Craftsman 917259830 Owner’s Manual

DEL

917.25983(}

°Assembly ° Operation

Customer Responsibilities

° Service and Adjustments

Repair Parts

OWNER'S MANUAL

For answers to your questions

about this product, Call:

1-800-659-5917

Sears Craftsman Hetp Line 5 am - 5 pm, Mon- Sat

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

........ ml......................................................................................I'1 ...........................................................................

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

!. GENERAL OPERATION

o Read, understand,and follow all instructionsinthe manuai

and onthe machine before starting°

• Only allow responsibleadults, who are familiar with the instructions,tooperatethe machine.

• Clear the area of objectssuchas rocks, toys,wire, etc.., whichcouldbe pickedupand thrownby the blade.

° Besuretheareaisclearofotherpeoplebeforemowing..Stop

machineifanyoneentersthe area.

° Nevercarrypassengers.

• Donotmowinreverseunlessabsolutelynecessary_Always

lookdown andbehind before andwhile backing.

o Beawareofthe mowerdischargedirection and do notpoint

it at anyone. Do not operate the mowerwithouteitherthe

entiregrasscatcheror theguardin place,

• Slowdown before turning.

° Neverleave a runningmachine unattended.Alwaysturnoff

blades, setparkingbrake,stop engine, and removekeys beforedismounting°

• Turnoff bladeswhennotmowing.

• Stopengine beforeremoving grasscatcheror unclogging

chute°

• Mow only indaylightor goodartificial lighL

• Do not operate the machine while under the influenceof alcoholor'drugs..

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearor'crossingroadways.

° Use extracare whenloading orunloading the machineinto

a trailerortruck.

U. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to Ioss-of-control and tipover accidents,whichcarl resultin severe injuryordeatho

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

DO: ° Mow upand downslopes, not across.

• Removeobstaclessuchas rocks,treelimbs, etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps, Uneven terrain could

overturnthe machine. Ta//grass can hideobstac/es,

• Useslowspeed_Choosea lowgearso thatyouwillnothave

to stop or shift whiteon theslope.

• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel

weightsorcounterweightstoimprovestability..

• Use extra care with grass catchersorotherattachments.

These canchangethestability ofthe machine°

° Keepall movementonthe slopess/owand graduaL.Do not

make suddenchangesinspeedor direction.

• Avoidstarting orstopping on a slope. If tireslose traction, disengagethebladesand proceedslowlystraightdown the

slope,.

DO NOT:

° Do not turnonslopesunlessnecessary,andthen,turnslowly

and gradually downhill, ifpossible.

° Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The

mower could suddenly turn over ifa wheel isover the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in_

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

sliding.

• Donot try tostabilizethe machinebyputtingyour footon the ground.

° Do not use grass catcher'on steepslopes.

IlL CHILDREN

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

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

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

care of another responsible adult..

° Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area ° Before and when backing, took behind and down for smaU

children,.

• Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured or' interfere with safe machine operation.

° Never allow children to operate the machine,

• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

IV. SERVICE ° Use extra care inhandling gasoline and other fuels,, They are

flammable and vapors are explosive_

Use only an 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

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

° Never run a machine inside a closed area,,

• Keep nuts and bolts, especiaUyblade attachment bolts, tight and keep equipment in good condition.

• Never tamper with safety devices° Check their proper operation regularly

° Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up

Clean oil or fuel spillage, AHow machine to cool before

storing..

• Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. Repair, if necessary, before restarting

• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running_

° Grasscatcher components are subject towear, damage, and

deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown, Frequently check components and replace with manufacturer's recommended parts, when nec- essary.

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

wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them,

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

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

CAUTIONH! BECOME ALERTHt YOUR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

cAuTION: Always disconnect spark plug

spark plug in order to prevent accidental

wire and place wire where it cannot contact starting when setting up, transporting,

adjusting or making repairs,

UlttitllL I' II

A WARNING A

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.

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase 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 repair

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 917.259830

SERIAL NUMBER

DATEOFPURCHASE

THE MODELAND SERIAL NUMBERSWILL BE FOUND

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_

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

HORSEPOWER: GASOLINE CAPACITY

AND TYPE:

OIL TYPE (API-SF/SG/SH):

OIL CAPACITY: 3,,0 PINTS

SPARK PLUG: CHAMPION RJ19LM (GAP: ,030"}

VALVE CLEARANCE: INTAKE: 005" - 007"

GROUND SPEED (MPH): FORWARD: 0 - 5 5

TIRE PRESSURE: FRONT: 14 PSI

CHARGING SYSTEM: 3 AMPS BATTERY

BATTERY: AMPiHR: 25

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 27-35 FT, LBS

155 1,,25 GALLONS

UNLEADED REGULAR SAE 30 (above 32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)

EXHAUST: ,009"- 011"

REVERSE: 0-24

REAR: 10 PS!

5 AMPS HEADLIGHTS

MIN CCA: t90 CASE SIZE: UIR

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this prod-

uct. Contact your nearest Sears store for details_

CUSTOMER RESPONS BIUTRES

', Read and observe the safety rules

• Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your tractor

• Follow the instructions under "Customer Responsibili- ties" 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, brush-covered or grass-cov- ered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped

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

in effective working order by the operator

In the state of California the above is required law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resource,, de). Other states may have similar laws Federal laws y on

federal lands. A spark arrester 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 RIDaNG EQUUPMENT

For two (2) years from the date of purchase, if this Craftsman Riding Equipment is maintained, lubricated and tuned up according to the instructions in the owner's manual, Sears 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

• Tire replacement or repair caused 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 in the owner's manual.

° Riding equipment used for commercial or rental purpose&

LiMiTED 90 DAY WARRANTY 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 wilt not hold a charge, Sears will replace the battery 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 tS IN THE UNITED STATES.

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which may vary from state to state

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ..................... 3, 16-20

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................ 4

INDEX ............................................................................4

TRACTOR ACCESSORIES .......................................... 5

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

UNDEX

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

Adjustments:

Brake ............................................... 23

Carburetor .......................................26

Mower:

Front-To-Back ................................22

Side-To-Side .................................22

Throttle Control Cable ............... 25

Air Filter, Engine ..........................................19

Air Screen, Engine ........................... 19

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

Battery:

Charging ..........................................7-8

Cleaning ...............................................t8

Connecting ...........................................7-8

Starting with Weak Battery ...........24

Storage ...................................................27

Terminals ...................................................t8

Belts:

Motion Drive

Removal!Replacement .............23

Mower Blade Drive

Removal/Replacement ......... 23

Blade:

Sharpening ..........................................17

Replacement .........................................I7

Brake Adjustment ...................................23

Carburetor Adjustment ...............................26

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

Customer Responsibilities ...............16-20

Engine:

Air Filter .............................................19

Air Screen, Engine ................... t9

Battery ....................................................18

Cooling Fins, Engine .....................19

Engine Oil ............................................18

Fuel Filter .................................. 20

Spark Plugs ..................................20

Tractor:

Blades ......................................................17

Lubrication Chart ........................16

Maintenance Schedule ........... 16

Tire Care ................................8,17,24

Cutting Height, Mower ...........................I2

Electricali

interlocks and Relays .................. 25

Schematic .................................... 31

WMng Diagram ........................... 32

Engine:

Air Filter ...................................... 19

Air Screen ..................................... 19

Cooling Fins, Engine ..................... t9

Oil Change ................................... t8

Oil Level ................................. 13,I8

Oil Type ........................................ 18

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

Repair Parts .......................... 50-55

Starting ...................................... 15

Storage ............................... 27

Filters:

Air .........................................................19

Fuel ............................................. 20

Fuel:

Type ................................................ 14

Storage ...............................................27

Fuse ..................................................... 25

Gauge Wheels ....................................... 8

Hood RemovattlnstaUation ................. 25

Leveling Mower Deck .............................22

Lubrication Chart .........................................16

Maintenance Schedule ...................... 16

Mower:

Adjustment, Front-to-Back ....... 22

Adjustment, Side-to*Side ............. 22

Blade Sharpening .......................... 17

Blade Replacement .........................17

Cutting Height ......................................t2

Installation .................................................21

Operation ........................................ t4

Removal ......................................... 21

Mowing Tips ...............................................15

Muffler ...................................................................20

Spark Arrester ..............................3,42

Mulcher Plate ...............................................9

OPERATION ........................................................... 10-15

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ...................................... 16

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ............................ 21-26

STORAGE ................................................................... 27

TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................ 28-29

REPAIR PARTS - TRACTOR ................................. 32-49

REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE .................................... 50-55

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE .................. BACK PAGE

Oil:

Cold Weather Conditions ...... !4, ! 8

Engine ............................................ 18

Storage ..................................................27

Operation ....................................................10-15

Operating Mower ..........................................13

Options:

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

Spark Attester ..................................3,42

Parking Brake .........................................11-12

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

Parts, ReplacemenVRepair, .............32-49

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

Repair Parts ............................................32-49

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

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

Service and Adjustments ......................21-26

Brake ........................................................23

Carburetor ...............................................26

Fuse .................................................. 25

Hood Removal/Installation ...... 25

Motion Drive Belt

Removal/Replacement ..............23

Mower Blade Drive Belt

Removal/Replacement ................23

Mower Adjustment:

Front-to-Back .............................22

Side-to-Side .................................22

Mower Installation .............................21

Mower Removal ......................................21

Tire Care ...........................................8,17,24

Slope Guide Sheet .......................................59

Spark Plugs .....................................................20

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

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

Steering Wheel .........................................7,24

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

Storage ...........................................................27

Throttle Control Cable Adjustment .......25

Tires .........................................................8,17,24

Trouble Shooting Chart .........................28-29

Transaxte Repair Parts ..........................48-49

Warranty ...................................................................3

Widng Diagram ............................................32

Wiring Schematic ........................................3t

ACCESSORIES A

These accessories and attachments were available through most Sears retail outlets and service centers when the tractor was purchased..

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

D ATTACHMENTS

ENGINE

SPARK PLUG GAS CAN

ENGINE OIL FUEL STABILIZER

AIR FILTER

MAINTENANCE

BLADES BELTS

PERFORMANCE

Sears offers awide variety of attachments that fit your tractor Many of these are listed below with brief explanations of how 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 of these attachments do not require additional hitches or conversion kits (those that do are indicated) and are designed for easy attaching and detaching

AERATOR promotes deep root 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 lawn. 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, toot 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., t50 lb.. 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 lets you tow 2or 3pull-behind attachments at once,

such as sweepers, dethatchers, aerators (not for use 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 RAKEJDETHATCHER loosens soil and flips thatch and matted leaves to fawn surface for easy pickup.. Twenty spring tine teethe Usefulto preparebareareasforseeding, 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 not equipped as 3-in-1 Convertible 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 or 2 x t0 lumber

ROLLER for smoother lawn surface. 36-inch wide, 18-inch

diameterwater4ight drum holds up to 390 tbs. of weight Rounded

edges prevent harm to turf.. Adjustable scraper automatically

cleans drum.

SNOW BLADE for snow removal only. 14-inch high, 484nch wide blade clears 42-inch path when angled [eft or right Raises, lowers

with side lever Adjustable skids; replaceable, reversible scraper

bar, (Use with tire chains and wheel weights and!or rear drawbar

weight.)

SNOWTHROWER has 40-inch swath, Drum4ype auger handles powdery and wet/heavy snow Mounts easily with simple pin

arrangement.. Discharge chute adjusts from tractor seat.. 6-inch diameter spout discharges snow 10 to 50 feet. Lift controlled at tractor seat. (Use with chains and wheel weights and/or rear

drawbar weight ) SPRAYERS use 12-volt DC electric motor that connects to the

tractor battery or other 12-volt source includes booms for automatic spraying and hand held wand for spot spraying Wand has adjustable spray pattern For applying herbicides, insecti- cides, fungicides and liquid fertilizers.

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

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

cultivate and compost garden residue. Tiller has its own built4n

lift and depth control system and does NOT require a sleeve hitch Fits any lawn, yard or garden tractor Simply hook up tothe tractor

drawbar and go! Optional accessories convert unit for dethatching, aerating, hilling,, without tools.

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

links give smooth ride, oulstanding traction TRACTOR CAB has heavy duty vinyl fabric over tubular steel

frame, ABS plastic top; clear plastic windshield offers 360 degree visibility.. Hinged metal doors with catch. Keeps operator warm and dry Remove vinyl sides and windshields for use as sun

protector in summer, Optional accessories include: tinted/ tempered solid safety glass windshield with hand operated wiper;

12-volt amber caution light for mounting on cab top

VACS for powerful collection of heavy grass clippings and leaves,.

Optional wand attachment to pick up debris in hard4o-reach places. VAC/CHIPPER includes a chipper-shredder..

WEIGHT BRACKET for drawbar for snow removal applications,

Uses (1) 55 Ib weight. WHEEL WEIGH'ItS for rear wheels provide needed traction for

snow removal or dozing heavy materials

CONTENTS OF

(1) Hex Bolt

3/8-16 x 1

ARDWARE PACK

Parts packed separately in carton

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

(1) Shoulder

Bolt 5/16-!8

) Large

Flat Washer

i@(1) Lock

washer 3/81

(1) Locknut!:

5/16-18

(1) Hex Bol

1/2-13 x 1

Seat

Steering

Wheel

Steering

Manual

Parts bag contents not shown full size

Boot

Mulcher

Plate

Video

Cassette

Parts Bag

I JILt

(1) Washer' 17/32 x

1-3/16 x 12 Gauge

(2) Lock Washers #10

(2) Screws #10 x 5/8 _z--_,z'_'_ 1

(2) Washers _ ii 1

3/16 x 3/4 x 16 Gauge _ 1

tI[rllll

(2) Hex Bolts !/4-20 x 3/4

(2) Washers

9/32 x 5/8 x 16 Gauge

,i i,, i .....................

(2) Lock Washers t/4

(1) Lock

Washer 1/2

(2) Weld Nuts #10

........... i/1/iJ

(2) Shoulder

Bolts

Steering

Extension

Shaft

Slope Sheet

Steering Wheel

Adapter

(2) Latch Hook

(2) Keys

Steering

Wheel

Insert

Assemblys

ASSEMBLY

,,i ,,,,,i,,,,,ii ,i,l,i,

Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those 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 tightness..

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

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

(2) 7/16" wrenches Philfips Screwdriver (1) 1/2" wrench Tire pressure gauge

(1) 9/16" wrench Utility knife (1) 3/4" Socket w/drive rachet

When right or 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..

,, Check for any additionai loose parts or cartons and

remove.

,, 3f8HExBOLT

STEERING WHEEL STEERING

ADAPTER _'_i_

.......----INSERT

IL--------318LOCKWAS,ER

_!,-_-_:_ EXTENSION SHAFT

BEFORE ROLUNG TRACTOR OFF SKLD

ATTACH STEERING WHEEL (See Fig. 1)

ASSEMBLE EXTENSION SHAFT AND BOOT = Slide extension shaft onto lower steering shaft.. Align

mounting holes in extension and lower shafts and install 5/16 hex bolt and locknut. Tighten securely.

IMPORTANT: TIGHTEN BOLT AND NUT SECURELY TO t8_22 FT. LBS TORQUE.

• 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 they are pointing

straight forward

o Slide steering wheel adapter onto steering shaft exten-

sion_

° Position steering wheel so cross bars are horizontal

(left to right) and slide inside boot and onto adapter.

• Assemble large flat washer, 318 Iock washer, 3t8 hex bolt and tighten securely..

° Snap steering wheel insert into center of steering

wheel,

• Remove protective materials from tractor hood and

grill.

IMPORTANT: CHECK FOR AND REMOVE ANY STAPLES IN SK1DTHAT MAY PUNCTURE TIRES WHERE TRACTOR iS TO ROLL OFF SKID.

TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Opera-

tion section for location and function of con-

trols) o Press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever to

its highest position,.

o Release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake

pedal,.

° Place freewheel control in freewheeling position to

disengage transmission (See 'q'O TRANSPORT" in the Operation section of this manual).

LOWER _:!/ '_ I

STEERING ' /

SHAFT _ _ ....

FIG. 1

• Roll tractor backwards off skid..

° Remove banding holding discharge guard up against

tractor°

HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR

CONNECT BATTERY (See Figs. 2 and 3)

CAUTION: Do not short battery termi-

nals by allowing a wrench or any other object to contact both terminals at the same time. Before connecting battery,

remove metal bracelets, wristwatch bands, rings, etc.

Positive terminal must be connected

first to prevent sparking from acciden- tal grounding.

• Remove cardboard packing from seat pan and lift seat pan to raised position.

= Open battery box door and remove protective plastic.. o Remove terminal protective caps and discard.

• If this battery is put into service after month and year indicated on label (label located between terminals)

charge battery for minimum of one hour at 6-10 amps.

o First connect RED battery cable to positive (+)terminal

with hex bolt, flat washer, lock washer and hex nut as

shown° Tighten securely..

o ConnectBLACKgroundingcabletonegative(-)termi-

nalwithremaininghexbolt,flatwasher,lockwasher

andhexnuL Tightensecurely. o Closebatteryboxdoor.. Openbatteryboxdoorfor: ° Inspectionforsecureconnections(totightenhard-

ware),

Inspection for corrosion.

Testing battery,

Jumping (if required),

Periodic charging

DISCARD TERMINAL PROTECTIVE CAPS

LOCK WASHER

HEX

NUT

POSITIVE NEGATIVE

(RED) CABLE (BLACK) CABLE

FIG. 2

SEAT PAN

BATTERY BOX DOOR

FLAT

WASHER

HEX BOLT

SEAT

SEAT PAN

SHOULDER

BOLT \\\

LARGE FLAT WASHER

ADJUSTMENT

BOLT

FIG. 4

ASSEMBLE GAUGE WHEELS TO MOWER DECK (See Fig. 5)

The gauge wheels are designed to keep the mower deck in

proper position when operating mower_ Be sure they are properly adjusted to ensure optimum mower performance_

• Assemble gauge wheels with tractor on a flat level surface,

o 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 height of cut position, gauge

wheels should be assembled so they are slightly off the ground_ install gauge wheel in appropriate hole with

shoulder bolt, 3/8 washer, and 3/8-16 Iocknut and

tighten securely.

o Repeat for opposite side installing gauge wheel in

same adjustment hole_

GAUGE WHEEL MOUNTING

BRACKET

LOCK WASHER

FIG, 3

INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 4)

Adjust seat before tightening adjustment bolt. ° Remove cardboard packing on seat pan.

= Place seat on seat pan and assemble shoulder bolt.

Tighten shoulder bolt securely.

° Assemble adjustment bolt, lock washer and flat washer

loosely, Do not tighten.,

o Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat.,

• Slide seat until a comfortable position is reached which allows you to press clutchtbrake pedal all the way

down..

° Get off seat without moving its adjusted position.

• Raise seat and tighten adjustment bolt securely.

FIG. 5

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

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

best cutting performance. ° Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in "PRODUCT

SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual.

CHECK DECK LEVELNESS

For best cutting results, mower housing should be properly levele& See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the

Service and Adjustments section of this manual,

CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL

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 properly adjusted. See "TO ADJUST

BRAKE" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual

INSTALL MULCHER PLATE

(See Figs. 6 & 7)

= Install two latch hooks to mutcher plate using screw,

washer, lock washer, and weld nut as shown,

NOTE: Pre-assembte 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..

guard from mower. Raise and hold guard when attaching mulcher plate

CAUTION: Do not remove discharge and allow it to rest on plate while in

operation.

WELD NUT FROM THE TOP HOOK POINTS DOWN

LOCK

WELD WASHER

NUT.\\\%_ SCREW

LATCH

HOOK

WELD

NUT

WASHER

MULCHER PLATE

LOCK

WASHER

FIG, 6

TO CONVERT TO BAGGING OR

DISCHARGING

Simply remove mulcher plate and store in a safe place. Your mower is now ready for discharging or installation of optionaI grass catcher accessory,.

DEFLECTOR

SHIELD_.._,,

LATCH HOOKS

FIG. 7

CHECKLIST

BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW

TRACTOR, WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST PERFORMANOEAND SATISFACTION FROM

THIS QUALITY PRODUCT_ PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST: V" All assembly instructions have been completed.

v" No remaining loose parts in carton,

,," Battery is properly prepared and charged, (Minimum

1 hour at 6 amps),.

v" Seat is adjusted comfortably and tightened securely v" All tires are properly inflated. (For shipping purposes,

the tires were overinflated at the factory)..

¢ Be sure mower deck is properly leveled side4o-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 a!l belt keepers..

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

and wires are properly clamped..

v" Before driving tractor, be sure freewheel control is in

drive position_

WHILELEARNING HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR, PAY

EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT

ITEMS:

,/ Engine oil is at proper level. ,/ 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,.

¢" It is important to purge the transmission before operat-

ing your tractor for the first time, Follow proper starting

and transmission purging instructions (See"TO START

ENGINE" and "PURGE TRANSMISSION" in the Op-

eration section of this manual),.

OPERATION

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

BATTERY CAUTION OR FORWARD FAST SLOW

WARNING

ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE CLUTCH LIGHTS ON

REVERSE

OVER TEMP

LIGHT

FUEL UNLOCKED

CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL PARKING BRAKE

LOCK LOCKED

REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH

MOWER LIFT

DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY

ATTACHMENT

CLUTCH ENGAGED

LOW

ATTACHMENT

CLUTCH DISENGAGED

PARKING BRAKE

IGNITION

HYDROSTATIC FREE WHEEL

(Hydro Models only)

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR TRACTOR

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR

Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and adjustments_ Save this manual for future reference,

THROTTLE/

CHOKE

CLUTCH/ BRAKE

PEDAL

HEIGHT

ADJUSTMENT

KNOB

FREE WHEEL

CONTROL

AMMETER

ATTACHMENT IGNITION CLUTCH LEVER SWITCH

LIGHT SWITCH POSITION

LIFT LEVER

ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER

PARKING BRAKE

MOTION CONTROL

LEVER

Our tractors conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute,

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER: Used to engage the mower blades, or other attachments mounted to your tractor_

LIGHT SWITCH: Turns the headlights on and off+, THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL: Used for starting and

controlling engine speed+ CLUTCHtBRAKE PEDAL: Used for declutching and brak-

ing the tractor and starting the engine+ PARKING BRAKE: Locks clutch/brake pedal into the

brake position,, FREE WHEEL CONTROL: Disengages transmission for

pushing or slowly towing the tractor with the engine off+

FIG. 8

MOTION CONTROL LEVER: Selects the speed and

direction of tractor+ ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER: Used to raise and lower the

mower deck or other attachments mounted to your tractor,, LIFT LEVER PLUNGER: Used to release attachment lift

lever when changing its position_+ IGNITION SWITCH: Used for starting and stopping the

engine, HEIGHTADJUSTMENT KNOB: Used to adjust the mower

cutting height, AMMETER: Indicates battery charging (+) or discharging

(+),,

'1'I

OPERATIO

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which 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 PARK.ING BRAKE (See Fig. 9)

Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch, When engine is running, any attempt by the

operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking

brake wil! shut off the engine,,

• Depress clutch/brake peda! into full "BRAKE" position and hold,,

o 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.

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

THROTTLE/ "ENGAGED' POSITION CHOKE "DISENGAGED"

CONTROL POSITION

PARKING BRAKE

"ENGAGED"

"BRAKE"

POSITION

"DISENGAGED"

POSITION

GEARSHIFt

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

,_ CAUTION: Always stop tractor corn- I

Z_,Jk pletely, as described above, beforeleav-

ing the operator's position; to empty gras s catcher , etc.

TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 9)

Always operate engine at full throttle, o Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the

battery charging rate,

° Ful! throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor-

mance,

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See

Fig, 9)

The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the motion control lever,

, Start tractor with motion control lever-in neutral (N)

position. . Release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal o Slowly move motion control lever to desired position,,

HEIGHT ADJUST-

CLUTCH!BRAKE PEDAL "DRIVE" POSITION

MENT KNOB

FIG. 9

STOPPING (See Fig. 9)

MOWER BLADES - o Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po-

sition_

GROUND DRIVE -

• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position, o Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position.

IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE

CLUTCH!BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, ENGINE -

o Move throttle control to stow position,

NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to slow position and

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,

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT

(See Fig. 9)

The cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjust* rnent knob in desired direction,

° Turn knob clockwise (f"_) to raise cutting height, , Turn knob counterclockwise (_#-_)to lower cutting

height. The cutting height range is approximately 1-1/2" to 4", The

heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip with

the engine not running These heights are approximate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of

grass and types of grass being mowed_ o The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1/2

inches during the cool season and to over3 inches

during hot months. For healthier and better looking

lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.

° For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in

height should be mowed twice, Make the first cut relatively high; the second to desired height,,

ii1,,

OPERAON

TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 10)

Your tractor isequipped with an operator presence sensing switch° Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with

the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine.

o Select desired height of cut.,

• Lower mower with attachment lift control ° Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch

control.

° TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage attachment

clutch control.,

without either the entire grass catcher,

!_ CAUTION: Do not operate the mower

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

"DISENGAGED" POSITION

on mowers so equipped, or the dis- charge guard in place,

............................ I1' ii, i'111 '

"ENGAGED" POSITION ATTACHMENT

/ ,_LIFT LEVER

/ H,GHPOSmON

IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE

CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED

° To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and

clutch!brake pedal,

° Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting o Make all turns slowly,

TO TRANSPORT (See Figs. 8 and 1'1)

When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure to disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling

position. Free wheel control is located at the rear drawbar of tractor.

o Raise attachment lift to highest position with attach-

merit lift control

° Pull freewheel control knob out and hold [n position by

insertingretainer spring into forward hole of control rod.

° Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2) MPH, ° To reengage transmission, reverse above procedure,

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)_

)

FIG. 10

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGUNE

TO OPERATE ON HILLS

i cAoT,oNoono'dr'veuPordown

° Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down

hills.

o Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills,.

• if slowing is necessary, 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 motion control lever to neutral (N) position,

hills with slopes greater than 15° and do not drive across any slope.

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig, 17)

• The engine inyour tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with summer weight oil_

° Check engine oil with tractor on level ground,. ° Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the

dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds,

remove and read oil level,, if necessary, add oil until

"FULL" mark on dipstick is reached Do not overfill..

° For cold weather operation you should change oil for

easier starting (See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual),.

° To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili-

ties section in this manual.

FIG. 11

OPERATION

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, CLEAN WINTER GRADE

GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER STARTING,

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohot blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanot 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 in storage. To avoid engine

problems, the fuel system should be emptied before 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 carburetor cleaner' products in the fue! tank or permanent damage may occur,.

COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below)

• When engine starts, allow engine to run with the throttle control in the choke position until the engine runs

roughly, then move throttle control to fast position. This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the tem-

perature, HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP * Before driving the unit incold weather, the transmission

should be warmed up as follows:

° Be sure the tractor is on level ground ° Place the motion control lever' in neutral Release

the parking brake and let the clutch/brake slowly return to operating position,

° Atlow one minute for transmission towarm up. This

can be done during the engine warm up period.

. The attachments can also be used during the engine

warm-up period after the transmission has been warmed

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

temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may

need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO

ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

PURGE TRANSMISSION

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 9)

When starting the engine for the first time or'if the engine has run out of fuel, it wilt take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine

* Be sure freewheel control is in the transmission en-

gaged position,.

* Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake

pedal and set parking brake_

. Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.,

° Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position.. * Move throttle control to choke position

Note: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below,

. Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to

"START" position and release key as soon as engine starts,. Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute. Ifthe engine does not start after several attempts, move throttle control to fast position, wait a few minutes and try again_ Ifengine still does not start, move the throttle control back to the choke position and retry,.

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above) ° When engine starts, move the throttle control to the

fast position,

° The attachments and ground drive can now be used

If the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine and allow it to warm up for one minute using the

choke as described above.

freewheel lever while the engine is run-

CAUTION: Never engage or disengage

ning.

To ensure proper operation and performance, it is reCom-

mended that the transmission be purged before operating

tractor for the first time.. This procedure will remove any trapped air inside the transmission which may have deveF

oped during shipping of your-tractor_ IMPORTANT.' SHOULD YOURTRANSMISSION REQUIRE

REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION

BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR,.

• Place tractor safely on level surface with engine offand parking brake seL

° Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control

in freewheeling position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in

this section of manual)_

° Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine., After the engine

is running, move throttle control to slow position° With

motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal..

• Move motion control lever to full forward position and hold for five (5) second& Move lever to full reverse

position and hold for five (5) second& Repeat this procedure three (3) times,.

NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement of drive wheels.. The air isbeing removed from hyd raulic drive system.,

= Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position, Shut-

off engine and set parking brake°

° Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in

driving position (See 'q'o TRANSPORT" in this section of manual),

'llrlr i ii i ............ u'"'" i ' iiii i, ,i ..............

OPERAON

:r,,lll,i; ,,, ,ll ............. i

Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine

is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed.

With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch!brake pedal

Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the tractor moves approximately five (5) feet, slowly move motion control lever to reverse position_ After the tractor moves approximately five (5) feet return the motion control lever to the neutral (N) position, Repeat this procedure with the motion control lever three (3)

times.. Your tractor is now purged and now ready for normal

operation.

MOWING TiPS

Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is attached to tractor,.

• Mower should be properly levefed 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.

o Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area

that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the tractor_ 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 wilt discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc.. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished (See Fig° 12 )..

• 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 not mow grass when it is wet, Wet grass wilt 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_

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-

pings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fail onto the fawn they will disperse into the 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 recutfing action of the

blades.

- Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet,, Wet grass tends to form clumps and 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

will 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. 13)_ For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut and mow slowly.,

• 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

north to south one week then change to east to west the next week. This will help prevent matting and graining

of the fawn,,

MAX 1t3

FIG. 13

FIG, 12

CUSTOMER

u................. ',,,, , i i, i/iJnJl ,i 'lnlu.... ii ii ...........................................

ESPONSHBILIT ES

MA,.TE.A"CESCHEOU'E

AS YOUCOMPLETE /_4' "/,_,_._._OkX_"

EG ULARSERVICE....... /* ZS'ERVlCE DATES

I CheckBrakeOperation _ _'

check Tire Pressure 64_ 6## ...................

iT Check forLoose Fasteners .............. 6## _4'7: _ ........

iR SharpeniReplace"M°we,rBfades ............. 6##4 _,L ,

.....LubricationCha ..... V' ...... .................

T Check..Battery Level/Recharge

0 CleanBatter':/andTerminals _ 6##

R cllec kTransaxleCooling .............. _#' ...........

Adjust BladeBelt(s)Tension 6#_'_ __

AdjustMotionDriveBelt(s)Tension 64#5

CheckEngineOilLevel $#e _ ..........

ChangeEngineOil ..................... _ _1.2,3

CleanAir Filter' 6##2 .g

N Clean Air sc[ee..n...................................... ,64_'2 .........................

G Inspect Muifler/SparkArrester , _ ..................

! ReplaceOil Filter(if equipped) _,2 _

N Clean Engine Cooling Fins ................. 6##2

E RepiaceSpark Plug................. _41 6## ..................

Repiace AiiFilter Paper' Cartridge .............

Replace Fuel Filter

1 • Change more olten when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures 2 - Service more often when operating indirty or dusty conditions 3 - if equipped with oil tiHef, change oil every 50 hours

4 * Replace bIades more often when mowing in sandy soil:

...... I

5 - if equipped with adjustable system

6 - Not required if equipped with maintenance-gee batl_ry,

7 - Tighten tront axle pivot boil to 35 tt -Ibs maximum

Do not overtighten

GENERAL RECOMIVIENDATIONS

The warranty on this tractor does not cover itemsthat have

been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full valueflomthe warranty, operator must maintain tractor' as instructed in this manual..

Some adjustments will 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 least once each season..

,, Once a year you should replace 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 air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better

and last longer.

BEFORE EACH USE

• Check ertgine oil tevel_

• Check brake operation. o Check tire pressure,

o Check for loose fastener&

LUBRICATION CHART

® SP NOLEZEBK ' NDLEZERK®

(_ FR _r WHEEL ®

BEARING ZERK BEARING ZERK

ENGINE ®

CLUTCH

PIVOT(S)

(_ SAE 30 OR 10W30 MOTOR OIL

® GENERAL PURPOSE GREASE (3) REFER 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 WiLL SHORTEN THE LIFE OF THE SELF-LUBRICATING BEARINGS. IF YOU FEEL THEY MUST BE LUBRICATED, USE ONLY A DRY, POW-

16 DERED GRAPHITE TYPE LUBRICANT SPAR[NGLY

CUS'rO RESPO

TRACTOR

Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- nance_

BRAKE OPERATION

If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance

at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted° (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust-

ments section of this manua0_

TIRES

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

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insectcontrol chemi- cals which can harm rubber,

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

other hazards that may cause tire damage,

NOTE: To seal tire punctures and prevent flat tires due to slow leaks, tire sealant may be purchased from your local

parts dealer° Tire sealant also prevents tire dry rot and corrosion,.

BLADE CARE

For best results mower blades must be kept sharp.. Re- place bent or damaged blades,

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 14)

o Raise mower to highest position to allow access to

blades.

, Remove hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer securing

blade°

• Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up towards deck as shown,.

• Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in

exact order as shown°

• Tighten bolt securely (30_35 FL Lbs, torque)_ IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE8 HEATTREATED,

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but ifyou do, be sure the blade is balanced,

BLADE

FLAT

LOCK

HEX BOLT (GRADE 8)*

*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE

IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.

MANDREL ASSEMBLY

TRAILING EDGE

FIG. 14

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 15)

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

tual damage to mower and engine.

• The blade can be sharpened with afile or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower1

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

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

ancer)..

° Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of the steel bolt

or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the 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: Donot use a nail for balancing blade_ The lobes of

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

CENTER HOLE

518" BOLT BLADE

OR PIN

FIG. 15

CUSTO

ESPON$ L E$

BATTERY

Your tractor has a battery charging system which issuffi- cient for normal use.. However, periodic charging of the

battery with an automotive charger will extend its life+ = Keep battery and terminals clean. = Keep battery bolts tight. = Keep smait vent holes open.

,, Recharge at 6+10 amperes for 1 hour. TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS

Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to "leak" power.

o Open battery box door. = Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-

tery cable and remove battery from tractor. ,, Rinse the battery with plain water and dry+ o Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush

until bright,.

- Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly° . Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the

Assembly section of this manual),.

V-BELTS

Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after t 00 hours of operation and replace if necessary., The belts are not

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

Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least once a year ifthe 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 Figs. 16 and !7)

Determine temperature range expected before oil change..

All oil must meet API service classification SF, SG or SH. o Be sure tractor is on level surface+

Oil will drain more freely when warm°

Catch oil in a suitable container.

Remove oil fill cap/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.

Refil! engine with oil through 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 cap/dipstick for checking level Be

sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate reading,. Keep oil at line on dipstick,

"FULL"

TRANSAXLE COOLING

Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which can restrict cooling..

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

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

grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

30" 32" 40 +' 60 + 80 + 100"

'_C +30" -20_ +I0_' 0* t'05 20+ 304 40°

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTiCiPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

FIG. 16

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above

32°F. Check your engine oil leve! more frequently to avoid

possible engine damage from running low on oil,

CAP/DIPSTICK

OIL DRAIN

PLUG

FIG. 17

+ 42 hidden pages