MTD 13AN683G163, 13AM662F163 Owner’s Manual
Operator's Manual
Transmatic Lawn Tractor
Models 660 - 688
IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Warning: This unt is equ pped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the eng ne's exhaust system is equipped wth a spark attester meet ng applicable Icoal or
state laws (if any). ff a spark attester is used, it should be mainta ned in effective working order by the ope_4tor. In the State of California
the above is required by law (Sect on 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws
apply on fedeFel lands. A spark attester for the muffler Jsavailable through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the
serv ce department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.
TROY-BILT LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-00565A
(1/2003)
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices ........................................................................ 3
Slope Gauge ........................................................................................................... 7
Tractor Set-up ......................................................................................................... 8
Know Your Lawn Tractor ......................................................................................... 11
Operating Your Lawn Tractor .................................................................................. 13
Making Adjustments ................................................................................................ 16
Service .................................................................................................................... 20
Maintaining your Lawn Tractor ................................................................................ 22
Off-Season Storage ................................................................................................. 27
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................... 28
Attachments & Accessories ..................................................................................... 27
FINDINGMODELNUMBER
This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on the
model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an
authorized dealer.
o
You can locate the model number by looking beneath the seat. A sample model plate is explained below. For
future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.
Copy the model number here:
P. O. BOX H61181
TRO¥-BI LT LLC
www.bolens.com 33[1-558-7220
• 866-840_6483
CLEVELAN[_, OH 4413fi
Copy the serial number here:
ENGINEINFORMATION
The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-rating,
specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual packed
separately with your unit for more information.
CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.
Call 1- (330) 558-'7220 or 1- (866) 840-6483 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please
have your unit's model number and serial number readywhen you call. See previous section to locate
this information. You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.
SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES
WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructionswhich, if not followed, could endanger
the personal safely and/or properly of yourself and others. Read and follow alt instructions in this manuat
before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal
injury. When you see this symbo!--heed itswarning.
DANGER: This machine was buitt to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this man-
ual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in
serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to
observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
_lb WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain
GENERAL OPERATION
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of
8. Always wear safely glasses or safety goggles
9. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm,
10. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not
machine and in the manua!(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for
ordering replacement parts.
operation. Know how to stop the machine and
disengage them quickly.
this machine. Children 14 years old and over
should read and understand the operation
instructionsand safety rules in this manual and
should be trained and supervised by a parent.
proper instruction.
injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets
at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
isto be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire,
bones, toys, and other foreign objects which could
be picked up and thrown bythe blade(s). Thrown
objects can cause serious personal injury.
material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and
the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a
wall or obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
during operation and while performing an
adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown
objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to
the eyes.
fitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes and
jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never
operate this machine in bare feet or sandals.
operate the mower without the discharge cover or
entire grass catcher in its proper place.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or
under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s)
can amputate hands and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause
blade contact or thrown object injuries.
13. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives,
walks, or roads and while not cutting grass.
14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways. This machine is not intended for use on
any public roadway.
15. Do not operate the machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
17. Never carry passengers.
18. Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse.
Back up slowly. Always look down and behind
before and while backing to avoid a back-over
accident.
19. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive
speed.
20. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine
and wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop
before removing grass catcher, emptying grass,
unclogging chute, removing any grass or debris, or
making any adjustments.
21. Never leave a running machine unattended.
Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in
neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and remove
key before dismounting.
22. Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not
be driven up or down ramp(s), because the unit
could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The
unit must be pushed manually on ramp(s) to load or
unload properly.
23.Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea
burn. Do not touch.
24. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving
under low hanging tree branches, wires, door
openings etc., where the operator may be struck or
pulled from the unit, which could result in serious
injury.
25. Disengage all attachment clutches, depress the
brake pedal completely and shift into neutral before
attempting to start engine.
26. Your machine is designed to cut normal residential
grass of a height no more than 10°. Do not attempt
to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g.,
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves
may contact the engine exhaust and/or build up on
the mower deck presenting a potential fire hazard.
27. Use only accessories and attachments approved
for this machine by the machine manufacturer.
Read, understand and follow all instructions
provided with the approved accessory or
attachment.
28. 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.
29. If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
customer service representative for assistance.
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 cannot
back up the slope or ifyou feel uneasy on it, do not mow
it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge incIuded as part of
this manual to measure slopes before operating this
unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than
15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge, do not
operate this unit on that area or serious injury could
result.
DO:
1.
Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise
extreme caution when changing direction on
slopes.
2.
Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other
hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the
machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
3. Use slow speed. Choose a tow enough speed
setting so that you will not have to stop or shift while
on the slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes
even though the brakes are functioning properly.
Always keep machine in gear when going down
slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
4. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for
wheel weights or counterweights to improve
stability.
5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of the
machine.
6. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front
of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards
which could cause serious injury.
7. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose
traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
DO NOT:
1. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
2. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The mower could suddenly turn
over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff, ditch, or if
an edge caves in.
3. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your
foot on the ground.
4. Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could
cause sliding.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-
speeding may cause the operator to lose control of
the machine resulting in serious injury or death.
7. Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g.
loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes
greater than 5 degrees. When going down hill, the
extra weight tends to push the tractor and may
cause you to loose control. (e.g. tractor may speed
up, braking and steering ability are reduced,
attachment may jack-knife and cause tractor to
overturn).
CHILDREN
1.
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.
They do not understand the dangers. Never
assume that children will remain where you last
saw them.
a. Keep children out ofthe mowing area and in
watchful care of a responsible adult other
than the operator.
b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters
the area.
c. Before and while backing, look behind and
down for smalt children.
d. Never carry children, even with the blade(s)
shut off. They may fall off and be sedousty
injured or interfere with safe machine
operation.
e. Use extreme care when approaching blind
corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other
objects that may block your vision of a child
who may run into the machine.
f. Disengage the cutting blade(s) before
shifting in reverse. The "No-Cut-In Reverse °
feature is a reminder not to cut in reverse and
to help avoid back over accidents. Do not
defeat it.
g. Keep children away from hot or running
engines. They can suffer burns from a hot
muffler.
h. Remove keywhen machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
.
Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
the machine. Children 14 years old and over should
read and understand the operation instructions and
safety rules in this manual and should be trained
and supervised by a parent.
TOWING
1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed
for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except
at the hitch point.
2. Follow the manufacturers recommendation for
weight limits for towed equipment and towing on
slopes.
3. Never allow children or others in or on towed
equipment.
4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may
cause loss of traction and loss of control.
5. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
6. Do not shift to neutraI and coast downhill.
SERVICE
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE:
1.
To avoid personal injury or property damage
use extreme care in handting gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spitled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Never filt 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.
c. When practical, remove gas-powered
equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel
it on the ground. If this is not possible, then
refuel such equipment on a trailer with a
portable container, rather than from a
gasoline dispenser nozzle.
d. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the
fuel tank or container opening at atl times
until fueling iscomplete. Do not use a nozzle
lock-open device.
e. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
other sources of ignition.
f. Never fuel machine indoors.
g. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the
engine ishot or running. Allow engine to coo!
at least two minutes before refueling.
h. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more
than _/_inch below bottom of filler neck to
allow space for fuel expansion.
i. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
j. Ifgasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine
and equipment. Move unit to another area.
Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.
k. To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of
grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean
up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel
soaked debris.
I. Never store the machine or fuel container
inside where there is an open flame, spark or
pilot light as on a water heater, space heater,
furnace, clothes dryer or other gas
appliances.
m. Allow a machine to ceot at least five minutes
before storing.
GENERAL SERVICE:
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly
ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless, and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the blade(s) and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and
ground against the engine to prevent unintended
starting.
3. Periodically check to make sure the blades come to
complete stop within approximately (5) five
seconds after operating the blade disengagement
control. If the blades do not stop within the this time
frame, your unit should be serviced professionally
by an authorized service dealer.
4. Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected
to wear during normal operation. Adjust and service
as required.
5. Check the blade(s) and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,
visually inspect blade(s) for damage (e.g.,
excessive wear, bent, cracked).
Replacetheblade(s)withtheoriginalequipment
manufacturer's(O.E.M.)blade(s)only,listedinthis
manual."Useofpartswhichdonotmeetthe
originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!°
6. Mowerbladesare sharp. Wrap the blade or wear
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
7. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
8. Never tamper with the safety interlock system or
other safety devices. Check their proper operation
regularly.
9. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground
against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the
machine for any damage. Repair the damage
before starting and operating.
10. Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to
the machine while the engine is running.
WARNING: YOUR RESPONSIBILITY- Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who
read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions inthis manual and on the machine.
11. Grass catcher components and the discharge
cover are subject to wear and damage which could
expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown.
For safety protection, frequently check components
and replace immediately with original equipment
manufacturer's (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this
manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the
original equipment specifications may lead to
improper performance and compromise safety! °
12. Do not change the engine governor settings or
over-speed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
13. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
14. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for
gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.
TO AVOID SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH
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,_WARNING
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower
could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain
your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
SECTION3: TRACTORSET-UP
IMPORTANT:Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oitlevel before
starting the engine and operating. Refer to the separate Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual (or Tecumseh
eng ne s Owner s Manua ) packed w th your tractor. Read nstruct ons carefu y.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the unit
is observed from the driver's seat, facing forward.
ToolsRequiredForAssembly
(1) 1/2" socket wrench (for steering wheel)
(1) 9/16" wrench or socket wrench (for seat)
(2) 7/16" wrenches or socket wrenches (for battery)
Attachingthe BatteryCables
NOTE: The positive batter7 terminal is marked Pos.
(+). The negative battery terminal is marked Neg. (-).
° The positive cable (heavy red wire) is secured to
the positive battery terminal (+) with a hex bolt and
hex nut at the factory. Make certain thai the rubber
boot covers the terminal to help protect it from
corrosion.
, Remove the hex bolt and wing nut from the
negative cable.
, Remove the black plastic cover, if present, from the
negative battery terminal and attach the negative
cable (heavy black wire) to the negative battery
terminal (-) with the bolt and wing nut.
, Make certain the hold-down rod is in position over
the battery, securing it in place. See Figure 1.
W
Rubber
Boot
z
AttachingTheSteeringWheel
° The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has
been packed within the steering wheel, beneath
steering wheel cap. Carefully pry off the steering
wheel cap and remove the hardware.
NOTE: There are two different styles of steering
wheel cap. See Figure 2. Styles vary by model.
, Remove the steering bellow from its packaged
location on the deck engagement!lift lever (found
on the right hand side oftractor). NOTE: Tractor
models 668 & 688 do NOT require a steering bellow
and do NOT come equipped with one.
, On models so equipped, place the steering bellow
over the steering shaft extending through the dash.
See Figure 2.
NOTE: If the openings on each end of the steering
bellow are two different sizes, the smafler end goes
down, against the dash of the lawn tractor.
With the wheels of the tractor pointing straight
forward, place the steering wheel over the steering
shaft.
Place the washer (with the cupped side down) over
the steering shaft and secure with the hex bolt. See
Figure 2.
Place the steering wheel cap over the center of the
steering wheel and push downward until it "clicks"
into place.
Steering
d-
vn
Hex Bolt
Figure 1
NOTE: If the battery is put into service after the date
shown on top of battery, charge the battery as
instructed on page 24 of this manual prior to operating
the tractor.
Wheel Cap _
w.ber
<
Figure 2
AttachingTheSeat
Seat styles vary by tractor mode! and there are three
different styles available:
• Standard Adjustment
• Quick Adjustment &
• Knob Adjustment
Refer to Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 to identify
which your tractor's seat style and follow appIicabIe
instructions below.
NOTE: For shipping reasons, seats are either
fastened to the tractor seat's pivot bracket with a plastic
tie, or mounted backward to the pivot bracket. In either
case, free the seat form its shipping position and
remove the two hex screws (or knobs, on models so
equipped) from the bottom of seat before proceeding
with applicable instructions below.
StandardAdjustment
HexScrew_
Shoulder
OpenS_irr;s _
in Slot
StandardAdjustmentSeat
1. Position the shouIder screws (found on the base of
the seat) inside the slot openings in the seat pivot
bracket. Figure 3.
2. Slide the seat slightly rearward in the seat pivot
bracket, lining up the rear slots in the pivot bracket
with the remaining two holes in the seat's base.
3. Select desired position for the seat, and secure with
the two hex screws removed earlier. See Figure 3.
QuickAdjustmentSeat
NOTE: ff your seat was shipped mounted backwards
on the seat pivot bracket, pull out the tab found on the
seat stop and hold it open while sliding the seat off the
seat pivot bracket. See Figure 4.
1. Line up the plastic seat spacers with the slots in
seat pivot bracket.
2. Slide seat in until front seat spacer engages the
seat stop. See Figure 4.
WARNING: Before operating this machine,
make sure the seat is engaged in the seat
stop, stand behind the machine and pull back
on seat until fuIly engaged into stop.
KnobAdjustmentSeat
1. Position the shoutder screws (found on the base of
the seat) inside the slot openings in the seat pivot
bracket. Figure 5.
2. Slide the seat slightly rearward in the seat pivot
bracket, Iining up the rear slots in the pivot bracket
with the remaining two holes in the seat's base.
3. Select desired position for the seat, and secure with
the two knobs removed earIier. See Figure 5.
QuickAdjustment
Seat Stop
\
Pivot Bracket
KnobAdjustment
Knobs
Shoulder
Screws
Opening
Figure 3
)
Figure 4
Figure 5
GasandOilFill-up
The gasoline tank is located under the hood and has a
capacity of either two or three gallons. Do not overfill.
WARNING: The shipping brace, used for
packaging purposes only, must be removed
and discarded before operating your riding
mower.
,_ WARNING: Use extreme care when
Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in
the separate Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual
(or Tecumseh engine's Owner's Manual) packed with
your tractor. Read instructions carefully.
IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the
engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before
operating. Be careful not to overfill.
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Never fuel machine indoors or while the
engine is hot or running. Extinguish
cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of
ignition.
ShippingBraceRemoval
engine is off, remove the ignition key, and set
WARNING: Make sure the tiding mower's
the parking brake before removing the
shipping brace.
o
Locate the shipping brace and accompanying
warning tag found on the right side of the mower,
between the discharge chute and the cutting deck.
See Figure 6.
WARNING: The mowing deck is capable of
throwing objects. Failure to operate the tiding
mower without the discharge cover in the
proper operating position could result in
serious personal injury and/or properly
damage.
Identifyingthe MulchPlug(ifsoequipped)
On tractor models with 38- and 42-inch decks so
equipped, a mulch plug can be found within the cutting
deck's discharge opening.
NOTE: Refer to Mulchingon page 15 for more detailed
information.
If you'd prefer to operate the cutting deck without
mulching, simply remove the mulch plug by
unthreading the plastic wing nut which fastens it to the
cutting deck. This wilt allow the clippings to discharge
out of the discharge opening during operation. See
Figure 7.
Warning Tag
Figure 6
o
While holding the discharge chute with your left
hand, remove the shipping brace with your right
hand by grasping it between your thumb and index
finger and rotating it clockwise.
@
Plastic Wing Nut Mulch Plug
Figure 7
TirePressure
,_ WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under
The tires on your unit may be over-inflated for shipping
purposes. Reduce the tire pressure before operating
the tractor. Recommended operating tire pressure is
approximately 10 p.s.i for the rear tires & 14 p.s.i, for
the front tires. Check sidewall of tire for maximum p.s.i.
10
any circumstances is 30 psi. Equal tire
pressure should be maintained at all times.
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