Craftsman 917270621 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

15.5 HP ELECTRQC STAR'["

42" MOWER

HYDROSTATIC (AUTOMATIC)

LAW

Model No.

917.270621

° Safety o Assembly

o Operation o Maintenance

o Repair Parts

TRACTOR

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

For answers to your questions about this product, Call:

1o800o659o5917

Safety RuSes and Instructions

before operating this equip- ment.

Sears, Roebuck and Co_, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

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

Warranty ............................................................2 Product Specifications .............................. 19

Safety Rules ................................................. 2 Service and Adjustments ........................ 22

Operation ........................................................ 11 Troubleshooting ...................................................30

Maintenance Schedule ...............................18 Repair Parts ........................................................36

Maintenance ......................................................18 Parts Ordering ....................... Back Cover

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN RIDING EQUIPMENT

For two (2) years from the date of purchase, if this Craftsman Riding Equipment is main-

tained, 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, etco

o Tire replacement or repair caused by punctures from outside objects, such as nails,

thorns, stumps, or glass.

o Repairs necessary because of operator abuse, negligence, improper storage or' acci-

dent or the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual.

= Riding equipment used for commercial or rental purposes.. LIMITED 90 DAY WARRANTY ON BATTERY

For ninety (90) days from date of purchase, if any battery included with this riding equip- ment proves defective in material or workmanship and our testing determines the bat-

tery will not hold a charge, Sears wilt 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 purchaser Please contact your nearest service center. After' 30 days from the

date of purchase, warranty service is available by taking your Craftsman riding equip- ment to your nearest Sears Service Center, (In-home warranty service will still be avail- able after 30 days from the date of purchase but a standard trip charge will apply)° This warranty applies only while this product is 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

GENERAL: OPERATION

° Read, understand, and follow all insiruc-

tions in the manual and on the machine before starting..

o Only allow responsible adults, who are

familiar with the instructions, to operate

the machine.

o Clear the area of objects such as rocks,

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

,, Be sure the area is clear of other people

before mowing.. Stop machine if anyone enters the area,.

Never carry passengers.

° Do not mow in reverse unless absolute-

ly necessary. Always look down and behind before and while backing.

o Be aware of the mower discharge direc-

tion and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the guard in

place..

o Stow down before turning. o Never leave a running machine unat-

tended, Always turn off blades, set park-

ing brake, stop engine, and remove keys before dismounting.

,, Turnoffbladeswhennotmowing..

o Stopenginebeforeremovinggrass

catcheror uncloggingchute..

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificial light°

o Donotoperatethemachinewhileunder

theinfluenceofalcoholordrugs°

o Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearor

crossingroadways.

o Useextracarewhenloadingorunload-

ingthemachineintoa trailerortruck.,

SLOPE OPERATION Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtoloss-

of-controlandtipoveraccidents,which

can resultinsevereinjuryordeath..All slopesrequireextracaution.Ifyoucannot

backuptheslopeor ifyoufeeluneasyon it,do notmowit.

DO:

• Mowupanddown.slopes,notacross. ° Removeobstaclessuchasrocks,tree

limbs,etc..

o Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps_ Uneven

terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles°

o Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so

that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.

° Follow the manufacturer's recommen-

dations for wheel weights or counter- weights to improve stability_

o Use extra care with grass catchers or

other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.

o Keep all movement on the slopes slow

and gradual.. Do 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:

o Do not turn on slopes unless necessary,

and then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible_

o Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or

embankments.. The mower could sud- denly turn over if a wheel is over the

edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in o

o Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced

traction could cause sliding,,

Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

o Do not use grass catcher on steep

slopes.

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 alert and turn machine off if children

enter the area°

o Before and when backing, look behind

and down for small children°

o Never carry children° They may fall off

and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation°

o Never allow children to operate the

machine..

o Use extra care when approaching blind

corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

SERVICE

o Use extra care in handling 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 en-

gine 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,.

o Never run a machine inside a closed

area.

o Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade

attachment bolts, tight and keep equip- ment in good condition.

,_ Never tamper with safety devices.

Check their proper operation regularly

o Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or

other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool before storing..

o Stop and inspect the equipment if you

strike an object,. Repair, if necessary,

before restarting, manufacturer's recommended parts,

Never make adjustments or repairs with when necessary.

_:tbe_.eng_e runningi ::,_:,_;::, .............................._i-_:_:_!Mower>b!ades,-are sha,rp:and,_ canput:._:_

Grass catcher components are subject Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and to wear; damage, and deterioration, use extra caution when sewicing them,

which could expose moving parts or - Check brake operation frequently°

allow objects to be th[own, Frequently Adjust and service as required. check components and replace with

o Be sure the area is clear of other people

before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area..

o Never'carry passengers° ° Do not mow in reverse unless absolute-

ly necessary. Always look down and behind before and while backing.,

o Never carry children,, They may fall off

and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation.

. Keep children out of the mowing area

and under the watchful care of another' responsible adult.

o Be alert and turn machine off if children

enter the area.

o Before and when backing, look behind

and down for small children,,

,_Look for this symbo! to point out impor-

tant safety precautions. It means CAU- TION!!! BECOME AWARE!!! YOUR SAFE-

TY IS INVOLVED,.

_CAUTION: In order to prevent acciden- tal starting when setting up, transporting,

adjusting or making repairs always disc6n- nect spark plug wire and place wire where

it cannot contact spark plug.

o Mow up and down slopes (15 ° Max), not

across.

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

° Watch for' holes, ruts, or bumps.. Uneven

terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles..

o Use slow speed. Choose a low gear' so

that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.

o Avoid starting or stopping on a slope, tf

tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope_

o Do notturn on slopes unless necessary,

and then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible°

_WARNING: The engine exhaust from

this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer,

birth defects, or other reproductive harm°

GASOLINE

1.25GALLONS CAPACITY ANDT'(PE:

UNLEADED REGULAR

OIL TYPE (APIoSF/SG/SH):

OIL CAPACITY: 3,0 PINTS

SAE 30 (above 32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)

We have €ompeter_ti well-trained {-eshni:: clans 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".

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is avail-

able on this product. Contact your nearest

Sears store for details..

SPARK PLUG: Champion J19LM (GAP: .030") STD361458

GROUND SPEED FORWARD: 0- 5.5 (MPH): REVERSE: 0-2o3

TIRE PRESSURE: FRONT: 14 PSI

REAR: 10PSt

CHARGING 3 AMPS BATTERY SYSTEM: 5 AMPS HEADLIGHTS

BATTERY: AMP/HR: 25

M1N. CCA:t90 CASE SIZE: U1R

BLADE BOLT 27-35 FT LBS,.

TORQUE:

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Craftsman Tractor. It has been

designed, engineered and manufactured 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.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

o Read and observe the safety rules° o Follow a regular schedule in maintain-

ing, caring for and using your tracto[:

o Follow the instructions under"Mainte-

nance" and "Storage" sections of this owner's manual°

,4&WARNING: This tractor is equipped

with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unim- proved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's

exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state

laws (if any). tf a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.

In the state of California the above is

required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code), Other

states may have similar laws,. Federal laws apply on federal lands,, A spark

arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center (See REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).

PARTS BAG CONTENTS SHOWN FULL SiZE

(1) Large Flat Washer

(1) Hex Bolt

3t8-16 x 1

3/8

(1) Lockwasher

(1) Shoutder Bolt

5/16-18

(1) Washer

17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge

5/t6-18

5/16-18x 1-1/4 @ (1) Locknut

(1) Knob

(2) Hex Bolts 1/4-20 x 3/4 (2) Hex Nuts 1/4o20

(2) Washers _ (2) Lock Washers 1/4

9132 x 5/8 x 16 Gauge

(2) Screws (2) Lock

#10 x 5/8 Washers #10

(2)WeldNuts

#I0

3/16 x 3/4 x 16 Gauge

_ q G _ hw ;¸_ .... ,_ <;, ;;b;;h;_ ;K(_._; ;; -; _

Parts packet separately in carton

(2) Washers

Parts Bag contents not shown full size

Seat

Steermg Wheel

Manual

Mulcher ,;'-J_I

Plate ,/: ,:::'t

Steering ',

Boot

Video

Cassette

Parts Bag

, J

, ,

(2) Latch Hook

Assemblies

Steering

Wheel Insert

Steering Wheel

Adapter

(2) Keys

Steering

Extension

Shaft

Slope Sheet

Yournewtractorhasbeenassembledatthefactorywithexceptionofthosepartsleft unassembtedforshippingpurposes,Toensuresafeandproperoperationofyourtractor

_:,-a!t,.,p_rtg:andhardware:youassemble..mustbe,tightened:,#ecu.rely.Use.:the:,¢o_rect_toots.,.:r

asnecessaryto insurepropertiglitnesslReviewtheVideocassettebef0rey0u_begin.

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

A socket wrench set wil!make assembly

easier,, Standard wrench sizes you need

are listed below,,

(1) 9/t6" wrench (2) 7/16" wrenches (2) t/2" wrench (1) 3/4" wrench

(1) Utility knife (1)Pliers

When right or left hand is mentioned in

this manual, it means, from your point of view, when you are in the operating posi-

tion (seated behind the steering wheel). TO REMOVE TRACTOR FROM

CARTON UNPACK CARTON

o Remove all accessible loose parts and

parts boxes from shipping carton (See page 6)_

o Cut, from top to bottom, along lines on

all four corners of shipping carton, and lay panels flat.

o Remove mower and package materials.

o Check for any additional loose parts or

boxes and remove,

(I) 3/4" Socket w/ drive rachet

(1) Phillips Screw-

driver

(1) Tire pressure gauge

BEFORE ROLLING TRACTOR OFF SKiD

ATTACH STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLE EXTENSION SHAFT AND

BOOT

° Slide extension shaft onto lower steer-

ing shafL Align rnounting holes in exten- sion and lower shafts and install 5/16

hex bolt and IocknuL Tighten securely.

IMPORTANT: Tighten bolt and nut secure- ty to 18-22 ft. lbs,. 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

they are pointing straight fop_vardo

° Slide steering wheel adapter' onto steer-

ing shaft extension.

o Position steering wheel so cross bars

&re horizontal (left to right) and slide inside boot and onto adapter'.

o Assemble large flat washer, 3/8 lock

washer, 3/8 hex bolt and tighten securely°

• Snap steering wheel insert into center of steering wheel°

o Remove protective materials from trac _

tor hood and grill.

IMPORTANT: Check for and remove any staples in skid that may puncture tires

where tractor-is to roll off skid°

Insert

_f..1_ 3/8 Lockwasher

Steering _ Steenng

Wheel _'Boot

Extension _//Adapter Shaft _ _ 5t16 Hex

5/16 Lockn ut---.._,,.._.,...._/

•°"--i- ,'.'.

Lower Steering--mz__.___R ---'----.

Shaft ' I

TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See

Operation section for location and function of controls) ° Press lift lever plunger and raise attach-

ment 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

"TO TRANSPORT" in the Operation section of this manual),

o Roll tractor backwards off skid. o Remove banding holding discharge

guard up against tractor..

Large Flat

Bolt

, . ,

HOW TO_'SET U P:YOU R TRACTOR" ' INsTALEsEAT

CONNECT BATTERY _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, re- move metal bracelets, wristwatch bands,

rings, etc., Positive terminal must be con- nected first to prevent sparking from acci-

dental grounding, o Remove cardboard packing from seat

pan and lift seat pan to raised position. Open battery' box door and remove pro- tective plastic.,

• Remove terminal protective caps and discard.,

o If this battery is put into service after

month and year indicated on label (label tocated between terminals) charge bat-

tery for minimum of one hour at 6-10 amps_

• First connect RED battery cable to posi- tive (+) terminal with hex bolt, flat wash- er, lock washer and hex nut as shown Tighten securely.

o Connect BLACK grounding cable to

negative (-) terminal with remaining hex bolt, flat washer, lock washer and hex

nut, Tighten securely.

o Close battery box door,, Open batten/

box door for:

o inspection for secure connections

(to tighten hardware).

o Inspection for corrosion°

• Testing battery,, o Jumping (if required)..

o Periodic charging_

Positive Discard Terminal (Red) Cable Proctective Caps

Lock Washer

Flat Washer

Hex Bolt

Negative (Black)

Cable

Seat

Adjust seat before tightening adjustment

knob,,

o Remove cardboard packing on seat pan, o Place seat on seat pan and assemble

shoulder bolt. Tighten shoulder bolt securely,,

o Assemble adjustment knob and flat

washer loosely, Do not tighten.

o Lower seat into operating position and

sit on seal

o Slide seat until a comfortable position is

reached which allows you to press clutch/brake pedal all the way down.

o Get off seat without moving its adjusted

position°

° Raise seat and tighten adjustment knob

securely.

Seat Pan

Shoulder Bolt

Adjustment Knob

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 5 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 replac-

ing motion and mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments sectoin of

this manual,, Verify that the belts are routed correctly°

Seat

"_ Flat Washer

Battery Door

CHECKBRAKE SYSTEM

After you learn how to operate your' trac- tor, check to see that the brake is properly

adjusted. See 'q'O ADJUST BRAKE" in

fi'le ServiCe an'd.Adjds'tments:Sectiori of

[his manual INSTALL MULCHER PLATE

o Install two latch hooks to mulcher plate

using screw, washer; lock washer, and

weld nut as shown.

NOTE: Pre-assernbte weld nut to latch hook by inserting weld nut from the top with hook pointing down.

o Tighten hardware securely. = Raise and hold deflector shield in up-

right position.

o 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 ,_,nower 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°

Weld Nut From Hook Points The Top Down

Lock

Weld Washer Nut

Latch Latch

Hook

Weld Nut

Lock Washer

Washer

Latch Hooks

TO CONVERT TO BAGGi DISCHARGING

Simply remove mulcher plate a safe place. Your mower is rl _ discharging or' installation of oi: ' grass catcher accessory. NOTE; It is not necessary to ch_.n

blades_ The mulcher blades are d6 for discharging and bagging also_

V' CHECKLIST

PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWIN(?

CHECKLIST: v' All assembly instructions have bee_

completed.

v' No remaining loose parts in carton. v' Battery is properly prepared and

charged (Minimum 1 hour at 6 amps)

e,,' Seat is adjusted comfortably and

tightened securely..

e/' All tires are properly inflated_ (For

shipping purposes, the tires were overinflated at the factory).

v' Be sure mower deck is properly leveled

side-to-sideifront-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.

v' Before driving tractor, be sure free-

wheel control is in drive position.

WHILE LEARNING HOW TO USE YOUR

TRACTOR, PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT ITEMS:

v" 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 operat-

ing condition.

v' it is important to purge the transmis-

sion before operating your tractor fbr the first time. Follow proper starting and transmission purging instructions (See 'q'O START ENGINE" and

"PURGE TRANSMISSION" in the Op- eration section of this manual).

Thesesymbolsmayappearonyourtractoror in literaturesuppliedwiththeproduct,

Learnandunderstandtheirmeaning,

E 3,&

BATTERY CAUTION OR

WARNING

ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF

FUEL

ATTACHMENT REVERSE

CLUTCH ENGAGED

REVERSE SLOW

OIL PRESSURE

MOWER HEIGHT

FORWARD FAST

LIGHTS ON OVER TEMP

LIGHT

PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED

LOCKED

®;

NEUTRAL

LOW

PARKING BRAKE

MOWER LIFT

IGNITION

DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY

ATTACHMENT

CLUTCH DISENGAGED

KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS

(SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION)

HYDROSTATIC FREE WHEEL

(Hydro Models only)

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 manualfor future reference: ,_

Light Switch

Attachment Ignition

Clutch Lever Switch

Ammeter

Throttle/Choke Control

Position

Lift Lever Plunger

Attachment Lift Lever

Clutch/Brake Control

Freewheel Control

Approx.

Speed 3 MPH 2 MPH

1 MPH

Our tractors conform to the safety standards of the American

National Standards Institute.

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER: Used to, engage the mower blades, or other' attach _,

ments mounted to your tractor. LIGHT SWITCH: Turns the headlights on

and off. THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL: Used to

control engine speed° CLUTCHIBRAKE PEDAL: Used for

declutching and braking the tractor and starting the engine,,

FREEWHEEL CONTROL: Disengages

transmission for pushing or slowly towing

the tractor with the engine off.

Height

Adjustment

Indicator

Parking

Motion Control Lever

MOTION CONTROL LEVER: Selects the

speed and direction of the 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_ AMMETER: Indicates battery charging (+)

or discharging (-).

PARKING BRAKE: Locks clutch/brake into the brake position.

eyes,whichcanresultinsevereeyedamage°Alwayswearsafetyglasses

' heoperatidnofanytractorCan-resultihforeign'0B)6ctsthrownint5the.......

oreyeshieldswhileoperatingyourtractororperforminganyadjustmentsor' repairs.Werecommendawidevisionsafetymaskoverthespectacles,or standardsafetyglasses,

HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR

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 will shut off the engine,

TO SET PARKING BRAKE

o Depress clutch/brake pedal into full

"BRAKE" position and hold.

• Place parking brake lever in "EN- GAGED" position and release pressure

from clutch/brake pedal Pedal should

remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake will hold tractor secure°

Attachment Clutch

Throttle/Choke Lever "Engaged"

Control

_... Position

_--_-'_, "Disengaged"

,, _ Position

Brake" "'_x"_'_.,_/Parking Brake

Position \ _". ',., _\.iii "En_a-ed ''

Clutc_/_raKe-_._.. "-'-/ "--Motion

Pedal "Drive.... Disengaged" Control

Position Position Lever

STOPPING MOWER BLADES-

• To stop mower blades, move attach- ment clutch Lever to "DISENGAGED"

position.

GROUND DRIVE -

• To stop ground drive, depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" po _

sition.,

° 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 depresse& ENGINE -

• Move throttle control to slow position.

NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to

stow 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,

o Never use choke to stop engine,.

NOTE: Under certain conditions when

tractor is standing idle with the engine run-

ning, hot engine exhaust gases may

cause "browning" of grass,. To eliminate this possibility, always stop engine when ,_pping tractor on grass areas,

CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-

pletely, as described above, before leaving the operator's position, to empty grass

catcher, etc_ THROTTLE CONTROL

Always operate engine at ful! throttle. ° Operating engine at less than full throt-

tle reduces the battery charging rate

o Full throttle offers the best bagging and

mower performance,.

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKW'ARD The direction and speed of movement is

controlled by the motion control lever o Start tractor with motion control lever in

neutral (N) position.

o Release parking brake and clutch/brake

pedal..

o Slowly move motion control lever to

desired position..

NOTE: The effort to move the motion con- trol lever will reduce after the first few

hours of use_ This is normal

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT The position of the attachment lift lever

determines the cutting height, o Grasp lift lever. o Press plunger with thumb and move

lever to desired position.

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,

Theaveragelawnshouldbecutto approximately2-1/2inchesduringthe

coolseasonandtoover3 inchesduring

hotmonths.,Forhealthierandbetter lookinglawns,,mowoften.andafter

m o;derateg°i;owi_fi:............." ....._" : .....

Forbestcuttingperformance,grass over6 inchesin heightshouldbe

mowedtwice.Makethefirstcutrelative- lyhigh;thesecondtodesiredheight.,

"0 OPERATE MOWER 'our..tractor is equipped with an operator

_resence sensing switch. Any attempt by he operator to leave the seat with the

:ngine running and the attachment clutch ;ngaged will shut off the engine°

Select desired height of cut,. Start mower blades by engaging attach-

ment clutch control TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen-

age attachment clutch control..

CAUTION: Do not operate the mower vithout either the entire grass catcher, on nowers so equipped, or the discharge ]uard in place.

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

o TO restart movement, slowly release "

parking brake and clutch/brake pedal..

o Slowly move motion control lever to

slowest setting.

o Make all turns slowly.

TO TRANSPORT

When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure to disengage transmission by placing

freewheel control in freewheeling position. Freewheel control is located at the rear

drawbar of tractor.. o Raise attachment lift to highest position

with attachment lift control.

o Pull freewheel control knob out and hold

in position by inserting retainer spring

into forward hole of control rod..

o Do not push or tow tractor at more than

two (2) MPH_

o ]b reengage transrnission, 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, etc_).

TO OPERATE ON HILLS _)kCAUTION: Do not drive up or down

qitls with slopes greater than 15 ° and do "_ot drive across any slope.. Use the slope

guide provided at the back of this manual , Choose the slowest speed before start-

ing up or down hills.

, 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 posi-

tion and engage parking brake,

TOWnNG CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

TOWonly the attachments that are recom- mended by and comply with specifications

of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous,.

Tires can lose traction with the ground and

cause you to lose control of your tractor..

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

o The engine in your tractor has been

shipped, from the factory, already filled with summer' weight oil

o Checkengineoil withtractoronlevel o Removeoilfill cap/dipstickandwipe

clean,reinsertthedipstickandscrew

cap tight,waitforafewseconds,

removeandreadoiilevel Ifnecessary, addoil until"FULL"markondipstickis

reached..Donotoverfill..

o Forcoldweatheroperationyoushould

changeoi!foreasierstarting(See"OIL VISCOSITYCHART"inthe Mainte-

nancesectionofthismanual).

o Tochangeengineoil, seethe Mainte-

nancesectionin thismanual.,

ADD GASOLINE

o 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; Wh.en operating in tempera- tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good

weather •starting.

RNING: 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 in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emp-

tied before storage 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 Instructions for additional informa- tion. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or perma-

nent damage may occur. ,_J_kCAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank

filler neck.. Do not overfill., Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel Do not store, spill or use

gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE When starting the engine for the first time

or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine..

o Be sure freewheel control is in the

transmission engaged position_

° Sit on seat inoperating position, depress

clutc!-Vbrake pedal and set parking brake.

o Plac e motion control lever in neutral (N)

position.

o Move attachment clutch to "DISEN-

GAGED" position..

° Move throttle control to choke position. NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and.

cold starting procedures below_

o Insert key into ignition and turn key

clockwise to "START" position and release key as soon as engine start&

Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute,. If the

engine does not start after several

attempts, move throttle control to fast position, wait a few minutes and try'

again° If engine still does not start, move the throttle control back to the

choke position and retry.

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and above)

o When engine starts, move the throttle

control to the fast position..

o 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.

COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F and below)

o 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 post- lion.. This may require an engine warm-

up period from several seconds to sev- eral minutes, depending on the temper-

atureo

HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP

o Before driving the unit in cold weather,

the transmission should be warmed up

as follows:

o Be sure the tractor is on level ground_ o Place the motion control lever' in neutral

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

o Allow one minute for transmission to

warm up This can be done during the engine warm up period.

o The attachments can also be used dur-

ing the engine warm-up period after the transmission has been warmed up.

NOTE: 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"TOADJUSTCARBURETOR"inthe ServiceandAdjustmentssectionofthis

manual

RGE TRANSMISSION

CAUTION: Never-engage or disen-.

gage freewheel lever while the engine is

running_

To ensure proper operation and perfor-

mance, it is recommended that the trans- mission be purged before operating tractor

for the first time., This procedure will remove any trapped air inside the trans-

mission which may have developed during shipping of your' tractor_

IMPORTANT: Should your transmission require removal for' service or replace-

ment, it should be purged after reinstalla- lion before operating the tractor.

o Place tractor safely on level surface with

engine off and parking brake set..

o Disengage transmission by placing free-

wheel control in freewheeling position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section

of manual)°

o Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.

After the engine is running, move throt- tle control to slow position.. With motion

control lever' in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch!brake pedal.,

o Move motion control lever to full forward

position and hold for five (5) seconds.

Move lever to full reverse position and hold for five (5) seconds. Repeat this

procedure three (3) times.

NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement of drive wheels° The air is

being removed from hydraulic drive sys- tern,.

o Move motion control lever to neutral (N)

position. Shut off engine and set parking brake_

o Engage transmission by placing free-

wheel control in driving position (See

"TO TRANSPORT" in this section of manual).,

= Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.

After the engine is running, move throt- tle control to half (i/2) speed., With

motion control lever in neutral (N) posi- tion, slowly disengage clutch/brake

pedal.

° Slowly move motion control lever for-

ward; after the tractor moves approxi- mately 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 pro- cedure with the motion control lever'

three (3) times_

o Your tractor is nowpurged 'and ready for

n0rmal'_)pei;ation.

IVIOWIING 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' trimming.

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_

o When mowing large areas, start by turn-

ing to the right so that clippings will dis- charge away from shrubs, fences, drive- ways, etc. After one or-two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left

hand turns until finished..

o If grass is extremely tall, it should be

mowed twice to reduce load and possi- ble fire hazard from dried clippings..

Make first cut relatively high; the second

to the desired height.

o Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet

grass will plug mower and leave unde _

sirable clumps. Allow grass to dry

before mowing.

• Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing

performance and proper discharge of material., Regulate ground speed by se-

lecting a tow enough gear' to give the mower the best 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 at-

tachment 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 recur the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn 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 recut- ting action of the blades.

,, Avoid cutting your lawn when it is weL

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°

° For best results, adjust the mower cut-

ting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades° For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly_

Max 1/3

o Certain types of grass and grass condi-

tions may require that an area be

mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings,. When doing a sec-

ond cut, mow across or perpendicular to

the first cut path°

o Change your cutting pattern from week

to week,. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next week,. This wil! help prevent matting and

graining of the lawno

r_USTOMERRESPONSIBILiTiES

_-'_.......MABNTENANCE SCHEDULE

FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE

REGULAR SERVICE

Check Brake Operation 6# 4 Check Tire Pressure _/

Check Operator Presence and

T Interlock System s ....

SERVICE DATES

= .......... , ,

t .......... i i E

R Check for Loose Fasteners 6#4 6#47

A Sha_e,,_Repia'co''MoWerB_des " ........ _,", ....................

.............. = ' .......... ....... !

0 Check Battery Level _ , , _ ............._ . . .

R i Clean Batteryand Ten'ninais/Recharge [" _ $f

Check Transaxle Cooling _ =

....Ad!Us! Blade Bel{(_}Tension ......... 64', ..................................

Adjust Motion Drive Belt(s) Tension Ks

Check Engine Oil Level _ 6f , .......

Change&gi,eO"......... _._ _" ................

..Clean Air Filter ........................

Clean Air Screen .......... 64_ ....

G Inspect Muffler/Spark Arrestor 6# #

N_ '"Repiao_,b'"'F,te,-(.,;_'ulppo,_) _._ ....................

, ' ............ ....

Replace Spark Plug ........... = ...........

Rep_,,,_eAirF,te,"PaperCa',4';i'dge...........e', .........

Replace Fuel Filter ,_,

1 - Change more elteo whet_ operating unde_ _ heavy lead or in high amblenl temperatures. 5 - It equipped with callus{able system,

2 - Service mote often when operatJ;qg in dirty ot dusty cond_|ions 3 * if equipped with oil f_ltor, char}go oil ovary 50 hours

4 - Replace blades mere otien when mewing in sandy soil

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The warranty on this tractor does not cover

items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value

from the warranty, operator must maintain tractor as instructed in this manual. Some

adjustments will need to be made periodi- ca!!y to properly maintain your tractor.

O Front Wheel Bearing Zerk Zerk

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 _J

spark plug, clean or replace air filter, &nd check blades and belts for wear. A new

0 Engine

@ Clutch

Pivot(s)

spark plug and clean air filter assure proper air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better and last longer'.

BEFORE EACH USE

o Check engine oil level.

o Check brake operation. o Check tire pressure.

Check operator presence and interlock systems for proper operation.

Check for loose fasteners.

@SAE 30 or i0w30 Motor OIL @General Purpose Grease

O Refer to Maintenance Engine" Sectioa

iiVlPORTANT: Do not oil or grease the pivot

points which have special nylon bear-ings. Viscous lubricants 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, powdered graphite type lubri- cant sparingly.

6 - Not required It aqu}pped with maintenence,4ree battery 7 * Tighter_ front axle pivot bolt to 35 ft -tbs maximt_m

De net ovettightet_

LUBRiCATiON CHART

O S Spindle Zerk Zerk

Front

Wheel Bearing

+ 42 hidden pages