Craftsman 25968 Instruction Manual

I R;IF TSMaN°

17

25968

4)

Instruction manual
Please read these instructions
carefully and make sure you
understand them before using this
machine.

Anleltungshandbuch

Bitte lesen Sie diesa Anleitungen
sorgf_ltig durch und vergewissem
Sie sich, dab Sie diese verstehen,
bevor Sie die Maschtne in Betdeb

nebmen.

Manuel d'instructlons
Merci de lira tr6s a_lentivement le

manuel d'instructions. Assurez-vous
d'avior- tout compds avant d'utiliser ce

tracteur.

Manual de las instrucclones
Per favor lea cuidedosamente y

comprenda estas Intrucciones antes
de ucar esta maquina.

Manualedi istruzlonl
Pdma di utUizzare la macchina
leggete queste istruzioni con
attenzione ed eccertatevi di averle
comprese bane.

Instructieboekje
Lees daze Inst_ucties aandachtig en
zorg dat u ze begdjpt voordat u daze
machine gebruikt.

1

2

3

4

5

6
7

8

Safety specifications.

Assembly.

Functional description.

Procedure before start.

Driving.

Maintenance, adjustment.

Fault tracing.

Sto_mge.

We reserve the right to changes without prior notice.

2

1. Safety Rules &

Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers

IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS.'

FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH,

@ I. Training

Read the instructionscarefully. Be familiar with the controls •
and the proper use of the equipment.

Never allow children or people unfamiliar with the instruc-
lions to use the lawnmower. Local regulations may restrict •
the age of the operator.

• Never mow while people, especially children, or pets are
nearby.

Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible for
accidents or hazards occurdng to other people or their
property.

• All drivers should seek and obtain professional and practical
instruction. Such instruction should emphasize:

- the need for care and concentration when working with

ride-on machines;

- control of a dde*on machine sliding Ona slope will not be
regained by the application of the brake. .

The main reasons for loss of control are:

a) insufficient wheel grip;
b) being ddven too fast;

c) inadequate braking;

d) the type of machine is unsuitable for its task;
e) lack of awareness of the effect of ground

conditions,especially slopes;

f) incorrect hitching and load distribution.

II. Preparation

• While mowing, always wear substantial footwear and long

trousers. Do not operate the equipment when barefoot or
weadng open sandals.

• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be

used and remove all objects which may be thrown by the
machine.

• WARNING - Petrol is highly flammable.

- Store fuel in containers specifically designed for this
purpose.

- Refuel outdoors only and do not smoke while refueling.

- Add fuel before starting the engine. Never remove the cap
of the fuel tank or addpetrol while the engine is running
or when the engine is hot.

- If petrol is soilled, do not attempt to start the engine but
move the r :chine away from the area of spillage and
avoid croat,r=g any source of ignition until petrol vapors
have dissipated.

- Replace all fuel tanks and container caps securely.

• Replace faulty silencers.

• Before using, always visually inspect to see that the blades,

blade bolts and cutter assembly are notworn or damaged.
Replace worn or damaged blades and belts in sets to
preserve balance.

- -. On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotating one blade

can cause other blades to rotate.

IlL Operation

Do not operate the engine in a confinedspace where

dangerouscarbon monoxidefumescan collect.

Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
Before attempting to start the engine, disengage all blade

attachment clutches and shift into neutral.
Do not use on slopes of more than 10°,
Remember there is no such thing as a =safe" slope. Treve

on grass.slopes requires parUcu|ar care. To guard against
overtummg;

- do not stop or start suddenly when going up or downhill;

- engage clutch slowly, always keep machine in gear,

especially when traveling downhill;

- machine speeds should be kept low on s opes and during
tight turns;

- stay alert for humps and hollows and other hidden haz-
ards;

- never mow across the face of the slope, unless the
lawnmower is designed for this purpose.

Use care when pulling loads or using heavy equipment.

- Use only approved drawbar hitch points.

- Limit loads to those you can safely control.

- Do not turn sharply. Use care when reversing.

- Use counterweight(s) or wheel weights when suggested
in the instruction handbook. •

Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways,
Stopthe blades from rotating before crossing surfaces other

than grass.
When using any attachments never direct discharge of

mateda toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the
machine while in operation.

Never operate the lawnmower with defective guards, shields
or without safety protective devices in place,

Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed
the engine. Operating the engine at excessive speed may
increase the hazard of personal injmy.

Before leaving the operator's position:

- disengage the power take-off and lower the attachments;

- change into neutral and set the parking brake;

- stop the engine and remove the key.

Disengage drive to attachments, stop the engine, and
disconnect the spark plug wire(s) or remove the ignition key

- before cleaning blockages or unclogging chute;

• before checking, clear _g or working on the lawnmower;

- after striking a foreign object. Inspect the lawnmower for

damage and make repairs before restarting and operat-
ing the equipment;

- if the machine starts to vibrate abnormally (check imme-
diately).

Disengage drive to attachments when transporting or not
in use.

Stop the engine and disengage drive to attachment

- before refueling;

- before removing the grass catcher;

- before making height adjustment unless adjustment can
be made from the operator's position.

Reduce the throttle setting dudngengine run-out and, if the
engine is provided with a shut-off valve, turn the fuel off at

the conclusion of mowing•

3

• IV. Maintenance and Storage

Keep a, nuts,boltsandscrewstighHobesurethe equip.

ment is in safe working condition.

• Never store the equipment with petrol inthe tank inside a
building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.

Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

• To reduce the fire hazard, keep the engine, silencer, battew
compartment and petrol storage araafrae of grass, leaves,

or excessive grease,
Check the grass catcher frequently for wear or deteriora-

tion.

• Replace wom or damaged parts for safety.

• If the fuel tank has to be drained, this should be done
outdoors.

• On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotating one blade
can cause other blades to rotate.

• When machine is to be parked, stored or left unattended,
lower the cutting means unless a positivemechanical lock

is used.

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug wire and place
wire where it cannot contact spark plug In order to prevent
accidental starting when setting up, transporting, adjusting
or making repairs.

4

_) These symbols may appear on your tractor or in the literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their moaning.

R N H L "_ (]._ (]

REVER_F NEU'I1RAL HmH LOW FAST SLOW LIGHTS ON LIGHTS OFF

ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UNLOCKEO PARKING BRAKE BATrERY

CLUTCH CHOKE FUEL DIL PflESSURE DIFFERENTIAL LOCK _l:vFn_ FnnwA=m

MARCIA

I

IGNITION ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT _AIm_ MOWER HEIGHT RFWARI= _F

15

_ These symbols may appear on your tractor or in the literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning.

NICHT AUF ABH_NGEN MIT TENIR LEe PASSANTE _ DISTANCE

MEHR ALS lr STEIGUNG BETREIBEN OMSTANDERS UIT DE

NE PAS UTILISER SUR DEe BUURT HOUDEN

PENTES OE PLUS DE 10 ° GUJ_RDESE LEJOS DE GENTE

NIET OP HELUNGEN VAN MEER OAN TENERE LONTANI I PASSANTI

10 ° GEBRUIKEN

NO OPERE SOBRE PENDIENTES

DE MAS DE 10 o

NON USARE SU PENOII CON

UN'INCLINAZIONE DI OLTRE 10°

NO OPERATION KEEP BYSTANOERS AWAY READ OWNERS MANUAL

ON SLOPES MORE THAN 10° . ZUSCHAUER FERNHALTEN BETRIEBSANLEITUNG LESEN •

LIRE LE MANUEL
OINSTRUCTIONS

GEBRUIKERSHANOLEIOtNG

LEZEN

LEA EL MANUAL DE

INSTRUCCIONES

LEGGERE IL MANUALE

DELL'OPERATORE

MOWER UFT

I_HWERKHUB

RELEVt_',E DE L'UNITI_ DE COUPE

|."._M=ItOOGTER EGE UNG

LEVANTAMIENTO DE LA SEGADORA

SOLLEVAMENTO APPARATO FALCIANTE

OANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY

GEFAHR, HJ_IDE UND FOSSE FERNHALTEN

DANGER, GARDEZ LEe MAINS ET LES PIEDE AU LOIN

GEYAAR, HANDEN EN VOETEN un" DE BUURT HOUDEN

PELIGRO, MANTENGA LAS MANOS y LOS PIES LEJOS

PERICOLO. TENERE LONTANI MANI PIED4

EUROPEAN MACHINERY WARNING
DIRECTIVE FOR SAFETY WARNUNG

EUROPAISCHE VERORDNUNG DANGER
FOR MASCHINEN-SICNERNErr WAARSCHUWING •

CONFORME AUX NORMES DE ATENCI(_N

S_CURITI_ EDROPI_ENNES AVVERTENZA

VEILIGHEIDSRICHTLMN VOOR

EUROPESE MACNINES

DIRECTIVO DE MAQUINARIA

EUROPEO PARA LA SEGURIOAO

NORMATIVE ANTINFORTUNISTICRE

EUROPEE PER MACCHINARI

FREE WHEEL

FREILAUF

RODE UBRE

FREEWHEEL

RUEDA LIBRE

COMANDO OISINNESTO

DO NOT OPERATE WITHOUT BAGGER OR DEFLECTOR

NICHT IN BETRIEB NEHMEN OHNE G _ "SFANGBOX ODER DEFLEKTOR

NE JAMAIS UTIUSER SANS _ OU DI!_PLECTEUR.

NONAZlONARE LA MACCHINA SEI@.A IL CES , O SENZO IL DEFLETTONE DI SCARICO

NO PONGA EN MARCNA SIN :,ECOGEDOR O OEFLECTOR

ZONDER STORTGOOT OF AFWMKENDE SPAll)OEK NIET OPEREREN

16

EYES.

i .FLAMMES

SULFURIC ACID WATER. (

FLUSHEYES ___/.

IMMEDIATELY WITH

RECYCLE

"CIGARETTES

17

2• Assembly•

_ Beforethetraqtorcanbe usedcertainpartsmustbeassembled,

whichfor transportationreasonsare enclosedin the packing.

The pictureshowswhichpartsmustbe assembled.

@

STEERING WHEEL

• Mountextensionshaft(I) todesiredholes and installhex
boltend locknut. Tightensecurely.

• Mountthemainshaftcover. Make surethattheguidetabs

inthe coverfit thecoverin respectiveholes.

• Checkthatfrontwheelsarealignedforward. Slideadapter

onto shaft extensionand place steedng wheel onto the
adaptor.

• Assemblelargeflatwashers,leckwasherand3/8 hexbolt.

Tightensecurely.

Snapinsert into centerofsteeringwhee|.

1. EXTENSIONSHAFT

rill _ * I

_,,_ _. _ _ It •

18

2

_Seat

The seat isadjustableforindividualsettingin relationtothe
clutchandbrake pedal. Foldup the holderfor theseat and
fitthe barrelscrew (1).

_Set the seat to the correct position by moving it forwards or

backwards, Tighten the adjustment bolt securely (2).

/

3

NOTE!

Checkthatthe flexiscorrectlyconnectedtothesafetyswitch(3)
onthe seat holder.

20

• .:_) .t. BattenjCover

2. Screw
3, Cable Positive (+)

4. Cable Negative (-)

5. Fender

6. Battery terminal

7. Battery

2

INSTALL BATTERY

NOTE: If battery is put into service after month and veAr'
indicated on label, charge battery for minimum of one hour at

6-10 amps'.

,_ WARNING: Before installing battery remove metal bracelets,

wrist watch bands, rings, etc. from your person Touching

those terns to battery could result in bums.

• Remove Battery Cover

4

o J

3

21

2

_)_WARNING: Positiveterminal must be connected first to

preventsparksfrom accidentalgrounding.

Removeterminalcapsanddiscard.Connecttheredcableto
+ and then the black earth cable to -. Screw tight the
cables.Grease the batted/poleswith vaseline to prevent
corrosion. Replacebatten/cover.

23

2

To install bagger oomponents to tractor

1. Discharge Chute

2. 3/8Nut "%# 2..,.,.,_. -. -.

3. FlatWasher - / ,_'_

3"

Removedischargechutefromrearoftractor. Unhook the
two(2) strapsand pullchuteoutandawayfrom tractor.

Removethetwo(2)3/8 nutsandflat washersfromthebolts
at thetractorbackplate.

1. 3/8 Locknut

2. FlatWasher

3. SupportTube

2_

1-_--.

Using the nuts and flat washers removed from tractor back
plate, install the bagger support tube to the back plate as

shown. Tighten securely.

1. Rear Door

4

4

2. Support Bracket

3. 3/8 Carriage Bolt

4. 3/8 Lock Nut

2

5. 3/8 x 63,5mm Hex Bolt

6. 10,3mm (13/32") flat 6

was'her

• While holding the rear door open, install the two upper

support I_rackets through the back plate and to the chas-
sis, using the 3/8 x 19mm carriage bolts and Iocknuts
supplied. Tighten securely.

• Assemble both support brackets to the outside of the
baggger support tube using two each 3/8 x 63 5mm hex
bolts13/32" I.D. flat washers and 3/8 Iocknuts from parts
bag. Tighten securely.

1.

2.

3.

Hook
Discharge

Back plate slot

3

• Replace discharge chute into rear opening of tractor.

, Secure the chute with the two hook straps.

NOTE: The strap hook must go through the discharge chute
only. Do notallow the hook toenter the slotin the tractor back

plate. This will allow the discharge chute to float with the
mower deck when moving on uneven terrain.

24

: L 1 ¸-2¸¸ ....

1. Front bagger tuba

2,oworbaggertuba' ',.

3. 114 x 50,8mm Carriage - _ "_

Bolts

4. 1/4 Lock nut

2

1. Frontbaggertuba _.

2. 1/4x50,8mmCarriage
Bolts

3. l_Leckn_

4. Vinyl Binding

5. Dumphandle tuba

6. Clevispin

7. Retainer spdng

2

To Assemble Bagger

NOTE: For ease of assembly you may wish to obtan the
assstanceofanotherpersonwhenputtingthebaggertogether,

Assemblefrontand lowerbaggertubasusingfour(4)1/4
x 50,8ram carriageboltsand locknutssupplied.Tighten
securely,

/

• Slidefrontandlowerbaggertubeassemblyintothebagger

asse_by.

• Assemblefrontand upperbaggertubesusingfour ._4)1/4

x 50,Smmcarraigebolts and lock nutssupplied.Tighten
securely.

• Slipall the vinylbindingsover the baggertubes

• Slide the bagger dump handle throughthe hole in the

baqgertop,installtheclevispinand securewith retainer
spring.

NOTE: Forfutureuse,theclevispin maybe removedinorder
tousethehandletoclearthechuteintheevent ithas become

clogged.

4

1. Top Sudaces Even

2. Pivot Bracket

6MM

1

2

Bagger adjustment

For proper bag function and appearance, it may be necessary

to adjust the bagger assembly. There should be 6mm (1/4")-
9mm (3/8") gap between the bagger top and fender and the
bagger top surface should be even with the top surface of the

fender. To adjust bagger position:

• Loosen slightlythe nuts secudngthe bagger pivot brackets.

Loosen only enough so the brackets keep theirposition, but
allow them to be moved. Move the brackets the amount in

the directionyou wish the bag assembly to move. Retighten
the nuts securely.

Reinstall the bagger assembly and check the bagger to
fender fit. IfnecessarY, repeat the procedure until proper fit
is attained.

To convert to bagging, mulching or discharge

Seq"Section 5" of this manual.

25

2

ASSEMBLE GAUGE WHEELS

Checkthatthe requiredcuttingheightis obtained.

36

3. Functional descrintion.

©

_) Positioning of controls

1. Light Switch.

2. Throttle control.
3, Brake and clutch pedal.

4. Motion r _trol Lover.

5. Attachment clutch switch.
6, Quick lifting/lower of the cutting unit.

7. Ignition lock.

8. Parking Brake.
9, Free-wheel control lever,

10. Cutting height setting.

11. Choke control

37

1, Light switch

3

_) 2. ThrotUe oontrol

The throttle control regulates the engine revs and thus the
rotation speed of theblades,

,_ = Full speed

= Idling speed

39