipto theground.Thefirst measure-

menttakenshouldbebetween1A"and3A"lessthanthe second measurement.Determinethe approximatedistancenecessaryfor

properadjustmentandproceed,ifnecessary,to the nextstep.

3. Locatetheflangelocknutonthefrontsideofthe stabilizer bracket.SeeFig.14.

•Tightentheflangelocknutto raisethefrontofthedeck;

• Loosentheflangelocknuttolowerthe frontof thedeck.

Figure13

ADJUSTMENTS

Neverattempttomakeanyadjustmentswhiletheengineis running, exceptwherespecifiedintheoperator'smanual.

Leveling the Deck NOTE: Checkthetractor'stirepressurebeforeperforminganydeck

levelingadjustments.Referto Tiresinthe ServiceandMaintenance sectionofthis manualformoreinformationregardingtirepressure.

Front To Rear Thefrontofthe cuttingdeckissupportedby a stabilizerbarthatcan

beadjustedtolevelthe deckfromfronttorear.Thefrontofthedeck shouldbebetween1A-inchand3A-inchlowerthantherearof thedeck.

Adjustif necessaryas follows:

1. Withthetractorparkedon a firm,levelsurface,placethe leverfor liftingtheplatformon the secondtothetopnotch(secondhighest position)androtatethebladeasclosetothedischargechannel thatisparalleltothetractor.

Figure14

Side to Side

Ifthecuttingdeckappearstobe mowingunevenly,a sideto side

adjustmentcan beperformed.Adjustifnecessaryas follows:

1. Withthetractorparkedona firm, levelsurface,placethedecklift leverin thesecondfromthetop notch(secondhighestposition) and rotatebothbladessothat theyare perpendicularwiththe

tractor.

2. Measurethedistancefromthe outsideoftheleft bladetiptothe groundandthedistancefromthe outsideoftherightbladetipto theground.Bothmeasurementstakenshouldbeequal.Ifthey're not, proceedto thenextstep.

3. Loosen,butdo NOTremove,the hexcap screwonthe leftdeck hangerbracket.SeeFig. 15.

4. Balancethedeckbyusinga wrenchto turntheadjustmentgear (foundimmediatelybehindthehexcapscrewjust loosened) clockwise/uporcounterclockwise/down.Thedeckisproperly balancedwhenbothbladetipmeasurementstakenearlierare equal.

5. Retightenthe hexcapscrewonthe leftdeckhangerbracketwhen properadjustmentis achieved.

He× Cap Screw

'_. ._

Figure15

Seat Adjustment RefertotheAssemblysectionofthismanualforseatadjustment

instructions. Parking Brake Adjustment

Neverattempttoadjustthebrakeswhiletheengineis running.Always disengagePTO(bladeengagelever),moveshiftleverintoneutral position,stopengineandremovekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

If thetractordoes notcometoacompletestopwhenthe brakepedal iscompletelydepressed,or ifthe tractor'srearwheelscanrollwiththe parkingbrakeapplied,thebrakeisin needofadjustment.Contactthe nearest SearsService Centerto haveyourbrakesproperlyadjusted.

TolocatethenearestParts&RepairServiceCenteror to schedule service,contact 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

Figure16

5. Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromthe leftside ofthetractor,locate thebow-tiepinthat securesthedecksupportrodontherearleft

sideof thedeck.SeeFig. 17.Removethe bow-tiepinthatsecures

thedecksupportrod,andcarefullyremovethedecksupportfrom thedecklift arm.

Bow-TieClip jj

CUTTING DECK REMOVAL

To remove the cutting deck, proceed as follows:

1. Placethe PTO(Blade Engage)leverin the disengaged(OFF) positionandengagetheparkingbrake.

2. Lowerthe deck bymovingthedeck lift leverintothe bottom notchon the rightfender.

3. Removetheself-tappingscrew(A)thatsecuresthebelt-keeper rodfromaroundthe tractor'sPTOpulley,thenremovethe belt keeperrod(B). SeeFig. 16.

NOTE: Makea mentalnotewhatholetheotherendofthe belt-keeper rodisinsertedinforreinstallationpurposes.

4. Removethebelt(C)fromaroundthetractor'sPTOpulley.See Fig.16.

Avoidpinchinginjuries.Neverplaceyourfingersontheidlerspringor betweenthe beltanda pulleywhileremovingthebelt.

/ /

.... j

Figure 17

6. Repeattheabovestepsonthe tractor'srightside. NOTE:Thebow-tieclipsshouldbe re-installedfromthetopdown.

7. Movethedeckliftleverintothe topnotchon the rightfenderto

raisethedecklift armsupandout of theway.

8, Removethe bow-tiecotterpin securingthe deckstabilizerrodto

thedeck. Slidethedecklift rodfromthemountingbracketonthe deckasseenin Fig.18.

...........,,_i_,_'_ _%_L_,;::,/..............................

; k v_ ,_;_Z_ ¸,

The recommended operating tire pressure is:

• Approximately10psiforthe reartires

• Approximately14psiforthe fronttires

IMPORTANT: Refertothetire sidewaNfor exacttiremanufacturer's recommendedormaximumpsi.Donot overinflate.Uneventire pres-

surecould causethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

BATTERY

CaliforniaProposition65 WARNING!Batteryposts,terminals,and

relatedaccessoriescontainleadandleadcompounds,chemicals knowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancerandreproductive harm.Washhandsafterhandling.

If removingthe battery,disconnecttheNEGATIVE(Black)wire

fromits terminalfirst,followedbythe POSITIVE(Red)wire.When

re-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)wireto

Its termna frst,fo owedbytheNEGATVE (Back) wre.

JUMP STARTING

Figure18

9. CarefullyremovethePTOcablefromthe rearofthecuttingdeck byremovingthebow-tiecotterpinwhichsecuresit.Removethe springfromthe deckidlerbracket.SeeFig.19.

PTOCable

Figure19

10. Gentlyslidethecuttingdeck (fromtheleftside)outfrom underneaththetractor.

TIRES

Neverjump starta damagedorfrozenbattery.Becertainthevehicles

do nottouch,andignitionsareoff.Do notallowcable clampsto touch.

1. Connectpositive(+)cableto positivepost(+)ofyourtractor's dischargedbattery.

2. Connecttheotherendof thecableto the (positive+) postof the jumperbattery.

3. Connectthesecondcable(negative-) totheother postofthe jumperbattery.

4. Connecttheotherendof thenegativecableto theengineblockof thetractor,awayfromthe battery.Attachtoanunpaintedpartto assurea goodconnection.

Ifthejumperbatteryis installedona vehicle(i.e.car,truck),do NOT startthe vehicle'senginewhenjumpstartingyourtractor.

5. Startthetractor(asinstructedearlierinthissectionofthis manual).

6. Setthetractor'sparkingbrakebeforeremovingthejumpercables, in reverseorderofconnection.

CHARGING

Batteries ina wellventilatedareaandkeepawayfromanopenflameor pilot

ghtasonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,cothesdryeror |

othergas appliances.

giveoffan explosivegas whilecharging.ChargethebatteryI

Neverexceedthe maximuminflationpressureshownonthesidewall oftire.

Whenchargingyourtractor'sbattery,useonlya chargerdesignedfor I

12Vlead-acidbatteries.ReadyourbatterychargersOwners Manual priortochargingyourtractorsbattery.Alwaysfollowits instructions I

land heed ts warnngs. j

If yourtractorhasnotbeenputintouseforanextendedperiodoftime, chargethebatteryasfollows:

1. Setyour batterychargertodeliveramaxof 10amperes.

If yourbatterychargerisautomatic,chargethebatteryuntilthe chargerindicatesthatchargingiscomplete.Ifthechargeris not automatic,chargefor nofewerthaneighthours.

FUSE

One20AMPfuseisinstalledin yourtractor'swiringharnesstoprotect thetractor'selectricalsystemfromdamagecausedbyexcessive

amperage. If theelectricalsystemdoesnot function,oryourtractor'senginewill

notcrank,firstchecktobe certainthatthefusehasnotblown.It can befoundatthe rearofthe unit,underneaththefenderlocatedbythe

battery.

Alwaysusea fusewiththesameamperagecapacityforreplacement.

CUTTING BLADES

Shutthe engineoff andremoveignitionkeybeforeremovingthe cuttingblade(s)forsharpeningor replacement.Protectyourhands byusingheavygloveswhengraspingtheblade.

Removethehexflangenutthatsecuresthebladetothespindle

assembly.SeeFig.20.

Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamounts of metalfrombothendsof thebladesalongthe cuttingedges,

parallelto thetrailingedge,at a250.to 300angle.Alwaysgrind

eachcutting bladeedgeequallytomaintainproperbladebalance.

SeeFig.21.

Periodicallyinspectthebladeand/orspindleforcracksordamage, especiallyafter you'vestrucka foreignobject.Donotoperatethe machineuntil damagedcomponentsare replaced.

Toremovetheblades,proceedasfollows.

1. Removethedeckfrombeneaththetractor,(refertoCuttingDeck Removalearlierinthis section)thengentlyflipthedeckoverto exposeitsunderside.

2. Placea blockofwoodbetweenthe centerdeckhousingbaffle andthecuttingbladeto actas a stabilizer. SeeFig.20.

Figure 21

Ifthecuttingedgeofthe bladehaspreviouslybeensharpened,or if

anymetalseparationis present,replacethebladeswithnewones.

A poorlybalancedbladewillcauseexcessivevibration,maycause damagetothetractorand/or resultin personalinjury.

5. Testthe blade'sbalanceusinga bladebalancer.Grindmetalfrom theheavysideuntil itbalancesevenly.

NOTE:Whenreplacingtheblade,be suretoinstallthebladewiththe sideof theblademarked"Bottom"(orwitha partnumberstampedin it)facingthegroundwhenthemowerisintheoperatingposition.

Usea torquewrenchtotightenthebladespindlehexflangenut to

between70Ibs-ftand 90Ibs-ft.

CHANGING THE DECK BELT

Besuretoshuttheengineoff,removeignitionkey,disconnectthe

Isparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunin- ltendedstartingbeforeremovingthebelt.

Figure20

All beltsonyourtractoraresubjecttowearandshouldbereplacedif anysignsof wearare present.

iMPORTANT:TheV-beltfoundonyourtractorisspeciallydesigned toengageanddisengagesafely.A substitute(non-OEM)V-beltcan bedangerousbynotdisengagingcompletely.Fora properworking machine,useidenticalequipmentbeltsas listedinthepartspagesof thisOperator'sManual.

Tochangeor replacethedeckbeltonyourtractor,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethedeckasinstructedearlierinthis section.

2. Removethe beltcoversfromthe spindlepulleysbyremovingthe hexscrewsthatfastenthecoversto thedeck.SeeFig.22,

3. It mayalso benecessaryto loosenthe hexnuton theleftidler pulleyto getthebeltoffthepulleyandaroundthe beltguard.

4. Carefullyremovethedeckbeltfromaroundthetwospindle pulleysandthetwo deckidlerpulleys,SeeFig,22,

5. Toplacethenewbelt,beginbyroutingthebeltaroundthetwo outerspindlepulleysasshowninFig,22,

6. Thenroutethebeltaroundthetwodeckidlerpulleysasshownin Fig.22.

7. Retightenthebeltkeeperrodloosenedearlier.

8. Remountthebeltguardsremovedearlier,

9. Re-installthedeck,makingsurethe beltremainsroutedaround thepulleysas instructed.Thecompletebeltroutingisshownin Fig.22.

10. Pulltherightsideofthe belt,andplacethenarrowVsideofthe beltintothe PTOpulley.

11. Whileholdingthebeltandpulleytogether,rotatethepulleytothe left.Continueholdingand rotatingthepulleyandbeltuntilthe belt is fullyrolledintothePTOpulley.

PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT

Neverattempttoadjustthebrakeswhiletheengineis running.Always

disengagePTO(bladeengagelever),moveshift leverintoneutral

position,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Ifthetractordoesnotcometoa completestopwhenthe clutch-brake pedaliscompletelydepressed,or ifthetractor'srearwheelscan roll withtheparkingbrakeapplied,the brakeis inneedofadjustment. Contactthe nearestParts& RepairService Centertohaveyour

brakesserviced.

Tolocatethe nearestParts& RepairServiceCenteror to schedule service,contact1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE

BELT

NOTE:Severalcomponentsmustberemovedandspecialtools(i.e. air/impactwrench)inorderto changethetractor'sdrivebelt.Contact the nearest Parts& Repair Service Centerto haveyourtransmis-

siondrivebeltserviced. Tolocatethe nearestParts& Repair Service Centeror to sched-

ule service, contact 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

Figure 22

J Thisportion ofthe

belt routesaround

Neverstorelawntractorwithfuel intankindoorsorin poorly ventilatedareaswherefuelfumesmayreachan openflame,spark, orpilotlightas ona furnace,waterheater,clothesdryer,or gas appliance.

PREPARING THE ENGINE

IMPORTANT:Fuelleftin thefuel tankduringwarmweatherdeterio-

ratesandwillcauseseriousstartingproblems.

Topreventgumdepositsfromforminginsidetheengine'scarburetor andcausingpossiblemalfunctionof theengine,thefuelsystemmust be eithercompletelyemptied,orthegasolinemustbe treatedwitha stabilizertopreventdeterioration.

1. Ifusingafuel stabilizer: a. Readtheproductmanufacturer'sinstructionsandrecom-

mendations.

b. Addtoclean,freshgasolinethecorrectamountofstabilizer

forthecapacityof thefuelsystem.

c. Fillthe fueltankwithtreatedfuel andruntheenginefor 2-3

minutestogetstabilizedfuelintothecarburetor.

2. Ifemptyingthefuelsystem: a. Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengine

adequatetimeto cool.Drainfuelintoanapprovedcontainer outdoors,awayfromopenflame.

b. Drainanylargevolumeoffuel fromthetank bydisconnect-

ing thefuellinefromthein-linefuelfilterneartheengine. SeethecompleteinstructionsforDrainingTheFuellaterin

this section.

DRAiNiNG THE FUEL

1. Locatethefuel filter,whichislocatedonthe leftsideofthe engine,andmaybeattachedtotheenginewitha tiestrap.

2. Cutthe tiestrap,if present,thenpinchthein-lineclamponthe fuelfilterwitha pairofpliers,slidetheclampupthe fuelline.

3. Pullthe fuellinefreefromthefilterandplacetheopenendofthe

lineintoanapprovedcontainertodrainthefuel.

PREPARING THE LAWN TRACTOR

1. Cleanandlubricatetractorthoroughlyasdescribedinthelubrica- tioninstructions.

2. Donotusea pressurewasherorgardenhosetocleanyour unit.

3. Storemowerin a dry,cleanarea.Donotstorenextto corrosive materials,suchas fertilizer.

Gasolineisextremelyflammableandcanbeexplosiveundercertain

conditions.Draingasolinebeforestoringtheequipmentforextended

periods.Drainfuelonlyintoanapprovedcontaineroutdoors,away froman openflame.Allowenginetocool.Extinguishcigarettes, cigars,pipes,andothersourcesofignitionpriorto drainingfuel.

Storegasolineinan approvedcontainerinsafelocation.

c. Reconnectthefuellineandrunthe engineuntil itstartsto

falter,thenusethechoketo keeptheenginerunninguntilall fuelinthecarburetorhasbeenexhausted.

d. Disconnectthefuellineanddrainanyremaininggasoline

fromthesystem.

Gasolineisa toxicsubstance.Disposeofgasolineproperly.Contact

yourlocalauthoritiesforapproveddisposalmethods.

3. Removethe sparkplugandpourone(1)ounceofengineoil throughthe sparkplugholeintothecylinder.Cranktheengine severaltimesto distributetheoil. Replacethesparkplug.

Enginefailstostart

1. PTO/BladeEngageleverengaged.

2. Parkingbrakenotengaged.

3. Sparkplugwire(s)disconnected.

4. Throttlecontrollevernotin correctstarting position.

5. Chokenotactivated

6. Fueltankempty,or stalefuel.

7. Blockedfuelline.

8. Faultysparkplug(s).

9. Engineflooded.

Enginerunserratically

1. UnitrunningwithCHOKEactivated.

2. Sparkplugwire(s)loose.

3. Blockedfuellineorstalefuel.

4. Ventingascapplugged.

5. Waterordirtin fuel system.

6. Dirtyaircleaner.

Engineoverheats 1. Engineoillevellow. 1.

2. Airflowrestricted. 2.

Enginehesitatesat highRPM 1. Sparkpluggaptoo close. 1. Engineidles rough 1. Sparkplugfouled,faultyor gaptoowide. 1.

2. Dirtyaircleaner. 2.

Excessivevibration

1. Cuttingbladelooseor unbalanced.

2. Damagedorbentcuttingblade.

Mowerwill notmulchgrass

1. Enginespeedtoolow.

2. Wetgrass.

3. Excessivelyhighgrass.

4. Dullblade.

Unevencut

1. Decknotleveledproperly.

2. Dullblade.

3. Uneventirepressure.

1. Placeleverindisengaged(OFF)position.

2. Engageparkingbrake.

3. Connectwire(s)to sparkplug(s).

4. Placethrottleleverto FASTposition.

5. PulltheCHOKEcontroloutward.

6. Filltankwithclean,fresh(lessthan30 daysold)gas.

7. Replacethefuel lineandreplacefuelfilter.

8. Clean,adjustgapor replaceplug(s).

9. Crankenginewiththrottlein FASTposition.

1. PushCHOKEcontrolin.

2. Connectsparkplugwire(s).

3. Replacethefuel line;filltankwithclean,fresh gasolineandreplacefuelfilter.

4. Clearventorreplacecapif damaged.

5. Drainfueltank.Refillwithclean,freshgasoline.

6. Replaceaircleanerpaperelementorcleanfoam pre-cleaner,ifequipped.

Fillcrankcasewithproperamountandweightof oil. Cleangrassclippingsanddebrisfromaroundthe

engine'scoolingfinsandhousing. Removesparkplugandresetthegap. Replacesparkplug.Set pluggap.

Replaceair cleanerelementand/orcleanpre- cleaner.

1. Tightenbladeandspindle.

2. Replaceblade.

1. Placethrottlein FAST(rabbit)position.

2. Donotmulchwhengrassiswet.

3. Mowonceatahighcuttingheight,then mowagain atdesiredheightor makea narrowercuttingswath.

4. Sharpenorreplaceblade.

1. Performside-to-sidedeckadjustment.

2. Sharpenorreplaceblade.

3. Checktirepressureinall fourtires.

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