MTD 13BK608G062 Owner’s Manual
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Automatic Lawn Tractor
Models 607
6O8
6O9
Model 609 Shown
IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Warning: This unit isequipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brush-covered or grass-covered land unlessthe engine's exhaust system isequipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable IocaJor
state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, itshould be maintained in effective workingorder by the operator. In the State of California
the above is required by Jaw(Section 4442 of the Cafflomia PublicResources Code). Other states may have similarlaws. Federal laws
apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler isavailable throughyour nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the
service department, P.O. Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
PRINTED IN U.S.A,
FORM NO, 770-10130C
(11/2000)
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3
Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 7
Tractor Set-up .................................................................................................... 8
Know Your Lawn Tractor .................................................................................... 9
Operating Your Lawn Tractor ............................................................................. 12
Making Adjustments .......................................................................................... 16
Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor .......................................................................... 18
Service ............................................................................................................... 19
Off-Season Storage ........................................................................................... 24
Attachments & Accessories ............................................................................... 24
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 25
Models 607, 608 & 609 Parts List ....................................................................... 26
FINDINGMODELNUMBER
This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor. Itwill 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 ifyou need help from our Customer Support Department or an
authorized dealer.
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.
r
(Model Number) (Serial Number)
MTD PRODUCTS INC
P.O. BOX 368022
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
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) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-7310 to reach a Customer Support
representative. Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when 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 instructions which, if not followed, could endanger
the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual
before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal
injury. When you see this symbol--heed its warning.
DANGER: This machine was built 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.
California Proposition 65 Warning:
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
GENERAL OPERATION
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for
ordering replacement parts.
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper
operation. Know how to stop the machine and
disengage them quickly.
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
this 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.
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without
proper instruction.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object
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.
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment
is to be used. Remove all stones, sucks, wire,
bones, toys, and other foreign objects which could
be picked up and thrown by the blade(s). Thrown
objects can cause serious personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of
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.
8. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
during operation and while performing an
adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown
objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to
the eyes.
9. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes and
jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never
operate this machine in bare feet or sandals.
10. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not
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 shitting 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. Neverleave 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
bum. 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 an
authorized MTD Service Dealer 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 if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow
it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included 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 low 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 of the 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 small children.
d. Never carry children, even with the blade(s)
shut off. They may fall off and be seriously
injured or interfere with safe machine
operation.
e. Useextremecarewhenapproachingblind
comers,doorways,shrubs,treesorother
objectsthatmayblockyourvisionofachild
whomayrunintothemachine.
f. Disengagethecuttingblade(s)before
shittinginreverse.The"No-Cut-InReverse"
featureisaremindernottocutinreverseand
tohelpavoidbackoveraccidents.Donot
defeatit.
g. Keepchildrenawayfromhotorrunning
engines.Theycansufferburnsfromahot
muffler.
h. Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedto
preventunauthorizedoperation.
9. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldtooperate
themachine.Children14yearsoldandovershould
readandunderstandtheoperationinstructionsand
safetyrulesinthismanualandshouldbetrained
andsupervisedbyaparent.
TOWING
1. Towonlywithamachinethathasahitchdesigned
fortowing.Donotattachtowedequipmentexcept
atthehitchpoint.
2. Followthemanufacturersrecommendationfor
weightlimitsfortowedequipmentandtowingon
slopes.
3. Neverallowchildrenorothersinorontowed
equipment.
4. Onslopes,theweightofthetowedequipmentmay
causelossoftractionandlossofcontrol.
5. Travelslowlyandallow extra distance to stop.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
SERVICE
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE:
1.
To avoid personal injury or property damage
use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Never fill 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 all times
until fueling is complete. 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 is hot or running. Allow engine to cool
at least two minutes before refueling.
h. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more
than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to
allow space for fuel expansion.
i. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
j. If gasoline 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 cool at least 5 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 MTD 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).
Replace the blade(s)with the original equipment
manufacturer's (O.E.M.) blade(s) only, listed in this
manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the
original equipment specifications may lead to
improper performance and compromise safety!"
6. Mower blades are 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.
5
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.
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.
understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual end on the machine.
WARNING: YOUR RESPONSIBILITY Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,
For safety protection, frequently check components
and replace immediately with original equipment
manufacturer's (O.EM.) 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.
6
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
A POWER POLE
I
Z
o
i
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.
W
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
SECTION3: TRACTORSET-UP
AttachingtheBatteryCables
NOTE: The positive battery 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 that 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 strap is in position over
the battery, securing it in place. See Figure 1.
Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in
the separate Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual
(or Kohler 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.
ShippingBraceRemoval
WARNING: Make sure the riding mower's
&
engine is off, remove the ignition key, and set
the parking brake before removing the
shipping brace.
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 2.
Figure 1
NOTE:/f 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.
GasandOilFill-up
The gasoline tank is located under the hood and has a
capacity of either two or three gallons. Do not overfill.
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
WARNING: Use extreme care when
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.
Warning Tag
Figure 2
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.
WARNING: The shipping brace, used for
packaging purposes only, must be removed
and discarded before operating your riding
mower.
WARNING: The mowing deck is capable of
throwing objects. Failure to operate the riding
mower without the discharge cover in the
proper operating position could result in
serious personal injury and/or property
damage.
8
SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNTRACTOR
F
A
G
H
B
C
D
NOTE: SteeringWheelnotshownforclarity.
1 Style varies by model
A PTO (Power Take-off) Lever.i:
PTO (Power Take-off) Knob S
B Choke Control:l:
C Parking Brake Button
D Shift Lever
E Cup Holders
F Systems Indicator Monitor1-
G Throttle Control Lever
H Cruise Control Button:l:
I Ignition Switch
J Brake Pedal
K Drive Pedar
L Deck Lift Lever
M Seat Adjustment Levers
If soequipped
NOTE" Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator's position.
ThrottleControlLever
The throttle control lever is located on the right side of
the tractor's dash panel. This lever controls the speed
of the engine and, on some models, when pushed all
the way forward, the choke control also. When set in a
given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform
engine speed. See Figure 3.
Choke
Position _"
Fast
Position
t_
Fast
Position
IgnitionSwitch
WARNING: Never leave a running
A
To start the engine, insert the key into the ignition
switch and turn clockwise to the START position.
Release the key into the ON position once engine has
fired. See Figure 4.
machine unattended. Always disengage PTO,
move shift lever into neutral position, set
parking brake, stop engine and remove key to
prevent unintended starting.
OnlLighta
Off
On
Slow
Position
Figure 3
IMPORTANT: When operating the tractor with the cutting
deck engaged, be certain that the throttle lever is
always in the FAST (rabbit) position.
Slow
Position
ChokeControl
On some models, moving the
throttle lever all the way forward
activates the engine's choke
control. On all other models, the
choke controJ can be found on
the left side of the dash panel and
is activated by pulling the knob
outward. Activating the choke
control closes the choke plate on
the carburetor and aids in starting
the engine. Refer to StartingThe Engineon page 13 of this
manual for detailed starting instructions.
BrakePedal
The brake pedal is Jocated on the
right front side of the tractor
above the drive pedal along the
running board. The brake pedal
can be used for sudden stops or
setting the parking brake.
NOTE: The brake pedal must
be fully depressed to activate the
safety interlock switch when
starting the tractor.
Start
Figure 4
Refer to StartingTheEngineon page 13 of this manual for
detailed starting instructions
The ignition switch is also used to operate the tractor's
headlights. Refer to OperatingTheHeadlightson page 15
of this manual for detailed instructions.
DrivePedal
The drive pedal is located below
the brake pedal on the right front
side of the tractor along the
running board. Depress the drive
pedal with your dght foot when
the tractor shift lever is in either
FORWARD or REVERSE to
cause the tractor to move.
Ground speed is also controlled
with the drive pedal The further
down the pedal is depressed, the faster the tractor will
travel. The pedal will return to its original position when
it's not depressed.
IMPORTANT: Always set the parking brake when
leaving the tractor unattended.
10
SystemsIndicatorMonitor
Your tractor is equipped with either an hour meter or an
ammeter as part of two available systems indicator
monitors. Locate the monitor on the left side of your
dash panel and compare it to both shown in Figure 5.
AuMPS _. Oil
Brake
ElectricPTO
(PowerTake-off)Knob
To engage the power to the
cutting deck or other (separately
available) attachments on _'_
models equipped with an electric
PTO, pull outward on the PTO
knob. Push the PTO knob inward to disengage the
power to the cutting deck.
Ammeter--
Battery --
Hour Meter--
PTO --
If the Brake light or PTO light illuminates when
attempting to start the unit, proceed as follows:
BRAKE -- Depress the brake pedal.
PTO -- Move PTO lever, or PTO knob into the
It is normal for the Oil light and the Battery light, if so
equipped, to illuminate while the engine is cranking,
but if either illuminate's while the engine is running,
proceed as follows:
OIL--
BATTERY--
On units so equipped, the ammeter measures the
electrical output of the engine's charging system. Under
normal operating conditions, with the engine at full
throttle, the ammeter's needle should measure a
positive charge.
The hour meter, on units so equipped, operates
whenever the engine is running and records the actual
hours of tractor operation.
-.-. r_ ,_. °-. --Oil
--Brake
Figure 5
disengaged (OFF) position.
Stop the tractor immediately and check
the crankcase oil level as instructed in
the Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner
Manual (or Kohler engine's Owner's
Manual) included with your tractor.
The battery is in need of a charge, or the
engine's charging system is not
generating sufficient amperage. Refer to
the MAINTENANCEsection of this manual
for the proper battery charging procedure
or have the charging system checked by
a Briggs & Stratton or Koh/erengine's
dealer.
PTO
NOTE: The PTO knob must be in the disengaged
(OFF) position when starting the engine, when traveling
in reverse and if the operator leaves the seat.
PTO(PowerTake-off)Lever
On models equipped with a manual PTO, the PTO lever
is located on the left side of the dashboard next to the
steering wheel. Move the PTO lever forward to engage
the power to the cutting deck or other (separately
available) attachments; move the PTO lever rearward
to disengage the power to the attachments.
NOTE: The PTO lever must be in the disengaged
(OFF) position when starting the engine, when traveling
in reverse and if the operator leaves the seat.
SeatAdjustmentLever
To adjust the seat forward or backward on units
equipped with a quick-adjust seat, slide the seat
adjustment lever to the left and reposition the seat to
the desired position. Once a comfortable position is
found, release the seat adjustment lever to lock the
seat in place. Refer to SeatAdjustmenton page 17 of this
manual for more detailed instructions.
DeckLiftLever
Found on your tractor's right fender, the deck lift lever is
used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use,
move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best
suited for your application.
CupHolder
The tractor's cup holder, if so equipped, is located on
the fender to the left of the seat, just to the rear of the
shift lever.
11
ParkingBrakeButton
To set the parking brake, fully _'_ll_l L
depress the brake pedal and
push the parking brake button in.
Hold the button in while taking
your foot off the brake pedal.
Both the parking button and the
brake pedal will then stay
depressed. To release the
parking brake, depress the brake
pedal slightly. The parking brake
button will then return to its original position.
NOTE: The parking brake must be set if the operator
leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine
will automatically shut off.
IMPORTANT: Always set the parking brake when
leaving the tractor unattended.
CruiseControlButton
The cruise control button, on
on the tractor dash panel to the
models so equipped, is located ;l_l
left of the ignition switch. Push
the cruise control button while
traveling forward at a desired
speed. While holding the button
in, release pressure from the
drive pedal. This will engage the
cruise control and allow the
tractor to remain at that speed without applying
pressure to the drive pedal. Depress the brake pedal or
the drive pedal to deactivate cruise control. Refer to
Settingthe CruiseControlon page 14 this manual for
detailed instructions regarding the cruise control
feature.
k.E/)
NOTE: Cruise control can NOT be engaged at the
tractor's fastest ground speed. If the operator should
attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically
decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed.
ShiftLever
The shift lever is located on the left side of the fender
and has three positions, FORWARD, NEUTRAL and
REVERSE. The brake pedal must be depressed and
the tractor must not be in motion when the moving shift
lever. See Figure 6.
Shift
Knob
Figure 6
IMPORTANT: Never force the shift Jever. Doing so may
result in serious damage to the tractor's transmission.
SECTION5: OPERATINGYOURLAWNTRACTOR
The engine will automatically shut off if the operator
all instructions and warnings on the machine
WARNING: Read, understand, and follow
and in this manual before operating.
SafetyInterlockSwitches
This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system
for the protection of the operator. If the interlock system
should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor.
Contact an authorized MTD service dealer. The safety
interlock system prevents the engine from cranking or
starting unless the parking brake is engaged, and the
PTO knob (or lever) is in the disengaged (OFF)
position.
12
leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake.
The engine will automatically shut off if the operator
leaves the tractor's seat with the PTO knob (or
lever) in the engaged (ON) position, regardless of
whether the parking brake is engaged.
The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO
lever, if so equipped, is moved into the engaged
(ON) position with the shift lever in position for
reverse travel.
The electric PTO clutch will automatically shut off if
the PTO knob, if so equipped, is moved into the
engaged (ON) position with the shift lever in
position for reverse travel.
WARNING
AVOIDSERIOUSINJURYORDEATH
• GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS.
• AVOID SUDDEN TURNS
• DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP,
• IF MACHINE STOPS GOING UPHILL, STOP BL_,DE(S) AND SACK
DOWNHILL SLOWLY.
• DO NOT MOW WHEN CHILDREN OR OTHERS ARE AROUND,
• NEVER CARRY CHILDREN, EVEN WrTH BLADES OFF,
• LOOK DOWN AND BEHIND BEFORE AND WHILE BACKING,
• KEEP SAFETY DEVICES (GUARDS, SHIELDS, AND SWITCHES) IN
PLACE AND WORKING
• REMOVE OBJECTS THAT COULD BE THROWN BY THE BLADE(S),
• KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF ALL CONTROLS
• BE SURE BLADE(S) AND ENGINE ARE STOPPED BEFORE PLAC-
ING HANDS OR FEET NEAR BLADE(S)
• BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR'S POSITION, DISENGAGE
BLADE(S), PLACE THE SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL, ENGAGE
BRAKE LOCK. SHUT ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE KEY
READOPERATOR'SMANUAL
WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the
&
interlock system is malfunctioning. This
system was designed for your safety and
protection.
SettingtheCuttingHeight
SeJect the height position of the cutting deck by placing
the deck lift lever in any of the six different cutting height
notches on the right side of the fender. Then adjust the
deck wheels so that they are between 1/4-inchand ½-
inch above the ground when the tractor is on a smooth,
flat surface such as a driveway.
Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START
position. After the engine starts, release the key. It
will return to the ON position.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT hold the key in the START
position for longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so
may cause damage to your engine's electric starter.
After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control
and place the throttle control in the FAST position.
NOTE: Do NOT leave the choke control on while
operating the tractor. Doing so will result in a "rich" fuel
mixture and cause the engine to run poorly.
Stoppingthe Engine
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object,
A
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 restarting
and operating
If the blades are engaged, place the PTO knob (or
lever) in the disengaged (OFF) position.
Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF
position.
Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent
unintended starting.
DrivingTheTractor
,_ WARNING: Keep hands and feet away
from the discharge opening of the cutting
deck.
NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of
the deck and are not designed to support the weight of
the cutting deck.
Refer to LevelingtheDeckon page 16 of this manual for
more detailed instructions regarding various deck
adjustments,
StartingtheEngine
WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the
A
NOTE: Refer to the TRACTORSET-UPon page 8 of this
manual for Gasoline and Oil fill-up instructions.
interlock system is malfunctioning. This
system was designed for your safety and
protection.
Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
Place the PTO knob (or lever) in the disengaged
(OFF) position.
Engage the tractor's parking brake.
Activate the choke control.
,_ WARNING: Avoid sudden starts, ex-
IMPORTANT: Do NOT use the shift lever to change the
direction of travel when the tractor is in motion. Always
use the brake pedal to bring the tractor to a complete
stop before shifting.
cessive speed and sudden stops.
tractor without first placing the PTO knob (or
WARNING: Do not leave the seat of the
lever) in the disengaged (OFF) position,
depressing the brake pedal and engaging the
parking brake. If leaving the tractor
unattended, also turn the ignition key off and
remove the key.
Depress the brake pedal to release the parking
brake and let the pedal up.
Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit)
position.
To move forward, place the shift lever in the
FORWARD position, then slowly depress the drive
pedal until the desired speed is achieved.
To move in reverse, place the shift lever in the
REVERSE position, check that the area behind is
clear then slowly depress the drive pedal.
13
EngagingtheParkingBrake
To engage the parking brake:
Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with
your foot while gently pushing the parking brake
button inward.
Hold the parking brake button in while removing
your foot from the brake pedal.
Once engaged, the parking brake button and the
brake pedal will lock in the "down" position.
To disengage the parking brake:
Slightly depress the brake pedal.
NOTE: The parking brake must be engaged if the
operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the
engine will automatically shut off.
NOTE: Cruise control can not be engaged at the
tractor's fastest ground speed. If the operator should
attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically
decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the following
methods:
Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and stop the tractor.
Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change to the reverse direction when operating with
cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage
the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete
stop. Then place the shift lever in the REVERSE
position and depress the drive pedal.
DrivingOnSlopes
Refer to the SLOPEGAUGEon page 7 to help determine
slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.
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). The
tractor could overturn and cause serious
injury.
Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes.
Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other
hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the
machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must
be made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope
greatly increases the chance of a roll over.
Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is
necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up
smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility of
flipping the tractor over backward.
SettingTheCruiseControl
NOTE: The cruise control feature is NOTstandard on
all models.
Place the shift lever in the FORWARD position,
then slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired
speed is achieved.
Lightly depress the cruise control button.
While continuing to hold the cruise button in, lift
your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the
cruise latch engage).
Once engaged, the cruise control button and the
drive pedal will lock in the "down" position, and the
tractor will maintain the same forward speed.
EngagingthePTO
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck
or other (separately available) attachments. To engage
the PTO, proceed as follows:
Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit)
position.
ModelswithManualPTO
Grasp the PTO lever and pivot it all the way forward
into the engaged (ON) position.
Models with Electric PTO
Pull the PTO knob outward into the engaged (ON)
position. See Figure 7.
Front View Pull Out Push In
Figure 7
Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position
for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments
IMPORTANT: The engine (on models with a manual
PTO) or electric PTO clutch (on models with an electric
PTO) will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged
with the shift lever in position for reverse travel, Refer to
SafetyInterlockSwitcheson page 12.
UsingtheDeckLift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the
left, then place itin the notch best suited for your
application. Refer to SettingTheCuttingHeightearlier in
this section.
14
Mowing
WARNING: To help avoid blade contact or
A
a thrown object 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.
Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass
clippings more time to effectively be mulched.
Always position the throttle control lever in the
FAST (rabbit) position and allow it to remain there
while mowing. Failing to keep the engine at full
throttle places strain on the tractor's engine and
does not allow the blades to properly mulch grass.
This tractor is equipped with one of MTD's high quality
cutting decks. The following information will be helpful
when using the cutting deck with your tractor.
WARNING: Plan your mowing pattern to
A
avoid discharge of materials 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.
Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a
mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
For best results it is recommended that the first two
laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the
center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction
to throw the discharge to the outside for the
balance of cutting. This wil_ give a better
appearance to the lawn.
Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites
weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
Mowing should always be done with the engine at
full throttle.
Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go
back over the cut area a second time to get a clean
cut.
Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds
and extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to
mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades
when worn. Refer to CuttingBladeson page 20 of this
manuaJ for proper blade sharpening instructions.
Mulching
Some, NOT all, models come equipped with a mulch kit
which incorporates special blades, already standard on
your tractor, in a process of recirculating grass clippings
repeatedly beneath the cutting deck. The ultra-fine
clippings are then forced back into the lawn where they
act as a natural fertilizer. Observe the following points
for the best results when muiching.
Never attempt to mulch if the lawn is damp. Wet
grass tends to stick to the underside of the cutting
deck preventing proper mulching of the clippings.
Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the total
height of the grass or approximately 1-1/2 inches.
Doing so will cause the clippings to clump up
beneath the deck and not be mulched effectively.
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the discharge
chute to operate the mower with the mulch kit installed.
42-inch Decks
To operate the cutting deck without mulching, on
models so equipped, simply remove the mulch plug by
unthreading the plastic wing nut which fastens it to the
cutting deck. This will allow the clippings to discharge
out the side. See Figure 8.
Carriage
Plastic Wing Nut Mulch Plug
Figure 8
46-inch Decks
On models so equipped, the mulch kit is packed
separately within the tractor's crate. Observe the
instructions included with the mulch kit for the best
results when mulching.
OperatingTheHeadlights
To turn the tractor's headlights on:
Start the engine following the instructions earlier in
this section.
Turn the key one notch counterclockwise into the
On/Lights position of the ignition switch. Refer to
Figure 4.
To turn the tractor's headlights off:
Turn the key either into the On position (to leave the
engine running) or the Off position (to shut the
engine off). Refer to Figure 4.
NOTE: Never move the key into the Start position
while the engine is running. Doing so may cause
damage to your engine's electric starter.
15
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