Exmark Frontrunner 720, 000 & Higher Serial Nos., Frontrunner Series, Frontrunner FR23KC, Frontrunner FR27KC Operator's Manual

FRONTRUNNERTM

AIR-COOLEDMODELS

ForSerialNos.
720,000&Higher

PartNo.4500-218Rev.A

WARNING

CALIFORNIA

Proposition65Warning

Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct
containschemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,or
otherreproductiveharm.

Important:Whenthemowerisusedoroperated
onanyCaliforniaforest,brushorgrasscovered
land,aworkingsparkarrestermustbeattached
tothemufer.Ifnot,theoperatorisviolating
statelaw,Section4442PublicResourceCode.To
acquireasparkarresterforyourunit,seeyour
EngineServiceDealer.

ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadian
ICES-002Cesystèmed’allumageparètincellede
vèhiculeestconformeàlanormeNMB-002du
Canada

TheenclosedEngineOwner’sManualis
suppliedforinformationregardingTheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)and
theCaliforniaEmissionControlRegulationof
emissionsystems,maintenanceandwarranty.

KeepthisengineOwner’sManualwithyourunit.
ShouldthisengineOwner’sManualbecome
damagedorillegible,replaceimmediately.
Replacementsmaybeorderedthroughthe
enginemanufacturer.

Exmarkreservestherighttomakechangesor
addimprovementstoitsproductsatanytime
withoutincurringanyobligationtomakesuch
changestoproductsmanufacturedpreviously.
Exmark,oritsdistributorsanddealers,accept
noresponsibilityforvariationswhichmaybe
evidentintheactualspecicationsofitsproducts
andthestatementsanddescriptionscontained
inthispublication.

©2004–2008—ExmarkMfg.Co.,Inc.
IndustrialParkBox808
Beatrice,NE68310

2

Contactusatwww.Exmark.com.

PrintedintheUSA.

AllRightsReserved

Introduction

CONGRATULATIONSonthepurchaseofyour
ExmarkMower.Thisproducthasbeencarefully
designedandmanufacturedtogiveyouamaximum
amountofdependabilityandyearsoftrouble-free
operation.

Thismanualcontainsoperating,maintenance,
adjustment,andsafetyinstructionsforyourExmark
mower.

BEFOREOPERATINGYOURMOWER,
CAREFULLYREADTHISMANUALINITS
ENTIRETY.

Byfollowingtheoperating,maintenance,andsafety
instructions,youwillprolongthelifeofyourmower,
maintainitsmaximumefciency,andpromotesafe
operation.

Ifadditionalinformationisneeded,orshouldyou
requiretrainedmechanicservice,contactyour
authorizedExmarkequipmentdealerordistributor.

AllExmarkequipmentdealersanddistributorsare
keptinformedofthelatestmethodsofservicing
andareequippedtoprovidepromptandefcient
serviceintheeldorattheirservicestations.They
carryamplestockofservicepartsorcansecurethem
promptlyforyoufromthefactory.

AllExmarkpartsarethoroughlytestedandinspected
beforeleavingthefactory,however,attentionis
requiredonyourpartifyouaretoobtainthefullest
measureofsatisfactionandperformance.

Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineExmarkparts,
oradditionalinformation,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealerorExmarkCustomerServiceandhave
themodelandserialnumbersofyourproductready.

Figure1identiesthelocationofthemodelandserial
numbersontheproduct.Writethenumbersinthe
spaceprovided.

Figure1

1.Modelandserialnumberlocation

ModelNo.

SerialNo.

3

Contents

Introduction...........................................................3

Safety.....................................................................5

SafetyAlertSymbol.........................................5

SafeOperatingPractices..................................5

SafetyandInstructionalDecals.....................10

Specications.......................................................14

ModelNumbers............................................14

Systems.........................................................14

Dimensions...................................................16

TorqueRequirements....................................17

ProductOverview................................................17

Operation.............................................................18

Controls........................................................18

Pre-Start........................................................19

OperatingInstructions..................................19

Transporting.................................................22

Maintenance.........................................................23

RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)...........23

PeriodicMaintenance.......................................24

CheckEngineOilLevel.................................24

CheckBatteryCharge....................................24

CheckSafetyInterlockSystem.......................25

CheckRolloverProtectionsSystems(Roll

Bar)Pins...................................................26

CheckSeatBelt..............................................26

CheckforLooseHardware............................26

ServiceAirCleaner........................................26

ChangeEngineOil........................................26

CheckHydraulicOilLevel.............................27

CheckTirePressures.....................................27

CheckConditionOfBelts..............................28

LubricateGreaseFittings...............................28

LubricateRearCasterWheelHub(s)...............28

LubricateBrakeHandlePivot........................29

LubricateBrakeRodBushings.......................29

LubricateMotionControlBronze

Bushings...................................................29

LubricateMotionControlShaft.....................29

LubricateSteeringLinkageRodEnds.............29

CheckSparkPlugs.........................................30

ChangeHydraulicSystemFilter.....................30

CheckWheelHubLocknuts..........................30

ThreadLockingAdhesives.............................30

DielectricGrease...........................................31

Adjustments.....................................................31

PumpDriveBeltTension...............................31

PumpDriveBeltReplacement.......................31

ParkBrakeAdjustment..................................31

MotionControlLinkageAdjustment.............32

WeightTransferSpringAdjustment...............33

CasterPivotBearingsPre-Load

Adjustment...............................................34

Cleaning...........................................................34

CleanEngineCoolingSystem........................34

RemoveAccumulatedDebrisfrom

Engine(Briggs&StrattonUnits

Only).........................................................34

RemoveEngineShroudsandCleanCooling

Fins...........................................................35

WasteDisposal..............................................35

Troubleshooting...................................................36

Schematics...........................................................38

4

Safety

Safety

SafetyAlertSymbol

ThisSafetyAlertSymbol(Figure2)isusedbothin
thismanualandonthemachinetoidentifyimportant
safetymessageswhichmustbefollowedtoavoid
accidents

Thissymbolmeans:ATTENTION!BECOME

ALERT!YOURSAFETYISINVOLVED!

Figure2

1.Safetyalertsymbol

Thesafetyalertsymbolappearsaboveinformation
whichalertsyoutounsafeactionsorsituations
andwillbefollowedbythewordDANGER,

WARNING,orCAUTION.

DANGER:Whitelettering/Redbackground.

Indicatesanimminentlyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Willresultindeathorseriousinjury.

WARNING:Blacklettering/Orangebackground.
Indicatesapotentiallyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Couldresultindeathorseriousinjury.

CAUTION:Blacklettering/Y ellowbackground.
Indicatesapotentiallyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Mayresultinminorormoderateinjury.

Thismanualusestwootherwordstohighlight
information.Importantcallsattentiontospecial
mechanicalinformationandNoteemphasizes
generalinformationworthyofspecialattention.

SafeOperatingPractices

Training

•ReadtheOperator’sManualandothertraining
material.Iftheoperator(s)ormechanic(s)can
notreadEnglishitistheowner’sresponsibilityto
explainthismaterialtothem.

•Becomefamiliarwiththesafeoperationofthe
equipment,operatorcontrols,andsafetysigns.

•Alloperatorsandmechanicsshouldbetrained.
Theownerisresponsiblefortrainingtheusers.

•Neverletchildrenoruntrainedpeopleoperate
orservicetheequipment.Localregulationsmay
restricttheageoftheoperator.

•Theowner/usercanpreventandisresponsible
foraccidentsorinjuriesoccurringtohimselfor
herself,otherpeopleorproperty.

Preparation

•Evaluatetheterraintodeterminewhataccessories
andattachmentsareneededtoproperlyand
safelyperformthejob.Onlyuseaccessoriesand
attachmentsapprovedbyExmark.

•Wearappropriateclothingincludingsafetyglasses,
substantialfootwear,longtrousers,andhearing
protection.DoNotoperatewhenbarefootor
whenwearingopensandals.Longhair,loose
clothingorjewelrymaygettangledinmoving
parts.

CAUTION

Thismachineproducessoundlevelsin
excessof85dBAattheoperator’searand
cancausehearinglossthroughextended
periodsofexposure.

Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.

•Inspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe
usedandremoveallrocks,toys,sticks,wires,
bones,andotherforeignobjectswhichcanbe
thrownbythemachineandmaycausepersonal
injurytotheoperatororbystanders.

5

Safety

DANGER

Incertainconditionsgasolineisextremely
ammableandvaporsareexplosive.

Areorexplosionfromgasolinecanburn
you,others,andcausepropertydamage.

•Fillthefueltankoutdoorsinanopen
area,whentheengineiscold.Wipeup
anygasolinethatspills.

•Neverrellthefueltankordrainthe
machineindoorsorinsideanenclosed
trailer.

•DoNotllthefueltankcompletely
full.Addgasolinetothefueltankuntil
thelevelis1/4to1/2inch(6–13mm)
belowthebottomofthellerneck.This
emptyspaceinthetankallowsgasoline
toexpand.

•Neversmokewhenhandlinggasoline,
andstayawayfromanopenameor
wheregasolinefumesmaybeignitedby
spark.

•Storegasolineinanapprovedcontainer
andkeepitoutofthereachofchildren.

•Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.
Neverremovethecapofthefueltankor
addfuelwhenengineisrunningorwhen
theengineishot.

•Iffuelisspilled,DoNotattempttostart
theengine.Moveawayfromtheareaof
thespillandavoidcreatinganysourceof
ignitionuntilfuelvaporshavedissipated.

•DoNotoperatewithoutentireexhaust
systeminplaceandinproperworking
condition.

DANGER

Incertainconditionsduringfueling,static
electricitycanbereleasedcausingaspark
whichcanignitegasolinevapors.Areor
explosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
othersandcausepropertydamage.

•Alwaysplacegasolinecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebefore
lling.

•DoNotllgasolinecontainersinsidea
vehicleoronatruckortrailerbedbecause
interiorcarpetsorplastictruckbedliners
mayinsulatethecontainerandslowthe
lossofanystaticcharge.

•Whenpractical,removegas-powered
equipmentfromthetruckortrailerand
refueltheequipmentwithitswheelson
theground.

•Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatruckortrailerfroma
portablecontainer,ratherthanfroma
gasolinedispensernozzle.

•Ifagasolinedispensernozzlemustbe
used,keepthenozzleincontactwiththe
rimofthefueltankorcontaineropening
atalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.

WARNING

Gasolineisharmfulorfatalifswallowed.
Long-termexposuretovaporshascaused
cancerinlaboratoryanimals.Failuretouse
cautionmaycauseseriousinjuryorillness.

•Avoidprolongedbreathingofvapors.

•Keepfaceawayfromnozzleandgas
tank/containeropening.

•Keepawayfromeyesandskin.

•Neversiphonbymouth.

•Checkthattheoperator’spresencecontrols,
safetyswitches,andshieldsareattachedand
functioningproperly .DoNotoperateunlessthey
arefunctioningproperly.

6

Safety

Operation

WARNING

Operatingengineparts,especiallythe
mufer,becomeextremelyhot.Severeburns
canoccuroncontactanddebris,suchas
leaves,grass,brush,etc.cancatchre.

•Allowengineparts,especiallythemufer,
tocoolbeforetouching.

•Removeaccumulateddebrisfrommufer
andenginearea.

•Installandmaintaininworkingordera
sparkarresterbeforeusingequipment
onforest-covered,grass-covered,or
brush-coveredunimprovedland.

WARNING

Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,
whichisanodorlessdeadlypoisonthatcan
killyou.

DoNotrunengineindoorsorinasmall
connedareawheredangerouscarbon
monoxidefumescancollect.

WARNING

OperatingaFrontRunnertractorwithoutan
approvedExmarkfrontmountattachment
increasesthepossibilityofforwardtipover.
Tip-overcouldcauseseriousinjuryordeath.

WhenoperatingaFrontRunnertractor
withoutanapprovedExmarkfrontmount
attachment,observethefollowing:

•Limitoperationtominimumrequiredto
installadifferentfrontmountattachment.

•Minimizespeedanduseextremecaution.

•Onlyoperateonaatlevelsurface.

•DoNotoperateupordownatrailerramp.

•Avoidsuddenaccelerationordeceleration.

•Operateonlyindaylightorgoodarticiallight,
keepingawayfromholesandhiddenhazards.

•Besurealldrivesareinneutralandparkingbrake
isengagedbeforestartingengine.Useseatbelts.

•Neveroperatethemowerwithdamagedguards,
shields,orcovers.Alwayshavesafetyshields,
guards,switchesandotherdevicesinplaceandin
properworkingcondition.

•Nevermowwiththedischargedeectorraised,
removedoralteredunlessthereisagrass
collectionsystemormulchkitinplaceand
workingproperly .

•DoNotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor
overspeedtheengine.

•Stopengine,waitforallmovingpartstostop,
removekeyandengageparkingbrake:

–Beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthe

mower.

–Afterstrikingaforeignobjectorabnormal

vibrationoccurs(inspectthemowerfor
damageandmakerepairsbeforerestarting

andoperatingthemower).
–Beforeclearingblockages.
–Wheneveryouleavethemower.

•Stopengine,waitforallmovingpartstostop,and
engageparkingbrake:

–Beforerefueling.
–Beforedumpingthegrasscatcher.

WARNING

Hands,feet,hair,clothing,oraccessoriescan
becomeentangledinrotatingparts.Contact
withtherotatingpartscancausetraumatic
amputationorseverelacerations.

•DoNotoperatethemachinewithout
guards,shields,andsafetydevicesin
placeandworkingproperly.

•Keephands,feet,hair,jewelry,orclothing
awayfromrotatingparts.

•NEVERcarrypassengers.DONOToperate
themowerwhenpeople,especiallychildren,or
petsareinthearea.

•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhenmaking
turns.Lookbehindandtothesidebefore
changingdirections.

•Stoptheblades,slowdown,andusecautionwhen
crossingsurfacesotherthangrassandwhen

7

Safety

transportingthemowertoandfromtheareato
bemowed.

•Beawareofthemowerdischargepathanddirect
dischargeawayfromothers.

•DoNotoperatethemowerundertheinuence
ofalcoholordrugs.

•Useextremecarewhenloadingorunloadingthe
machineintoatrailerortruck.

•Usecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,shrubs,
trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscurevision.

SlopeOperation

UseExtremecautionwhenmowingand/orturning
onslopesaslossoftractionand/ortip-overcould
occur.Theoperatorisresponsibleforsafeoperation
onslopes.

DANGER

Operatingonwetgrassorsteepslopescan
causeslidingandlossofcontrol.Wheels
droppingoveredges,ditches,steepbanks,or
watercancauserollovers,whichmayresult
inseriousinjury,deathordrowning.

•DoNotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.

•DoNotmowneardrop-offsornearwater.

•DoNotmowslopesgreaterthan15
degrees.

•Reducespeedanduseextremecaution
onslopes.

•Avoidsuddenturnsorrapidspeed
changes.

•Seeinsidethebackcovertodeterminethe
approximateslopeangleoftheareatobemowed.

•Useawalkbehindmowerand/orahandtrimmer
neardrop-offs,ditches,steepbanksorwater.
(Figure3).

Figure3

1.SafeZone-Usethemowerhereonslopeslessthan15
degrees

2.DangerZone-Useawalkbehindmowerand/orhand
trimmerneardrop-offsandwater.

3.Water

•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,tree
limbs,etc.fromthemowingarea.Tallgrasscan
hideobstacles.

•Watchforditches,holes,rocks,dipsandrisesthat
changetheoperatingangle,asroughterraincould
overturnthemachine.

•Avoidsuddenstopswhenmowingdownhill
becausethemowermaytipforwards.

•Beawarethatlossoftractionmayoccurgoing
uphill.Weighttransfertotherearwheelsmay
causedrivewheelstoslipandcauselossof
brakingandsteering.

•Alwaysavoidsuddenstartingorstoppingona
slope.Iftireslosetraction,disengagetheblades
andproceedslowlyofftheslope.

•Followthemanufacturer’srecommendationsfor
wheelweightsorcounterweightstoimprove
stability.

•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersor
attachments.Thesecanchangethestabilityofthe
machineandcauselossofcontrol.

UsingtheRolloverProtectionSystem
(ROPS)

ARolloverProtectionSystem(rollbar)isinstalled
ontheunit.

8

Safety

WARNING

Thereisnorolloverprotectionwhentheroll
barisdown.Wheelsdroppingoveredges,
ditches,steepbanks,orwatercancause
rollovers,whichmayresultinseriousinjury,
deathordrowning.

•Keeptherollbarintheraisedandlocked
positionanduseseatbelt.

•Lowertherollbaronlywhenabsolutely
necessary.

•DoNotwearseatbeltwhentherollbar
isdown.

•Driveslowlyandcarefully.

•Raisetherollbarassoonasclearance
permits.

•Checkcarefullyforoverheadclearances(i.e.
branches,doorways,andelectricalwires)before
drivingunderanyobjectsandDoNotcontactthem.

MaintenanceandStorage

•Disengagedrives,lowerimplement,setparking
brake,stopengineandremovekeyordisconnect
sparkplugwire.Waitforallmovementtostop
beforeadjusting,cleaningorrepairing.

•Keepengine,enginearea,andpumpdrivebelt
compartmentfreefromaccumulationofgrass,
leaves,excessivegreaseoroil,andotherdebris
whichcanaccumulateintheseareas.These
materialscanbecomecombustibleandmayresult
inare.

•LetenginecoolbeforestoringandDoNotstore
nearameoranyenclosedareawhereopenpilot
lightsorheatappliancesarepresent.

•Shutofffuelwhilestoringortransporting.Do
Notstorefuelnearamesordrainindoors.

•Parkmachineonlevelground.Neverallow
untrainedpersonneltoservicemachine.

•Usejackstandstosupportcomponentswhen
required.

•Carefullyreleasepressurefromcomponentswith
storedenergy.

•Disconnectbatteryorremovesparkplugwire
beforemakinganyrepairs.Disconnectthe

negativeterminalrstandthepositivelast.
Reconnectpositiverstandnegativelast.

•Usecarewhencheckingblades.Wraptheblade(s)
orweargloves,andusecautionwhenservicing
them.Onlyreplaceblades.Neverstraightenor
weldthem.

•Keephandsandfeetawayfrommovingparts.
Ifpossible,DoNotmakeadjustmentswiththe
enginerunning.

•Chargebatteriesinanopenwellventilatedarea,
awayfromsparkandames.Unplugcharger
beforeconnectingordisconnectingfrombattery.
Wearprotectiveclothinganduseinsulatedtools.

•Keepallguards,shieldsandallsafetydevicesin
placeandinsafeworkingcondition.

•Checkallboltsfrequentlytomaintainproper
tightness.

•Frequentlycheckforwornordeteriorating
componentsthatcouldcreateahazard.

•Allreplacementpartsmustbethesameas
orequivalenttothepartssuppliedasoriginal
equipment.

WARNING

Hydraulicuidescapingunderpressure
canpenetrateskinandcauseinjury.Fluid
accidentallyinjectedintotheskinmustbe
surgicallyremovedwithinafewhoursbya
doctorfamiliarwiththisformofinjuryor
gangrenemayresult.

•Makesureallhydraulicuidhoses
andlinesareingoodconditionand
allhydraulicconnectionsandttings
aretightbeforeapplyingpressureto
hydraulicsystem.

•Keepbodyandhandsawayfrompinhole
leaksornozzlesthatejecthighpressure
hydraulicuid.

•Usecardboardorpaper,notyourhands,
tondhydraulicleaks.

•Safelyrelieveallpressureinthehydraulic
systembyplacingthemotioncontrol
leversinneutralandshuttingoffthe
enginebeforeperforminganyworkon
thehydraulicsystem.

9

Safety

SafetyandInstructionalDecals

•Keepallsafetysignslegible.Removeallgrease,
dirtanddebrisfromsafetysignsandinstructional
labels.

•Replaceallworn,damaged,ormissingsafety
signs.

•Whenreplacementcomponentsareinstalled,be
surethatcurrentsafetysignsareafxedtothe
replacedcomponents.

•Ifanattachmentoraccessoryhasbeeninstalled,
makesurecurrentsafetysignsarevisible.

•Newsafetysignsmaybeobtainedfrom
yourauthorizedExmarkequipmentdealeror
distributororfromExmarkMfg.Co.Inc.

•Safetysignsmaybeafxedbypeelingoffthe
backingtoexposetheadhesivesurface.Apply
onlytoaclean,drysurface.Smoothtoremove
anyairbubbles.

•Familiarizeyourselfwiththefollowingsafetysigns
andinstructionlabels.Theyarecriticaltothesafe
operationofyourExmarkcommercialmower.

103-2076

1-513747

1-523552

1-643339

98-4361

98-5954

103-3270

103-5881

10

Safety

103-7218

107-2102

107-2112

109-2355

109-2356

1.Fast3.Neutral

2.Slow

4.Reverse

11

Safety

109-2357

1.Fast4.Reverse

2.Slow

5.ParkBrake—Release

3.Neutral6.ParkBrake—Engage

109-2358

109-2377

109-2396

109-3637

12

Safety

109-7413

1.Cylinder—extend4.Slow

2.Cylinder—retract5.Choke—on

3.Fast

6.Choke—off

109-7949

109-2360

13

Specications

Specications

ModelNumbers

SerialNos:720,000andHigher

FR23KC;FR27KC;FR31BV

Systems

Engine

•EngineSpecications:SeeyourEngineOwner’s
Manual

•RPM:FullSpeed:3750±50RPM(NoLoad)
Idle:1500RPM

FuelSystem

•Capacity:8.5gal.(32L)

•TypeofFuel:Regularunleadedgasoline,87
octaneorhigher.

•FuelFilter:

–Kohler:

In-line15MicronKohlerP/N2405010.

–Briggs&Stratton:

In-line30MicronBriggsP/N695327.

•FuelShut-OffValve:1/4turnincrements(“ON”,
“OFF”).

•Fuelgaugeinrighthandfueltank.

ElectricalSystem

•ChargingSystem:FlywheelAlternator

•ChargingCapacity:

–Kohler:15amps

–Briggs&Stratton:20amps

•BatteryType:BCIGroupU1

•BatteryVoltage:12Volt

•Polarity:NegativeGround

•Fuses:

–Kohler:

One15ampandtwo20ampbladetype

–Briggs&Stratton:

One15amp,one20amp,andone30amp
bladetype

SafetyInterlockSystem

•PTOmustbedisengaged,brakeengaged,and
motioncontrolleversout(neutrallock)tostart
engine.(Itisnotnecessaryfortheoperatortobe
intheseattostarttheengine.)

•OperatormustbeinseatwhenPTOisengaged,
brakeisdisengaged,ormotioncontrolleversare
movedinorenginewillstop.

•Enginewillstopifthemotioncontrollevers
aremovedfromneutralpositionwhilebrakeis
engaged.

OperatorControls

•SteeringandMotionControl:

Note:Motioncontrolleversareadjustableto
threeheights.

–Separatelevers,oneachsideoftheconsole,

controlspeedanddirectionoftravelofthe
respectivedrivewheels.

–Steeringiscontrolledbyvaryingtheposition

oftheleversrelativetoeachother.

–Movingmotioncontrolleversoutward(in

slots)locksthedrivesysteminneutral.

•PTOEngagementLever:EngagesdrivetoPTO
(mowerdeck).

•ParkingBrakeLever:Engagesparkingbrakeby
pullingback.

Seat

•Type:Standardseatwithhighback,foampadded
(internalsuspension)andarmrestsandintegral
safetyswitch.

Optionalseataccessories:

–Customridesuspensionsystemtoenhance

StandardSeat.

–Deluxesuspensionseatwithhighback,low

prolefoam-in-placecushion(dampened,
adjustablespringsuspension)andarmrests.

14