METRO®
ForSerialNos.
790,000&Higher
PartNo.4500-352Rev.A
WARNING
CALIFORNIA
Proposition65Warning
Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct
containschemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,or
otherreproductiveharm.
Important:Whenthemowerisusedoroperated
onanyCaliforniaforest,brushorgrasscovered
land,aworkingsparkarrestermustbeattached
tothemufer.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
evidentintheactualspecicationsofitsproducts
andthestatementsanddescriptionscontained
inthispublication.
©2009—ExmarkMfg.Co.,Inc.
IndustrialParkBox808
Beatrice,NE68310
Contactusatwww.Exmark.com.
2
PrintedintheUSA
AllRightsReserved
Introduction
CONGRATULATIONSonthepurchaseofyour
ExmarkMower.Thisproducthasbeencarefully
designedandmanufacturedtogiveyouamaximum
amountofdependabilityandyearsoftrouble-free
operation.
Thismanualcontainsoperating,maintenance,
adjustment,andsafetyinstructionsforyourExmark
mower.
BEFOREOPERATINGYOURMOWER,
CAREFULLYREADTHISMANUALINITS
ENTIRETY.
Byfollowingtheoperating,maintenance,andsafety
instructions,youwillprolongthelifeofyourmower,
maintainitsmaximumefciency,andpromotesafe
operation.
Ifadditionalinformationisneeded,orshouldyou
requiretrainedmechanicservice,contactyour
authorizedExmarkequipmentdealerordistributor.
Figure1
1.Modelandserialnumberlocation
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
AllExmarkequipmentdealersanddistributorsare
keptinformedofthelatestmethodsofservicing
andareequippedtoprovidepromptandefcient
serviceintheeldorattheirservicestations.They
carryamplestockofservicepartsorcansecurethem
promptlyforyoufromthefactory.
AllExmarkpartsarethoroughlytestedandinspected
beforeleavingthefactory,however,attentionis
requiredonyourpartifyouaretoobtainthefullest
measureofsatisfactionandperformance.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineExmarkparts,
oradditionalinformation,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealerorExmarkCustomerServiceandhave
themodelandserialnumbersofyourproductready.
Figure1identiesthelocationofthemodelandserial
numbersontheproduct.Writethenumbersinthe
spaceprovided.
3
Contents
Introduction...........................................................3
Safety.....................................................................5
SafetyAlertSymbol.........................................5
SafeOperatingPractices..................................5
SafetyandInstructionalDecals.......................9
Specications.......................................................12
ModelNumbers............................................12
Systems.........................................................12
Dimensions...................................................13
TorqueRequirements....................................13
ProductOverview................................................14
Operation.............................................................14
Controls........................................................14
Pre-Start........................................................16
OperatingInstructions..................................16
Transporting.................................................18
Maintenance.........................................................19
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)...........19
PeriodicMaintenance.......................................20
CheckEngineOilLevel.................................20
CheckMowerBlades.....................................20
CheckSafetyInterlockSystem.......................21
CheckforLooseHardware............................21
ServicePre-CleanerElementandAir
Cleaner......................................................21
ChangeEngineOil........................................21
CheckTirePressures.....................................22
CheckConditionOfBelts..............................22
LubricateGreaseFittings...............................22
CheckSparkPlugs.........................................23
CheckGreaseLevel,InputandOutput
ShaftBearingWearonPeerless
Transmission.............................................23
ThreadLockingAdhesives.............................24
MobilHTSGrease(OrFood-Grade
Anti-seize).................................................24
Copper-BasedAnti-seize..............................24
DielectricGrease...........................................24
Adjustments.....................................................24
AdjustingtheCuttingHeight.........................24
AdjustingtheAxlePosition............................26
AdjustingtheNumberofSpacersbelow
CasterSupportHub...................................27
AdjustingtheCuttingHeightwithBlade
Spacers......................................................27
TransmissionBeltAdjustment.......................27
WheelDriveBeltPulleyScrapers...................28
EnginetoMowerDeckBelt...........................28
BladeBrakeAdjustment................................29
BeltGuideAdjustment..................................29
BrakeandWheelDriveLinkage
Adjustment...............................................30
ShifterLeverAdjustment...............................31
ShifterDetentAdjustment.............................32
PTOSafetySwitchAdjustment......................32
HandleHeightAdjustment............................32
WheelDriveSpringTension
Adjustment...............................................33
Cleaning...........................................................34
CleanEngineandExhaustSystem
Area..........................................................34
RemoveEngineShroudsandCleanCooling
Fins...........................................................34
CleanDebrisFromMachine..........................34
CleanGrassBuild-UpUnderDeck................34
WasteDisposal..............................................34
Troubleshooting...................................................35
Schematics...........................................................37
4
Safety
Safety
SafetyAlertSymbol
ThisSafetyAlertSymbol(Figure2)isusedbothin
thismanualandonthemachinetoidentifyimportant
safetymessageswhichmustbefollowedtoavoid
accidents
Thissymbolmeans:ATTENTION!BECOME
ALERT!YOURSAFETYISINVOLVED!
Figure2
1.Safetyalertsymbol
Thesafetyalertsymbolappearsaboveinformation
whichalertsyoutounsafeactionsorsituations
andwillbefollowedbythewordDANGER,
WARNING,orCAUTION.
•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
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.
Thismachineproducessoundlevelsin
excessof85dBAattheoperator’searand
cancausehearinglossthroughextended
periodsofexposure.
Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.
•Inspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe
usedandremoveallrocks,toys,sticks,wires,
bones,andotherforeignobjectswhichcanbe
thrownbythemachineandmaycausepersonal
injurytotheoperatororbystanders.
•Becomefamiliarwiththesafeoperationofthe
equipment,operatorcontrols,andsafetysigns.
•Alloperatorsandmechanicsshouldbetrained.
Theownerisresponsiblefortrainingtheusers.
5
Safety
DANGER
Incertainconditionsgasolineisextremely
ammableandvaporsareexplosive.
Areorexplosionfromgasolinecanburn
you,others,andcausepropertydamage.
•Fillthefueltankoutdoorsinanopen
area,whentheengineiscold.Wipeup
anygasolinethatspills.
•Neverrellthefueltankordrainthe
machineindoorsorinsideanenclosed
trailer.
•DoNotllthefueltankcompletely
full.Addgasolinetothefueltankuntil
thelevelis1/4to1/2inch(6–13mm)
belowthebottomofthellerneck.This
emptyspaceinthetankallowsgasoline
toexpand.
•Neversmokewhenhandlinggasoline,
andstayawayfromanopenameor
wheregasolinefumesmaybeignitedby
spark.
•Storegasolineinanapprovedcontainer
andkeepitoutofthereachofchildren.
•Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.
Neverremovethecapofthefueltankor
addfuelwhenengineisrunningorwhen
theengineishot.
•Iffuelisspilled,DoNotattempttostart
theengine.Moveawayfromtheareaof
thespillandavoidcreatinganysourceof
ignitionuntilfuelvaporshavedissipated.
•DoNotoperatewithoutentireexhaust
systeminplaceandinproperworking
condition.
DANGER
Incertainconditionsduringfueling,static
electricitycanbereleasedcausingaspark
whichcanignitegasolinevapors.Areor
explosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
othersandcausepropertydamage.
•Alwaysplacegasolinecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebefore
lling.
•DoNotllgasolinecontainersinsidea
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
mufer,becomeextremelyhot.Severeburns
canoccuroncontactanddebris,suchas
leaves,grass,brush,etc.cancatchre.
•Allowengineparts,especiallythemufer,
tocoolbeforetouching.
•Removeaccumulateddebrisfrommufer
andenginearea.
•Installandmaintaininworkingordera
sparkarresterbeforeusingequipment
onforest-covered,grass-covered,or
brush-coveredunimprovedland.
WARNING
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,
whichisanodorlessdeadlypoisonthatcan
killyou.
DoNotrunengineindoorsorinasmall
connedareawheredangerouscarbon
monoxidefumescancollect.
•Operateonlyindaylightorgoodarticiallight,
keepingawayfromholesandhiddenhazards.
•Besurealldrivesareinneutralandparkingbrake
isengagedbeforestartingengine.
•Neverraisedeckwithbladesrunning.
•Neveroperatethemowerwithdamagedguards,
shields,orcovers.Alwayshavesafetyshields,
guards,switchesandotherdevicesinplaceandin
properworkingcondition.
•Nevermowwiththedischargedeectorraised,
removedoralteredunlessthereisagrass
collectionsystemormulchkitinplaceand
workingproperly .
•DoNotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor
overspeedtheengine.
•Stopengine,waitforallmovingpartstostop,
removekeyandengageparkingbrake:
–Beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthe
mower.
–Afterstrikingaforeignobjectorabnormal
vibrationoccurs(inspectthemowerfor
damageandmakerepairsbeforerestarting
andoperatingthemower).
–Beforeclearingblockages.
–Wheneveryouleavethemower.
•Stopengine,waitforallmovingpartstostop,and
engageparkingbrake:
–Beforerefueling.
–Beforedumpingthegrasscatcher.
–Beforemakingheightadjustments.
WARNING
Hands,feet,hair,clothing,oraccessoriescan
becomeentangledinrotatingparts.Contact
withtherotatingpartscancausetraumatic
amputationorseverelacerations.
•DoNotoperatethemachinewithout
guards,shields,andsafetydevicesin
placeandworkingproperly.
•Keephands,feet,hair,jewelry,orclothing
awayfromrotatingparts.
•DONOToperatethemowerwhenpeople,
especiallychildren,orpetsareinthearea.
•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhenmaking
turns.Lookbehindandtothesidebefore
changingdirections.
•Stoptheblades,slowdown,andusecautionwhen
crossingsurfacesotherthangrassandwhen
transportingthemowertoandfromtheareato
bemowed.
•Beawareofthemowerdischargepathanddirect
dischargeawayfromothers.
•DoNotoperatethemowerundertheinuence
ofalcoholordrugs.
•Useextremecarewhenloadingorunloadingthe
machineintoatrailerortruck.
•Usecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,shrubs,
trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscurevision.
SlopeOperation
UseExtremecautionwhenmowingand/orturning
onslopesaslossoftractionand/ortip-overcould
occur.Theoperatorisresponsibleforsafeoperation
onslopes.
7
Safety
DANGER
Operatingonwetgrassorsteepslopescan
causeslidingandlossofcontrol.Lossof
controland/orlossofoperator’sfooting
couldresultinafallwithanarmorleg
gettingunderthemowerorenginedeck
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,deathor
drowning.
•Mowacrossslopes,neverupanddown.
•DoNotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.
•DoNotmowneardrop-offsornearwater.
•DoNotmowslopesgreaterthan20
degrees.
•Reducespeedanduseextremecaution
onslopes.
•Avoidsuddenturnsorrapidspeed
changes.
•Seeinsidethebackcovertodeterminethe
approximateslopeangleoftheareatobemowed.
•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,tree
limbs,etc.fromthemowingarea.Tallgrasscan
hideobstacles.
•Watchforditches,holes,rocks,dipsandrisesthat
changetheoperatingangle,asroughterraincould
overturnthemachine.
•Avoidsuddenstartswhenmowinguphillbecause
themowermaytipbackwards.
•Beawarethatoperatingonwetgrass,acrosssteep
slopesordownhillmaycausethemowertolose
traction.Lossoftractiontothedrivewheelsmay
resultinslidingandalossofbrakingandsteering.
•Alwaysavoidsuddenstartingorstoppingona
slope.Iftireslosetraction,disengagetheblades
andproceedslowlyofftheslope.
•Followthemanufacturer’srecommendationsfor
wheelweightsorcounterweightstoimprove
stability.
•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersor
attachments.Thesecanchangethestabilityofthe
machineandcauselossofcontrol.
sparkplugwire.Waitforallmovementtostop
beforeadjusting,cleaningorrepairing.
•Keepengineandengineareafreefrom
accumulationofgrass,leaves,excessivegrease
oroil,andotherdebriswhichcanaccumulate
intheseareas.Thesematerialscanbecome
combustibleandmayresultinare.
•LetenginecoolbeforestoringandDoNotstore
nearameoranyenclosedareawhereopenpilot
lightsorheatappliancesarepresent.
•Shutofffuelwhilestoringortransporting.Do
Notstorefuelnearamesordrainindoors.
•Parkmachineonlevelground.Neverallow
untrainedpersonneltoservicemachine.
•Usejackstandstosupportcomponentswhen
required.
•Carefullyreleasepressurefromcomponentswith
storedenergy.
•Usecarewhencheckingblades.Wraptheblade(s)
orweargloves,andusecautionwhenservicing
them.Onlyreplacedamagedblades.Never
straightenorweldthem.
•Keephandsandfeetawayfrommovingparts.
Ifpossible,DoNotmakeadjustmentswiththe
enginerunning.
•Keepallguards,shieldsandallsafetydevicesin
placeandinsafeworkingcondition.
•Checkallboltsfrequentlytomaintainproper
tightness.
•Frequentlycheckforwornordeteriorating
componentsthatcouldcreateahazard.
•Allreplacementpartsmustbethesameas
orequivalenttothepartssuppliedasoriginal
equipment.
MaintenanceandStorage
•Disengagedrives,lowerimplement,setparking
brake,stopengineandremovekeyordisconnect
8
SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Safety
•Keepallsafetysignslegible.Removeallgrease,
dirtanddebrisfromsafetysignsandinstructional
labels.
•Replaceallworn,damaged,ormissingsafety
signs.
•Whenreplacementcomponentsareinstalled,be
surethatcurrentsafetysignsareafxedtothe
replacedcomponents.
•Ifanattachmentoraccessoryhasbeeninstalled,
makesurecurrentsafetysignsarevisible.
1-303508
•Newsafetysignsmaybeobtainedfrom
yourauthorizedExmarkequipmentdealeror
distributororfromExmarkMfg.Co.Inc.
•Safetysignsmaybeafxedbypeelingoffthe
backingtoexposetheadhesivesurface.Apply
onlytoaclean,drysurface.Smoothtoremove
anyairbubbles.
•Familiarizeyourselfwiththefollowingsafetysigns
andinstructionlabels.Theyarecriticaltothesafe
operationofyourExmarkcommercialmower.
1-323427
32inchand36inchUnitsOnly
1-303517
1-323550
1-303518
PistolGripHandleUnitsOnly
1-403005
9
Safety
1-403143
98-5954
103-2076
103-2244
ECSUnitsOnly
103-1623
ECSUnitsOnly
103-1798
103-2245
ECSUnitsOnly
10
103-5626
48inchUnitsOnly
Safety
103-1967
PistolGripUnitsOnly
11
Specications
Specications
ModelNumbers
SerialNos:790,000andHigher
M15KA322P;M15KA362P;M15KA483P;M15KA362;M15KA483;M17KA322PCA;M17KA362CA;
M17KA483CA;
Systems
Engine
•EngineSpecications:SeeyourEngineOwner’s
Manual
•RPM:FullSpeed:3600(NoLoad)
FuelSystem
•Capacity:5.0gal.(18.9L)
•TypeofFuel:Regularunleadedgasoline,87
octaneorhigher.
•FuelFilter:ReplaceableIn-line
•FuelShut-OffValve:1/4turnincrements
SafetyInterlockSystem
Operatormusthavethetransmissioninneutraland
PTOdisengagedtostartengine.ReleaseofOperator
PresenceControl(OPC)leverswillcauseengineto
stopiftransmissionisnotinneutraland/orPTO
isengaged.
Steering/BrakeControls
Fingertipdrivecontrolleversprovideindependent
controloftraction,braking,andneutraltoeachdrive
wheelformoving,stopping,andpowerturning.
Parkingbrakesareengagedbylockingdrivecontrol
leversinthe“brake”position.
Transmission
•Peerless700-070A,vespeedsforwardandone
reverse.
•Speedrange:
–1st:2.0mph(3.22km/hr)
–2nd:2.7mph(4.35km/hr)
–3rd:3.5mph(5.63km/hr)
–4th:4.1mph(6.60km/hr)
–5th:6.2mph(9.98km/hr)
–Reverse:3.1mph(4.99km/hr)
WheelDriveSystem
BandeddoubleA-SectionV-belts,singletop-side
idlersandreplaceablebolt-ondrivesheavesandbrake
drums.(SingleB-SectionV-beltsforthe32inch
Model)
Tires&Wheels
Drive
Pneumatic(Air-Filled)
3236&48
Quantity
Tread
Size13x5.00-613x6.50-69x3.50-4
PlyRating
Pressure
Bearings
222
TurfSaverTurfMasterSmooth
44
14psi
(97kPa)
Replaceable
Ball
14psi
(97kPa)
Replaceable
Ball
Front
Caster
SemiPneumatic
AllDecks
Replaceable
Roller
12