MTD 13AX79ST299 Owner’s Manual

perator's

I:RnFrSMRN°

LAWN TRACTOR

22 HP, Hydrostatic Drive 46" Deck

Model No. 247.288890

• Espanol, P. 60

This product has a low emission engine which operates differently

from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and

understand this Operator's Manual.

For answers to your questions about

Before using this equipment, read this manual and follow

all safety rules and operating

instructions.

Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-08542

this product, call:

1-800=659=5917

CraftsmanTractorHelpLine

7 am = 7 pm CT, Mort. =Sun.

(November1,2012)

Warranty Statement .......................................................... 2

Safety Instructions ............................................................ 3

Slope Gauge ..................................................................... 8

Assembly ........................................................................... 9

Operation ........................................................................ 11

Service and Maintenance .............................................. 17

Off-Season Storage ........................................................ 27

Trou bleshooting .............................................................. 28

Labels ............................................................................. 29

Parts List ......................................................................... 30

Espafiol ............................................................................ 60

Service Numbers ............................................. Back Cover

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthedateof purchase,all non-expendablepartsofthis ridingequipmentare warrantedagainstany defectsin materialor workmanship.A defectivenon-expendablepartwillreceivefreein-homerepairorreplacementif repairis unavailable.

BATTERYLIMITEDWARRANTY

FOR90 DAYSfromthe dateof purchase,thebattery(an expendablepart)ofthis ridingequipmentis warrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor workmanship.A newbatterywill besuppliedfreeofcharge.Youareresponsibleforthelaborcostof batteryinstallation.

ADDITIONALLIMITEDWARRANTIES

inthefollowingadditionalwarranties,youareresponsibleforthelaborcostofpartinstallationafterthe secondyearfromthedateof purchase. FORFiVEYEARSfromthedate ofpurchase,theframeofthis ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.A

newframewill be suppfiedfreeofcharge. FORTENYEARSfromthe dateofpurchase,the frontaxleofthisridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsin materialor workmanship.

A newfrontaxlewill be suppliedfreeof charge. FORASLONGASIT iSUSEDby theoriginalownerafterthetenthyearfromthedateofpurchase,thecastironfrontaxle(ifequipped)ofthisriding

equipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.Withproofofpurchase,a newcastironfrontaxlewillbesuppliedfreeofcharge.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailsto obtainfreerepairor replacement,carl1-800-659-5917orvisit thewebsite: www.craftsman.com inallcasesabove,if part repairor replacementisimpossible,theridingequipmentwill be replacedfreeof chargewiththesameor anequivalent

model. Allofthe abovewarrantycoverageisvoid ifthisridingequipmentiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorif rentedtoanotherperson.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.Warrantycoveragedoes NOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedto blades,spark plugs,air cleaners,belts,andoil filters.

Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,ortune-ups. Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,orglass.

• Tireorwheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationormaintenance. Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityofthe

ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframe,axleassemblyorcrankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedby improper storage,failureto usethepropergradeandamountof engineoil, failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailureto maintainthe ridingequipmentaccordingto theinstructionscontainedin theoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

• Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyou mayalso haveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears BrandsManagementCorporation, Hoffman Estates,iL60179

Model Number:

EngineOil: SAE30 Serial Number: Fuel: UnleadedGasoline Dateof Purchase:

Engine: KohlerCourageSV620-3215 Recordthe modelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove,

Thissymbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof yourselfandothers. Readandfollowallinstructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failureto complywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuiltto beoperatedaccordingtothe safeopera- tionpracticesinthis manual.As withanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroron the partoftheoperatorcanresultin serious injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryordeath.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknownto Stateof California tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsonthemachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate. Keepthis manualinasafeplaceforfutureand regularreference andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhow tostopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldtooperatethismachine. Children14yearsoldandover shouldreadandunderstandthe operationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthismanualandshould betrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethismachinewithoutproper instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keep bystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthe machinewhile itisin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentisto be used. Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownbytheblade(s). Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatternto avoiddischargeofmaterialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.

Your Responsibility--Restricttheuse ofthispowermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandon themachine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperformingan adjustmentorrepairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbe caughtin movable parts.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeetorsandals.

• Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand do notpointit at anyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthe dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherinits properplace.

Donot puthandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwiththe blade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet. A missingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontact

or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,orroads andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineis notintendedforuseonanypublicroadway.

• Donot operatethemachinewhileundertheinfluenceofalcohol or drugs.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Disengageblade(s)beforeshiftingintoreverse.Backup slowly. Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebackingto avoida

back-overaccident.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil theblade(s)cometoa completestopbeforeremovinggrass catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor debris,or makinganyadjustments.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff blade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeybefore dismounting.

Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoa trailerortruck.Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupor down ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtip over,causingserious personalinjury.Themachinemustbe pushedmanuallyon ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Do not touch.

Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow hangingtree branches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthemachine,whichcould resultinseriousinjury.

Disengageallattachmentclutchesanddepressthe brakepedal completelybeforeattemptingto startengine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassofa heightnomorethan10".Donot attemptto mowthroughunusually tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpilesofdry leaves.Drygrassor leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedfor this machine bythe machinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall instructionsprovidedwiththe approvedaccessoryorattachment. Fora list ofapprovedaccessoriesandattachments,call 1-800-

659-5917. Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheriding mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom seriousinjury.

If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare andgoodjudgment.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-over accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeor ifyoufeeluneasyon it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheSlopeGuideincludedaspartofthis manual to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthismachineona slopedor hilly area.Ifthe slopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe Slope Guide,do notoperatethis machineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

Mowupanddownslopes,notacross.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orother hiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingsothat youwill nothaveto stopor shiftwhileon theslope.Tiresmay losetractionon slopeseventhoughthebrakesarefunctioning properly.Alwayskeepmachineingearwhen goingdownslopes totakeadvantageofenginebrakingaction.

• Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor counterweightsto improvestability.

Useextracarewithgrasscatchersorotherattachments.These

canchangethestabilityof the machine.

Keepallmovementonthe slopesslowandgradual.Donot make suddenchangesinspeedor direction.Rapidengagementor brakingcouldcausethefrontof the machinetolift andrapidlyflip overbackwardswhichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

• Avoidstartingorstoppingona slope.Iftireslosetraction,disen- gagetheblade(s)andproceedslowlystraightdowntheslope.

DoNot:

• Donot turnon slopesunlessnecessary;then,turnslowlyand graduallydownhill,ifpossible.

• Donot mowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments.The mower couldsuddenlyturnoverif a wheelisovertheedgeofa cliff, ditch,or ifan edgecavesin.

• Donot try tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the ground.

• Donot usea grasscatcheronsteepslopes.

• Donot mowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donot attemptto coastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausethe operatortolosecontrolof themachineresultingin seriousinjury

or death.

• Donot towheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart, lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing downhill,theextraweighttendsto pushthetractorandmay causeyouto loosecontrol(e.g.tractormayspeedup,brakingand steeringabilityarereduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause tractorto overturn).

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccurifthe operatorisnotalertto thepresence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto the machineandthemowing activity.Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaand inwatchfulcareof a responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoffifa childentersthe area.

• Beforeandwhilebacking,lookbehindanddownforsmall children.

Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)shutoff.Theymay falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionof a child whomayrunintothe machine.

Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwaysdisengagethe cutting blade(s)beforeshiftingintoReverse.Ifequipped,the"Reverse CautionMode"(bladesoperatewhilemachineridesinreverse)

shouldnotbe usedwhenchildrenorothersarearound. Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofageto operatethis machine. Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshould betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfortowing.Do notattachtowedequipmentexceptatthe hitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfor towedequipmentandtowingonslopes.

Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment. Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof

tractionandlossof control. Alwaysuseextracautionwhentowingwitha machinecapableof

makingtightturns(e.g."zero-turn"ride-onmower). Makewide turnstoavoidjack-knifing.

Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop. Donotcoastdownhill.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled on yourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleoron a truckortrailerbed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimofthefueltankor containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuse a nozzlelock-opendevice.

Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors. Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineishotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolat leasttwominutesbeforerefueling. Neveroverfillfuel tank. Filltanktono morethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillerneckto allowspaceforfuel expansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff the engineandequipment.Move machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeof grass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlight asona waterheater,spaceheater, furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

Allowa machineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe blade(s)andallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocomplete stopwithinapproximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthe bladedisengagementcontrol.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthe thistimeframe,yourmachineshouldbeservicedprofessionally byaSearsorotherqualifiedservicedealer.

• Checkbrakeoperationfrequentlyasitissubjectedtowearduring normaloperation.Adjustandserviceasrequired.

• Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s) fordamage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked).Replacethe blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.) blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis

insafeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemor othersafety devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

• Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore startingandoperating.

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothe machine whilethe engineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoverare subject towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allow objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis manual.Useof partswhichdo notmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donot changetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeed ofthe engine.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil, etc.to protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingtothe ConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC) andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct hasanAverageUsefulLifeofseven(7)years,or 270hours ofoperation.Attheendof the AverageUsefulLife,buyanew machineor havethemachineinspectedannuallybya Searsor otherqualifiedservicedealerto ensurethatallmechanicaland safetysystemsareworkingproperlyandnotwornexcessively.

Failuretodosocan resultinaccidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoid seriousinjuryordeath,do notmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththe governorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand causeitto operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are certifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if so equipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand shouldnot beusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered, brushcoveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,itshouldbemaintainedin effectiveworking orderbythe operator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveis required bylaw (Section4442of theCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthemuffleris availablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthemachine beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident.

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can

amputate hands and feet.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

BYSTANDERS Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation.

WARNING-- SLOPE OPERATION

Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees.

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and muffler to cool before touching.

DANGER- ROTATING BLADES

To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass

catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.

15° Slope

(OK)

'_. _ Figure1

(TOO STEEP)

Figure2

15°

dashedline

USETHISSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

IFA SLOPEISTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfoldalongthe dashedline.

2. Locateaverticalobject onor behindtheslope(e.g.a pole, building,fence, tree,etc.)

3. Align eithersideofthe slopegaugewith the object(SeeFigure1 and Figure2 ).

4. Adjust gaugeupor downuntil the left cornertouchestheslope (SeeFigure1andFigure2).

If thereisagap belowthegauge,theslope istoo steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-over accidents whichcan resultin severeinjury ordeath. Do not operatemachine onslopes in excess of 15degrees.All slopesrequire extra caution. Ifyou cannotbackup theslope orif you feeluneasyon it, do not mowit.

Always mowup and down theface ofslopes, never mowacrossthe face of slopes.

IM PORTANT: Yourtractorisshippedwith motoroil intheengine.However, youMUSTchecktheoillevelbeforeoperating.Referto theService& Maintenance sectionforinstructionsonCheckingTheEngineOil.

Attachingthe BatteryCables

California Proposition65

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red) wireto its terminalfirst,followedby theNEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmentmay havebeenleftdisconnectedfromtheterminalsatthe factory.To connectthebatterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegativebattery terminalismarkedNeg.(-).

1. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe positivebattery terminaland attachthe redcableto thepositivebatteryterminal (+)withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure1.

2. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthenegativebatteryterminal andattachthe blackcableto thenegativebatteryterminal(-) withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure1.

ShippingBraceRemoval

Makesurethe ridingmower'sengineisoff, removetheignitionkey,

andset theparkingbrakebeforeremovingtheshippingbrace.Refer jtothe Operationsectionforinstructionsonhowto settheparking lbrake.

* Locatetheshippingbrace,if present,andaccompanyingwarning

tagfoundonthe rightsideofthemower,betweenthe discharge chutedeflectorandthe cuttingdeck.SeeFigure2.

j Attaching The SteeringWheei

Figure1

3. Positiontheredrubberbootoverthepositivebatteryterminaltohelp protectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:Ifthebatteryisputintoserviceafterthedateshownontopofbattery, chargethebatteryasinstructedintheService&Maintenancesectionofthis manualpriortooperatingthetractor.

Figure2

Placethedecklift leverinthehighestcuttingposition.Referto

SettingtheCuttingHeightin theOperationsectionofthismanual. Whilepushingthedischargechutedeflectortowardsthemachinewith

yourlefthand,removetheshippingbracewithyourrighthandbygrasp- ingitbetweenyourthumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

Theshippingbrace,usedfor packagingpurposesonly,mustbe

removedand discardedbeforeoperatingyourridingmower.

Themowingdeckiscapableof throwingobjects.Failureto operate the ridingmowerwithoutthedischargecoverinthe properoperating

[positioncouldresultin seriouspersonalinjuryand/orproperty [damage.

Ifthesteeringwheelforyourtractordid notcomeattached,the hardwareforattachingithasbeenpackedwithinthe steeringwheel, beneaththesteeringwheelcap.Carefullypry off thesteeringwheel capandremovethe hardware.

1. Withthe wheelsofthetractorpointingstraightforward,placethe steeringwheeloverthesteeringshaft.

2. Placethewasher(withthe cuppedsidedown)overthesteering wheeland securewiththe hexbolt.SeeFigure3.

Figure 3

3. Placethe steeringwheel capoverthe centerofthe steering wheel and push downward until it "clicks" into place.

Attaching The Seat

Iftheseatforyourtractorwasnotattachedat thefactory,refertothefollowing steps.

NOTE:Forshippingreasons,theseatmayhavenotbeenattachedatthefactory.In thiscase,freetheseatfromitsshippingpositionandproceedusingthe instructions

below:

4. Positiontheseatassemblyovertheseatmountingbracket,aligningtheholes

provided.See"A"in Figure4.

5. Installtwoshoulderboltsincludedwithyourhardwarepackandsecurewithtwo

locknuts.SeeFigure4.

6. Feedthewiringharnessthroughtheseatmountingbracketandplugintothesafety

switchonthebottomoftheseat,asin"B"of Figure4.

7. Toadjustthepositionoftheseat,pullupandholdtheseatadjustmentlever.

Slidetheseatforwardorrearwardtothedesiredposition;thenreleasethe adjustmentlever.Makesureseatislockedintopositionbeforeoperatingthe tractor.SeeFigure5.

i_ WARN ING! Beforeoperatingthetractor,makesuretheseatis

engagedin theseat-stop.Engagethe parkingbrake.Standbehind themachineandpullbackonseatuntilit clicksintoplace.

Figure4

Figure5

TirePressure

Maximum tire pressure under any circumstances is 30 psi. Equal

tire pressure should be maintained at all times. Neverexceed the

[max mum nfat on pressure shown on the s dewa of the t re. The recommended operating tire pressure is:

• Approximately 10psi for the rear tires Approximately 14psi for the front tires

IMPORTANT: Refer to the tire sidewall for exact tire manufacturer's recommended or maximum psi. Do not overinflate. Uneven tire pres-

sure could cause the cutting deck to mow unevenly.

Figure6

NOTE:AnyreferenceinthismanualtotheRIGHTor LEFTsideofthetractoris observedfromoperator'sseatpositionfacingforwardtowardsthefrontoftractor.

MeetsANSiSafetyStandards

CraftsmanTractorsconformtothesafetystandardoftheAmericanNational

StandardsInstitute(ANSI).

A ParkingBrakeLever

B Throttle/ChokeControlLever C IgnitionSwitch

D DeckLift Lever E PTOLever(BladeEngage)

F CupHolder G BrakePedal

H SpeedControlLever

Parking Brake

Tosettheparkingbrake,fully depresstheparkingbrakepedal.Movethe parking brakeleverintotheONposition.Releasetheparkingbrakepedalto allowthe parkingbraketoengage.

Toreleasetheparkingbrake,depressthe parkingbrakepedalandmovethe parkingbrakeleveroutoftheONpositionandintotheOFFposition.

flOTE:Theparkingbrakemustbesetif theoperatorleavestheseatwiththeengine runningortheenginewill automaticallyshutoff.

Throttle/chokeControlLever

Thethrottle/chokecontrolleverislocatedontheright sideofthe tractor'sdashpanel.Thislevercontrolsthespeedoftheengineand, whenpushedallthewayforward,thechokecontrolalso.When setinagivenposition,thethrottle will maintainauniformengine speed.

IM PORTANT: Whenoperatingthetractorwiththecutting deckengaged,becertainthatthethrottle leverisalwaysinthe FAST(rabbit)position.

Ignition Switch

Theignitionswitchisactivatedtostarttheengine.Insertkey intotheignitionswitchandturnclockwiseto theSTARTposition. ReleasethekeyintotheONpositiononceenginehasfired.

Tostoptheengine,turntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetothe OFFposition.SeeFigure7.

Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO,move shift leverinto neutralposition,setparking brake,stopengineandremove keyto preventunintendedstarting.

SeatAdjustmentLever

Theseatadjustmentleverisontheleft sideoftheseat.Usethislevertoadjustthe seatforwardorrearwardtoacomfortableoperatingposition.Seethe"Service&

Maintenance"sectionlaterinthismanualorinstructions.

DeckLiftLever

Foundon yourtractor'srightfender,thedecklift leverisusedto

changetheheightof thecuttingdeck.Touse,movethelevertothe

left, thenplaceinthenotchbestsuitedforyourapplication.

PTO(BladeEngage)Lever

Foundon thetractor'srightfender,thePT0(bladeengage)lever

isusedto engagepowertothecuttingdeckorother(separately

m m

available)attachments.Tooperate,movetheleveralltheway forward.Movingthe leverallthewayrearwardintothe PT0OFF positiondisengagespowertothecuttingdeck/attachment.

z o

NOTE-ThePT0(bladeengage)levermustbeinthedisengaged(PT0 OFF)positionwhenstartingtheengine.

CupHolder

Thetractor'scupholderislocatedonthefendertotheleftof theseat.

Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO,move shift leverinto neutralposition,set parkingbrake,stopengineandremove keyto preventunintended starting.

IM PORTANT: Priortooperatingthetractor,refertobothSafetyInterlock SwitchesandStartingTheEngineintheOperationsectionofthismanualforfurther

detailedinstructions.

Oil

Start

off

Figure7

SpeedControl Lever

Thespeedcontrollever,locatedon theleftrearfender,controlsthegroundspeedof thelawntractoraswellasthedirectionof travel.

Todriveforwardorinreverse,slowlymovethespeedcontrollevertothedesired"F" forwardor"R" reversespeed.

Tostop,movethespeedcontrollevertothe"N" neutralposition. Whenmowing,placethespeedcontrolleverin

the"CuttingSpeed"position,oraslowerforward speedforthe bestresults.

flote: Donotusetheparkingparkingbrakepedal tocontrolthegroundspeedofthelawntractor. Alwaysusethespeedcontrollevertoslowthe groundspeedof thelawntractor.Depressingthe parkingparkingbrakepedalwith thespeedcontrol leverengagedaspartof regularoperationwill resultinprematurewearofthedrivebelt.

IMPORTANT: Donotattemptto changethe

directionoftravelwhenthetractorisinmotion. Seriousdamagetothetractor'stransmissioncould

result.Alwaysbringthetractortoacomplete stopbeforemovingthespeedcontrolleverfrom

forwardtoreverseorviceversa.

ParkingBrakePedal& Lever

Theparkingparkingbrakepedalislocatedonthe leftsiderunning boardofthelawntractor.It isusedtobothsettheparkingbrake andtostopthelawntractorinsuddensituations.

Theparkingbrakeleverislocatedontheleftsideofthetractor's dashpanel.Tosettheparkingbrake,fullydepresstheparking parkingbrakepedal.Movetheparkingbrakeleveralltheway downandintotheparkingbrakepositionandthenreleasethe parkingbrakepedaltoallowthe parkingbraketoengage.

Toreleasetheparkingbrake,depressthe parkingbrakepedaland theparkingbrakeleverwillautomaticallymoveoutoftheparking brakeposition.

Inansuddensituation,fullydepressthe parkingbrakepedalto bringthetractortoastopandthenimmediatelymovethespeed controllevertothe"N" neutralposition

IMPORTANT: Donotusetheparkingparkingbrakepedalto controlthegroundspeedofthelawntractor.Doingsowillresultin prematurewearofdrivebelt.AlwaysusetheSpeedControlLever tocontrolthegroundspeedofthelawntractorandtostopthetractorundernormal

circumstances. Note:Theparkingparkingbrakepedalmustbedepressedto starttheengine.

Theparkingbrakemustalsobesetiftheoperatorleavestheseatwiththeengine runningortheenginewill automaticallyshutoff.Referto SafetyInterlockSwitches

laterinthissection.

Donotoverfillfueltank.Filltanktonomorethan 1/2inchbelowbottomof

fillernecktoallowspacefor fuelexpansion. Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhiletheengineishotorrunning.Allow engineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offtheengineandequipment.Movemachineto

anotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestartingtheengine. Turntheengineoffandlet enginecoolatleast2minutesbeforeremoving

thefuelcap.Thegasolinetankisunderthehood,with thefuelfillcap locatedontheleft handsideofthetank.

2. Fillthefueltankwith gasoline.

3. Reinstallthefuelcap.

Note:STOPfilling tankoncefuelisseeninsidethefiller neck.Thisensuresthata

properexpansionvolumeiscreated,otherwisethefuelcanoverflowcreatinga hazardoussituation.DoNOTfilltothetopof thefillerneck.SeeFigure8.

Oil

IMPORTANT: Yourtractorisshippedwith motoroil intheengine.However, youMUSTchecktheoillevelbeforeoperating.Becarefulnottooverfill.

Forinstructionsonhowtochecktheengineoil,refertoCheckingTheEngine0il in theServiceandMaintenancesectionofthismanual.

Gasoline

Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthehood.Donotoverfill.

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable andthe vaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelmachineindoorsorwhile the

engineishotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,pipes,andother sourcesof gnt on.

NOTE:Purchasegasolinein smallquantities.Donotusegasolineleftoverfromthe previousseason,to minimizegumdepositsinthefuelsystem.

Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonunleadedgasoline.Forbestresults,fill thefueltankwith onlyclean,fresh,unleadedgasolinewith apumpsticker octaneratingof 87orhigher.

Gasohol(upto 10%ethylalcohol,90%unleadedgasolinebyvolume)isan approvedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblends,suchasE85,arenotapproved.

MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends(upto a maximumof15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels.Othergasoline/ether blendsarenotapproved.

Fillfueltankoutdoorsorinwell-ventilatedarea.

Figure8

AvoidSeriousInjury or Death

Goupanddownslopes,notacross. Avoidsuddenturns.

Donotoperatetheunitwhereit couldsliportip. Ifmachinestopsgoinguphill,stopbladesandbackdownhillslowly.

Donotmowwhenchildrenorothersarearound. Nevercarrychildren,evenwithbladesoff.

Lookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking. Keepsafetydevices(guards,shields,andswitches)inplaceandworking. Removeobjectsthat couldbethrownbytheblades.

Knowlocationandfunctionofallcontrols. Besurebladesandenginearestoppedbeforeplacinghandsorfeetnear

blades. Beforeleavingoperator'sposition,stoptractor,disengageblades,engage

parkingbrake,shutengineoff,andremovekey.

ReadOperator'sManual

Safety interlock System

Thesafetyinterlocksystemisdesignedforsafeoperationofthetractor.Ifthis systemshouldevermalfunction,donotoperatethetractor,immediatelycontact 1-800-4-MY-HOMEto havethesystemserviced.

Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromstartingunless theparkingbrakeisengagedandthePTO(BladeEngage)leverisin the disengaged(OFF)position.

Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutoffthe engineif the operatorleavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutofftheengineifthe operatorleavesthetractor'sseatwiththePTO(BladeEngage)leverengaged, regardlessofwhethertheparkingbrakeisengaged.

Engagingthe ParkingBrake

Toengage the parking brake:

1. Fullydepressthe parkingparkingbrakepedalandholdit downwith your foot.

2. Movetheparkingbrakeleverallthewaydownandintotheparkingbrake (ON)position.

3. Releasetheparkingparkingbrakepedaltoallowtheparkingbraketo engage.

Torelease the parkingbrake:

1. Depressthe parkingparkingbrakepedalandmovetheparkingbrakelever outoftheparkingbrake(ON)positionandintotheOFFposition.

Setting the CuttingHeight

1. Selecttheheightpositionofthecuttingdeckbyplacingthedecklift leverin anyof thesixdifferentcuttingheightnotchesontherightsideofthefender.

2. Adjustthedeckwheelssothattheyarebetween1g-inchand1/2-inchabove thegroundwhenthetractorisonasmooth,flat surfacesuchasadriveway.

3. Adjustthedeckwheelsbyremovingtheflangelocknutandshoulderbolt thatsecureseachwheelandmovingitintooneoftheholesthatallows thewheelsto bebetween1g-inchand1/2-inchabovethegroundwhenthe tractorisonasmooth,flat surfacesuchasadriveway.SeeFigure9.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningof thecuttingdeck.

NOTE:Thedeckwheelsareananti-scalpfeatureofthedeckandarenotdesigned tosupporttheweightof thecuttingdeck.RefertoLevelingintheServiceand Maintenancesectionof thismanualformoredetailedinstructionsregardingvarious deckadjustments.

Starting the Engine

Donotoperatethetractorif theinterlocksystemismalfunctioning.Thissystem

wasdesignedforyoursafetyandprotection.

NOTE:Referto theGasolineandOilfill-up instructionsearlierinthissection.

1. Insertthetractorkeyintotheignitionswitch.

2. PlacethePTO(BladeEngage)leverinthedisengaged(OFF)position.

3. Engagethetractor'sparkingbrake.

4. Activatethechokecontrolbymovingthethrottle/chokeleverallthewayup intothechokeposition.

5. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTARTposition.Aftertheenginestarts, releasethekey.Itwill returntotheON(orNormalMowing)position.See Figure10.

DoNOTholdthekeyintheSTARTpositionforlongerthantensecondsatatime.

Doingsomaycausedamagetoyourengine'selectricstarter.

6. Aftertheenginestarts,deactivatethechokecontrolandplacethethrottle

controlinthe FASTposition.

NOTE:DoNOTleavethechokecontrolonwhileoperatingthetractor.Doingsowill resultina"rich"fuelmixtureandcausetheengineto runpoorly.

Oil

Start

off

Figure9

Figure10

Stopping the Engine

Ifyoustrikeaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthesparkplugwire(s) andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthemachineforanydamage. Repairthedamagebeforerestartingandoperating

1. Ifthebladesareengaged,placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverinthe disengaged(OFF)position.

2. TurntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheSTOPposition.

3. Removethekeyfromtheignitionswitchto preventunintendedstarting.

DrivingTheTractor

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

Donotleavetheseatofthetractorwithoutfirst placingthePTO(BladeEngage) leverinthedisengaged(OFF)position,depressingthebrakepedalandengaging theparkingbrake.If leavingthetractorunattended,alsoturntheignitionkeyoff andremovethekey.

Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebackingupto avoida back-over accident.

1. Movethethrottle leverintothe FAST(rabbit)position. NOTE:Alwaysoperatethetractorwiththethrottle/chokecontrolleverinthe

FAST(rabbit)positionforthemostefficientuseofthecuttingdeckorother (separatelyavailable)attachments.

2. Releasetheparkingbrakebydepressingthe parkingbrakepedal

3. Slowlymovethespeedcontrolleverindesired"F"forwardor"R" reverse position.Thefurtherforwardorrearwardthattheleverismoved,thefaster

thetractorwill travel.

Settheparkingbrakebyfullydepressingthe parkingbrakepedaland keepingit depressedwhileplacingtheparkingbrakeleverinthe ON position.Releasetheparkingbrakepedaltoallowtheparkingbraketo engage.

Beforeleavingtheoperator'spositionforanyreason,disengagetheblades,place thespeedcontrolleverinneutral,engagetheparkingbrake,shutengineoffand removethekey.

IM PORTANT: Whenstoppingthetractorforanyreasonwhileonagrass

surface,always:

1. Placethespeedcontrolleverin N(neutral),

2. Engagetheparkingbrake,

3. Shutengineoffandremovethekey. Doingsowill minimizethepossibilityof havingyourlawn"browned"byhot

exhaustfromyourtractor'srunningengine.

DrivingOnSlopes

RefertotheSLOPEGAUGEintheImportantSafeOperationPracticessectionofthe manualtohelpdetermineslopeswhereyoumayoperatethetractorsafely.

Donotmowoninclineswith aslopeinexcessof15degrees(ariseof approximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Thetractorcouldoverturnandcause seriousinjury.

Mowupanddownslopes,NEVERacross.

Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.Uneventerrain couldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

Avoidturnswhendrivingonaslope.Iraturnmustbemade,turndownthe slope.Turningupaslopegreatlyincreasesthechanceofa rollover.

Avoidstoppingwhendrivingupa slope.Ifit isnecessaryto stopwhile drivingupa slope,start upsmoothlyandcarefullyto reducethepossibility offlippingthetractoroverbackward.

DoNOTattemptto changethedirectionoftravelwhenthetractorisinmotion. Alwaysbringthetractortoacompletestopbeforemovingthespeedcontrol

leverfromforwardto reverseorviceversa.Failuretodosocouldresultinserious damageto yourtractor'stransmission.

IIViPO RTA N T: First-timeoperatorsshoulduseslowerspeeds.Become completelyfamiliarwiththetractor'soperationandcontrolsbeforeoperatingthe tractorata higherspeed.

4. Tostop,movethespeedcontrollevertothe"N"neutralposition. IMPORTANT: Inasuddensituation,fullydepressthebrakepedaltobring

thetractortoastopandthenimmediatelymovethespeedcontrollevertothe"N" neutralposition.

Engagingthe Blades

Engagingthe PTO(BladeEngage)transferspowertothecuttingdeckorother (separatelyavailable)attachments.Toengagetheblades,proceedasfollows:

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrollevertotheFAST(rabbit)position.

2. Graspthe PTO(BladeEngage)leverandpivotitallthewayforwardintothe engaged(ON)position.

3. Keepthethrottle leverintheFAST(rabbit)positionforthemostefficientuse ofthecuttingdeckorother(separatelyavailable)attachments.

IM PORTANT: IntheReverseCautionModetheenginewillautomaticallyshut off ifthe PTOisengagedwith thespeedcontrolleverinpositionforreversetravel with theignitionkeyin theNORMALMOWINGposition.

Usingthe DeckLift Lever

Toraisethecuttingdeck,movethedeckliftlevertotheleft,thenplaceit inthe

notchbestsuitedforyourapplication.RefertoSettingTheCuttingHeightearlierin thissection.

Mowing

Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrownobjectinjury,keepbystanders,helpers,

I childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthe machinewhileitisinoperation.Stop [ machineifanyoneentersthearea.

Thefollowinginformationwill behelpfulwhenusingthecuttingdeckwithyour tractor:

Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialstowardroads, sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainstawall orobstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterialtoricochetbacktowardthe operator.

Donotmowathighgroundspeed,especiallyifamulchkitorgrasscollector isinstalled.

Forbestresultsit isrecommendedthat thefirst twolapsbecutwith the dischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirsttwo laps,reversethe directiontothrowthedischargetotheoutsideforthe balanceofcutting. Thiswill giveabetterappearanceto thelawn.

Donotcutthegrasstooshort.Shortgrassinvitesweedgrowthandyellows quicklyindryweather.

Mowingshouldalwaysbedonewiththeengineatfull throttle. Underheavierconditionsit maybenecessarytogobackoverthecut areaa

secondtimeto getacleancut. DoNOTattemptto mowheavybrushandweedsandextremelytallgrass.

Yourtractorisdesignedtomowlawns,NOTclearbrush. Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.Referto Cutting

BladesintheServiceandMaintenencesectionof thismanualforproper bladesharpeninginstructions.

MovingTheTractorManually

Yourtractor'stransmissionisequippedwith a hydrostaticreliefvalveforoccasions whenit isnecessarytomovethetractormanually.Activatingthisvalveforces thefluidin thetransmissiontobypassits normalroute,allowingthe reartiresto "freewheel."Toengagethehydrostaticreliefvalve,proceedasfollows:

1. Locatethehydrostaticbypassrodintherearofthetractor.SeeFigure11.

2. Pullthehydrostaticbypassrodoutward,thendowntolockitintoplace. NOTE:Thetransmissionwill NOTengagewhenthehydrostaticbypassrodispulled

out.Returntherodtoitsnormalpositionpriorto operatingthetractor.

IM PO RTANT: Neverattemptto movethetractormanuallywithoutfirst

engagingthehydrostaticreliefvalve.Doingsowill resultinseriousdamagetothe tractor'stransmission.

Figure11

Headlights

ThelampsareONwheneverthetractor'sengineisrunning. ThelampsturnOFFwhentheignitionkeyismovedtotheSTOP

position.

MAINTENANCESCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageallcontrols andstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometoacomplete

stop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainsttheenginetoprevent unintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduringoperationorwhile performinganyadjustmentsorrepairs.

BeforeEachUse 1. Engineoil level 1.

2. Mufflerareaandcontrols 2.

3. Fingerguard 3.

Inthe FirstFiveHours 1. EngineOil 1. Every10Hours I. Hood/Dashairvents I.

2. Batteryterminals 2.

3. Deckspindlesandidlerbracket 3.

Every25hours 1. Airfilter'sprecleaner* 1.

2. Airfilter* 2.

3. Midsteeringarms,pivotshafts, 3. andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings 4.

5. Frontdeckwheels 5.

Every50hours 1. Engineoil/Oil filter 1.

2. Muffler 2.

Annually 1. Airfilter 1.

2. Airfilter'spre-cleaner 2.

3. Sparkplug 3.

4. Aircoolingsystem* 4.

5. Fuelfilter 5.

6. SteeringGears 6.

7. RearWheels 7.

BeforeStorage 1. Hood/Dashairvents 1.

2. Batteryterminals 2.

3. Midsteeringarms,pivotshafts, 3. andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

6. Deckspindlesandidlerbracket

7. Pedalpivotpoints

*Servicemorefrequentlyunderdustyconditions.

Followthe maintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribesservice

guidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumnto keeptrackofcompleted

maintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearest Parts & RepairServiceCenteror to

scheduleservice,simply contact1-800-4-MY-HOME_.

Check Clean

Clean Change

Clean Clean

Lubricate

Clean Clean

Lubricate

Lubricate Lubricate

Change/Replace Check

Replace Replace Replace

Clean

Replace

Clean

Removeandgreaseaxles

Clean Clean

Lubricate

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

6. Lubricate

7. Lubricate

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceorrepairs,disengagethe PTO(Blade EngageLever),engagethe parkingbrake,stopthe engineandremovethe keyto preventunintendedstarting.

Ifthe enginehasbeenrecentlyrun,the engine,muffler and surrounding metalsurfaceswill behot andcan causeburnsto the skin. Exercisecaution

to avoidburns.

EngineMaintenance

Checking the Engine Oil OnlyusehighqualitydetergentoilratedwithAPIserviceclassificationSF,SG,

SH,or SJ.Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccordingto theexpectedoperating temperature.Followthechartbelow.Althoughmulti-viscosityoils(5W20,10W30, etc.)improvestartingin coldweather,theywill resultinincreasedoilconsumption whenusedabove32°I.Checkyourengineoillevelmorefrequentlyto avoidpossible enginedamagefromrunninglowonoil.

_ow-so__[___

_mm 5W-30

[°F} -200 0° 20°32 °400 500 60° 80° I00 ° {°C)-30°-20°-10 ° 0° 10o 20° 300 400

Tochecktheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

Ensurethatthetractorisonalevelsurface. Cleantheoilfill areaofanydebris.

1. Removethedipstick,seeFigure12,andwipewith acleancloth.

2. Reinsertdipstickandpresscompletelydown.

3. Removethedipstickandchecktheoillevel.ItshouldbeattheFullmarkon thedipstick.

SAE 30 m

Changingthe EngineOiland Filter

Ifthe enginehasbeenrecentlyrun,the engine,muffler andsurrounding metalsurfaceswill behot andcancauseburnsto theskin. Exercisecaution

toavoidburns.

NOTE:Theoilfilter shouldbechangedateveryoilchangeinterval. Theengineoilshouldbechangedin thefirst5hoursandthenevery50 hoursor

onceaseason.Tochangetheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

1. Runtheengineforafew minutestoallowtheoilinthecrankcasetowarm up.Warmoilwill flow morefreelyandcarryawaymoreoftheengine

sedimentwhichmayhavesettledatthe bottomofthecrankcase.Usecareto avoidburnsfromhotoil.

2. Openthetractor'shoodandlocatetheoildrainportontheleftsideoftheengine.

3. Disconnectsparkplugwireandkeepitawayfromsparkplug.

4. Popopentheprotectivecapon theendofthe oildrainvalvetoexposethe drainport.SeeinsetofFigure13.

Dipstick

FuelFilter

// 7

AirCleanerCover OilDrainValve OilFilter

Figure12

4. Iflow,addoilslowlyintotheengineoilfill. Donotoverfill.Afteraddingoil, waitoneminuteandthenrechecktheoillevel.

Donotoverfill. Overfilling with oil maycausethe engineto notstart, hard starting, orenginesmoking.Ifoverthe FULLmarkonthe dipstick,drainoil to reduceoiilevelto FULLmarkondipstick.

5. Replacedipstick,pressingit completelydown.

Figure13

Turnthesteeringwheelallthewaytotherightto betterexposethedrainplug.

Pushtheoildrainhose(packedwith thismanual)ontotheoildrainport. Routetheoppositeendofthehoseinto anappropriateoil collection

containerwith atleasta2.5quartcapacityto collecttheusedoil. Theengineisequippedwith atwist-and-pulldrainport.Turntheoildrain

valveY4-turn,thenpulloutwardtobegindrainingoil.Aftertheoilhas finisheddraining,pushtheendoftheoildrainvalvebackinandturnY4-turn tosecureit backinplace.Removetheoildrainhoseandstorefor lateruse.

Re-captheendoftheoil drainvalvetokeepdebrisfromenteringthedrain port.SeeFigure13.

Replacetheoilfilter,seeFigure12,byremovinganddisposingofit properly.

Partiallyfilltheoil filterapproximately3/4of thewayfullwith clean,fresh oil. Beforeyouinstallthenewoil filter, lightly lubricatetheoil filter gasket with someoftheoilbysimplydippingyourfingerintheoilandrunningit aroundthegasket.

Installtheoilfilterbyhanduntilthegasketcontactstheoilfilteradapter, thentightentheoilfilter1/2to3/4turns.

10.

Refilltheenginewithnewmotoroiluntiltheoillevelonthedipstickreads FULL.Replacetheoilfillcap/dipstick.

Usedoilisahazardouswasteproduct.Disposeof usedoil properly.Donot

discardwith householdwaste.Checkwithyouriota[ authoritiesor orcontact 1-800-4-MY-HOMEforalistofsafedisposal/recyclingfacilities.

11. Startandruntheengine.Astheenginewarmsup,checkforoilleaks.

12. Stoptheengineandchecktheoil level.ItshouldbeattheFULLmarkonthe dipstick.

FuelFilter

Tochangethe fuel filter:

I. Usepliersto squeezethetabsontheotherclamp(theout-linesideof the

fuelfilter),thenslidetheclampawayfromthefuelfilter. Twistandpullthe fuellineoffof thefuelfilter.SeeFigure14.

Clamp

Fuel

Line

Tab

Gasolineanditsvaporsareextremely flammableandexplosive.Fireor explosioncancausesevereburnsordeath.

Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat,andother ignitionsources.

Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor leaks.Replace if necessary.

Beforereplacingthefuelfilter, drainthefueltankaspertheinstructions below.

Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengineadequatetimeto cool.Drainfuelintoanapprovedcontaineroutdoors,awayfromopenflame.

Drainanylargevolumeoffuelfromthetankbydisconnectingthefuelline fromthe in-linefuelfilter neartheengine.

Removethefuellinefromthe In-lineside(sidetowardsthefueltank)ofthe fuelfilter.

Replacementpartsmustbethesameandinstalledinthesamepositionas theoriginalparts.

Iffuelspills,wait until it evaporatesbeforestartingengine. Beforereplacingthefuelfilter, drainthefueltank.Otherwise,fuelcanleak

outandcauseafireorexplosion.

ToDrain the fuel:

Locatethefuelfilter,seeFigure12,whichisroutedontheleftsideofthe enginebetweenthefueltankandthecarburetor,andmaybeattachedto the enginewithatiestrap.Cutthetiestrap,if present,thenpinchthetabsonthe in-lineclamponthefuelfilterwithapairofpliers,slidetheclampupthefuel line.Pullthefuellinefreefromthefilterandplacetheopenendofthelineinto anapprovedcontainertodrainthefuel.

Figure14

2. Checkthe fuellinesforcracksorleaks.Replaceif necessary.

3. Replacethefuelfilter withanoriginalequipmentreplacementfilter. Call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®to purchasetheoriginalequipmentreplacementfilter.

4. Securethefuellineswith theclamps.

Iffilters, orcoversarenot installedcorrectlyseriousinjury ordeathcould resultfrom backfire.Donotattempt to startthe enginewith them removed

Donotusepressurizedair orsolventsto cleanthe aircleanercartridge.

Air Cleaner

NOTE:Operatingenginewith looseordamagedaircleanercomponentscouldcause prematurewearandfailure.Replaceallbentordamagedcomponents.

NOTE:Paperelementcannotbeblownoutwith compressedair. Loosenknobsandremoveaircleanercover,seeFigure15. Precleaner(ifequipped):

1. Removeprecleaner.

2. Replaceorwashprecleanerinwarmwaterwith detergent.Rinseandallow toairdry.

3. Saturateprecleanerwith newengineoil;squeezeout excessoil.

4. Reinstallprecleanerintocover,aligningholein precleanerwith uppercover knob.

PaperElement:

1. Removeelementfrombase;replaceelement.

2. Installelementwithpleatedsideoutandseatrubbersealontoedgesof base.

3. Reinstallaircleanercoverandsecurewith knobs.

Removeandinspectthesparkplug.Checkgaptomakesureit issetat.030". SeeFigure16.

Electrode Porcelain

.030 (.76 mm) gap

Figure16

3. Replacethesparkplug(Champion®RC12YC)onceaseason.

Muffler

Temperatureof muffler and nearbyengineareasmayexceed150°F(65°C). Avoidcontactwith theseareas.

Inspectmufflerperiodically,andreplaceif necessary.Replacementparts forthemufflermustbethesameandinstalledinthesamepositionasthe originalparts.

Figure15

SparkPlug

1. Cleanareaaroundthesparkplugbase.Donotsandblastsparkplug.Spark plugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwire brushingandwashingwitha

commercialsolvent

CleanEngine

Dailyorbeforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chafforaccumulateddebrisfrom

engine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsclean.

Keepareaaroundandbehindmufflerfreeofanycombustibledebris. Keepingenginecleanallowsairmovementaroundengine. Enginepartsshouldbe keptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheatingand

ignitionofaccumulateddebris.

Donotusewater to cleanengineparts. Watercouldcontaminatefuel

system.Useabrushor drycloth.

Carburetor Adjustment

Thecarburetoronthisengineisnotadjustable.

Lubrication

Beforelubricating, repairing,orinspecting,alwaysdisengagePTO(Blade EngageLever),moveshift leverinto neutralposition,setparkingbrake,stop

leng neandremovekeyto preventunntendedstart rig.

Pivot Points& Linkage

Lubricateallthepivotpointsonthedrivesystem,parkingbrakeandlift linkageat

leastonceaseasonwith light oil.

RearWheels

Therearwheelsshouldberemovedfromtheaxlesonceaseason.Lubricatethe axlesandtherimswellwith anall-purposegreasebeforere-installingthem.

FrontA×les

Eachendofthetractor'sfrontpivotbarmaybeequippedwith agreasefitting. Lubricatewith agreasegunafterevery25hoursoftractoroperation.

Drivethetractortoa level,clearspotonyourlawn,nearenoughforyour

gardenhosetoreach.

Battery

Thebatteryissealedandismaintenance-free.Acidlevelscannotbechecked.

Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof corrosive buiN-up.

Aftercleaningthebatteryandterminals,applya lightcoatofpetroleumjelly orgreasetobothterminals.

Alwayskeeptherubberbootpositionedoverthepositiveterminaltoprevent shorting.

IMPORTANT: Ifremovingthebatteryforanyreason,disconnecttheNEGATIVE (Black)wirefromitsterminalfirst,followedbythePOSITIVE(Red)wire.When re-installingthe battery,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)wiretoitsterminal first,followedbytheNEGATIVE(Black)wire.Becertainthatthewiresareconnected tothecorrectterminals;reversingthemcouldchangethe polarityandresultin damagetoyourengine'salternatingsystem.

CleaningBattery

Cleanthe batterybyremovingit fromthetractorandwashingwith a bakingsoda andwatersolution.If necessary,scrapethe batteryterminalswithawirebrushto removedeposits.Coatterminalsandexposedwiringwith greaseorpetroleumjelly topreventcorrosion.

Battery Failures

Somecommoncausesfor batteryfailureare:

Incorrectinitialactivation Overcharging Freezing

Undercharging Corrodedconnections

Makecertainthe tractor'sdischargechuteisdirectedAWAYfrom your house, garage,parkedcars,etc.

2. DisengagethePTO(BladeEngage),settheparkingbrakeandstopthe engine.

3. Threadthehosecoupier(packagedwithyourtractor'sOperator'sManual) ontotheendofyourgardenhose.

4. Attachthehosewithhosecouplertothewaterportonthecuttingdeck surface.SeeFigure17.

Turnthewateron.5.

Whilesittingintheoperator'spositiononthetractor,starttheengineand placethethrottle leverintheFAST(rabbit)position.

7. Movethetractor'sPTO(BladeEngage)intotheONposition.

8. Remainintheoperator'spositionwith thecuttingdeckengagedfora minimumoftwominutes,allowingtheundersideofthecuttingdeckto thoroughlyrinse.

9. Movethetractor'sPTO(BladeEngage)intothe0FFposition.

10. Turntheignitionkeytothe STOPpositionto turnthetractor'sengineoff.

11. Turnthewateroffanddetachthehosecouplerfromthewaterportonyour deck'ssurface.

IMPORTANT: After cleaningyourdeckwith the DeckWashSystemTM return tothe operator'spositionandengagethe PTO.Keepthecuttingdeckrunning foraminimumoftwo minutes,allowingtheundersideofthe cutting deckto thoroughlydry.

ThesefailuresareNOTcoveredbyyourtractor'swarranty.

Cleaningthe EngineAnd Deck

Anyfueloroilspilledonthemachineshouldbewipedoffpromptly.DoNOTallow debristoaccumulatearoundthecoolingfinsoftheengineoronanyotherpartof

themachine. IM PORTANT: TheuseofapressurewashertocleanyourtractorisNOT

recommended.It maycausedamagetoelectricalcomponents,spindles,pulleys, bearingsortheengine.

DeckWashSystemTM Yourtractor'sdeckisequippedwithawaterportonitssurfaceaspartofitsDeck

WashSystemTM, followtheseinstructionstoutilizethisfeature. UsetheDeckWashSystemTM torinsegrassclippingsfromthedeck'sundersideand

preventthebuildupofcorrosivechemicals.CompletethefollowingstepsAFTER EACHMOWING:

Figure17

Adjustments

Neverattempt to makeanyadjustmentswhile the engineisrunning,except wherespecifiedintheoperator'smanual.

Levelingthe Deck Note:Checkthetractor'stirepressurebeforeperforminganydeckleveling

adjustments.RefertoTiresintheServicesectionofthismanualformore informationregardingtirepressure.

Front ToRear

Thefrontofthecuttingdeckissupportedbyastabilizerbarthatcanbeadjustedto levelthedeckfromfront to rear.ThefrontofthedeckshouldbebetweenIA-inch

and_8-lnchlowerthantherearofthedeck.Adjustif necessaryasfollows: I. Withthetractorparkedonafirm, levelsurface,placetheleverforlifting the

platformonthesecondtothetopnotch(secondhighestposition)androtate thebladeascloseaspossibletothedischargechannelthatisparallelto the

tractor.

2. Measurethedistancefromthefrontofthebladetip to thegroundandthe rearofthebladetiptotheground.Thefirstmeasurementtakenshould

bebetweenIA"and3/8"lessthanthesecondmeasurement.Determine theapproximatedistancenecessaryfor properadjustmentandproceed,if

necessary,to thenextstep.

3. Locatetheflangelocknutonthefrontsideofthestabilizerbracket.See Figure18.

Tightentheflangelocknuttoraisethefrontofthedeck; Loosentheflangelocknuttolowerthefrontofthedeck.

1. Withthetractorparkedonafirm,levelsurface,placethedeckliftleverin thesecondfromthetopnotch(secondhighestposition)androtateboth

bladessothattheyareperpendicularwith thetractor.

2. Measurethedistancefromtheoutsideofthe leftbladetiptotheground andthedistancefromtheoutsideoftherightbladetip totheground.Both

measurementstakenshouldbeequal.Ifthey'renot,proceedto thenext

step.

3. Loosen,butdoNOTremove,thehexcapscrewontheleft deckhanger

bracket.SeeFigure19.

4. Balancethedeckbyusingawrenchtoturntheadjustmentgear(found

immediatelybehindthehexcapscrewjust loosened)clockwise!upor

counterclockwise/down.Thedeckisproperlybalancedwhenbothbladetip

measurementstakenearlierareequal.

S. Retlghtenthe hexcapscrewonthe left deckhangerbracketwhenproper

adjustmentisachieved.

,.. J

Figure18

SidetoSide

Ifthecuttingdeckappearsto bemowingunevenly,asidetosideadjustmentcanbe performed.Adjustif necessaryasfollows:

He× Cap Screw

Figure19

SeatAdjustment

RefertotheAssemblysectionofthismanualforseatadjustmentinstructions.

ParkingBrakeAdjustment

Neverattempt to adjustthe brakeswhilethe engineisrunning.Always IdisengagePTO(bladeengage)lever,moveshift leverinto neutralposition, Istopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Ifthetractordoesnotcometoacompletestopwhenthebrakepedaliscompletely depressed,orif thetractor'srearwheelscanroll with theparkingbrakeapplied, thebrakeis inneedof adjustment.ContactthenearestSearsServiceCenterto have yourbrakesproperlyadjusted.

Tolocatethe nearestParts& RepairServkeCenteror to scheduleservke, contact1-800-4-M¥-NOME_.

CuttingDecklemovai

Toremove the cutting deck, proceed as follows:

1. Placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverinthedisengaged(OFF)positionand engagetheparkingbrake.

2. Lowerthedeckbymovingthedecklift leverintothe bottomnotchonthe rightfender.

3. Removetheself-tappingscrew(A)thatsecuresthebelt-keeperrodfrom aroundthetractor'sPTOpulley,thenremovethebeltkeeperrod(B).See Figure20.

flote: Makeamentalnotewhatholetheotherendofthebelt-keeperrodisinserted inforreinstallationpurposes.

4. Removethebelt(C)fromaroundthetractor'sPTOpulley.SeeFigure20.

Avoidpinchinginjuries.Neverplaceyourfingers onthe idlerspringor betweenthebelt anda pulleywhile removing the belt.

Bow-TieClip

Figure21

Removethebow-tiecotterpinsecuringthedeckstabilizerrodtothedeck.

Slidethedecklift rodfromthemounlngbracketonthedeckasseenin

Figure22.

Figure20

5. Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromthe leftsideofthetractor,locatethebow- tiepinthatsecuresthedecksupportrodontherearleftsideofthedeck.See Figure21.Removethebow-tiepinthat securesthedecksupportrod,and carefullyremovethedecksupportfromthedecklift arm.

6. Repeattheabovestepsonthetractor'srightside. Note:Thebow-tieclipsshouldbere-installedfromthetopdown.

7. Movethedecklift leverintothetopnotchontherightfendertoraisethe decklift armsupandoutoftheway.

.......,,_!_........ /_*_

Zi_ 17_//;:3(7 :: CZ;iii ( :: (/) <i )<_Z'_)i::g>

_} ) ]) ZIZZ} ZIT) C} /£)) g Z>

Figure22

Carefullyremovethe PTOcablefromtherearofthecuttingdeckby removingthe bow-tiecotterpinwhichsecuresit. Removethespringfrom thedeckidlerbracket.SeeFigure23.

PTOCable

Figure23

10. Gentlyslidethecuttingdeck(fromtheleftside)outfromunderneaththe tractor.

2. Connecttheotherendofthecabletothe(positive+) postofthejumperbattery.

3. Connectthesecondcable(negative-) totheotherpostofthejumper battery.

4. Connecttheotherendofthe negativecabletotheengineblockofthe

tractor,awayfromthebattery.Attachtoanunpaintedpartto assureagood connection.

Ifthejumperbattery isinstalled onavehicle(i.e.car,truck),do NOTstart

the vehicle'senginewhenjump startingyour tractor.

5. Startthetractor(asinstructedearlierinthissectionof thismanual).

6. Setthetractor'sparkingbrakebeforeremovingthejumpercables,in reverse

orderofconnection.

Charging

Batteriesgiveoff anexplosivegaswhile charging.Chargethe battery in a

[wellventilated areaand keepawayfrom anopenflame orpilot light asona

lwater heater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

Tires

Neverexceedthe maximum inflation pressureshownonthe sidewall oftire.

Therecommendedoperating tire pressureis:

Approximately10psifor thereartires

Approximately14psiforthefronttires [M PORTANT: Refertothetiresidewallfor exacttiremanufacturer's recommendedormaximumpsi.Donotovednflate.Uneventirepressurecould

causethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

Battery

CaliforniaProposition65WARNING!Batteryposts,terminals,andrelated accessoriescontainleadandleadcompounds,chemicalsknowntothe Stateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Ifremoving the battery,disconnectthe NEGATIVE(Black)wire from its terminalfirst, followedbythe POSITIVE(Bed)wire. Whenre-installing

the battery,alwaysconnectthe POSITIVE(Bed)wire to itsterminalfirst,

[fo owedbythe NEGATME(Back)w re.

JumpStarting

Whenchargingyourtractor'sbattery,useonlyachargerdesignedfor12Vlead- acidbatteries.Readyourbatterycharger'sOwner'sManualpriortocharging

tourtractor'sbattery.Alwaysfollow itsinstructionsandheeditswarnings.

Ifyourtractorhasnotbeenputintouseforanextendedperiodoftime,chargethe

batteryasfollows:

1. Setyourbatterychargerto delivera maxof 10amperes.

2. Ifyourbatterychargerisautomatic,chargethebatteryuntilthecharger indicatesthatchargingiscomplete.Ifthechargerisnotautomatic,charge

fornofewerthaneighthours.

Fuse

One20AMPfuseisinstalledinyourtractor'swiringharnessto protectthetractor's electricalsystemfromdamagecausedbyexcessiveamperage.

Iftheelectricalsystemdoesnotfunction,oryourtractor'senginewill notcrank,

first checkto becertainthat thefusehasnot blown.Itcanbefoundattherearof theunit, underneaththefenderlocatedbythe battery.

Alwaysuseafusewith thesameamperagecapacityfor replacement.

Cutting Blades

Shutthe engineoff and removeignitionkeybeforeremovingthecutting

blade(s)for sharpeningor replacement.Protectyourhandsbyusingheavy gloveswhen graspingthe blade.

Neverjumpstarta damagedorfrozen battery.Becertainthe vehiclesdo not touch,and ignitionsareoff. Donotallow cableclampsto touch.

Connectpositive(+)cabletopositivepost(+) of yourtractor'sdischarged battery.

Periodicallyinspectthe bladeand/orspindlefor cracksor damage,

especiallyafter you'vestruckaforeignobject. Donotoperatethe machine

until damagedcomponentsare replaced.

Toremovetheblades,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethedeckfrombeneaththetractor,(refertoCuttingDeckRemoval earlierin thissection)thengentlyflipthedeckoverto exposeitsunderside.

2. Placea blockofwoodbetweenthecenterdeckhousingbaffleandthe cuttingbladetoactasastabilizer.SeeFigure24.

3. Removethehexflangenutthatsecuresthebladetothespindleassembly.

HexFlangeNut

5. Testtheblade'sbalanceusinga bladebalancer.Grindmetalfromthe heavysideuntil it balancesevenly.

NOTE:Whenreplacingtheblade,besureto installthebladewith thesideofthe

blademarked"Bottom" (orwith apartnumberstampedinit)facingtheground

whenthe mowerisintheoperatingposition.

Useatorque wrenchtotighten the bladespindlehexflangenut to between

70Ibs-ftand 90Ibs-ft.

Changingthe DeckBelt

Besureto shutthe engineoff, removeignitionkey,disconnectthe spark

plugwire(s)and groundagainstthe engineto prevent unintendedstarting

_beforeremovng the bet.

All beltson yourtractor aresubjectto wear andshouldbereplacedifany signsofweararepresent.

Figure24

Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamountsofmetal frombothendsofthebladesalongthecuttingedges,paralleltothetrailing edge,ata25°- to 30°angle.Alwaysgrindeachcuttingbladeedgeequallyto maintainproperbladebalance.SeeFigure25.

Figure25

Ifthe cutting edgeof thebladehaspreviouslybeensharpened,or if any metalseparationispresent,replacethe bladeswith newones.

IM PORTANT: TheV-beltfoundonyourtractorisspeciallydesignedto engage anddisengagesafely.Asubstitute(non-OEM)V-beltcanbedangerousbynot disengagingcompletely.Foraproperworkingmachine,useidenticalequipment

beltsaslistedinthepartspagesofthisOperator'sManual. Tochangeorreplacethedeckbeltonyourtractor,proceedasfollows:

Removethedeckasinstructedearlierinthissection.

1. Removethebeltcoversfromthespindlepulleysbyremovingthehexscrews thatfastenthecoverstothedeck.SeeFigure26.

2. Itmayalsobenecessarytoloosenthehexnutontheleft deckidlerpulleyto getthebeltoffthe pulleyandaroundthebeltguard.

3. Carefullyremovethedeckbeltfromaroundthetwo spindlepulleysandthe twodeckidlerpulleys.SeeFigure26.

4. Toplacethenewbelt,beginbyroutingthebeltaroundthetwoouterspindle pulleysasshownin Figure26.

5. ThenroutethebeltaroundthetwodeckidlerpulleysasshowninFigure26.

6. Retightenthebeltkeeperrodloosenedearlier.

7. Remountthebeltguardsremovedearlier.

8. Re-installthedeck,makingsurethebeltremainsroutedaroundthepulleys asinstructed.ThecompletebeltroutingisshowninFigure26.

9. Pulltherightsideofthebelt,andplacethenarrowVsideofthebelt intothe

PTOpulley.

10. Whileholdingthe beltandpulleytogether,rotatethepulleytotheleft. Continueholdingandrotatingthepulleyandbeltuntil thebeltisfullyrolled intothe PTOpulley.

Apoorly balancedbladewill causeexcessivevibration, maycausedamageto thetractor and/or result inpersonalinjury.

ParkingBrakeAdjustment

Neverattempt toadjustthe brakeswhile theengine isrunning. AMays disengagePTO(BladeEngageLever),moveshift leverinto neutral position, stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Ifthetractordoesnotcometoacompletestopwhentheclutch-brakepedalis completelydepressed,orifthetractor'srearwheelscanrollwith theparkingbrake applied,the brakeisinneedofadjustment.ContactthenearestParts& Repair ServiceCenterto haveyourbrakesserviced.

Tolocate the nearestParts& RepairServiceCenterorto scheduleservice, contact1-800-4-MY-HOME_.

Hex Washer Screws

Changing the TransmissionDrive Belt

NO}E:Severalcomponentsmustbe removedandspecialtools(i.e.air/ impactwrench)inorderto changethetractor'sdrivebelt.Contactthe nearest Parts & RepairService Centerto haveyourtransmission

drivebeltserviced.

Tolocatethe nearestParts& RepairServiceCenterorto scheduleservice, contact1-800-4-MY-HOME_.

_ortion of the

belt routes around

the PTO Pulley

Figure26

Belt Cover

Neverstorelawn tractor with fuel intank indoorsor in poorlyventilated areaswhere fuelfumesmayreachanopenflame,spark,or pilot light ason afurnace,water heater,clothesdryer,or gasappliance.

PreparingTheEngine

IMPORTANT: Fuelleft inthefueltankduringwarmweatherdeterioratesand

will causeseriousstartingproblems. Topreventgumdepositsfromforminginsidetheengine'scarburetorandcausing

possiblemalfunctionoftheengine,thefuelsystemmustbeeithercompletely emptied,orthegasolinemustbetreatedwithastabilizertopreventdeterioration.

I. Ifusinga fuelstabilizer:

a. Readtheproductmanufacturer'sinstructionsandrecommendations. b. Addtoclean,freshgasolinethecorrectamountofstabilizerforthe

capacityofthefuelsystem.

c. Fillthefueltankwith treatedfuelandruntheenginefor 2-3minutesto

getstabilizedfuelintothecarburetor.

2. Ifemptylngthefuelsystem: a. Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengineadequate

timetocool.Drainfuelintoanapprovedcontaineroutdoors,awayfrom openflame.

b. Drainanylargevolumeoffuelfromthetankbydisconnectingthe

fuellinefromthein-linefuelfilter neartheengine.Seethecomplete instructionsforDrainingTheFuellaterinthissection.

Gasolineisextremelyflammableand canbeexplosiveundercertain conditions. Draingasolinebeforestoring theequipmentfor extended

periods.Drainfuel onlyinto anapprovedcontaineroutdoors,awayfrom anopenflame.Allowengineto cool.Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,pipes, andother sourcesof ignitionpriorto draining fuel.Storegasolineinan approvedcontainerinsafelocation.

DrainingTheFuel

1. Locatethefuelfilter,whichislocatedonthe left sideoftheengine,andmay beattachedtotheenginewithatiestrap.

2. Cutthetiestrap,if present,thenpinchthe in-lineclamponthefuelfilter with apairofpliers,slidetheclampupthefuelline.

3. Pullthefuellinefreefromthefilterandplacetheopenendofthe lineinto anapprovedcontainertodrainthefuel.

PreparingThelawn tractor

Cleanandlubricatetractorthoroughlyasdescribedinthelubrication instructions.

2. Donotusea pressurewasherorgardenhosetocleanyourunit.

3. Storemowerin adry,cleanarea.Donotstorenexttocorrosivematerials, suchasfertilizer.

c. Reconnectthefuellineandruntheengineuntilit startstofalter,then

usethechoketokeeptheenginerunninguntilallfuelin thecarburetor hasbeenexhausted.

d. Disconnectthefuellineanddrainanyremaininggasolinefromthe

system.

Gasolineisa toxicsubstance.Disposeof gasolineproperly.Contactyour

localauthoritiesforapproveddisposalmethods.

3. Removethesparkplugandpourone(1)ounceofengineoilthroughthespark plugholeintothecylinder.Cranktheengineseveraltimestodistributethe oil. Replacethesparkplug.

Enginefailsto start

1. PTO/BladeEngageleverengaged.

2. Parkingbrakenotengaged.

3. Sparkplugwire(s)disconnected.

4. Throttle/Chokecontrollevernot incorrect

2. Engageparkingbrake.

3. Connectwire(s)to sparkplug(s).

4. PlaceThrottle/Chokeleverintothe FASTposition.

startingposition.

5. Chokenotactivated

6. Fueltankempty,or stalefuel.

7. BIockedfuelline.

8. Faultysparkplug(s).

9. Engineflooded.

5. MovetheThrottle/Chokeleverintothe Choke

6. Filltankwithclean,fresh(lessthan30daysold) gas.

7. Replacethefuellineandreplacefuelfilter.

8. Clean,adjustgapor replaceplug(s).

9. CrankenginewiththrottleinFASTposition.

10. BlownFuse(s)

Enginerunserratically

1. UnitrunningwithCHOKEactivated.

2. Sparkplugwire(s)loose.

3. Blockedfuellineor stalefuel.

4. Ventingascap plugged.

5. Waterordirtinfuel system.

6. Dirtyaircleaner.

2. Connectsparkplugwire(s).

3. Replacethefuelline;filltankwithclean,fresh

4. Clearventor replacecapifdamaged.

5. Drainfueltank. Refillwithclean,freshgasoline.

6. Replaceaircleanerpaperelementor cleanfoam

Engineoverheats 1. Engineoillevellow. 1.

2. Airflowrestricted. 2.

Enginehesitatesat highRPM 1. Sparkpluggaptoo close. 1. Engineidles rough 1. Sparkplugfouled,faultyor gaptoo wide. 1.

2. Dirtyaircleaner. 2.

Excessivevibration

Mowerwill notmulchgrass

Unevencut

1. Cuttingbladelooseor unbalanced.

2. Damagedor bentcuttingblade.

1. Enginespeedtoolow.

2. Wetgrass.

3. Excessivelyhighgrass.

4. Dullblade.

1. Decknotleveledproperly.

2. Dullblade.

3. Uneventirepressure.

2. Replaceblade.

2. Do notmulchwhengrassiswet.

3. Mowonce ata highcuttingheight,thenmowagain

4. Sharpenorreplaceblade.

2. Sharpenorreplaceblade.

3. Checktire pressureinallfour tires.

1. Placeleverindisengaged(OFF)position.

position.

10. ReplaceFuse(s)See"Fuse"in Serviceand Maintenancesection.

1. DeactivatetheCHOKE.

gasolineandreplacefuelfilter.

pre-cleaner,if equipped. Fillcrankcasewithproperamountandweightof oil.

Cleangrassclippingsanddebrisfromaroundthe engine'scoolingfinsandhousing.

Removesparkplugandresetthe gap. Replacesparkplug.Set pluggap.

Replaceair cleanerelementand/orcleanpre-

cleaner.

1. Tightenbladeandspindle.

1. Placethrottlein FAST(rabbit)position.

at desiredheightor makea narrowercuttingswath.

1. Performside-to-sidedeckadjustment.

NEED MOREHELP?

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