Dixon RAM 44 BS, RAMSERIES, RAM 50 BS, RAM MAG 44 HON, RAM MAG 44 KOH User Manual

RAM SERIES

BLACK BEAR

ZTR

Safety Instructions

™

ZTR

Operator’s Manual

RAM 44,

RAM 50, RAM MAG RAM MAG

BS/968999551

BS/968999552 44, HON/968999559 44, KOH/968999560

RAM MAG

RAM 50

and

50, KAW /968999561

MAG, HON/968999562

MAG KOH/968999563

IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY

The Dixon® ZTR® mower is both easy and fun to operate. However, any power mower must be operated properly to be safe. It is not a toy or a recreational vehicle. Before you start to use the mower, read this Operator’s Manual carefully. It contains valuable information that is necessary for the safe operation of the machine. Observe all safety rules and become completely familiar with the controls.

The information contained in this manual applies to all Dixon Ram Series™ ZTR® mowers.

See your authorized Dixon dealer for warranty service, parts and repairs or to answer any questions you may have about your new Dixon ZTR.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL OPERATION..................................................................8-9

SLOPE OPERATION ....................................................10-11

FIRE HAZARDS ............................................................12-13

CHILDREN, BYSTANDERS AND PETS............................ 14

SERVICE............................................................................ 15

SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................12-23

RAM SERIES™ 50 Model 968999552 ............................................. 18

CONTROLS

CONTROL LEVERS........................................................... 25

PARK BRAKE .................................................................... 26

BLADE DRIVE.................................................................... 27

CHOKE AND THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER................... 27

MOWER DECK CUT HEIGHT LIFT LEVER ...................... 28

OPERATIONS .............................................................................29-39

BEFORE OPERATING MOWER ....................................... 29

STARTING INSTRUCTIONS ............................................. 30

TESTING SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEMS ................31-32

MULCHING ATTACHMENT............................................... 33

CATCHER ATTACHMENT............................................35-36

SIDE DISCHARGE............................................................. 37

GRASS HEIGHT ................................................................ 38

TOWING............................................................................. 39

CARE AND MAINTENANCE .......................................................39-47

UNLOCK TRANSMISSION ................................................ 39

CUTTER BLADES.............................................................. 41

BELTS ................................................................................ 42

BATTERY ...........................................................................42

LUBRICATION ...................................................................44

TRACKING ADJUSTMENT................................................ 45

DECK LEVELING ...............................................................4 6

CLEANING ......................................................................... 47

PARTS/SERVICE............................................................... 47

TROUBLESHOOTING................................................................. 48-49

STANDARD SERVICE PARTS LIST................................................ 50

RAM SERIES™ Part Number 539 114246IR

SAFETY

RIDING LAWN MOWERS, IF IMPROPERLY

Pictured below are the most common causes of injury to the operator or bystander. Please read and understand this manual to prevent injuries.

Blade Contact

OPERATED, CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

Run Over

Tip Over

Back Over

SAFETY

Safety Alert Symbol

When you see this symbol, BE ALERT

to the potential for injury.

Follow the recommended safety precautions and safe

operating practices.

DANGER

(highlighted in red)

indicates an imminently hazardous

situation which, if not avoided, will result

in death or serious injury.

WARNING

(highlighted in orange)

indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or

serious injury.

CAUTION

(highlighted in yellow)

indicates a potentially

hazardous situation which,

if not avoided, may result in minor

or moderate injury. It may also

be used to alert against

unsafe practices.

WARNING

Failure to observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.

GENERAL OPERATION

Read, understand, and follow all instructions in this manual and on the mower before starting.

Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the instructions, to operate the mower.

Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., that could be picked up and thrown by the blade.

Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before mowing. Stop mower if anyone enters the area.

Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging against a wall or obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel surfaces.

Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the deflector in place. This will decrease the possibility of injury from objects being thrown by the mower blades.

Never carry passengers. Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always

look down and behind before and while backing. Never leave a running mower unattended. Always turn off

blades, set park brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

WARNING

Failure to observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.

GENERAL OPERATION (continued)

Turn off blades when not mowing. Injury could occur from contact with moving parts.

Under no circumstances should you place hands or feet under the mower deck or in the chute while blades or impeller are still running.

To avoid personal injury from accidental clutch engagement, stop engine before removing grass catcher or unclogging chute.

Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of

alcohol or drugs. Slow down before turning to reduce the risk of tip-over. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. Use extra care when loading or unloading the mower into a

trailer or truck. Push, do not ride the mower when loading and unloading.

Protect your eyes. Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating mower.

Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above, are involved in a large percentage of riding mower-related injuries. These operators should evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to protect themselves and others from serious injury.

To protect against possible tip-over, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for wheel weights and counterweights.

Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels as needed.

WARNING

Failure to observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you feel unsure on any slope, do not mow it!

Mow across the slope with your Dixon ZTR — never up or down. This will decrease the risk of tip-over.

Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, wires and other foreign objects that can be thrown by mower blades.

Watch for holes, ruts, roots and bumps, and uneven terrain that could overturn the mower. Tall grass can hide such obstacles.

Use slow speed. Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes are functioning properly.

Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly down the slope.

Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.

Use extreme caution when operating the mower with attachments to prevent tip-over or roll-over.

If front wheels lift off the ground, pull levers back to stabilize the mower. Discontinue mowing the slope!

WARNING

Failure to observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.

SLOPE OPERATION (continued)

DO NOT

Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible. Rapid uphill turns may cause tip-over.

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. Unstable ground may cause loss of control.

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

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

Do not use grass catcher or other attachments on steep slopes. The added weight may change the stability of the mower, creating the potential for tip-over.

WARNING

Failure to observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.

FIRE HAZARDS

Use extra care when handling gasoline and other fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive.

Store all fuel in approved containers specifically designed for that purpose.

Allow engine to cool before refueling. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with engine running.

Do not smoke while refueling or operating the mower. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves and

other debris buildup. If gasoline is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine. Move

mower away from the area of the spill. Do not create any source of ignition until gas vapors have dissipated. Wipe up spilled fuel and dispose of waste properly.

If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately. Before storing, allow mower to cool. Clean fuel and oil

spillage. Never store the mower or fuel container inside a building

where there is an open flame.

WARNING

Failure to observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.

FIRE HAZARDS (continued)

To prevent fire or explosion, keep sparks and open flames away from battery.

Keep electrical connections clean and tight. Inspect them often. Loose connections and corrosion increase fire risk.

Before disconnecting the negative ground cable, make sure all switches are off. This decreases the chance of sparking and fire.

Use care when backing to avoid pushing the grass bags into the frame or “hot” exhaust muffler of the engine. Fire could result.

To prevent fire and explosion caused by static electricity:

Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.

When practical, remove fuel powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a fuel dispenser nozzle.

If a fuel dispenser nozzle must be used, keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.

WARNING

Failure to observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.

CHILDREN, BYSTANDERS AND PETS

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children, bystanders and pets.

Children are attracted to lawn mowers and the mowing activity.

NEVER assume children, bystanders and pets will stay where they were last seen.

Be alert to avoid accidents.

Keep bystanders and pets out of the mowing area and keep children under the watchful care of another responsible adult.

Be alert and turn mower off if bystanders, children or pets enter the area.

Before and during backing look BEHIND and DOWN for small children.

Never carry children as passengers. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe mower operation.

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

trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

WARNING

Failure to observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.

SERVICE

Never run a mower inside a closed area or without proper ventilation.

Keep nuts and bolts tight, especially blade attachment bolts, and keep equipment in good condition.

Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

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

Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running unless otherwise specified.

Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration that could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check components. Replace with original equipment parts when necessary.

When servicing blades, wrap blades or wear gloves, and use extra caution.

Batteries contain sulfuric acid. To prevent burns, avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing.

DIXON® ZTR® COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY POLICY

RAM 44, RAM 50, RAM 44 MAG™ & RAM 50 MAG™

DIXON® WARRANTS ITS ZTR® MOWERS AGAINST DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP FOR

1. COMMERCIAL WARRANTY (use other than, or in addition to, mowing at owner’s primary place of

2. RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY (used only at owner’s primary place of residence):

3. Lifetime warranty on all frames and leading edge of all fabricated (welded) decks.

4. All Dixon® warranty must be accomplished by authorized Dixon® dealers and in accordance with Dixon®

THE PERIODS SET FORTH BELOW. THE SOLE REMEDY UNDER THIS WARRANTY

IS REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF PARTS INCLUDING LABOR COSTS.

THIS WARRANTY IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS:

residence):

a. One Year - 100% parts and labor subject to the conditions and limitations described herein for a

period of one year from date of purchase by the original owner.

b. Attachments marketed through or approved by Dixon are warranted for one year parts and labor in

commercial use applications.

c. The RAM 44, RAM 50, RAM 44 MAG™ and RAM 50 MAG™ are not subject to hour meter

restrictions.

d. Warranty applies to new mowers.

a. Two years - 100% parts and labor subject to the conditions and limitations described herein for a

period of two years from date of purchase by the original owner.

b. Third year - limited to 100% parts cost as shown in the current Dixon® Parts Price List and subject to

the conditions and limitations as described herein.

c. Attachments marketed through or approved by Dixon are warranted for two years parts and labor in

residential use applications.

d. Warranty applies to new mowers.

warranty policy and allowances. All warranty claims must be submitted to Dixon for approval.

5. Warranty labor reimbursement to dealers based on published Dixon® flat rate schedule.

6. Warranty does not apply to damage in transit or incidents of misuse, negligence, accidents, or alteration. The use of parts or components other than those supplied by Dixon VOIDS ALL WARRANTY.

7. Battery warranty is limited to 1 year from mower manufacture date.

8. The following items are not covered by this warranty policy:

a. Routine maintenance or adjustments to include any oils, filters or other fluids used. b. Belts, blades, tires and cosmetic appearance (paint, seat fade, etc.) c. Pick up and delivery charges for transportation of mower to and from an authorized Dixon® dealer’s

place of business.

d. Engines. These are covered under a separate warranty by each individual engine manufacturer.

Consult engine manual for warranty details.

e. Any costs or expense of providing substitute equipment while repair work is being performed on a

warranted mower.

9. THERE IS NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXCLUDED, OTHERWISE, ALL SUCH IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE SAME DURATION AND REMEDIES AS THE EXPRESS WARRANTY. ALL LIABILITIES FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES UNDER ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ARE EXCLUDED.

+ 36 hidden pages