MTD 14BJ845H062 Owner’s Manual

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Transmatic

Garden Tractor

Models 820 Thru 828 840 Thru 848

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

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 unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark attester for the muffler isavailable through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. 8ox 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

MTD LLC,P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO. 770-10119C

(12/2001 )

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content Page

Important Sate Operation Practices ............................................................................ 3

Slope Gauge ............................................................................................................... 6

Hardware Pack ............................................................................................................ 7

Unpacking ................................................................................................................... 8

Assembling Your Garden Tractor ................................................................................ 8

Know Your Garden Tractor .......................................................................................... 15

Operating Your Garden Tractor ................................................................................... 17

Malting Adjustments.................................................................................................... 19

Maintaining Your Garden Tractor ................................................................................ 22

Off-Season Storage .................................................................................................... 24

Optional Equipment ..................................................................................................... 25

Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................... 26

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual isan important part of your new Garden 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 informationfrom it inthe space provided below. The information on

the model plate is very important ifyou need help from ourCustomer Support Department or

an authorized dealer.

• You can locate the model number by pivoting the seat forward and looking under the seat at the seat

pivot bracket. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model

number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

ENGINEINFORMATION

The engine manufacturer is responsible for al] engine-related issues with regards to performance, pewer_

rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual packed separately with your unit for more information.

CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT

Ifyou 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 instructionswhich, if not fol]owed, could endanger

the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others, read and follow all instructions inthis manual

before attempting to operate your lawn mower, failure to comply with these instructionsmay result in

personal injury. When you see this symbol, heed its warning.

WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to

cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As

with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety

instructionscould result in serious injuryor death.

GeneralOperation

• Read, understand, and fol]ow all instructionsinthe

operator's manual and on the machine before starting. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

• Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the instructionsto operate the machine. Know controls and how to stop the machine quickly.

• Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near rotating parts.

• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the blade. A small object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety g]asses or safety goggles during operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign obiects. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or

roads.

• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

• Never carry passengers.

• Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and backing up. Always look down and behind before and whi]e backing.

• Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place.

• Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.

• Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in

neutral, set park brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.

• Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.

• Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a complete stop before (a) removing grass catcher or

unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass or debris.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Do not operate the machine whi]e under the

influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing

roadways.

• Use extra care when loading or unloading the

machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck

under power, because the unit could tip over,

causing serious personal injury.The unit must be

pushed manual]y on a ramp to load or unload properly.

• Never make a cutting height adjustment whi]e

engine is running if operator must dismount to do so.

• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close- fitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving

parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or sneakers.

• Check overhead clearance carefully before driving

under power lines=wires=bridges or low hanging

tree branches= before entering or leaving but]dings=

or inany other situation where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit=which could result tn serious injury.

• Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly

depress the brake pedal=and shift into neutral before attempting to start engine.

• Your mower is designed to cut normal residential

grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt

to mow through unusually tal], dry grass (e.g.,

pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up

on the mower deck or centact the engine exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.

SlopeOperation

Slopes are a major factor related te less ef centrel and tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury er death. All slepes require extra cautien. If yeu cannot back up the slepe er if yeu feel uneasy en it, de not mow

it.

For yeur safety, use the slepe gauge included as part of

this manual to measure slepes before eperating this unit ona sloped or hilly area. If the slope isgreater than

"15° as shewn en the slope gauge, de not operate this

unit en that area er serieus injuryceuld result.

Do:

• Mow up and down slopes, net across.

• Remove ebstacles such as recks, limbs, etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts er bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide

obstacles.

• Use slew speed. Choose a low enough gear so that you will net have to stop or shift while on the slope. Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.

• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel weights or countem/eights to improve

stability.

• Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the

machine.

• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. De net 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 iniury.

• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.

DoNet:

• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.

• Do not mow near drop-ells, ditches or embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.

• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

• Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur ifthe operator isnot alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume

that children will remain where yeu last saw them.

• Keep children out ef the mewing area and in watchful care of an adult otherthan the eperator.

• Be alert and turn machine eft if children enter the

area.

• Before and when backing, leek behind and dewn for small children.

• Never carry children, even with the blades eft. They

may fall offand be seriously injured er interfere with

the safe machine operatien.

• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the machine. Children 14 years and over should

onlyoperate machine under close parental supervision and preper instructien.

• Use extra care when appreaching blind cerners,

shrubs, trees or other obiectsthat may obscure

your visien efa child or ether hazard.

• Remove key when machine is unattended te

prevent unauthorized eperation.

Service

• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are extremely flammable and the

vapers are explosive.

• Use enly an approved container.

• Never remove fuel cap oradd fuel with the engine

running. Allew engine to coel at least two minutes befere refueling.

• Replace fuel cap securely and wipe elf any spilled fuel before starting the engine as itmay cause a fire

or explosion.

• Extinguish al] cigarettes, cigars, pipes and ether

sources ef ignitien.

• Never refuel the machine indeers because fuel vapers will accumulate in the area.

• Never stere the fuel centatner er machine inside where there ts an epen flame er spark, such as a

gas het water heater, space heater or furnace.

• Never run a machine inside a clesed area.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free of

grass, leaves or ether debris build-up. Clean up oil orfuel spi]lage. Allow machine to coel at least 5

minutes befere stering.

• Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have

stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep

the wire away from the spark plug te prevent

accidental starting.

• We do not recemmend the use of pressure washers er garden hese te clean your unit. They

may cause damage te electric cempenents, spind]es, pulleys, bearings er the engine. The use ofwater wt]]result in shertened life and reduce

serviceability.

• Check the blade and engine mounting belts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,

visuallyinspectbladeterdamage(e.g.,excessive wear,bent,cracked).Replacewithbladewhich meetseriginalequipmentspecificatiens.

• Keepallnuts,beltsandscrewstighttebesurethe equipmentisinsateworkingsenditien.

• Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheir prepereperatienregularly.Useallguardsas

instructed in this manual.

• After striking a tereign ebiect, step the engine, remeve the wire from the spark plug and theroughly inspectthe mewer for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting and eperating the mower.

• Grass catcher cempenents are subject te wear, damage and deterioration, which ceuld expese moving parts er al]ew objects to be thrown. For your safety protectien, frequently check cempenents and replace with manufacturer's recommended parts when necessary.

• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gleves and use extra cautien when servicing blade(s).

• Check brake eperatien frequently. Adiust and service as required.

• Muffler, engine and belt guards become hot during operation and can cause a burn. Allow te cool dewn befere touching.

• De net change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are dangerous.

• Observe preper disposal laws and regulations. Impreper dispesal ef fluids and materials can harm

the environment and the ecology.

• Prier to dispesal, determine the proper method te dispose ef waste from your local Envirenmental Protection Agency. Recycling centers are established te properly dispese ofmaterials in an environmentally sate fashien.

• Use proper containers when draining fluids. Do net use feed or beverage containers that may mislead someone into drinking frem them. Properly dispese

ofthe containers immediately following the draining offluids.

• DO NOT pour ell er ether fluids inte the greund, down a drain or inte a stream, pend, lake er ether body et water. Observe Environmental Pretectien

Agency regulatiens when disposing et ell, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, filters, batteries, tires and ether

harmful waste.

YeurResponsibility

• Restrict the use et this power machine to persons

who read, understand and follow the warnings and

instructiens inthis manual and on the machine.

USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY,

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SECTION3: HARDWAREPACK

NOTE: Hardware pack may contain extra items which are not used on your unit. Part numbers are shown in

)arentheses.

A IATTACHING THE DECK LINKS B I ATTACHING THE CUTTING DECK

NOTE: This

to the d_k

SECTION4: ASSEMBLINGYOURGARDENTRACTOR

Unpacking

• Remove al] screws and staples frem top ef crate

using a "1/4"hex head secket era screw driver.

• To remove ends, grasp tep beard en the end, and pull towards yeu in a dewnward motien. (A hammer may help). Set panel aside te avoid tire punctures.

• Repeat procedure ter each side of the crate.

• Remove and discard plastic bag which covers unit.

• Loose parts (eperator's manual, steering wheel, battery fluid, chute deflecter, etc.)are en the seat er in a box and wrapped in plastic. Caratul]y cut and remove the plastic wrap. Remeve loose parts frem

the seat and save.

• Remove deck trem beneath the tractor. Make sure that parking brake is released and unit is in neutral.

NOTE: See the controls section of this manual for

location of the parking brake release and the shift lever.

• Push unit off the skid.

• Lay out the contents of the hardware pack on the il]ustrationon page 7 for identification.

IMPORTANT: After assembly, service engine with gasoline, and check oil level as instructed in the engine manual packed seperately with your unit.

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the unit is observed from the driver's seat. facing forward.

ToolsRequired

"1. "1/4"socket wrench or flat blade screwdriver

2. "1/2"wrench er socket wrench ter medels with square steering wheel cap

3. 9/16" wrench er socket wrench

4. Two 7/"16"wrenches or socket wrenches

or mi]k. Follow with mi]k et magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable ei]. If discemtort persists,call physi_

cian immediately. EYES: Flush with cool water for at least "15rainT

utas, then get prompt medical attentien.

c. If acid spi]]s onclething, first dilute itwith

clean water, then neutralize with a solution of ammeniaJ water er baking soda/water.

d. Since battery acid is corrosive, do not peur it

inte any sink ordrain. Betere discarding empty electrolyte containers, rinse them with a neutralizing solutien.

e. NEVER cennect or disconnect charger clips

te battery whi]e the charger is turned en as it can cause sparks.

t. Keep al] lighted materials (cigarettes,

matches, lighters) away from the battery as the hydrogen gas generated during charging

can be combustible.

g. As a further precautien, only charge the

battery in a wellwentilated area.

_'_L WARNING: Keepbattery away from

_ chi]dren. Do not activate battery (fill with battery l acid) unti] battery is actually placed in service.

Be certain to read previous battery warnings before activating the battery.

IdentifyingBatteryType

• Cempare the battery inyour lawn tractor (lecated under the seat) with Figure "1. Type "A" batteries are activated and are ready te use. Type "B" batteries must be fil]ed with battery fluid (acid) and

charged before they are put inte service. Follow

pertinent instructiens.

SettinguptheBattery

WARNING: Always shield eyes, protect skin

and clothing when working near batteries.

Handle battery acid with great care as centact

with itcan burn and blister the skin. Follow the

steps below to ensure safe handling.

a. Wear protective clothing (gegg]es, rubber

g]eves and apren) te work with battery.

b. Should battery acid accidental]y splatter into

the eyes or ento the face, rinse the affected

area immediately with clean cold water. A list ofantidotes are given belew. It there is any

further discomfort, seek medical attention.

Antidote: EXTERNAL--Flush with water.

INTERNAL--Drink large quantities of water

Type A Type B Type B

Figure 1

ChargingtheBattery

TypeABattery

NOTE: ff the battery on your tractor is of the A type, it is

already activated and is ready to use. Sldp the following section of assembly and proceed to Attaching Steering

Wheel You will, however, need to install the battery on

the tractorlater on in the assembly.

Type BBattery

• Lift the heed of the tracter and locate the battery.

See Figure 2. Remeve the wing nuts trem the hold- down reds on twe sides of the battery. Discennect the pesitive cable from the positive terminal. Save the hardware for reassembly.

Hold-Dow_

Rod &

Wing

Nut

Figure 2

Remove the battery from the tractor, paying attention to how the battery is placed on the unit,

and how the drain tube is routed. Activate the battery as instructed in the "Quick

Start" brochure included with the battery fluid. Read

instructions carefully.

NOTE: You can continue assembling the tractor while

battery is standing for 30 minutes (after filling with acid), and later while the battery is being charged.

Remove the steering bellow from the liftlever on

the righthand side of tractor. Place steering bellow

over the steering shaft extending through the dash. See Figure 3.

Hex

Bolt

Washer

Steerin Shaft

Wheel Cap

Steering

Bellow

Figure 3

NOTE: If the openings on each end of the steering

bellow are of two sizes, the smaller end goes down against the dash of the tractor.

Keeping the wheels of the tractor peinting straight

forward, place the steering wheel over the steering

shaft. Place the washer with the cupped side down over the steering shaft. Secure with hex lock belt.

See Figure 3.

NOTE: ff the steering wheel cap is square, you must use a socket wrench.

• Place the steering wheel cap over the center et the steering wheel and adiust te secure.

IMPORT/_: To obtain maximum life frem the battery, it must be charged prior te initial use.

• Charge battery after the 30-minute standing peried following the chart belew.

Battery Part Number Charging Duration Amperes

725-1705D 1 Hour 2-3 725-1707D 1 Hour 6

725-0453G 1 Hour 6

725-1750 1 Hour 6 725-1706 1 Hour 6

NOTE: ff you charge the battery at a fower AMP rate, use a hydrometer to make sure the battery is completely charged. The hydrometer shoufd read 1.260

minimum at an electrolyte temperature of 60-110°F. Do not charge at more than 6amps.

AttachingSteeringWheel

• The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has been packed inside the steering wheel. Carefully pry off the steering wheel cap and remeve hardware for assembly.

AttachingtheSeat

One of two types of seats are used on these garden tractor models: a manual adiustment seat and a quick

adjustment seat. See Figure 4 and Figure 5 to identify which seat is on your unit. Fellew instructionspertaining

te yeur garden tracter medel enly.

ManualAdlustmentSeat

Seat

Pivot

Figure 4

+ 19 hidden pages