Craftsman 917256562 Owner’s Manual

NUMBER

917.256562

=Assembly

®Operation

=Customer Responsibilities =Service and Adjustments

• Repair Parts

OWNER'S MANUAL

CAUTION: Read and follow all safety rules and instructions before operating this equipment.

FOR CONSUMER ASSISTANCE HOT LINE, CALL THIS TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-800-659-5917

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_

SAFETY RULES

I. GENERAL OPERATION

. Read,understand, and follow a!l instructionsin {'hemanual _'

and on the machine before starting_

• Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the

instructions,to operate the machine.

° Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc.,,

which could be picked up and thrown by the blade.,

. Besuretheareaisolearofotherpeoplebeforemowing. Stop

machine ifanyone enters the area°

• Never carp.#passengers._

= Do notmow inreverse unless absolutely necessary_ Always

took down and behind before and while backing.

• Beaware ofthe mower discharge directionand do not point

it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the guard in place.

• Stowdown before tuming . Never leave a runningmachine unattended. Always turnoff

blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and remove keys

before dismounting,

° Turn off blades when not mowing_ = Stop engine before removing grass catcher or unclogging

chute.,

= Mow only in daylight or good artif{ctal light°

= Do not operate the machfne while under the influence of

alcohol or drugs°

° Watch for traffic when operating near or crossingroadways ° Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into

a trailer or truck_

!1. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to ioss-ofocontrol and

tipover accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it,

DO;

° Mow up and down slopes, notacross°

° Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

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

° Use s!ow speed. Choose alow gear so that you willnot have

to stop or shift while on the slope°

° Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel

weights or counteP_eights to improve stability.

,, Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments.

These can change the stability of the machine_

° Keep all movement on the slopes slowand gradual., De not

make sudden changes in speed or direction.

,, Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction,

disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the

slope.

DO NOT:

• Donot turnon slopes unless necessary, and then turnslowly and graduaIly downhill, if possible.

= Do not mow near drop_offs,ditches, or embankments. The

mower could suddenly turnover if a wheel is over the edge Ofa cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in,

° Do not mow on wet grass., Reduced traction could cause

sliding.

° Do not tryto stabilize the machine byputtingyourfoot onthe

ground°

• Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes_

111,CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the

presence of children° Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that

children will remain where you last saw them. o Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful

care of another responsible adult.

= Be atert and turnmachine off if children enter the area_

- Before and when backing, look behind and down for small

children.

• Never carry children. They may fail off and be seriously

injuredor interfere with safe machine operation_

° Never allow children to operate the machine,. ° Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,

trees, or other objectsthat may obscure vision.

IV. SERVICE

° Use extracare inhandlinggasoline and other fuels. They are

flammable and vapors are explosive.

Use onlyan approved container.

Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine

running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. Do not smoke°

Never refuel the machine indoors. Never store the machine or fuel container' inside where

° Never run a machine inside a closed area_ ° Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight

° Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debds build-up,

= Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. = Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running.

= Grass catchercomponents aresubject to wear, damage, and

• Mower blades are sharp and can cut° Wrap the blade(s) or

• Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as

there is an open flame, such as a water heater°

and keep equipment in good condition.

operation regularly. Clean oil or fuel spiIlage_ Allow machine to cool before

stodng_

Repair, if necessary, before restarting_

deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check components and

replace with manufacturer's recommended parts, when nec-

essaryo

wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

required,.

Look for this symbol to point out im- portant safety precautions. It means

CAUTIONIII BECOMEALERTfl! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where itcannot contact

spark plug in order to prevent accidental starting when setttng up, transporting,

a_usting or making repairs.

A WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product con-

tains cl'iemicals known to the State of Califor

nia to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm,

.../, /u/i

CONGRATULATIONS on your pumhase of a Sears Tractor. it has been designed, engineered and manufac-

tured to give you the best possible dependability and

performance. Should you experience any problem you cannot easily

remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized

Service Center/Department. We have competent, well- trained technicians and the proper tools to service or rep_r this tractor_

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will enable you to assemble and maintain your tractor properly.

Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".

MODEL NUMBER 917°256562

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

HORSEPOWER: 19_.0 GASOLINE CAPACITY 3.5 GALLONS

AND TYPE: UNLEADED REGULAR OIL TYPE (API-SF/SG): SAE 30 (above 32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)

OIL CAPACITY: 3.0 PINTS SPARK PLUG: CHAMPION RJ19LM

(GAP: .030") STD361458

VALVE CLEARANCE: INTAKE: ,004" -.006"

EXHAUST: ,.007" - ,009"

SERIAL NUMBER

DATE OFPURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BEFOUND oN A PLATE UNDER THE SEAT° YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER AND

DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

GROUND SPEED (MPH): FORWARD:

1st 1,.1

2nd 1.4 3rd 2.3

4th 3.5

5th 4.5

6th 5.7

REVERSE: 1,8

TIRE PRESSURE: FRONT: 14 PSI

REAR: 10 PSt

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this prod-

uct. Contact your nearest Sears store for details.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

, Road and observe the safety rules. , Follow a regularschedule in maintaining, caring for and using

your tractor.

• Foilow the instructions under "Customer Responsibilities" and "Storage" sections of this owner's manual..

WARNING: This tractor is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any

unimproved forest-covered, brushocovered or grass-cow ered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped

with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state taws (if any). If a spark arrestor is used, it should be maintained

in effective working order by the operator°

CHARGING SYSTEM: 3 AMPS BATTERY

5 AMPS HEADLIGHTS

BATTERY: AMPtHR: 30

MINo CCA: 240 CASE SIZE; UIR

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 30-35 FT, LBS.

In the state of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code)°

Other states may have similar lawso Federal laws apply on

federal lands° A spark arrestor for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center/

Department (See REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN RIDING EQUIPMENT

For two (2) years from the date of purchase, ifthis Craftsman Riding Equipment ismaintained, lubricated and tuned up according

to the instructions in the owner's manual, Soars will repair or replace, free of charge, any parts found to be defective in material or workmanship. This Warranty does not cover.

• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as blades, spark plugs, air cleaners, belts, etc. o Tire replacement or repaircaused by punctures from outside objects, such as nails, thorns, stumps, or glass.

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse, negligence, improper storage or accident or the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained inthe owner's manual.

° Riding equipment used for commercial or rental purposes.

LIMITED 90 DAY WARRAN'rY ON BATTERY

For ninety (90) days from date of purchase, if any battery included with this riding equipment proves defective in material or

workmanship and our testing determines the battery willnot hold a charge, Sears willreplace the batter,.#at no charge°

IN-HOME WARRANTY SERVICE ON YOUR CRAFTSMAN RIDING EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO-CHARGE FOR 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE,. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST SERVICE CENTER,. AFTER 30 DAYS FROM

THE DATE OF PURCHASE, WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY TAKING YOUR CRAFTSMAN RIDING EQUIPMENT TO

YOUR NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER. (IN-HOME WARRANTY SERVICE WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE BUT A STANDARD TRIP CHARGE WILL APPLY,) THIS WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY

WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS tN THE UNITED STATES° This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which may vary from state to staten

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60179

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULES ............................................................ 2

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 3

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ..................... 3, 15-18

WARRANTY .................................................................. 3

TRACTOR ACCESSORIES ......... ,..L,.......,,,_a......... 5,=,

ASSEMBLY ............................................................... 7-9

OPERATION .......................................................... 10-14

iNDEX

Accessories ......................................................5

Adjustments:

Brake .............................................................21

Carburetor. .........................................24

Mower

Front-To-Back ......................... 20

Side-To-Side .................................20

Throttle Control Cable .......................23

Air Filter, Engine ...........................................!7-18

Air Screen, Engine ......................................18

Assembly ...........................................................7-9

Battery:

Charging ......................................... 8

Cleaning ................ 'o...........................17

Starting with Weak Battery ........... 22

Storage ......................................... 25

Terminals ................................................17

Belt:

Motion Drive

Removal/Replacement ........... 21

Mower Blade(s)

Remova/iReplacement .............21

Blade:

Sharpening .................................. t6

Replacement ..................................................16

Brake Adjustment ...........................................21

Carburetor Adjustment .................................24

Controls, Tractor _................................... 11

Customer Responsibilities ................15-18

Engine:

Air Filter ................................ 17-18

Air Screen, Engine ................... 18

Cooling Fins, Engine ................ 18

Engine Oil ................................................17

Fuel Filter ................................... 18

Spark Plug(s) .....................................18

Tractor:.

Battery ................................. ..... 17

Blade .............................................:.... 16

Lubrication Chart ............. ._..-.,...15

Maintenance Schedule ..........z,_h._ 5

Tire Care .......................... 8,16,22

Transaxle ................................. 17

Cutting Height, Mower .......................... 12

Electrical:

Interlocks and Relays ......................23

Schematic .........................................................29

Wiring Diagram ............................ 30

Engine:

Air Filter............................................18

Air Screen .......................................t8

Cooling Fins, Engine .......................18

Oil Change ........................................17

Oil Level ................................... 13,17

Oil Type ........................................ 17

Preparation ..........................................13

Repair Parts ..............................................30-47

Starting .......................................... 14

Storage ....................................................25

Filter:.

Air Filter..............................................17-t8

Fuel .............................................17-18

Fuel:

Type ......................................................13

Storage .............................................25

Fuse ...................................................... 23

Hood Removal/installation .....................23

Leveling Mower Deck ........................................20

Lubrication:

Chart .......................................................15

Maintenance Scheduie ......................... 15

Mower:

Adjustment, Front-to-Back ........... 20

Adjustment, Side-to-Side .......................20

Blade Sharpening .............................t6

Blade Replacement ..........................16

Cutting Height .............................. 12

Installation ..................................... 19

Operation .........................................13

Removal ......................................... 19

Mowing Tips ........................................ 14

Muffler.. ..............................................................................18

Spark Arrestor............................ 3,40

Oil:

Cold Weather Conditions ........ 13,17

Engine....................................... 13,17

Storage ..............................................25

Operation ....................................... 10-14

Operating Mower .................................................t3

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ..................................... 15

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ........................... 19-24

STORAGE ................................................................... 25

TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................... 26-27

REPAIR PARTS - TRACTOR ................................ 30-47

REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE .................................... 48-53

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ............... BACK COVER

Options:

Accessodes ...................................... 5

Spark Arrestor ............................ 3,40

Parking Brake ........................................ t2

Parts Bag ........................................................6

Parts, Replacement/Repair. ........... 30-47

Product Specifications........................... 3

Repair Parts .......................................30-47

Safety Rules ....................................................... 2

Seat .....................................................................8

Service and Adjustments .................19-24

Carburetor ..............................................24

Fuse ............................................... 23

Hood Removal/Installation ........... 23

Motion Drive Belt

Removal/Replacement ........... 21

Mower Belt(s)

Removal/Replacement ........... 21

Mower Adjustment

Front-to-Back ..............................................20

Side-to-Side ............................. 20

Mower Removal ...........................................19

Tire Care .............................. 8,16,22

Slope Guide Sheet .............................. 55

Spark Plug(s) ................................................ 18

Specifications ........................................... 3

Starting the Engine ........................ 13-14

Steering Wheel ................................ 7,22

Stopping the Tractor ......................................12

Storage ...............................................................................25

Throttle Control Cable Adjustment .......23

Tires............................................ 8,16,22

Trouble Shooting Chart .................. 26-27

Transax]e ...................................................... 17

: .................. .............................. ii i,ii i, i, i,,,,,,,,ll,,

ACCESSORIES AND ATTACH

....... ............................... lllll1,11llll ....

These accessories and attachments were availablethroughmost Sears retail outlets and service centers when the tractorwas purchased°

Most Sears stores can order these items for you when you provide the model number of your tractor.

ENGINE

SPARKPLUG FUEL ..................

"_ " MAINTENANCE

STABILIZER BLADES BELTSGASCAN ENGINEOIL

AIRFILTER

PERFORMANCE

Sears offersa widevariety of attachments thatfityour tractor. Many oftheseare listedbelow withbdef explanations ofhow they can help you. This list was current at the time of publication; however, it may change in future years - more attachments may be added, changes may be made in these attachments, or some may no longer be available or fit your model. Contact your nearest Sears store for the

accessories and attachments that are available for your tractor,

Most ofthese attachments do not require additional hitches or conversionkits (those thatdo are indicated) and are designed for easy

attaching and detaching.

AERATOR promotes deep mot growth for a healthy lawn.. Ta- pered 2.5-inch steel spikes mounted on 10-inch diameter discs

puncture holes in soil at close intervals to let moisture soak in_ Steel weight tray for increased penetration.

BAGGER lets you collect grass clippings and leaves for a healthier, heater looking lawno Two Permanex containers hold

30_gallon plastic bags.

BUMPER protects front end of tractor from damage. CARTS make hauling easy. Variety of sizes available, plus

accessories such as side panel kits, tool caddy, cart cover, protective mat and dolly.,

CORING AERATOR takes small plugs out of soil to allow mois- ture and nutrients to reach grass roots. 36-inch swath° 24

hardened steel coring tips. 150 Ib_capacity weight tray. EASY OIL DRAIN VALVE makes oil changes easier, faster° FRONT NOSE ROLLER canters in front of mower deck to reduce

chances of "scalping" on uneven terrain° GANG HITCH letsyou tow 2 or3 pull-behind attachments at once,

such as sweepers, dethatchers, aerators (not foruse with rollers, carts or other heavy attachments)°

GAUGE WHEELS on both sides of the mower deck reduce chances of "scalping" on uneven terrain° For mower decks not so

equipped.

MULCH RAKF.JDETHATCHER loosens soil and flips thatch and

matted leaves to lawn surface for easy pickup. Twenty spring tine

teeth° Usefultoprepare bareareasforseeding. Availableforfrent

or rear mounting, HIGH PERFORMANCE REEL-ACTION SPRING TINE DETHATCHER covers 36-inch wide path and

tosses thatch into large hopper. Mounts behind tractor., MULCHING CLOSE-OUT PLATE KIT, once installed, lets you mulch discharge or bag clippings (bagger optional) without

changing blades. For models net equ pped as 3-1n*1Convertible mowers.. See "MOWER" in the Repair Parts section of this manual.

RAMP TOPS AND FEET let you load and unload tractor from a pickup truck_ Use with 2 x 8 or2 x 10 lumber.,

ROLLER for smoother lawn surface. 36-inch wide, 18-inch diameter water-tight drumholds up to 390 Ibs.ofwetght. Rounded

edges prevent harm to turf.. Adjustable scraper automatically cleans drum.,

SNOW BLADE forsnow removal only. 14-inch high, 48-inch wide bladeclears42-inchpathwhen angled left orright. Raises,lowers

withside lever° Adjustableskids; replaceable, reversiblescraper bar° (Use withtirechains and wheel weights and/or rear drawbar weight.)

SNOWTHROWER has40-inch swath,.Drum-typeaugerhand_es powdery and wet/heavy snow° Mounts easily with simple pin

arrangemenL Discharge chute adjusts from tractor seat. 6-inch diameter spout discharges snow 10 to 50 feet. Liftcontrolledat

tractor seat. (Use with chains and wheel weights and/or rear drawbar weighL)

SPRAYERS use 12-volt DC electric motor that connects to the tractor battery or other 12-volt source° includes booms for

automatic sprayingand hand held wand for spot spraying. Wand has adjustable spray pattern° For applying herbicides, insecti- cides, fungicides and liquidfertilizers;

SPREADER/SEEDERS make seeding, fertilizing, and weed kill- ing easy. Broadcast spreaders are also useful for granular de-

Icersand sand,

SWEEPERS let you collect grass clippings and leaves. TILLER has 5 hpengine and 36-inch swath to prepare seed beds,

cultivateand compost garden residue. Tiller has its own built-in

liftand depthcontrolsystemand does NOT require a sleeve hitch_ Fitsanylawn, yard orgarden tractor. Simplyhook upto the tractor

drawbar and got Optional accessories convert unit for dethatching,aerating, hUling..wlthout tools.

TIRE CHAINS are heavy duty;closely spaced extra-large cross

links give smoothride, outstandingtraction. TRACTOR CAB has heavy duty vinyl fabric ever tubular stee!

frame, ABS plastictop;ctear plastic windshieldoffers 360 degree visibility. Hinged metal doorswith catch. Keeps operator warm and dry. Remove vinyl sides and windshields for use as sun protector in summer. Optional accessories include: tinted/

tempered solidsafety glasswindshieldwith hand operated wiper; 12ovolt amber cautionlightfor mounting on cab top.

VACS for powerfulcollectionofheavy grass clippingsand leaves. Optional wand attachment to pick up debris in hard-to-reach

places. VAC/CHIPPER includesa chipper.shredder. . WEIGH'£ BRACKET for drawbar for snow removal applications.

Uses (1) 55 lb. weighL

WHEEL WEIGHTS for rear wheels provide needed traction for snow removal or dozing heavy materials.

ii....... iii iiiiiiiii1,,,,iii i

CO NTS OF HARDWARE PACK

Parts Bag contents shown full size

(1) Large FlatWasher _=_

_ (1) Lockwasher 3t8

--- @

ilW

t) Hex Bolt 5/16-18 x 1-1/4 (1) Locknut 5/16-t8

((1) Shoulder Bolt (1) Hex Bolt 112-13x 1

Parts packed separately in carton

_ Mulcher

Seat

Steering Video

Wheel Cassette

I !

| !

i I | !

PartsBag

Plate

Manual

Parts bag contents not shown full size

i- 'if l"_=ml""'"' ml

f/ F_"-_ (t) Washer

_===,,_ (1) LockWasher 112

I _ Screws #10 5/8

_*_==_(2) Washers 3/16x 3/4 x 16 Gaug_e"_=,`

(2) Hex Bolts _ @r"

(2) Washers "-"

9/32 x 518 x 16 Gauge_'_2 ) Lock Washers 1/4

_, 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 f

(2)

(2) Weld Nuts #10 I !

1/4_20 _

(2) Shoulder

Bolts

@ (2) Center-

_ Steedng Wheel

SlopeSheet

insert

Steering Extension

Shaft

o Steering Wheel

- Adapter

Wheels

(2} Washers 318 x 7/8 x 14 Gauge

lock Nuts

Steering

-0-((2) LatchHook Assemblys

<:_ (2) Keys

Boot

BLY

i i i i,i i1,11111,11 ...............................

Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory withexception ofthose parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightnesso

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

A socket wrench set will make assembly easier° Standard wrench sizes are listed.

(1) 5/16" wrench (1) 9/t6" wrench (2) 7/16" wrenches (1) Phillips screwdriver

(2) 1/2" wrenches Utility knife (1) 3/4" wrench Tire pressure gauge

(1) 3/4" socket with drive ratchet When right and left hand is mentioned in this manual, it

means when you are in the operating position (seated behind the steering wheel).

TO REMOVE TRACTOR FROM CARTON

UNPACK CARTON

. Remove all accessible loose parts and parts cartons

from carton (See page 6)_

• Cut, from top to bottom, along lines on all four corners of carton, and lay panels flat.

o Check for any additional loose parts or cartons and

remove.

WHEEL BOOT

ADAPTER _ _.,,..EXTENSION SHAFT

STEERING

rABS

.EXBOLT

BEFORE ROLLING TRACTOR OFF SKID

ATTACH STEERING WHEEL (See Fig. 1)

ASSEMBLE EXTENSION SHAFT AND BOOT

• Side extension shaft onto lower steering shaft° Align mounting holes inextention and lowershafts and install

5/16 hex bolt and Iocknut. Tighten securely_

IMPORTANT: TIGHTEN BOLT AND NUT SECURELY TO 18-22 FToLBS TORQUE.

o Place tabs of steering boot over tab slots in dash and

push down to secure.

iNSTALL STEERING WHEEL ° Position front wheels of the tractor so theyare pointing

straight forward.

° Slide steering wheel adapter onto steering shaft exten-

sion.

- Positionsteeringwheeland sleeve assemblyso cross bars are horizontal(leftto right)and slideontoadapter°

° Assemble large fiat washer, 3/8 lock washer, 3/8 hex

boltand tighten securely.

° Snap steering wheel insert into center of steering

wheel

, Remove protective plasticfrom tractor hood and grill. IMPORTANT: CHECK FORAND REMOVE ANY STAPLES

IN SKiD THAT MAY PUNCTURETIRES WHERE TRACTOR IS TO ROLL OFF SKID. '_"

LOWER _ d,Y SHAFT l _ , ' n

FIG, 1

TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Opera- tion section for location and function of con-

trols)

° Press liftleverplungerand raise attachment lift lever to

itshighest position.

° Release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake

pedal°

• Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position. ° Roll tractor back-wards off skid

° Remove banding holding discharge guard up against

tractor,

CONNECT BATTERY (See Fig. 2)

I IIII I IIII IILII IIIIIIIII I I ILII[III[IIIIIIIIIIIII

CAUTION: Do not short battery termi- move metal bracelets, wristwatch

bands, rings, etc.

nals. Before connecting battery, re-

Positive terminal must be connected

first to prevent sparking from acciden- tal grounding.

• Lift hood to raised position°

° Open terminal access doors, remove terminal protec-

tive caps and discard.

BLY

- if this battery is put intoservice after month and year indicated on label (label located between terminals)

charge battery for minimum of one hour at 6_-10amp s.

, First connect RED battery cable to positive (+)battery

terminal with hex bolt, flat washer', lock washer and he nut as shown. Tighten securely.

• Connect BLACK grounding cable to negative (-) bat- tery terminal with remaining hex bolt, flat washer, lock

washer and hex nut. Tighten securely.

° Close terminal access doors.

Use terminal access doors for:

• Inspection for secure connections (to tighten hard-

ware),

, inspection for corrosion.

° Testing battery°

• Jumping (if required).

° Periodic charging.

DISCARD HEX NUT TERMINAL

PROTECTIVE _\ CAPS

TERMINAL ,'"

ACCESS DOOR .'

LOCK WASHER

POSITIVE (RED) CABLE

NEGATIVE (BLACK} CABLE

FLAT

HEX BOLT

FIG. 2

INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3)

Adjust seat before tightening adjustment bolt.

o Remove cardboard packingon seatpan.

° Assemble adjustment bolt, lockwasherandflatwasher

loosely° Do not tighten.

- Tighten shoulder bolt securely.

- Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat°

SEAT

SEATPAN

° Slideseat until acomfortable position isreached which

allows you to press clutch!brake pedal all the way

down,

° Get off seat without moving its adjusted position.

- Raise seat and tighten adjustment bolt securely.,

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

The tires on your tractor were overinflated at the factory for shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important for best cutting perfomlance.

° Reduce tirepressure to PSI shown in "PRODUCT

SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual°

CHECK DECK LEVELNESS

For best cutting results, mower housing should be properly

leveled. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual

CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL

BELTS

See the figures that are shown for replacing motion and mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual Verify that the belts are routed

correctly.

CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM

After' you learn how to operate your tractor, check to see that the brake is propedy adjusted. See "TO ADJUST

BRAKE" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

ASSEMBLE GAUGE WHEELS TO MOWER

DECK (See Fig. 4)

Assembte gauge wheels with tractoron aflat level surface_ ° Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See "TO AD-

JUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation section of this manual).

o With mower in desired tleight of cut position, gauge

wheels should beassembled so they are slightly off the ground, install gauge wheel in appropriate hole with

shoulder bolt, 3/8 washer and 3/8-16 locknut and- Place seat on seat pan and assemble shoulder bolt. tighten securely.

Repeat for opposite side installing gauge wheel in same adjustment hole.

GAUGE WHEEL MOUNTING BRACKET

SHOULDER

ADJUSTMENT BOLT WASHER

FIG. 3 8

LARGEFLAT WASHER

LOCKNUT

3_ WASHER

GAUGE WHEEL

SHOULDER BOLT

FIG. 4

ASSEMBLY

INSTALL MULCHER PLATE (See Figs. 5 and 6)

- Install two latch hooks to mulcher plate using screw,

washer, lock washer, and weld nut as shown.

NOTE-"Pre-assemble weld nut to latch hook by inserting

weld nut from the top with hook pointing down.,

= Tighten hardware securely,, ° Raise and hold deflector shield in upright position.

• Place front of mulcher plate over front of mower deck opening and slide into place, as shown.

° Hook front latch into hole on front of mower deck.

• Hook rear latch into hole on back of mower deck.

CAUTION: Do not remove discharge guard from mower. Raise and hold

guard when attaching mulcher plate and allow it to rest on plate while in

operation.

TO CONVERT TO BAGGING OR DISCHARGING

Simply remove mulcher plate and store in a safe place.

iYour mower is now ready for discharging or installationof

optional grass catcher accessory.

HOOK POINTS I

WELD NUT DOWN

FROM THE TOP \

WELDk WASHER

NUT \-..

LATCH HOOK

WASHER

MULCHER PLATE

LOCK

\_ SCREW

HOOK

LOCK WELD WASHER NUT

WASHER

'_'-SCREW

FIG. 5

DEFLECTOR SHIELD

HOOKS

FIG. 6

,/"CHECKLIST

BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW

TRACTOR, WE WISH TO ASSU RE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM

THIS QUALITY PRODUCT.

PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST:

•f All assembly instructions have been completed. J No remaining loose parts in carton. #" Battery is properly prepared and charged,. (Minimum

1 hour at 6 amps). 4 Seat is adjusted comfortably and tightened securely. ,/ All tires are properly inflated. (For shipping purposes,

the tires were ovennflated at the factory). #" Be sure mower deck is properly leveled side-to-side/

front-to-rear for best cutting results° (Tires must be

properly inflated for leveling)_ / Check mower and drive belts. Be sure they are routed

properly around pulleys and inside all belt keepers.

v" Check wiring. See that all connections are still secure

and wires are properly clamped.

WHILELEARNIIVG HOWTO USE YOUR TRACTOR, PAY

EXTRA ATTENTfON TO THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT ITEMS:

# Engine oil is at proper level° 4" Fuel tank is filled with fresh, clean, regular unleaded

gasoline.

/ Become familiar with all controls - their location and

function_ Operate them before you start the engine.

,/ Be sure brake system is in safe operating condition°

OPERATION

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

BATTERY CAUTION OR REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW

WARNING

ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE CLUTCH LIGHTS ON LIGHTS OFF

FUEL CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED

LOCK LOCKED

N H

REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW

PARKING BRAKE

MOWER LIFT ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT IGNITION

CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED

DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY

HYDROSTATIC FREE WHEEL

(Hydro Models only)

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR TRACTOR

READ THIS OWNER'SMANUALANn SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR C_mpare theii1ustrati_n_withy_urtract_rt_ fami_iarizey_urseifwiththei_cati_ns _fVari_usc_ntr__sandadjustments_ Save

this manual for future reference,

IGNITION SWITCH

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

LIGHT SWITCH POSITION

LIFT LEVER PLUNGER

ATTACHMENT UFT LEVER

CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL

THROTTLE CONTROL

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB

Our tractors conform to the safety standards ofthe American National Standards Instituter

THROTTLE CONTROL: Used for starting and controlling engine speed° CHOKE CONTROL: Used for starting a cold engine,, CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL: Usedfor clutchingand braking the tractorand starting the engine.

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB: Used to adjustthe mower cutting height°

IGNITION SWITCH: Used for starting and stopping the

engine.

LIGHT SWITCH: Turns the headlights on and off_

AMMETER: indicates charging (+) or discharging(-) of

battery.

PARKING BRAKE LEVER

GEARSHIFT

FIG. 7

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER: Used to engage the

mower blades, or other attachments mounted to your tractor.

LIFT LEVER PLUNGER: Used to release attachment lift lever when changing its position.

ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER: Used to raise and lowerthe mower deck or other attachments mounted to your tractor. PARKING BRAKE LEVER: Locks Clutch/Brake Pedal into

the brake position. GEARSHIFT LEVER: Selects the speed and direction of

tractor.

OP RATION

............................... iilllilll iii ................................

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which I can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while

operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over the spectacles or standard safety glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR

TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 8)

Your tractor isequipped with an operatorpresence sensing switch. When engine is running, any attempt by the operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking brake will shut off the engine.

° Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position

and hold.

= Place parking brake lever in"ENGAGED" position and

release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should remain in "BRAKE" position° Make sure parking brake

will hold tractor secure.

CHOKE "ENGAGED" POSITION CONTROL IGNITION KEY

CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL"DRIVE" POSITION

STOPPING (See Fig. 8)

MOWER BLADES -

• Move attachment clutchlever to "DISENGAGED" pco sitiono

GROUND DRIVE -

° Depressclutchibrake pedalintofuII"BRAKE" position°

° Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) position.

ENGINE -

° Move throttlecontrolto slow (,_) position°

NOTE: ,Failure to move tt_rottlecontrol to stow (=_)

posit_onand allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine to "backfire",

= Turn ignition key tO "OFF" position and remove key.

Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent

unauthorized use.

° Never use choke to stop engine. NOTE: Under certain conditions when tractor' is standing

idle with the engine running,hot engine exhaust gases may cause "browning" of grass, To eliminate this possibility,

always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas, 12

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB

FIG. 8

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, , ,, ,, ,,,,,,, , ,,,

CAUTION: Always stop tractor com- pletely, as described above, before leav-

ing the operator's position; to empty

grass catcher, etc.

TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)

Always operate engine at full throttle. , Operating en_]ineat less than full throttle reduces the

battery charging rate.

° Full throttle offersthe best bagging and mower perfor-

mance°

TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)

Usechokecontrolwheneveryouare startinga coldengine.

Do not use to start a warm engine_

• To engage choke control, pull knob out. Slowly push knob in to disengage°

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD

(See Fig. 8)

The directionand speed ofmovement is controlled by the

gearshift lever° ° Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal depressed and

gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.

° Move gearshift lever to desired position° ° Slowly release clutc_'Vbrakepedal to start movement.

IMPORTANT: BRING TRACTOR TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE SHIFTING OR CHANGING GEARS, FAILURE

TO DO SO WILL SHORTEN THE USEFUL LIFE OF YOUR TRANSAXLE.

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT

(See Fig. 8)

The cuttingheight iscontrolledbyturningtheheightadjust-

ment knob in desired direction,

° Turn knob clockwise((-_) to raise cutting height ° Turn knob countercloct_wise(K'_) to lower cutting

height.

The cuttingheight range isapproximately 1-1/2" to 4", The

heightsare measuredfrom the groundtothe bladetipwith the engine not running, These heights are approximate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass and types of grassbeing mowed.

° The average lawnshouldbe cutto approximately2-1/2

inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches during hot months, For healthier and better looking

lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.

° For best cutting performance, grass over6 inches in

height should be mowed twice, Make the first cut

relativelyhigh; the second to desired height.

OPERATION

TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 9)

Yourtractorisequippedwithan operatorpresencesensing

switch_ Any attempt bythe operatorto leavethe seat with theengine runningand the attachmentclutchengaged wil! shut off the engine°

• Select desiredheight of cut. o Lower mower with attachment liftcontrol.

° Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch

control.

• TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengageattachment

clutchcontrol

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

without either the entire grass catcher, CAUTION: Do not operate the mower

on mowers so equipped, or the dis-

....... , ,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

"DISENGAGED"

POSITION

charge guard in place.

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

"ENGAGED" POSITION

LOWEST

POSITION

° To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and

clutch/brake pedal

° Make all turns slowly.

TO TRANSPORT

• Raise attachment lift to highest position with attach- ment liftcontrol.

• When pushingortowingyourtractor, be sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N) position°

° Do not push or tow tractor at more than five (5) MPHo NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting

your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etco).

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 15)

, The engine inyour tractorhas been shipped, from the

factory, already filled with summer weight oil

° Check engine oil withtractor on level ground.

• Remove oilfillcap/dipstickandwipe clean, reinsertthe

dipstickand screw cap tight, wa=tfor a few seconds, remove and read oil level If necessary, add oil untU

"FULL" mark on dipstickis reached. Do not overfill.

• For cold weather operationyou should change oil for

easier starting (See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the Customer Responsibilitiessection of this manual)°

• To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili- ties sectionin this manual.

DISCHARGE GUARD

FIG. 9

TO OPERATE ON HILLS

i & CAUTION: D°n°tdriveup°rd°wn !

° Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down

hills.

....• Avoid stopping or changing speed on hill,_ ....

• if slowing isnecessary, move throttle control lever to slower position°

• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking

brake°

° Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be sure you have

allowed room for tractor to roll slightly as you restart movement.

hills with slopes greater than 15° and I

..... do not drive across any slope. I

ADD GASOLINE

° Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded

gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits

and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline.

Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30

days to assure fuel freshness.

IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING iN TEMPERATURES BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEANWINTER GRADE

GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER STARTING,

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can

attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel

system of an engine while tn storage° To avoid engine problems,the fuel system shouldbe emptiedbefore stor- age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the

engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instruc-

tions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetorcleaner products inthe fuel tank or permanent

damage may occur.

IIIIII L III III LI lll[J IIII IIIIIIIIIII

filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any

CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank

spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

OPERATI

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)

When startingengine for the first time orifengine has run outof fuel, itwilltake extracrankingtime tOmove fuel from

the tankto the engine°

• Depress clutch/brake pedal and set parkingbrake.

• Place gearshiftlever inneutral (N) position.

• Move attachment clutchto "DISENGAGED" position.

° Pull choke control out to choke (N) positionfor cold

engine start. For warm engine start do notuse choke

control.

° Move throttlecontrolto midway between fast (,_) and

slow (,€_) positions.

° tnsertkey into ignition and turn keyclockwise to"START"

position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do

not run starter continuously for more than fifteen

seconds per minute. If engine does not start after several attempts, move throttle control to fast (,_)

position,wait a few minutes and try again. = When engine starts, slowly push choke control in. ° Move throttle control to fast (,_) position.

= Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before

engaging ddve or attachments. NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold

temperatures (below 32°F), the carburetor fuel mixture may needto beadjusted for best engine performance. See 'TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjust-

ments section of this manual.

MOWING TIPS

° Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing

is attached to tractor.

• Mower should be,properly leveled for best mowing

performance., See 'TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING' in

the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

- The left hand side of mower should be used for trim- ming.

° Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area

that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the machine. This will result in a more even distribution of

clippings and more uniform cutting.

° When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right

so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc. Afterone ortwo rounds, mow

in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished (See Fig. 10 ).

• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip-

pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height.

Do riotmow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to

dry before mowing°

° Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to

assure better mowing performance and proper dis-

charge of material. Regulate ground speed by select-

ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting performance as well as the quality of cut desired.

When operating attachments, select a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of

the attachment being used.

FIG. 10

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND

TRASH. CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.

• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clip- pingsmany times and reduce them in size so thatas

they fall ontothe lawn they willdisperse intothe grass

and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for' the lawn.

Always mulch with your' highest engine (blade) speed

as this will provide the best recurring action of the blades.

o Avoid cuttingyourlawn when it iswet. Wet grass tends

to form clumps arid interferes with the mulching action, The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area

wilt not be exposed to the direct sun.

o Forbest results, adjust the mower cutting height so that

the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass

blades (See Fig. 11). For' extremely heavy mulching, reduce your' width of cut on eachpass and mow slowly.

o Certain types of grass and grass conditions may re-

quire that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings° When doing a second

cut, mow across or' perpendicular to the first cut path°

° Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow

northto south one week then change to east to west the next week. This willhelp prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

MAX 1/3

FIG. 11

...................................................... L 'H'I'IlUlU'II'II"I I I I I

CUSTOMER

REGULAR SERVICE ,_'_._"_f _'_ SERVICE DATES

CheckBrakeOperation _ _ _ _ CheckTirePressure I/ !_

CheckforLooseFasteners

...... I.................f........

LubricationChart I V' Q##

....CheckBatteryLevel/Recharge

CleanBatteryandTerminals IV# ..........

CheckTransaxleCooling

AdjustBladeBelt(s)Tension VIa

AdjustMotionDriveBelt(s)Tension V's

CheckEngineOil Level tf I_

......ChangeEngineoil : : _ : _,2,3 if

CleanAir Filter _/'2 CleanAir Screen V_ : :

G InspectMuffledSparkArrester _1'

I ReplaceOilFilter(Ifequipped) : V'_t2

N CleanEngineCoolingFins i_2 ........

Replace Spark Plug _1/ V #

Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

ReplaceFuelFilter if

1 - Change mere often when operating ,,rider a heavy Iced er ]n high emblent temperatures 2 _Service me_ ellen when operating in d_dyor dustycandilJans 3 - if equlpped with eil filter,change oil every 50 heurs

4 - Replace blades mere often when mewing Insandy set].

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warrantyon this tractordoes not coveritems that have

been subjected to operator abuse or negligence_ To receivefull value from the warranty, operator must maintain

tractor as instructed in this manual.

Some adjustments wilt need to be made periodically to properly maintain your tractor.

All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at leastonce each season°

Once a year you should repIace the spark plug, clean or replace air filter, and check blades and belts for wear. A new spark plug and clean air filter assure

proper airffuel mixture and help your engine run better andlast Ionger_

BEFORE EACH USE

', Check engine oil level ,, Check brake operation°

• Check tire pressure.

" Check for loose fasteners.

...... ! ! ! .... : I .....

I LITIES

i1,1 ,i

.........=..........: ...................

.... . ....., ...... , . L

5 - If equipped with adIust_ble system, 6 - Not required ]f equipped with maintenance-free battery,

7 - Tighten front axle pivot bolt te 35 fL-Ibs, maximum,,

Do net ovartlgh_em

LUBRICATION CHART

®BEARING ZERK BEARING ZERK_

CLUTCH

PIVOT(S)

®SAE 30 OR 10W30 MOTOR OIL ®GENERAL PURPOSE GREASE

(_IREFER TO CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES "ENGINE" SECTION IMPORTANT: DO NOT OIL OR GREASE THE PIVOT POINTS

WHICH HAVE SPECIAL NYLON BEARINGS. VISCOUS LUBRI- CANTS WILL ATTRACT DUST AND DIRT THAT WELL SHORTEN

THE LIFE OF THE SELF-LUBRICATiNG BEARINGS, IF YOU FEEL THEY MUST BE LUBRICATED, USE ONLY A DRY, POW-

DERED GRAPHITE TYPE LUBRICANT SPARINGLY,

PIVOTS

....... _ iiii ii iiiiiiiiiiiiii1,11111

TRACTOR

Always observe safety ruleswhen performing any mainte-

nanceo

BRAKE OPERATION

If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance athigh speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust- ments section of this manual).

TIRES

• Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See "PROD- UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual),.

° Keep tires free of gasol{ne, oil, orinsectcontrol chemi-

cals which can harm rubber.

° Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and

other hazards that may cause tire damage.

BLADE CARE

For best results mower blades must be kept sharp_ Re-

place bent or damaged blades.

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 12)

. Raise mower to highest positionto allow access to

blades.

. Rernovehex bolt, lock washer and flat washer securing

blade.

° Installnew or resharpened blade with trailingedge up

towards deck as shown,.

Reassemble hex bolt, lockwasher and flat washer in

exact order as shown°

• Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft. Lbs, torque).

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLTIS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED. NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but ifyou

do, be sure the blade is balanced.

MANDREL ASSEMBLY

FLAT WASHER

LOCK WASHER

HEX BOLT

*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD, P,

FIG. 12

BLADE

TRAILING EDGE

LITIES

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 13)

Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and even-

tual damage to mower and engine° o The blade can be sharpened with a file or on agrinding

wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower°

° To check blade balance, you will need a 5/8" diameter

steel bolt, pin, ora cone balanceL (When using a cone balancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal-

ancer) o

° Slideblade ontoanunthreaded portion ofthe steelbolt

or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel withthe ground.

If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal position, if either end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.

NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancingblade. The lobes of

the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not.

BLADE

OR PIN

FIG, 13

BATTERY

Yourtractor has a battery charging systemwhich issuffi- cient for normal use_ However, periodic charging of the

battery withan automotive charger willextend itslifeo

- Keep battery and terminalsclean,, ° Keep battery bolts tight.

• Keep small vent holes open. . Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS Corrosion and dirton the batteryand terminals can cause

the battery to "leak" powers.

° Remove terminal guard,. . Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-

tory cable and remove battery from tractor.

o Rinse the battery with plain water and dry. ° Cleanterminalsand battery cable ends withwirebrush

untilbright.

• Coat terminals with g_reaseor petroleum jelly. ° Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the

Assembly section of this manual).

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBiLiTiES

V-BELTS

Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after t00 hours of

operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not

adjustable° Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear.

TRANSAXLE COOLING

Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which

can restrict cooling°

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Only use high quality detergent oit rated with API service classification SF or SG. Select the oil's SAE viscosity

grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

DIPSTICK AND FILL TUBE

ENGINE oILV_ __

FIG, 14

.,. SO.EE.

< m

°F -=o" oo 30' 32'S0; e0• ........B0_.... }00"

°c-='o, -=_" -1_o _" io° _o" ,,_o= 4_o

TEMPE_TURER,_GE_rnc,PATEOB_FOR..i_'roILcHuG.

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, !0W30 etco)

improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils

will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°F. Checkyour engine oil level more frequently to avoid possibIe engine damage from running low on oil

Change the oil after the first two hours of operation and every 25 hours thereafter or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 25 hours in one year.

Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each eight (8) hours of operation, Tighten oil fill cap!dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig.15)

Determine temperature range expected before oil change.

All oi1must meet AP1 service classification SF or SG.

• Be sure tractor is on level surface. . Oil will drain more freely when warm.

° Catch oil in a suitable container°

• Remove oil fill dipstick° Be careful not to allow dirt to

enter the engine when changing oil

° Remove drain plug.

- After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug

and tighten securely.

° Refill engine with oilthrough oil fill dipstick tube. Pour

slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this

manual,

° Use gauge on oil fill dipstick for checking level. Be sure

dipstick cap istightened securely for accurate reading,,

Keep oil at "FULU' line on dipstick.

CLEAN AIR SCREEN (See Fig. 14)

Air screen must be kept free of dirtand chaff to prevent

engine damage from overheating Clean witha wire brush or compressed air to remove dirt and stubborn driedgum

fibers.

AIR FILTER (See Fig. 15)

"_ourengine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Clean thefoam pre-cleanerelement after every 25hoursof operationor every season° Service paper cartridge every

100 hoursor every season, whichever occurs firsL

Service air cleaner more often underdusty conditions. ° Remove knob(s) and cover.

TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER ° Slidefoam pre-cleaner off cartridge.

° Wash itin liquiddetergent and water. ° Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth.

° Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in clean, absorbent

clothand squeeze to removeexcess oil

• if very dirty or damaged, replace pre-cteaner.

° Reinstallpre-cleaner over cartridge. ° Reinstallcover and secure with knob(s).

TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE

• Remove wing nuts and cartridge plate.

• Carefully remove cartridge to prevent debris from

enteringcarburetor.

° Clean cartridgebytapping gentlyonflat surface. Ifvery

dirty or damaged, replace cartridge.

= Reinstall cartridge plate, wing nuts, precleaner, cover

and secure with knob(s).

+ 39 hidden pages