Excel BigDog A Series, BigDog Operator's Manual
BigDog® Mowers
A Series
Operator’s Manual
603744_0911
•••••
P.O. Box 7000
•••
Hesston, Kansas
•
67062-2097
603744_0911
General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Safety Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Maintenance & Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Product Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
603744_0911 c-1
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GENERAL INFORMATION
This manual applies to the following BigDog® Mower lines:
BigDog® Mowers A Series
To the new owner
The purpose of this manual is to assist owners and operators
in maintaining and operating your BigDog
it carefully; information and instructions furnished can help you
achieve years of dependable performance.
A separate Engine Owner’s Manual is included with your
owner’s packet which contains additional engine information
that will not be repeated in this manual. It is the owner’s
responsibility to make certain that the operators and mechanics
read and understand the engine owner’s manual before
attempting to operate or repair the engine.
The decals are designed to give the operator brief information
needed in the daily operation and service of the machine. These
decals are not intended to be used in place of this manual but
instead are to be used as an extension of this manual. These
decals should not be removed or obliterated. Replace these
decals if they become unreadable.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make certain that the
operators and mechanics read and understand this manual and
all decals before operating this machine. It is also the owner’s
responsibility to make certain that the operators and mechanics
are qualified and physically able individuals, properly trained in
the operation of this equipment. All operators and mechanics
must become familiar with the safe operation of the equipment,
operator controls and decals.
IMPORTANT: The owner/user can prevent and is responsi-
ble for accidents or injuries occurring to themselves, other people or property.
Never let children or untrained people operate or service the
equipment. Local regulations may restrict the age of the
operator.
For more detailed maintenance and adjustment information
refer to the proper General Service Manual for your machine.
Refer to the “Product Literature” section of this manual for
information on how to attain these manuals.
®
Mower. Please read
Using this manual
General operation, adjustment and maintenance guidance is
outlined for both the experienced and novice BigDog
user. Operating conditions vary considerably and cannot all be
addressed individually. Through experience, however, operators
should find no difficulty in developing good operating skills
suitable to most conditions.
Directions used in this manual, for example RIGHT or LEFT,
®
Mowers
refer to directions when in operator position and facing forward,
unless otherwise stated.
Photographs and illustrations used were current at the time of
printing, but subsequent production changes may cause your
machine to vary slightly in detail. BigDog
®
Mowers reserves the
right to redesign and change the machine as deemed necessary,
without notification. If a change has been made to your machine
which is not reflected in this operator’s manual, or the parts
manual, see your BigDog
®
Mowers dealer for current
information and parts.
Warranty registration
Your BigDog® Mowers Dealer must register the unit on-line
within ten (10) days following date of purchase to validate your
warranty protection. As the new equipment owner, you should
confirm that your BigDog
mower with BigDog
®
Mowers Dealer has registered your
®
Mowers.
Be sure to register the mower plus each attachment that
displays a model and serial identification number plate with
BigDog
®
Mowers.
Any unauthorized modification, alteration, or use of nonapproved attachments voids the warranty and releases BigDog
®
Mowers from any liability arising from subsequent use of this
equipment. Do not use or operate any attachment not approved
by BigDog
®
Mowers.
Model and serial number
Mower model and serial numbers are found on the serial
identification plate, located on the left side of the mower’s
frame (under the left steering control lever).
These numbers are required when the unit is registered with
BigDog
®
Mowers. They will also assure you of the correct
service parts when replacement becomes necessary.
Parts and service
Use original BigDog® Mower replacement parts only. These
parts are available through your local BigDog
To obtain prompt, efficient service, always provide the
following information when ordering parts:
1. Correct part description.
2. Correct part number.
3. Correct model number.
4. Correct serial number.
All warranty repair and service must be handled through an
authorized BigDog
®
Mower dealer. Arrangements should be
made through your local service center.
®
Mower dealer.
603744_0911 1-1
1-2 603744_0911
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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DANGER
WARNING
WARNING
This safety alert symbol is used to call attention to a message
intended to provide a reasonable degree of PERSONAL
SAFETY for operators and other persons during the normal
operation and servicing of this equipment.
– denotes immediate hazards which WILL result in
severe personal injury or death.
– denotes a hazard or unsafe practice which COULD
result in severe personal injury or death.
This manual uses two other words to highlight information.
IMPORTANT calls attention to special mechanical information
and NOTE emphasizes general information worthy of special
attention.
All operators and mechani
cs should read this manual, and be
instructed about safe operating and maintenance procedures. If
the operators or mechanics cannot read and understand English,
it is the owner’s responsibility to explain this material to them.
Improper use or maintenance by the operator or owner can
esult in injury. To reduce the potential for injury, comply with
r
these safety instructions and always pay attention to the safety
alert symbol “”, which means DANGER or WARNING “personal safety instructions.” Failure to comply with the
instructions may result in personal injury or death.
Incorrect usage of this mower may
result in severe injury.
Personnel operating and maintaining it should be trained in
the proper use and should read the manuals completely and
thoroughly before attempting to set-up, operate, adjust, or
service this mower.
• It is also the owner
’s responsibility to make certain that
the operators and mechanics are qualified and physically
able individuals, properly trained in the operation of this
equipment.
• All operators and mechanics mu
st become familiar with
the safe operation of the equipment, operator controls
and decals.
• Never let children or untrained people operate or service
the equipment.
Local regulations may restrict the age of
the operator.
• The owner/user can prevent and is responsible for accidents or injuries occurring to themselves, other people or
property
• The owner should also ensure that
.
the operator/mechanic
know that they are responsible for their own safety as
well as the safety of other persons within the vicinity.
Remember, the operator is responsible for accidents or
hazards occurring to other people or their property.
Specific safety warning decals are located on the equipment near the immediate areas of potential hazards. These
decals should not be removed or obliterated. Replace
them if
The following illustrations s
they become non-readable.
how the various safety decals that
are located on the mower. A brief explanation, for those
requiring one, is shown to help the operator understand the
meanings of these decals.
• Read Operator’s Manual and Safety Warning Decals before
attempting to operate this machine.
Safety and Instructions Decals
The decals are designed to give the operator brief information
needed in the daily operation and service of the mower. These
decals are not intended to be used in place of this manual but
instead are to be used as an extension of this manual. These
decals should not be removed or obliterated. Replace these
decals if they become unreadable.
• It is the owner
operators and mechanics read and understand this manual
and all decals before operating this mower.
603744_0911 2-1
’s responsibility to make certain that the
• Do not smoke while refueling.
• Do not remove the fuel tank cap or fill tank with engine running or
while the engine is hot.
• Allow engine to cool before storing machine inside a building.
• Store away from open flame or spark if there is fuel in tank.
• Clean up any gasoline spills.
• Do not refuel while in enclosed trailer or other enclosed areas.
• Maximum of 10% ethanol in fuel. Higher than E10 fuel voids war-
ranty.
Part Number
602041
601837
If you lose steering control while operating the machine, place the steering
control levers in the park brake position immediately. Inspect the machine and
involve your dealer to resolve the problem before continuing to operate.
If pump belt fails, steering control will be lost. Refer to owner’s manual for
inspection and replacement intervals and refer to above paragraph for
emergency procedures.
600899
601967
601892
WARNING: Thrown objects!
• Always maintain a safe distance from peo-
ple and pets when mowing.
• Always stop machine if someone enters
the area.
• Inspect area to be mowed for hazards
such as rocks, metal objects and other
debris which may be thrown or entangled
by mower blades. Remove these objects
before mowing.
Part Number 600899
• If you loose steering control while operating the machine, place
the steering control levers in the park brake position immediately.
Inspect the machine and involve your dealer to resolve the problem
before continuing to operate.
• If pump belt fails, steering control will be lost. Refer to owner’s
manual for inspection and replacement intervals and refer to above
paragraph for emergency procedures.
WARNING:
Hot surface!
Part Number 601837
Part Number 602041
• Keep a safe distance from the machine.
DANGER:
Rotating blades, pulleys & belts
• Keep shields and covers in place
while machine is in operation
• Keep hands, feet and clothing
away from rotating pulleys and
belts.
WARNING:
Thrown objects!
Part Number 601624
WARNING: Fire!
Part Number 601967
• Never operate the mower deck with side
deflector damaged, altered, removed or in
raised position, except when the entire grass
catcher attachment or mulching system is
being used.
• Clean flammable material from
machine. Prevent fires by keeping
engine compartment, top of deck,
exhaust area, battery, fuel line, fuel
tank and operator’s station clean of
accumulated trash, grass clippings,
and other debris. Always clean up
spilled fuel and oil.
2-2 603744_0911
601815
Part Number 601815
• Avoid skin contact
with battery acid
• Do not overfill battery.
• Electrolyte may overflow and damage
paint, wiring or structure. When cleaning
the battery, use soap and water into the
battery. Be careful not to get soap and
water into the battery. Use soda mixed in
water to clean corrosion off the terminals.
• Always wear eye protection when check-
ing the battery, acid can cause serious
injury to skin and eyes. If contact occurs,
flush area with clean water and call physician immediately. Acid will also damage
clothing.
• Do not allow open flame near the bat-
tery when charging.
• Hydrogen gas forms inside the bat-
tery. This gas is both toxic and flammable and may cause an explosion if
exposed to flame. Always remove the
negative ground first and replace it
last.
601635
601635
DANGER: Battery Hazards!
Part Number
601635
WARNING: Read Operator’s Manual and decals before attempting to
operate this machine.
WARNING: This structure’s protective capability may be impaired by
ural damage, overturn, or alteration. If any of these
struct
conditions occur, this structure must be replaced.
WARNING: Roll over!
• Avoid crushing, use seat belt.
• Do not jump if machine tips.
• To minimize chance of injury or death from rollover; keep ROPS in the
raised and locked position and use the seat belt.
• Do not remove ROPS
• Never operate machine on a slope with the ROPS folded down (lowered
position).
• There is no roll over protection when the ROPS is in the lowered position.
• Lower the ROPS only when absolutely necessary. Drive slowly and care-
fully. Raise the ROPS as soon a
s clearance permits.
• Read and follow slopes operation instructions and warnings.
• Do not wear seat belt when the ROPS is in the lowered position.
WARNING: Ejection!
• Always pull from the tractor hitch.
• Do not attach chains or ropes to the ROPS for pulling purposes, as the
machine can tip backwards.
603744_0911 2-3
Part Number 601993
WARNING: Read Operator’s Manual and
decal
s before attempting to oper-
ate this machine.
WARNING: Roll over!
• Mow a safe distance (minimum of 10 feet) away
from drop-offs, retaining walls, drainage
ditches, embankments, water, and other types
of hazards to avoid a wheel dropping over the
edge or to avoid the ground from breaking
away.
WARNING: Back over!
• Do not carry passengers
• Always stop machine if someone enters the
area.
• Always be aware of what is behind the machine
before backing up. Do not mow in reverse
unless absolutely necessary. A lways look down
and behind before and while backing up.
WARNING: Roll over!
• Slow down before turning.
• Do not operate on slopes greater than 15
degrees.
• Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual.
Never make sudden changes in speed and
direction.
• Do not mow on slopes above a retaining wall or
drop-off.
WARNING: Ejection!
• Do not operate on slopes greater than 15
degrees.
• Keep all movement on slow and gradual when
going up or down slopes.
• Do not remove or modify stabilizer wheels or
injury can result.
WARNING: Loss of traction/control on slopes!
• Shut off blades.
• Back slowly down the slope when loss of trac-
tion occurs.
2-4 603744_0911
603315
D
F
G
J
K
C
A
B
Part Number 603315
L
M
I
H
E
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Choke
D. Mower blade engage/disengage switch
E. Ignition switch - insert key
F. OFF
G. ON
H. Engine start position
I. Before starting the engine:
Read Operator’s Manual
Disengage mower blades
Place control levers in park brake position
ear ear protection, eye protection and safety shoes when operating
J. W
this equipment.
K. Read Operator’s Manual before attempting to operate this machine.
L. For maximum electric clutch life engage at 1/2 - 3/4 throttle position.
M. For maximum electric clutch life disengage at low throttle position.
603744_0911 2-5
2-6 603744_0911
1. Hold this sheet of paper in front of you. Make sure that Line A is horizontal.
2. Align Line B with a vertical surface such as pole, tree or building.
3. Fold the paper along the slope guide lines (C, D or E).
4. Align the closest slope guide line with the ground slope. This will give you a close estimation of the ground slope to be
mowed.
Slope Guide Lines
Line B
D (10o)
C (5o)
E (15o)
Line A
Slope Guide
Use this diagram when determining the degree of slope to be mowed.
603744_0911 2-7
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