MTD 17AK2ACS099 Owner’s Manual

perator_s nual

I:RRFrSMRN°

ZERO=TURN RIDER

24 Hi:), 42" MOWER DECK

Model No. 247,25001

o SAFETY

ASSEMBLY OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

CAUTION: Before using this product, 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

PARTS LIST

o ESPANOL

FormNo.769-07701

(November23,2011)

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

Safe Operation Practices .......................... Pages 3-8

Assembly .................................................. Pages 9-12

Operation .................................................... Pages 13-21

Service and Maintenance ......................... Pages 22-33

Parts List ..................................................... Pages 37-61

Labels ....................................................... Page 62

Repair Protection Agreement ................... Page 68

Espa_ol ..................................................... Page 69

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

Off-Season Storage .................................. Page 34

Troubleshooting ........................................ Page 35-36

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthe dateof purchase,all non-expendablepartsofthis ridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsin materialor workmanship.A defectivenon-expendablepartwill receivefreein-homerepairorreplacementif repairisimpossible.

FOR90 DAYSfromthedateofpurchase,thebattery(anexpendablepart)ofthis ridingequipmentis warrantedagainstany defectsinmaterialor workmanship(ourtestingprovesthat it willnotholda charge).A defectivebatterywillreceivefreein-homereplacement.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailsto obtainfree repairor replacement,call1-800-659-5917or visitthe website: www.craftsman.com Inallcasesabove,if part repairor replacementis impossible,theridingequipmentwillbe replacedfreeofchargewiththesameor anequivalent

model. Allofthe abovewarrantycoverageis voidif thisridingequipmentis everusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorif rentedtoanotherperson.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.Warrantycoveragedoes NOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwear outfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,spark plugs,air cleaners,belts,andoilfilters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,or tune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedby puncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,orglass.

• Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,or improperoperationormaintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedto damagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityofthe ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendthe frame,axleassemblyor crankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper storage,failureto usethe propergradeand amountof engineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe ridingequipmentaccordingto theinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedor oxidized(stale). Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

Normaldeteriorationandwearofthe exteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears Brands ManagementCorporation, Hoffman Estates,IL 60179

EngineOil: SAE30 Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: RC12YC Engine: Briggs& StrattonTwinPlatinumProfessional

ModelNumber Serial Number

Dateof Purchase

Recordthe modelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

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

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failureto complywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuiltto beoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera- tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroron thepartofthe operatorcanresultin serious injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknownto StateofCalifornia tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleandoperate. Keepthis manualina safeplaceforfutureand regularreference andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheir properoperation.Knowhow tostopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofageto operatethis machine.Children14andover shouldreadandunderstandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

• Neverallowadultsto operatethismachinewithoutproper instruction.

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

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used. Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownbythe blade(s). Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperforminganadjustmentorrepairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjuryto the eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycan becaughtin movable parts.Neveroperatethis machinein barefeetor sandals.

• Beawareof themowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand

Your Responsibility--Restrictthe useof thispowermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandon the machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

do notpointitat anyone.Donot operatethemowerwithoutthe dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherinits properplace.

• Donotputhandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting deck.Contactwiththe blade(s)can amputatehandsandfeet.

A missingordamageddischargecovercan causebladecontact or thrownobjectinjuries.

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

• Watchfor trafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineis notintendedforuseonanypublic roadway.

• Donotoperatethemachinewhile undertheinfluenceofalcohol or drugs.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Backup slowly.Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile

backingto avoida back-overaccident.Beawareand payatten- tionto thesafetysystemfunctionthatstopspowertothe blades whendrivingin reverse.Ifnotfuctioningproperly,contactan authorizeddealerfor safetysysteminspectionand repair.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethe machinesmoothly.Avoid erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

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

• Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff blade(s),placedrivecontrollevers inneutral,setparkingbrake, stopengineand removekeybeforedismounting.

• Useextracarewhenloadingor unloadingthemachineintoa

traileror truck.Thismachineshouldnotbe drivenupor down

ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtipover,causingserious personalinjury.Themachinemustbepushedmanuallyon ramp(s)toloadorunloadproperly.

• Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot touch.

• Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow hangingtree branches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthe machine,whichcould resultinseriousinjury.

• Disengageallattachmentclutches,setthe parkingbraketothe 'on'positionandmovethe RHand LHdrivecontrolleverstothe neutralpositionbeforeattemptingto startthe engine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassof a heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpilesof dryleaves.Drygrassor leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfire hazard.

• Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedfor this machine bythe machinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall instructionsprovidedwiththe approvedaccessoryorattachment.

Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheriding mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom seriousinjury.

• If situationsoccurwhicharenot coveredinthismanual,usecare andgoodjudgment.ContacttheCraftsmanHelpLineat1-800-

659-5917for assistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossof controlandtip-over accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeorifyoufeeluneasyon it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartofthismanual to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineona slopedor hilly area.Ifthe slopeis greaterthan15degreesasshownonthe slope gauge,donot operatethismachineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes. Watchfor holes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscan hide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsothatyouwillnot haveto stopwhileon the slope.Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope.Ifthetiresareunableto maintaintraction,disengagethe bladesandproceedslowlyandcarefullystraightdowntheslope.

Followthe manufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor counterweightsto improvestability.

Useextracarewithgrasscatchersorotherattachments.These canchangethestabilityof the machine.

• Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donot makesuddenchangesinspeedor direction.Rapidacceleration

or decelerationcouldcausethefrontof themachineto lift and

rapidlyrollover backwards,whichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

DoNot:

• Donotturnonslopesunlessnecessary;thenturn slowlyuphill

and useextracarewhileturning.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments.Themower couldsuddenlyturnoverif a wheelis overthe edgeofa cliff, ditch,or if an edgecavesin.

• Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the ground.

• Donotuseagrasscatcheron steepslopes.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart, lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing downhill,theextraweighttendsto pushthe ridingmowerand maycauseyouto loosecontrol(e.g.ridingmowermayspeed up,brakingandsteeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmay jack-knifeandcauseridingmowertooverturn).

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccurifthe operatorisnotalert tothe presence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto themachineandthe mowing activity.Theydo notunderstandthe dangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaand inwatchfulcare ofa responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifa childentersthearea.

• Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwayslookbehindanddownfor

smallchildren.

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

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionofa child whomayrunintothe pathof themachine.

• Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofageto operatethismachine. Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshould betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfortowing.Donot attachtowedequipmentexceptat thehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfortowed equipmentandtowingonslopes.

Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment. Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof

tractionandlossof control. Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

Donot shiftto neutralandcoastdownhill. Donottowheavypullbehindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,

lawnroller,etc.)onslopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoingdown hill,the extraweighttendsto pushtheridingmowerandmaycause youto loosecontrol(e.g.ridingmowermayspeedup,brakingand steeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause ridingmowerto overturn).

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline:

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled on yourselforyour clotheswhichcan ignite.Washyourskinand changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron a truckortrailerbed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck

or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimof thefueltankor

containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors.

• Neverremovegascap or addfuelwhiletheengineis hotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

• Neveroverfill fueltank. Filltankto no morethan1/2"belowbottom

offiller necktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.Move

machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlightas ona waterheater,spaceheater, furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

• Allowa machineto coolat leastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunan engineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe

blade(s)andall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe spark plugwireandgroundagainsttheengineto preventunintended starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocompletestop

withinapproximately(5) fivesecondsafteroperatingtheblade disengagementcontrol,ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthethis timeframe,aveyourmachineservicedprofessionallyby Searsor anotherqualifieddealer.

• Regularlycheckthesafetyinterlocksystemforproperfunction,as

describedlaterinthis manual.Ifthe safetyinterlocksystemdoes

notfunctionproperly,haveyourmachineservicedprofessionally

bySearsoranotherqualifieddealer.

• Checkthe blade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s)for damage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked). Replacethe blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.) blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useof partswhichdo not meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis in safeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafety devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

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

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothe machine whilethe engineis running.

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

• Donotchangethe enginegovernorsettingsor over-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeed ofthe engine.

• Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsfor gas,oil,etc. to

protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingto theConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC) andtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct hasan AverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or270hoursof operation.At theendof theAverageUsefulLifehavethe machine inspectedannuallyby Searsoranotherqualifieddealerto ensure thatall mechanicalandsafetysystemsareworkingproperlyand notworn excessively.Failuretodo socan resultinaccidents, injuriesordeath.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoid seriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththe governorsettingcanleadto a runawayengineand causeitto operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.

Notice RegardingEmissions

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

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

SPARK ARRESTOR

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

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,it shouldbe maintainedin effectiveworking orderbythe operator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveis required bylaw (Section4442of the CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthe muffleris availablethroughyournearest engineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,

RO.Box361131Cleveland,Ohio44136-0019.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson themachine beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

READTHEOPERATOR'SMANUAL(S) Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsinthemanual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleand

operate

WARNING--ROTATINGBLADES

Donot puthandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecuttingdeck.Contactwiththeblade(s)can

amputatehandsandfeet.

sJ / _

WARNING--THROWNOBJECTS Thismachinemaypickupandthrowandobjectswhichcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

BYSTANDERS Keepbystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachinewhileitis inoperation.

WARNING--SLOPEOPERATION

Donot operatethismachineona slopegreaterthan15degrees.

DANGER-- ROTATINGBLADES

Toreducetheriskof injury,keephandsandfeetaway.Donotoperateunlessdischargecoveror grass catcheris in itsproperplace.Ifdamaged,replaceimmediately.

15° Slope

(OK)

'_. _ Figure1

(TOO STEEP)

Figure2

15°

dashedline

USETHISSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

IFA SLOPEIS TOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfoldalongthedashedline.

2. Locateaverticalobjectonor behindtheslope(e.g.apole,building,fence, tree,etc.)

3. Align eithersideoftheslopegaugewiththeobject(SeeFigure1andFigure2 ).

4. Adjust gaugeupor downuntilthe leftcornertouchestheslope(SeeFigure1and Figure2).

If thereis agap belowthe gauge,theslopeis too steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-overaccidents whichcan resultin severeinjuryordeath. Do not operatemachine on slopes in excess of 15degrees.All slopesrequireextracaution. Ifyou cannotbackup theslope or if you feeluneasyon it,do not mowit.

Always mow across thefaceof slopes,never mowupand downthe face of slopes.

SET-UP

Moving The Riding mower Manually

Yourridingmower'stransmissionisequippedwithahydrostaticrelief valveforoccasionswhenitisnecessaryto movethe ridingmower manually.Openingthisvalvepermitsthefluidinthe transmissionto bypassitsnormalroute,allowingthereartiresto "freewheel."Toopen thehydrostaticreliefvalve,proceedasfollows:

1. Locatethehydrostaticbypassrodintherearoftheridingmower. SeeFigure1.

Removethetwoshoulderboltsandlocknutsin theseatpanas

showninFigure2.

Seat Pan

Shoulder

Bolt

RH Transmission

Bypass

RodThenLower

IntoSlot

Keyhole Slot

Figure1

2. Pullthehydrostaticbypassrodoutward,thendown,tolockit in place.

3. Repeattheaboveproceduretoengagetheotherbypassrodon theother sideof the ridingmower.

4. Withthe bypassrodsengagedandwiththeaidofanassistant, carefullypushtheridingmoweroffof theshippingpallet.

5. Aftermovingthe ridingmower,disengagebothbypassrods.Lift therodandguidethe flangeof therod backthroughthe larger

circularopeningof thekeyhole,then releasetherod.

NOTE:The transmissionwillNOTengagewhenthehydrostatic bypassrodis pulledout. Returnthe rodto itsnormalpositionpriorto operatingthe ridingmower.

PullOut Bypass

Shoulder

Bolt

Figure2

Rotatetheseatintopositionandsecuretheseatintoplacewith thepreviouslyremovedshoulderboltsand locknuts.Becareful notto crimpordamagethewireharnesswhileinstallingtheseat. See Figure3.

iHarness ii

Seat Bracket /

Neverattemptto movetheridingmowermanuallywithoutfirstopen-

ling thehydrostaticr,elief valve.Doingsowill resultinseriousdamage [to theridingmowers transmission.

Removethedeckwashsystemnozzleadapterandoildraintubefrom themanualbagandstoreforfutureuse.

Install Operator's Seat Toinstallthe seatproceedasfollows:

NOTE:Theseatisshippedwiththe seatswitchandseatpanattached.

1. Cutanystrapssecuringtheseatassemblyandthedrivecontrol leverstothe ridingmower.Removeanypackingmaterial.

NOTE:Becarefulnottocut thewiringharnessconnectingtheseat andtheseatswitch.

Shoulder

Bolts

Figure 3

Position Drive Control levers

Thedrivecontrolleversof theridingmowerareloweredforshipping purposes.Theflangelocknuts,hex screws,andflatwashersthat normallysecurethe controlleversintheiroperatingpositionare

unfastenedandinstalledintheslottedholesofthecontrolleversfor shipment.Thecontrolleversmustbe repositionedtooperatethe

ridingmower.Torepositionthecontrolleversforoperation,proceedas follows:

1. Removethehexscrew,flat washer,andflangelocknutfromthe slotofoneof thedrivecontrollevers.

2. Liftand swingthatcontrolleverupwarduntiltheslottedholeinthe leverbracketalignswithoneof theholesinthepivotbracket.See Figure4.

SlottedHole

Pivot

Connecting the Battery Cables

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknownto theStateof Californiato cause cancerand reproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

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

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycableson yourequipmentmay havebeenleftdisconnectedfromtheterminalsatthe factory.To

connectthe batterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative batteryterminalismarkedNeg.(-).

NOTE:If the positivebatterycable isalreadyattached,skipaheadto step2.

1. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthe positivebattery terminalandattachthe redcableto thepositivebatteryterminal

(+)withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure5.

Figure4

3. Slidetheflatwasherontothe hexscrew.Fromtheoutside,insert thehexscrewwithwasherthroughthecontrolleverslotandthe

holeofthe pivotbracket.Securewiththe flangelocknut.See Figure4.

4. Notethe relativepositionofthecontrollevertothepivotbracket, thenrepeatthepreviousstepsto repositiontheothercontrollever inapproximatelythe same position.

5. Referto"AdjustingtheDriveControlLevers"intheMaintenance& Adjustmentsforinstructionsonthefinaladjustmentofthelevers.

Figure5

2. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthe negativebattery terminalandattachthe blackcableto thenegativebattery terminal(-) withtheboltand hexnut.SeeFig.3-5.

3. Positiontheredrubberbootoverthe positivebatteryterminalto

helpprotectitfromcorrosion.

NOTE:If the batteryisputintoserviceafterthe dateshownon top

or sideof battery,chargethebatteryasinstructedinthe Serviceand

MaintenancesectionyourOperator'sManualpriortooperatingthe ridingmower.

Lower Deck Discharge Chute Deflector Checking Tire Pressure

Neveroperatethemowerdeckwithoutthechutedeflectorinstalled andinthedownposition.

Thedischargechutedeflectormustbe installedbeforeoperatingthe mower.

1. Removethe keysthatareattachedwitha zip tieto thechute bracket.

2. Removetheflangelocknutsfromthedeck.Donotremovethe pushnutsor carriagebolts;leavingthemin placewill aidin installingthe chute.SeeFigure6.

,//

Carriage Bolts

Donot overinflatetires.Checksidewallof tiresformaximumpsi. Equaltire pressureshouldbemaintainedatall times.

Thetiresonyour ridingmowermaybe overinflatedfor shipping purposes.Reducethetirepressurebeforeoperatingtheridingmower. Checksidewallof tiresfor maximumpsi.

Adjusting the Gauge Wheels

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthe dischargeopeningof thecutting

deck.

NOTE:Thedeckgaugewheelsarean anti-scalpfeatureof the deck andare notdesignedtosupportthe weightofthe cuttingdeck.

Themowerdeckcuttingheightcanbe setinanyof sixheightsettings usingthe ridingmower'sdecklift handle.Thedeckheightsrangefrom

1-1/2"to4".The deckgaugewheelpositionshouldbeapproximately 1/4"to 1/2"abovethegroundwhenthedeckissetin thedesiredheight

setting.

Usingthelifthandle,setthedeckinthedesiredheightsetting,then checkthe gaugewheeldistancefromthegroundbelow.If necessary adjustasfollows:

1. Visuallycheckthedistancebetweenthefrontgaugewheelandthe ground.Ifthe gaugewheelisnearortouchingtheground,itshould be raised.If morethan1/2"abovetheground,itshouldbelowered.

2. Removetheflangelocknutsecuringthefrontgaugewheel shoulderbolttothe deck.Removethegaugewheelandshoulder bolt. RefertoFigure8.

Figure6

3. Installthedischargechutedeflectorusingthecarriagebolts, pushnutsandflangelocknutsasshownin Figure7 andsecurely tightenthehardware.

Flange Lock 6

Discharge

Chute

Deflector

Push

Carriage Bc

Figure7

Gauge Wheel

ShoulderBolt_ LockNut

Flange

Figure8

Insert the shoulder bolt into the one of four index holes in the

front gauge wheel bracket that will give the gauge wheel a Y4" to W' clearance with the ground and secure with the flange

1 1 gauge wheel bracket on the deck.

locknut.

4. Note the index hole of the just adjusted wheel, and adjust the rear gauge wheel into the respective index holes of the other

Adjusting the Seat Toadjustthe positionofthe seat,pullupand holdthe seatadjustment

lever.Slidetheseatforwardor rearwardto thedesiredposition;then releasetheadjustmentlever.Makesureseatislockedintoposition beforeoperatingthe ridingmower.See Figure9.

5. Replacethefuelcapandtightensecurely.Wipeupspilledfuel beforestartingengine.IffuelisspilledDONOTstartengine.Move ridingmowerawayfromareaof spillage.Avoidcreatinganysource

ofignitionuntilfuelvaporsaregone.

Checking and Adding Oil

Yourridingmoweris shippedwithoilintheengine.However,youMUST

m J

Figure9

GAS AND OIL

Fuel Recommendations

Useautomotivegasoline(unleadedor low leadedtominimizecombus- tionchamberdeposits)witha minimumof87octane.Gasolinewith upto 10%ethanolor 15%MTBE(MethylTertiaryButylEther)canbe used.Neveruse anoil/gasolinemixtureordirtygasoline.Avoidgetting dirt,dust,or waterin the fueltank. DONOTuse E85gasoline.

• Refuelina well-ventilatedareawiththe enginestopped.Donot smokeorallowflamesorsparksintheareawheretheengineis refueledorwheregasolineis stored.

Donotoverfillthefuel tank.Afterrefueling,makesurethetank capis closedproperlyandsecurely.

Becarefulnotto spillfuelwhenrefueling.Spilledfuelor fuelvapor mayignite.Ifanyfuel isspilled,makesuretheareais drybefore startingtheengine.

Avoidrepeatedorprolongedcontactwithskinor breathingof vapor.

Adding Fuel

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelthe ridingmower indoorsorwhiletheengineis hotor running.Extinguishcigarettes, cigars,pipesand othersourcesofignition.

checkthe engineoil levelbeforeeachuseasinstructedinthe IAlways

Serviceand Maintenancesection.Addoilas necessary.Failuretodo I

[so mayresut nser ousdamagetoyourengne. J

1. Placetheridingmoweron a flat,levelsurface.

2. Removetheoilfillercap/dipstickandwipethedipstickclean.See Figure10.

Figure10

3. Insertthecap/dipstickintothe oilfillerneck,butdonot screwit in.

4. Removetheoilfillercap/dipstick.Ifthe levelislow,slowlyaddoil untiloillevel registersbetweenFULLandADD,Figure9.

NOTE:Do notoverfill.Overfillingwithoil maycausesmoking,hard starting,or sparkplugfouling.

5. Replaceandtightencap/dipstickfirmly beforestartingengine.

NOTE:DO NOTallowoil leveltofall belowthe ADDmarkonthe

dipstick.Doingsomayresultinequipmentmalfunctionsor damage.

NOTE:Tochangetheoil inyourengine,seethe Serviceand Maintenancesectionof thismanual.

1. Besureengineisoutdoorsandin awell-ventilatedarea.

2. Cleanareaaroundthefuelfillcapandremovethefuelfillcap.

3. Usingan approvedredGASOLINEcontainer,addfuelslowly,being carefulto avoidspilling.

4. Fillthetankuntilthefuelreachesthebottomofthefueltankneck.

Deck Lift

Deck Height Handle

Throttle/Choke Control

Hour Meter/

indicator Panel

SeatAdjustmentLever

FuelTankCap

Parking

// _ / -PTOSwitch

LH Drive RH Drive nition Switch

Control Lever Control Lever

Cup Holder

Storage Tray

Figure11 Nowthat youhavesetup yourridingmower,it'simportanttobecome ofthe operator'sseat. acquaintedwith itscontrolsandfeatures.Referto Figure11.

NOTE:ReferencestoLEFT,RIGHT,FRONT,andREARindicatethatposi- tionontheridingmowerwhenfacingforwardwhileseatedintheoperator's

seat.

DECK HEIGHT iNDEX

Thedeckheightindexconsistsof sixindexnotcheslocated onthefront/rightof theseatboxframe.Eachnotchcor- respondsto a 1/2"changeinthedeck heightpositionranging from1-1/2"atthe lowestnotchto 4inchesatthehighest

notch.

DECK LiFT HANDLE

Thedecklift handleis locatedon the front!rightof the seat boxframe,andisusedto raiseand lowerthemowerdeck.

Pullthehandletotheleftoutoftheindexnotchandpush

STORAGE TRAY

Thestoragetrayislocatedatthe rearofthe RHconsole.

RH AND LH DRIVE CONTROL LEVERS

TheRHandLH controlleversarelocatedon eachsideofthe opera- tor'sseat.Thesehingedleverspivotoutwardtoopenspacetopermit theoperatortoeither sitin theridingmowerseat,orto dismountthe

ridingmower.Theleversmustbefullyopenedoutand intheneutral

positionto starttheridingmowerengine.

Eachlevercontrolsthe respectiveRHorLH transmission.Conse-

quently,theseleverscontrolallof themovementsof theridingmower.

Drivingand steeringutilizingthesecontrolleversis quitedifferentfrom

conventionalridingmowers,andwill takesomepracticetomaster.

Refertothe Drivingthe Ridingmowersectionfor instructionsonusing

thecontrollevers.

downwardto lowerthedeck,orpullupwardto raisethedeck. Whenthedesiredheightisattained,movethelifthandleto the rightuntilfullyintheindexnotch.

CUP HOLDER

Thecup holderislocatedtowardtherearofthe RHconsoletotheright

Meets ANSi Safety Standards

CraftsmanTillersconformto thesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI)

iGNiTiON SWITCH

Theignitionswitchis locatedon theRHconsoleto therightofthe operator'sseat.Theignitionswitch hasthree positions.

STOP_ -- Theengineandelectri- calsystemisturnedoff.

RUN_ -- Theridingmowerelectricalsystemisenergized. START_ -- Thestartermotorwillturnovertheengine.Releasethe

keyimmediatelywhentheenginestarts NOTE:Topreventaccidentalstartingand/or batterydischarge,

removethe keyfromtheignitionswitchwhenthe ridingmowerisnot

inuse.

RUN_ I

POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) SWITCH

ThePTOswitchislocatedonthe RHconsoletothe rightof theopera- tor'sseat.ThePTOswitchoperatestheelectricPTOclutchmounted onthebottomoftheenginecrankshaft.Pullthe switchknobupward toengagethe PTOclutch,or pushtheknob downwardto disengage theclutch.The PTOswitchmustbeinthe"disengaged"positionwhen startingtheengine.

TRANSMiSSiON BYPASS RODS

Thetransmissionbypassrods(onefor eachthe RHandLHtransmis- sion)arelocatedbeneaththeframeplatform,justinsideeach rear

wheel. Whenengaged,the two rodsopena bypasswithinthe hydrostatic

transmissions,whichallowstheridingmowerto be pushedshort distancesby hand.Referto theAssemblysectionforinstructionson usingthe bypassfeature.

Nevertowyourridingmower.Towingthe ridingmowerwiththe rear wheelsonthe groundmaycauseseveredamageto thetransmissions.

SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

Theseatadjustmentleverislocatedbelowthefront!leftoftheseat. Theleverallowsforadjustmentoftheforetoaft positionofthe operator'sseat.Referto Serviceand Maintenanceforinstructionson adjustingthe seatposition.

FUEL TANK CAP

Thefuel tankcapislocatednearthemiddleoftheLHconsole.Turn thefill capapproximately1/4turnandpull upwardtoremove.Thefuel capistetheredto the ridingmowerto preventitsloss.Do notattempt toremovethecapfromthe ridingmower.

Pushthecapdownwardonthe fueltankfill neckand turnapproxi- mately1/4turnclockwisetotightenAlwaysre-installthe fuelcap tightly ontothe fueltankafter removing.

Neverfillthe fueltankwhentheengineis running.Ifthe engineis hotfrom recentlyrunning,allowtocoolforseveralminutesbefore refueling.Highlyflammablegasolinesplashingontoa hot engine

couldcausea fire.

HOUR METER/INDICATOR

PANEL

Thehourmeter/indicatorpanelislocatedonthe

LHconsoletotheIdtd theoperator'sseat.

Hour Meter Features

Thehourmeterrecordsthehoursthatthe

ridingmowerhasbeenoperatedinthedigital

display(tenthsofanhour-- rightmostdigit).

NOTE:Thehourmeterisactivatedwhenevertheignitionswitchisturned

totheRUN_ position.Keepa recordof theactualhoursof operation toassureallmaintenanceproceduresarecompletedaccordingtothe

instructionsintheServiceandMaintenancesectionof thismanual.

Whenkeyis turnedto theRUN_ position,thebatteryindicatorlight

brieflyilluminatesandthebatteryvoltageis brieflydisplayed.The displaythenchangestotheaccumulatedhours. TheIndicatorMonitorwillalsoremindtheoperatorofmaintenanceinter-

valsforchangingtheengineoil.TheLCDwillalternatelyflash,CHG;OIL andtherecordedhoursforfiveminutesafterevery50hoursof recorded

operation.Themaintenanceintervallastsfortwohours(from50-52,100-

102,150-152,etc.).TheLCDwillflashasdescribedforfiveminutesevery timetheridingmower'sengineisstartedduringthismaintenanceinterval.

FollowtheoilchangeintervalsprovidedintheServiceandMaintenance

sectionofthisoperator'smanual.

indicator Panel Features

Battery Indicator

Illuminatesandthe batteryvoltageisdisplayedbrieflywhenthe ignition

switchitturnedtothe RUN_ position.

Illuminatesto indicatethe batteryvoltagehasdroppedbelow11.5(+0.5/-

1.0)volts,andthevoltageis displayedonthe hourmeter.Ifthisindicator

anddisplaycomeonduringoperation,checkthebatteryandcharging

systemforpossiblecausesand/orcall1-800-659-5917to schedule

ridingmowerinspectionservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

Oil PressureIndicator (if EngineSo Equipped) Thiswarninglampindicateslowengineoilpressure.Iftheindicatorcomes

onwhiletheengineis running,stoptheengineimmediatelyandcheckfor

possiblecauses.Donotruntheenginewhilethisindicatorisilluminated.

Call1-800-659-5917toscheduleservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

NOTE:Theoil_ressureindicatormayilluminatewhentheignitionswitch

isin the RUN0 position,butshouldturnoffwhentheengineisstarted.

PTOEngagedIndicator ThisindicatorilluminateswhenthePTOswitchis pulledupwardinthe

ENGAGEDpositionandtheignitionswitchisturnedtothe START

position.Checkthisindicatoriftheenginewillnotcrankwiththeignition

switchinthe START_ position.Ifnecessary,movethePTOswitchto theDISENGAGEDposition.

ParkingBrake Engaged Indicator Thisindicatorilluminateswhenthe parkingbrakeisin the DISEN-

GAGEDpositionandtheignitionswitchisturnedtothe START

position.Checkthis indicatoriftheenginewill notcrankwiththe

ignitionswitchinthe START_ position.Ifnecessary,movethe

parkingbraketo theENGAGEDposition. Thisindicatoralsoilluminateswhentheignitionswitchisturnedtothe

START_ positionandtheRHand/orLHdrivecontrolleversare in a positionotherthanthefullyout in neutralposition.Movethe control

leversfullyoutward.

THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL

Thethrottle/chokecontrolislocatedonthe LHconsoleto theleftof theoperator'sseat.Whensetina givenposition,a

uniformenginespeedwill bemaintained. Pushthethrottle/chokecontrolhandleforwardtoincrease

theenginespeed.Theridingmowerisdesignedtooperate withthethrottle/chokecontrolintheFAST_ position

whentheridingmoweris beingdrivenandthemowerdeck isengaged. Pullthethrottle/chokecontrolhandlerearwardtodecrease

theenginespeed. Whenstartingtheengine,pushthecontrolhandlefully

forwardintothe CHOKEI'_,1position. Afterstartingandwarmingtheengine,movethe controlhandle

rearwarduntilyoufeel it movepastthechokedetent.

PARKING BRAKE ENGAGEMENT LEVER

Theparkingbrakeengagementleveris locatedonthefront/ leftofthe seatboxframe,andis usedtoengagethe parking

brake. Pulltheleverfullyupwardandtothe left;thenlowerintothe

short"J"slottoengagethe brake. Pulltheleverupoutof the"J"slotandto theright;then lower

completelyto disengagetheparkingbrake. NOTE:Ifthe LHandRHdrivecontrolleversarenotfully

openedoutto eachsidein theneutralpositionwhenengag- ingtheparkingbrake,theenginewill stop.The parkingbrake mustbe placedin theengagedpositionwhenstartingthe ridingmowerengine.

GENERAL SAFETY

• RECEIVEINSTRUCTION-- Entirelyreadthisoperator'smanual. Learnto operatethismachineSAFELY.Donot riskINJURYor DEATH.Allowonlythosewho havebecomecompetentin its

usageto operatethisridingmower.

• Beforestartingtheengineor beginningoperation,be familiarwith

thecontrols.Theoperatorshouldbein theoperator'sseat.The

PTOswitchmustbein thedisengagedposition,theparkingbrake

engaged,andthe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversmovedfully outwardin theneutralposition.

• Keepallshieldsin place.Keepawayfrommovingparts.

• NORIDERS!Keepall peopleandpetsa safedistanceaway. Lookbehindanddowntobothsidesoftheridingmowerbefore

andwhilebackingup.

• DONOTdirectthemowerdischargeatpeople.

• Avoidslopeswherepossible.Neveroperateon slopesgreater

than15°.Slopeswitha greaterinclinepresentdangerousoperat- ing conditions.Ridingmowerscanbe rolledover.

• Beforeleavingtheoperator'sseat:ShutoffthePTO,move

the RHand LHdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardin the neutral position,engagetheparkingbrake_:_, shutoff theengineand

removethe ignitionkey.Waitforall movementto stopbefore

servicingorcleaning.

• Operatethedrivecontrolleverssmoothlyandavoidanysudden

movementsofthe leverswhenstartingandstopping.Keepafirm gripon thecontrollevers.

• Becarefulwhenoperatingnearroadways.Stoptheridingmower

motionandwaitforvehiclestopassbeforeoperatingalongthe

road.

• Donotoperatetheridingmowerwiththe mowerdeckremoved. Removalofthe deckwillchangethebalanceofthe ridingmower,

andcouldcontributetoa ridingmowerrollover.

• Avoidoperationontractionsurfacesthatare unstable;use

extremecautionif thesurfaceis slippery.

• Slowdown beforeturningandcometo a completestopbefore

anyzeroturnmaneuver.

• Donotstoptheridingmoweror parktheridingmowerover

combustiblematerialssuchasdry grass,leaves,debris,etc.

• Donotfillthefueltankwhentheengineis runningor whilethe

engineishot.Allowtheengineseveralminutesto coolbefore

refueling.Tightenthe fuelcap securely.

BEFORE OPERATING YOUR RiDiNG MOWER

• Beforeyouoperatetheridingmower,studythismanualcarefully tofamiliarizeyourselfwiththeoperationofallthe instrumentsand controls.Ithasbeenpreparedtohelpyouoperateandmaintain yourridingmowerefficiently.

• Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonlyonclean,fresh,unleadedregu- largasoline.Forbestresults,fill thefueltankwithonlyclean,fresh, unleadedgasolinewithapumpstickeroctaneratingof87orhigher.

• Unleadedgasolineis recommendedbecauseitleavesless combustionchamberdepositsand reducesharmfulexhaust emissions.Leadedgasolineis notrecommendedand mustnotbe usedwhereexhaustemissionsareregulated.

NOTE:Purchasegasolineinsmallquantities.Donotusegasolineleftover fromthe previousseason,tominimizegumdepositsinthefuelsystem.

• Gasohol(upto 10%ethylalcohol,90% unleadedgasolineby volume)isanapprovedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblendsare notapproved.

• MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends (uptoa maximumof 15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels. Othergasoline/etherblendsarenotapproved.

• Checktheengineoil level.

• Cleantheair cleanerelementif necessary.

• Checkthetireinflationpressures.

• Adjusttheseatforoperator'smaximumcomfort,visibilityandfor

maintainingcompletecontrolofthe ridingmower.

SAFETY iNTERLOCK SYSTEM

Thisridingmowerisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystemforthe protectionoftheoperator.Ifthe interlocksystemshouldevermalfunc- tion,donotoperatetheridingmower.Call 1-800-659-5917to schedule servicefromSearsParts& Repair.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromcranking orstartingunlessthe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversaremoved fullyoutwardto eachsidein theneutralposition,theparking brakeisengaged,andthe PTOis disengaged.

• Toavoidsuddenmovementwhendisengagingthe parkingbrake, thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoffthe engineifthe RHand/ or LHdrivecontrolleversare movedto a positionotherthan thefullyout intheneutralpositionwhenthe parkingbrakeis engaged.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutofftheengineiftheoperator leavestheseatbeforeengagingthe parkingbrake.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutofftheengineiftheoperator leavestheseatwiththe PTOengaged,regardlessof whetherthe parkingbrakeisengaged.

NOTE:The PTOswitchmustbe movedto the"OFF"positionto restart theengine.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoffthe PTOandthe mower bladeswillstopif bothdrivecontrolleversare movedintothe reverseposition.ThePTOwillre-engagewhenoneor bothof the leversaremovedbacktoeither theneutralorforwardposition.

STARTING THE ENGINE

Thisridingmowerisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystemdesignee forthe protectionofthe operator.Donotoperatethe ridingmowerif anypartofthe interlocksystemis malfunctioning.Periodicallycheck thefunctionsofthe interlocksystemforproperoperation.

Forpersonalsafety,theoperatormustbesittingintheridingmower

seatwhenstartingtheengine.

1. Operatormustbesittinginthe ridingmowerseatwithbothdrive controlleversoutwardto eachsidein theneutral/startposition.

2. EngagetheparkingbrakeO. Referto Figure12.

LHControlLever RHControlLever

Outin I_eutral Out in Neutral

ParkingBreak

-- Engaged

ThrottleControl / ( PTOSwitchinDown FullyForwardto / __ (Disengaged)Position

CHOKEPosition

Figure12

3. MakecertainthePTOswitchisin the disengaged(down)posi- tion. Referto Figure12.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverfullyforwardintotheCHOKEt"°,1

position.

NOTE:Iftheengineiswarmedup,it maynotbe necessarytoplace

thethrottle/chokecontrolinthe CHOKE!'_1position.

5. Turnthe ignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTART_ positionand

releaseitassoonasthe enginestarts;however,do not crank theenginecontinuouslyfor morethan5 secondsata time.If the enginedoesnot startwithinthis time,turnthe keytoSTOP andwaitat least15secondstoallowtheengine'sstartermotor tocool.Tryagainafterwaiting.Ifaftera fewattemptstheengine failstostart,do not keeptryingto startit withthechokeclosedas thiswillcausefloodingandmakestartingmoredifficult.

6. Astheenginewarmsup,graduallypullthethrottle/chokecontrollever rearwardpastthechokedetentposition.Donotusethechokeposition

toenrichthefuelmixture,exceptasnecessarytostarttheengine.

7. Allowtheengineto runfora fewminutesatmidthrottlebefore puttingtheengineunderload.

8. Observethehourmeter/ indicatorpanel.Ifthe batteryindicator lightoroil pressurelightcomeon,immediatelystoptheengine. Call1-800-659-5917toscheduleridingmowerinspectionservice

fromSearsParts& Repair.

ColdWeatherStarting Whenstartingtheengineattemperaturesnearorbelowfreezing,

ensurethecorrectviscositymotoroilisusedintheengineandthe batteryisfullycharged.Starttheengineasfollows:

1. Besurethebatteryisingoodcondition.Also,awarmbatteryhas muchmorestartingcapacitythanacoldbattery.

2. Usefreshwintergradefuel.Wintergradegasolinehashighervolatility toimprovestarting.Donotusegasolineleftoverfromsummer.

3. FollowthepreviousinstructionforStartingtheEngine.

UsingJumper CablesTo Start Engine

Batteriescontainsulfuricacidandproduceexplosivegasses.Make certaintheareaiswellventilated,wearglovesandeyeprotection,

land avod sparksor famesnearthe battery. Ifthe batterychargeis notsufficienttocranktheengine,rechargethe

battery.Ifa batterychargeris unavailableandtheridingmowermust be started,the aidof aboosterbatterywillbenecessary.Connectthe

boosterbatteryasfollows:

1. Connecttheendofonecabletothedisabledridingmowerbat- tery'spositiveterminal;thenconnecttheotherendof thatcableto theboosterbattery'spositiveterminal.

2. Connectoneendof theothercabletotheboosterbattery's negativeterminal;thenconnecttheotherendofthatcableto the frameof thedisabledridingmower,asfarfromthe batteryas possible.

3. Startthedisabledridingmowerfollowingthe normalstarting instructionspreviouslyprovided;thendisconnectthejumper

cablesin theexact reverseorderof theirconnection.

4. Havetheridingmower'selectricalsystemcheckedand repaired assoonaspossibleto eliminatethe needforjump starting.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

1. Placethe PTOswitchinthe OFFposition.

2. Movethe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardin the neutralposition.

3. EngagetheparkingbrakeO.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontroltomidwaybetweentheSLOW"_ andFAST_ positions.

5. Turntheignitionkeytothe STOP_ positionand removethekey fromtheignitionswitch.

NOTE:Alwaysremovethe keyfromtheignitionswitchtopreventacci- dentalstartingor batterydischargeiftheequipmentisleft unattended.

PRACTICE OPERATION (INITIAL USE) Operatinga zero-turnridingmowerisnotlikeoperatingaconventional

typeridingridingmower.Becausea zeroturnridingmoweris more maneuverable,gettingusedtooperatingthecontrolleverstakessome

practice. Westronglyrecommendthatyoulocatea reasonablylarge,levelandopen

"practicearea"wheretherearenoobstructions,pedestrians,oranimals.You shouldpracticeoperatingthendingmowerforaminimumof30minutes.

Carefullymove-- orhaveanexperiencedusermove--the ridingmower tothepracticearea.Whenperformingthe practicesession,the PTO

shouldnotbeengaged.Whilepracticing,operatetheridingmower atapproximately1/2to 3/4throttleandat lessthanfull speedinboth forwardandreverse.

Carefullypracticemaneuveringtheridingmowerandproceedto driveas describedin thefollowingDrivingtheRidingmowerForwardsection.

DRIVING THE RIDING MOWER

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops. ]

1. Adjusttheoperator'sseattothe mostcomfortablepositionthat allowsyouto operatethecontrols.See"AdjustingtheSeat" the Assemblysection.

2. Releasetheparkingbrake_:_.

3. MovetheRHand LHdrivecontrolleversinwardin theneutral position.Referto Figure13.

Control Lever Moved

inward and in Neutral

Figure13

NOTE:Ifthe controlleversarenoteven intheneutralposition,refer to ServiceandMaintenancefor instructionstoadjustthe leverssothat theyareeven.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverforwardtothe FAST (fullthrottle)position.

NOTE:Althoughtheridingmower'sengineisdesignedto runat full throttle,whenperforminga practicesessiontheridingmowermustbe operatedatlessthanfullthrottle.Thisonlyappliesto practice.

Alwaysmaintainafirm griponthe controllevers.DONOTreleasethe controlleversto slowor stopthe ridingmower;moveleversto neutral positionusingyour hands.

5. Todrive theridingmower,firmlygrasptherespectivedrivecontrol leverswithyourrightandleft handsandcontinuewithDrivingthe

RidingmowerForwardon thefollowingpage.

Driving the Riding mowerForward

Turning the Riding mower While Driving Forward

Keepall movementof thedrivecontrolleversslowandsmooth.

Abruptmovementofthe controlleverscanaffectthe stabilityofthe

ridingmowerandcouldcausetheridingmowerto flipover,which mayresultin seriousinjury ordeathto theoperator.

Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrive controlleversforward.The ridingmowerwill startto moveforward.SeeFigure14.

Driving Forward

Faster

Whenreversingthedirectionof travel,werecommendperforming gradual'U' turnswherepossible.Sharperturnsincreasethepossibil- ity ofturfdefacement,andcouldaffectcontrolofthe ridingmower. ALWAYSslowtheridingmowerbeforemakingsharpturns.

Toturn theridingmowerwhiledrivingforward,movethecontrollevers as necessarysothat oneleveris rearwardd the other.The riding

mowerwill turninthe directionof the rearwardcontrollever.

1. Toturntotheleft,movetheleftdrivecontrolleverrearwardofthe rightlever.SeeFigure15.

Figure14

2. Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherforwardthespeedofthe ridingmowerwill increase.

3. Toslowthe ridingmowermovethecontrolsleverrearwardto attainthedesiredspeed,ormovetheleverstotheneutralposition tostopthe ridingmower.

Alwaysmaintainyourgraspon the drivecontrollevers.Donot release the leversto slowthe ridingmowerorto returntoneutral.

Figure15

2. Toturn tothe right,movetherightdrivecontrollever rearwardof theleft lever.SeeFigure16.

ForwardRightTurn F

-oZ-

Figure16

3. Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthetwolevers,the

sharpertheridingmowerwillturn.

4. Toexecutea"zeroturn"movetheturnsidedrivecontrolleverto theinwardneutralposition,whilemovingtheothercontrollever

forward.

NOTE:Makingazeroturnongrasswillgreatlyincreasethepotential fordefacementoftheturf.

Driving the Riding mower in Reverse

Turning While Driving Rearward

1. Toturntheridingmowerwhiledrivingrearward,movethecontrol leversasnecessaryso thatoneleverisforwardofthe other.The

ridingmowerwillturninthedirectionof theforwardcontrollever.

Toturn tothe leftwhiletravelinginreverse,movethe left drive controlleverforwardofthe rightlever.See Figure18.

1. Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrivecontrolleversrearward.The ridingmowerwill startto moveinthe reversedirection.SeeFigure

17.

Figure17

Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherrearwardthe speedof the ridingmowerwill increase.

Toslowthe ridingmowermovethecontrolsleverforwardto attain thedesiredspeed,or movetheleversto theneutralpositionto stoptheridingmower.

Rearward Left Turn

Figure18

Toturn tothe rightwhiletravelinginreverse,movetherightdrive controlleverforwardoftheleft lever.SeeFigure19.

Rearward Right Turn

Figure19

4. Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthetwolevers,the sharperthe ridingmowerwillturn.

5. Toexecutea zeroturn,movethe turnsidedrivecontrolleverto theneutralposition,whilemovingtheother controlleverrearward.

NOTE:Makinga zeroturnon grasswill greatlyincreasethepotential fordefacementoftheturf.

Executing a Zero Turn

ingazeroturnwhiletheridingmoweris movingcansignificantlyreduceyour

Whenexecutingazeroturn,theridingmowerMUSTBESTOPPED.Execut- controloftheridingmowerandwillcausesevereturfdefacementtooccur.

1. Stoptheforwardor reversemotionoftheridingmowerbymoving thetwodrivecontrolleverstoneutral.

2. Toturnclockwise,movetheleftcontrolleverforwardwhilesimulta- neouslymovingtherightcontrolleverrearward.SeeFigure20.

Clockwise Zero Turn

Figure20

Toturncounterclockwise,movetherightcontrolleverforwardwhile simultaneouslymovingtheleftcontrolleverrearward.SeeFigure21.

Counterclockwise

Zero Turn

STOPPING THE RIDING MOWER

1. Movebothdrivecontrolleverstothe neutralpositiontostopthe motionof theridingmower.

2. Pushthe PTOswitchdownwardtothe DISENGAGEDposition.

3. Usethedecklift handleto raisethe decktoitshighestposition.

4. Ifdismountingtheridingmower,movethe drivecontrolleversfully outwardintheneutralposition,engagethe parkingbrakeO, move thethrottle/chokecontrollevertothe FAST_ position,turnthe

ignitionswitchto STOP_ andremovethekeyfromtheswitch.

Donot leavetheseatofthe ridingmowerwithoutdisengagingthe

PTO, movingdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardin the neutralposition, andengagingthe parkingbrake,if leavingtheridingmowerunat- tended,turnthe ignitionkeyoffand removekey.

DRIVING ON SLOPES

Referto theslopegaugeinthe SafeOperationSectiontohelp

determineslopeswhereyoumaynot operatesafely.

Donot operateoninclineswitha slopein excessof15degrees(a

riseof approximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).The ridingmowercould overturnandcauseseriousinjury.

1. Alwaysdriveacrossslopes,neverupanddown.Controlthe speedanddirectionof theridingmowerusingprimarilythe control leveronthedownhillsideofthe ridingmower,withtheuphill

controlleverremainingessentiallyina fixedposition.

2. Avoidturningdownhillif possible.Startat thebottomof a slope andworkupward.Alwaysslowdownbeforeturning.

3. Useextracareandgo slowlywhenturningdownhill.

OPERATING THE PTO

Operatethe PTOclutchas follows:

1. Movethe throttle/chokecontrollevertoapproximatelythemid throttleposition.

2. Pullthe PTOswitchupwardtothe ENGAGEDposition.

3. Advancethethrottle/chokelevertotheFAST_? position(full throttle).

4. Theoperatormustremainintheridingmowerseatatalltimes.If theoperatorshouldleavetheseatwithoutturningoffthe power take-offswitch,theridingmower'senginewillshutoff.

5. ThePTOclutchcannotbeoperatedwhenthe ridingmoweris drivingin the reversedirection.ThePTOwilldisengagewhen

bothdrivecontrolleversaremovedtothe reverseposition,and

willre-engagewhenone(or both)controllever(s)is movedto the

neutralorforwardposition.

Figure21

USING THE MOWER DECK

l Makecertaintheareato be mowedisfreeof debris,sticks,stones,

wireorother objectsthatcan bethrownbythe rotatingblades. ]

NOTE:Donotengagethe mowerdeckwhenloweredingrass. Prematurewearand possiblefailureofthe 'V" beltand PTOclutch willresult.Fullyraisethe deckormovetoa non-grassyareabefore engagingthe mowerdeck.

1. Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Ifmowinga slope,startat bottomandworkupwardtoensureturnsaremadeuphill.

2. Onthefirst passpicka pointon the oppositesideof theareato be mowed.

3. Engagethe PTOclutchusingthe PTOswitchandmovethe throttle/chokecontrolto theFAST_ position.

4. Lowerthemowerdecktothe desiredheightsettingusingthelift handle.

5. Slowlyandevenlypushthe RHandLHdrivecontrollevers forwardtomovethe ridingmowerforward,andkeepthe riding mowerheadeddirectlytowardthealignmentpoint.

NOTE:The speedof theridingmowerwill affectthequalityof the mowercut.Mowingatfullspeedwilladverselyaffectthecut quality. Controlthegroundspeedwiththecontrollevers.

6. Whenapproachingtheotherendof thestrip, slowdownor stop beforeturning.AU-turnis recommendedunlessa zeroturn is required.

7. Alignthe mowerwithan edgeof themowedstripandoverlap approximately3".

8. Directthe ridingmoweroneachsubsequentstripto alignwitha previouslycut strip.

9. Topreventruttingor groovingof theturf, ifpossible,changethe directionthatthe stripsare mowedbyapproximately450for the nextandeachsubsequentmowing.

CHECKING SAFETY iNTERLOCK CiRCUiTS

Periodicallycheckthesafetyinterlockcircuitstoensuretheyare

workingproperly.If a safetycircuitis notworkingasdesigned,call

1-800-659-5917to scheduleridingmowerinspectionservicefrom SearsParts& Repair.DONOToperatethe ridingmowerifany safety circuitis notfunctioningproperly.Tocheckthe safetycircuits,proceed

asfollows:

1. Sittingin theridingmowerseatwithbothdrivecontrollevers openedfullyoutward,DISENGAGEthe parkingbrake0 and

momentarilyturn theignitionswitchtothe START_ position. Theengineshouldnotcrank.

2. Engagetheparkingbrake0 andpullthePTOswitchupwardto the ENGAGEDposition.Momentarilyturnthe ignitionswitchto theSTART_ position;theengineshouldnotcrank.

3. PushthePTOswitchdownwardtotheDISENGAGEDposition and ENGAGEtheparkingbrake0. Starttheengineandmove oneofthe drivecontrolleversfromthe fullyoutwardneutral position.Theengineshouldstoprunning.Repeattheprocedure withtheoppositecontrollever.

4. Movebothcontrolleversfullyoutwardinthe neutralpositionand

DISENGAGEtheparkingbrake0; then liftupwardfromthe

operator'sseat.The engineshouldstop.

5. Withbothcontrolleversfullyoutwardintheneutralpositionand theparkingbrakeENGAGED0, ENGAGEthe PTO.Liftupward fromtheoperator'sseat;theengineshouldstop.

6. Startthe ridingmower,DISENGAGEtheparkingbrake0, and movethecontrolleversinwardtothe neutraloperatingposition.

ENGAGEthe PTOand movebothcontrolleverslowlyintothe slowreverseposition;thePTOshoulddisengageandthemower deckshouldstopuntiloneor bothof thecontrolleversis moved tothe neutralorforwardposition.

Becarefulwhencrossinggravelpathsor driveways.Disengagethe

PTOandraisethedeckto thehighestpositionbeforecrossing.

NOTE:Whenstoppingtheridingmowerfor anyreasonwhileona grasssurface,always:

• Placethecontrolleversinneutral,

• Engagethe parkingbrake8,

• Shutengineoff andremovethekey.

• Doingso willminimizethe possibilityof havingyourlawn "browned"byhotexhaustfromyourridingmower'srunning engine.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeof maintenance/service,disengageall controlsandstopthe engine.Waituntilall movingpartshavecome toacompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireand grounditagainst theengineto preventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglasses duringoperationorwhile performingany adjustmentsor repairs.

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumnto keeptrack ofcompletedmaintenancetasks.To schedule service from Sears Parts& Repair,call 1-800-659-5917.

Eachuse

Every25 hours

Every50 hours

Every100hours

Every500 hours Everyseason/Before

storage

Aftermowing

OnceMonthly

1. Engineoillevel.

2. Gasoline

3. Mowerand exhaustarea

4. HydraulicTransaxle

5. Tiresand pressure

6. Deck,moweranddrivebelts

7. Bladesandbolttightness

8. Safetyswitchoperation

1. Pre-Cleaner

2. SpindleBearings

3. SparkPlug

1. WearPoints

2. Greasefitting

1. AirCleaner

2. Oilandfilter

3. Coolingshroudsandcooling areas

4. FuelFilter

5. Sparkplug

6. Fastenersand components

1. Sparkplug

1. Pivotpoints

2. Controlhandle

3. Extensionspring

1. EngineIntakeScreen/Cover

2. Mowerand exhaustarea

3. Wearpoints

1. SpindlePulleys

2. V-Belt

1. Check

2. Check

3. Clean

4. Checkfor leaks

5. Check

6. Check

7. Check

8. Check

1. Service/Replace

2. Grease

3. Check

1. Lubricate

2. Lubricate

1. Replace

2. Change

3. Removeandclean

4. Replace

5. Change

6. Checkandsecure

1. Replaceandsetgap

1. Lubricate

2. Lubricate

3. Lubricate

4. Check

5. Clean

6. Lubricate

1. Clean

2. Clean

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengagethe PTO, movethedrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardintheneutralposition, engagetheparkingbrake,stoptheengineand removethekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Thoroughlywashyourhandswithsoapandwaterassoonas possibleafterhandlingusedoil.

Check Engine Oil

1. Checkoilbeforeeachuse.Stopengineandwaitseveralminutes beforecheckingoil level.Withengineon levelground,theoil must beto FULLmarkon dipstick.

2. Refertothe Assemblysectionofthismanualforinstructionson checkingtheoil.

Change Engine Oil and Filter

• Refertothe viscositychart(Figure22)foroil recommenda-

tions.Do notoverfill.SAE30 isrecommendedfor general,all temperatureuse.Usea 4-stroke,or anequivalenthighdetergent, premiumqualitymotoroilcertifiedtomeetor exceedU.S. automobilemanufacturer'srequirementsfor serviceclassification SF,SG,SH,SJ or higher.MotoroilsclassifiedSF,SG,SH,SJ will showthisdesignationon thecontainer.

a6 .

°22

iU L:F ¸3o

i...................................................................20

C C

10 _20

-30

Draining the Oil

1. Runthe enginefor a shorttimetowarmthe engineoil.The oil willflowmorefreelyandcarryawaymoreimpurities.Usecareto

avoidburnsfromhotoil.

2. Locatetheoildrainvalveontheleftsideoftheengine.SeeFigure23.

Figure23

3. Popopentheprotectivecapon theendof theoildrainvalveto exposethedrainport.Referto Figure23.Removetheoilfill cap/ dipstickfromtheoil fill tube.

4. Pushtheoildrainhose(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoildrain

port.Routetheoppositeendd thehoseintoanappropriateoilcollec-

tioncontainerwithatleasta2.5quartcapacity,to collecttheusedoil.

5. Turntheoildrainvalve1/4-turn,thenpulloutwardtobegindraining oil.Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,pushtheendoftheoildrain valvebackin andturn1/4-turntosecureitbackinplace.Re-capthe endoftheoildrainvalvetokeepdebrisfromenteringthedrainport.

6. Cleantheareaaroundtheoil filter.Placeacontainerunderthe filtertocatchanyoiland removethefilter.See Figure24.

-- Below 40 ° F (4 ° C) the use of SAE 30W will result in hard starting.

** -- Above 80 ° F (27 ° C) the use of 10W-30 may cause increased oil consumption, Check the oil level more frequently,

Figure22

NOTE:DOnotusenon-detergentoil or2-strokeengineoil. it could shortentheenginesservicelife.

o Changeengineoilafterthefirstfivetoeighthoursofoperation,

andeveryfifty hoursoreveryseasonthereafter.Changeoilevery twentyfivehourswhenoperatingengineunderheavyloadorin hightemperatures.

23 Figure24

7. Placethe newfilterinan openpanwiththe opensidefacingup. Fillwith newoil untilthe oil reachedthebottomofthe threads.

Waittwo minutesfortheoil to beabsorbedbythefiltermaterial.

8. Applya thinfilmof cleanoiltothe rubbergasketonthefilter.

9. Carefullyinstallthenewfilter.

10. Refilltheenginewiththerecommendedoil andchecktheoil level;referto CheckingandAddingOilin theAssemblySection.

11.

Reinstalltheoilfillercap/dipsticksecurely.

12.

Reconnectsparkplugwire.

Air Filter and Pre=Cleaner

1. Removetheair filtercover.SeeFigure25.

Spark Plug

DONOTcheckfora sparkwiththe sparkplugremoved.DONOT

cranktheenginewiththe sparkplugremoved.

Iftheenginehas beenrunning,themufflerwillbeveryhot. Becardul notto touchthemuffler.

Thesparkplugshouldbecheckedevery25hoursandchangedonce a seasonor every100hours.Toensureproperengineoperation,the sparkplugmustalsobe properlygappedandfreeofdeposits.

1. Removethesparkplugboot andusea sparkplugwrenchto removethe plug,Figure26.

Air Filter

Pre=Cleaner

Air

Figure25

2. Removetheair filterand pre-cleaner.

3. Removethe pre-cleanerfromthe air filter.

4. Replaceor washthe pre-cleanerinwarmwaterwithdetergent. Rinsethoroughlyandallowthepre-cleanerto air dry.

5. Closetheairfiltercover.

AirCleaner

1. Removetheair filtercover.SeeFigure25.

2. Removetheair filterand pre-cleaner.

3. Servicethepre-cleaneras instructedabove.

4. Installthe newor servicedpre-cleaneroverthe newair cleaner andinstall.

5. Closetheairfiltercover.

Spark

Pluc

Figure26

2. Visuallyinspectthe sparkplug.Discardthesparkplugifthereis anyapparentwear,or if theinsulatoris crackedorchipped.Clean thesparkplugwitha wire brushif it is tobe reused.

3. Measurethe pluggapwitha feelergauge.Correctas necessary To Drain the Fuel: bybendingthesideelectrode,Figure27.Thegapshouldbeset 1. Locatethe fuelfilter,whichis routedontheright sideof the

to.02-.03inches(0.60-0.80ram). enginebetweenthe fueltankandthe engine.SeeFigure28.

Electrode

Clamps_

.030 in.

(0.76ram)

Figure27

4. Checkthatthe sparkplugwasherisingoodconditionandthread thesparkplugin by handtopreventcross-threading.

5. Afterthesparkplugis seated,tightenwitha sparkplugwrenchto compressthe washer.

NOTE:Wheninstallinga newsparkplug,tighten1/2-turnafterthespark plugseatstocompressthewasher.Whenreinstallinga usedsparkplug, tighten1/8-to1/4-turnafterthe sparkplugseatstocompressthewasher.

Thesparkplugmustbetightenedsecurely.A loosesparkplugcan becomevery hotandcandamagetheengine.

Fuel Filter

Gasolineanditsvaporsareextremelyflammableandexplosive.Fire

or explosioncan causesevereburnsor death.

• Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat, andotherignitionsources.

• Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracks orleaks.Replaceif necessary.SeeaSearsorotherqualified servicedealerto replacefuelline.

• Beforereplacingthe fuelfilter,drainthefueltankor closethefuel shut-offvalve.

• Replacementpartsmustbethesameandinstalledinthesame positionasthe originalparts.

• If fuelspills,waituntilit evaporatesbeforestartingengine.

Figure28

2. Pinchthein-lineclamponthefuel filterwitha pairof pliers.

3. Slidetheclampup thefuelline.

4. Pullthefuel linefreefromthe filterandplacetheopenendofthe lineintoanapprovedcontainerto drainthefuel.

To Replacethe FuelFilter:

1. Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltankorclosethefuelshut- offvalve.Otherwise,fuelcanleakoutandcauseafireorexplosion.

2. Usepliersto squeezetabson theclamps,thenslidethe clamps awayfromthefuelfilter.Twistandpullthe fuellinesoffof thefuel filter.Referto Figure27.

3. Checkthefuellinesforcracksorleaks.Replaceifnecessary.

4. Replacethefuelfilterwithanoriginalequipmentreplacementfilter.

5. Securethefuellineswiththeclamps.

HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION

Thezeroturnridingmoweris equippedwithdualintegratedhydrostatic

pumps/transaxlesthatare sealedandare maintenance-free.Fluid levelscannotbecheckedandfluidcannotbeaddedorchanged.

TIRE MAINTENANCE

Checkthetireairpressureafterevery50 hoursofoperationorweekly. Keepthetires inflatedtotherecommendedpressures.Improperinfla-

tionwill shortenthetireservicelife.Seethe tiresidewallfor proper

inflationpressures.Observethefollowingguidelines:

• Donotinflatea tireabovethemaximumpressureshownon the

sidewallof thetire.

• Donotreinflatea tirethathas beenrunflator seriouslyunder

inflated.Haveaqualifiedtiremechanicinspectandservicethe

tire.

LUBRiCATiON

Usinga pressurelubricatinggun, lubricatethefrontcastorwheel axlesandthefrontpivotaxlewith No.2 multipurposelithium greaseafterevery10hoursof service.

Periodicallylubricateallotherpivotpointswitha qualitylubricat-

ingoil.

GENERAL BATTERY iNFORMATiON

Shouldbatteryacidaccidentallysplatterintotheeyesor ontothe skin,rinsetheaffectedareaimmediatelywithcleancold water.If thereis anyfurtherdiscomfort,seekpromptmedicalattention.Ifacid spillsonclothing,firstdiluteit withcleanwater,thenneutralizewitha solutionofammonia/wateror bakingsoda/water.

NEVERconnect(ordisconnect)batterychargerclipstothebatterywhile thechargeris turnedon,asitcancausesparks.Keepallsourcesofignition

(cigarettes,matches,lighters)awayfromthebattery.Thegasgenerated duringchargingcanbecombustible.Asafurtherprecaution,onlycharge thebatteryina wellventilatedarea.Alwaysshieldeyesandprotectskin

_andcothngwhenworkngnearbatteres.

BATTERY REMOVAL

leadcompounds.Washhandsafterhandling.

Thebatteryislocatedonthe right/rearofthe ridingmowerbeneaththe seatboxframe.Toremovethebattery:

1. Removethetwohextappingscrewsfromthebatteryhold-down bracketandremovethebracket.Usecareto avoidlosingthetrim stripfromthebottomof thebracket.SeeFigure29.

Battery Hold Down Bracket

Hex Tap Screw

Batteriescontainsulfuricacidandmayemitexplosivegases.Useextreme cautionwhenhandlingbatteries.Keepbatteriesoutofthereachofchildren.

Battery Maintenance Thebatteryisfilled withbatteryacidandthensealedatthefactory.

However,evena "maintenancefree"batteryrequiressomemainte- nanceto ensureitsproperlife cycle.

Spraytheterminalsandexposedwirewitha batteryterminalsealer, orcoattheterminalswitha thincoatof greaseorpetroleumjelly,to protectagainstcorrosion.

Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof corrosion.

Avoidtipping.Evena sealedbatterywillleak electrolytewhentipped.

Hex Cap Screw"

Figure29

2. Removethehexcapscrewandseresnutsecuringtheblack negativebatteryleadto thenegativebatterypost(markedMEG).

Movethecable awayfromthenegativebatterypost.

3. Removethehexcapscrewandseresnutsecuringtheredposi- tive batteryleadto thepositivebatterypost(markedPOS).

4. Carefullyliftthe batteryoutofthe ridingmower.

5. Installthebatteryby repeatingtheabovestepsinthe reverse order.

Alwaysconnectthepositiveleadtothe batterybeforeconnectingthe

negativelead.Thiswillpreventsparkingor possibleinjuryfroman

electricalshortcausedbycontactingthe ridingmowerbodywithtoolsI

Ibengusedtoconnectthecabes. j

Charging the Battery

1. Testand,ifnecessary,rechargethebatteryaftertheriding mowerhasbeenstoredfor a periodoftime.

2. A voltmeterorloadtestershouldread12.6volts(DC)or higher acrossthebatteryterminals.SeeFigure30.

Voltmeter Stateof Charging

Reading Charge Time

12.7 100% FullCharge

12.4 75% 90 Min.

12.2 50% 180 Min.

12.0 25% 280 Min. Figure30

3. Chargethebatterywitha 12-voltbatterychargerataMAXIMUM rateof 10amps.

SERViCiNG ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A fuseisinstalledto protecttheridingmower'selectricalsystemfrom damagecausedbyexcessiveamperage.Alwaysusethe samecapac- ityfusefor replacement.Ifthe electricalsystemdoes notfunction,

checkfor a blownfuse. If youhavea recurringproblemwithblownfuses,call1-800-659-5917

toschedule electricalsystemservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

RELAYS AND SWITCHES

Thereareseveralsafetyswitchesintheelectricalsystem.Ifa function ofthe safetyinterlocksystemdescribedearlieris notfunctioning properly,call 1-800-659-5917to havetheelectricalsystemcheckedby SearsParts& Repair.

USING THE DECK WASH SYSTEM

Whenusingthedeckwashsystem,neverengagethedeckfromany positionotherthantheoperator'sseatof theridingmower.Donot usean assistantorengagedeckin thepresenceofanybystanders.

Pullbackthelockcollarofthe nozzleadapterandpushthe adapterontothedeckwashnozzleat theleftendofthemower deck.Releasethelockcollarto locktheadapteron thenozzle.

Referto Figure31.

Deck Wash

Nozzle

Figure31

4. Turnonthe watersupply.

5. Fromthe ridingmoweroperator'sseat,starttheengineand engagethePTO.Allowto runas needed.Disengagethe PTO and stoptheengine.

6. Turnoffthe watersupply.

7. Pullbackthelockcollarofthenozzleadaptertodisconnectthe adapterfromthe nozzle.

CLEANING THE SPINDLE PULLEYS

Oncea monthremovethebeltcoverstoremoveanyaccumulationof grassclippingsfromaroundthe spindlepulleysandV-belt.Cleanmore oftenwhenmowingtall,dry grass.

Attachthe nozzleadaptertoa standardgardenhoseconnected toa watersupply.

Movetheridingmowertoan areawithinreachof thehosewhere thedispersalofwetgrassclippingsisnotobjectionableto you. Disengagethe PTO,engagethe parkingbrake,andstopthe engine.

USING THE TRANSMiSSiON BYPASS RODS

Ifforany reasonthe ridingmowerwillnot driveor youwishtomovethe ridingmower,thetwohydrostatictransmissionsareequippedwitha bypassrodthatwill allowyou tomanuallymovetheridingmowershort

distances.

ADJUSTMENTS

Shuttheengineoff,removethe ignitionkeyandengagetheparking brakebeforemakingadjustments.ProtectyourhandsbyusingheavyI

lg oveswhenhand ngthe bades. j

Donottowthe ridingmower,evenwiththebypassrodengaged. Serioustransmissiondamagewillresultfromdoingso.

1. Locatethehydrostaticbypassrodintherearoftheridingmower. SeeFigure32.

RH Transmission

Bypass

Figure32

2. Pullthehydrostaticbypassrodoutward,thendown,to lockitinplace.

3. Repeattheaboveproceduretoengagetheotherbypassrodon theother sideof the ridingmower.

4. Withthe bypassrodsengagedandwiththeaidofanassistant, carefullypushtheridingmoweroffof theshippingpallet.

5. Aftermovingthe ridingmower,disengagebothbypassrods.Lift therodandguidethe flangeof therod backthroughthe larger

circularopeningof thekeyhole,then releasetherod.

NOTE:The transmissionwillNOTengagewhenthehydrostatic bypassrodispulledout. Returnthe rodto itsnormalpositionpriorto operatingthe ridingmower.

Neverattemptto movetheridingmowermanuallywithoutfirstopen-

ling thehydrostaticr,elief valve.Doingsowill resultinseriousdamage [to theridingmowers transmission.

PullOut Bypass

RodThenLower

intoSlot

Keyhole Slot

Adjusting RH & LH Drive Control Levers

TheRHandLHdrivecontrolleverscanbeadjustedupordownandfore- and-aftforthecomfortoftheoperator.Thedrivecontrolleverscanbeplaced ineitheroftwoheightpositions,and/orcanbemovedforwardorrearward withintherangeoftheslotineachcontrollevermountingbracket.

Toadjustthedrivecontrolleverheight,proceedasfollows:

1. Removetheflangelocknut,flatwasher,andhexscrewsecuring thelevertothe pivotbracket.

2. Whilesupportingthecontrolleverto keepitfromfalling,remove thehex insertflangelocknut andshoulderscrewfromthe bottom ofthe controlleverandpivotbracket.Referto Figure33.

Fiat Washer

Hex

Shoulder

Screw

Figure33

3. Repositionthecontrolleverto alignwith theothersetofholesin thepivotbracketandinserttheshoulderscrewremovedearlier.

Fastenwiththe hexinsertflangelock nutandtightenuntilsnug.

4. Insertthehexscrewwithwasherthroughthecontrolleverslot andthepivotbracket.Threadtheflangelocknutontothescrew, butdo nottightennow.

5. Ifyouaregoingto adjustthecontrolleversforwardorrearward, proceedtothe nextstep.Ifnot,fullytightentheflangelocknut.

Toadjustthedrivecontrolleversforwardor rearward,proceedasfollows:

1. Ifnotalreadyloose,loosentheflangelocknutandrotatethe controllevereitherforwardor rearwardtothedesiredposition. See Figure32.

NOTE:Ifthecontrolleveristootightto move,slightlyloosenthehexinsert flangelocknutandshoulderscrewatthebottomofthecontrollever.

PivotBracket 1

%2:°' J

2. Tightentheflange locknutto fix thecontrolleverintheadjusted position

3. Repeattheaboveprocedureto adjustthe othercontrolleverinto thesameposition.Adjustsothat bothleversareevenwitheach otherwheninthe neutralposition.

Leveling the Mower Deck Whencorrectlyadjustedthemowerdeck shouldbelevelsidetoside,

andthefrontof thedeckshouldbeapproximately1/4inchlowerthan therearof deck.

NOTE:Checktheridingmower'stirepressurebeforeperformingany decklevelingadjustments.Seethetiresidewallfor properinflation

pressures. Side to Side Leveling

If thecuttingdeckappearsto bemowingunevenly,a sideto side adjustmentcan be performed.Adjustif necessaryasfollows:

Withtheridingmowerparkedon a firm,levelsurface,placethe decklift handleinthetop notch(highestposition)androtateboth bladessothattheyare perpendiculartothe ridingmowerframe.

Lowerthedecktothe middleheightposition.

MeasurethedistancefromtheoutsideIdtbladetiptotheground andthedistancefromtheoutsiderightbladetipto theground.The measurementsshouldbeequal.Ifthey'renot,proceedtothenextstep.

Comparingthetwo measurements,determinewhethertheright sideof thedeckmust beraisedorlowered.

5. Loosen,butdo not remove,thehexscrewonthe leftdeckhanger bracket.RefertoFigure34.

Front to Back Leveling

Thefrontof thedeck shouldbeapproximately1/4"lowerthanthe rear ofthe deck.Adjustifnecessaryas follows:

1. Withthedeckraisedoffoftheground,rotatetheouterbladesso thattheyareparalleltothe frameofthe ridingmower.

2. Ifthesideto sidelevelingwasdonecorrectly,measuringjust the rightbladeshouldbeacceptabletoattainthecorrectbacktofront pitchofthe deck.

3. Measurethedistancefromthefronttip ofthe bladeto the

groundandthedistancefromthereartip tothe ground.Thefront distanceshouldbe approximately1/4"lessthantherear.If itis

not,proceedtothenextstep.

4. Ifthefrontof thedeckwastoo low,turnthe flangelocknuts

clockwiseagainstthehangerbracketto shortenthe fronthanger

rodand raisethefrontofthe deck.Referto Figure35.

<=,

Figure34

6. Levelthedeckbyusingawrenchtoturntheadjustmentgear (foundimmediatelybehindthehex screwjustloosened)clock- wisetolowertheleft sideofthe deck,or counterclockwiseto raisethe leftsideof thedeck.SeeFigure33.

7. Thedeckis properlyleveledwhenbothbladetip measurements takenearlierareequal.

8. Retightenthehex capscrewonthe rightdeckhangerbracket whenproperadjustmentisachieved.

Bracket

Front Hanger Rod

Figure35

Ifthefrontof thedeckwastoo high,turn theflangelock nuts

counterclockwisetolengthenthefronthangerrodandlowerthe frontofthe deck.

NOTE:Thedeckfronthangerrodshouldbeatthefrontoftheslots

ofthe frontdeckbracket.Ifonesideof therodis notat thefrontof its

slot,turntheinnerflange locknuton thatside untilrodjust touchesthe

frontofthe slot.Then re-measureand re-adjustthefronthangerrodas

necessary.

Adjusting the Gauge Wheels

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningd thecuttingdeck.

NOTE:The deckgaugewheelsareananti-scalpfeatureofthedeck andarenotdesignedtosupporttheweightofthecuttingdeck.

Themowerdeckcuttingheightcan besetinanyof six heightsettings usingthe ridingmower'sdecklifthandle.Thedeckheightsrangefrom 1-1/2"to4".Thedeckgaugewheelpositionshouldbe approximately 1/4"to 1/2"abovethegroundwhenthedeckisset inthedesiredheight setting.

Usingthelift handle,setthedeckinthe desiredheightsetting,then checkthegaugewheeldistancefromthegroundbelow.Ifnecessary adjustasfollows:

1. Visuallycheckthedistancebetweenthe frontgaugewheeland theground.Ifthegaugewheelisnearortouchingtheground,it shouldberaised.Ifmorethan1/2"abovetheground,itshouldbe

lowered.

Removetheflangelocknutsecuringthefrontgaugewheel shoulderboltto thedeck.Removethe gaugewheelandshoulder bolt.Referto Figure36.

DECK REMOVAL

Removethemowerdeckfromthe ridingmoweras follows:

1. Movetheridingmowerto a levelsurface,disengagethe PTO, stoptheengine,andsetthe parkingbrake.

2. Movethedeckgaugewheelsor rollerstotheir highestsetting (lowestdecksetting).

3. Removethe'V' beltfromthePTOpulley,locatedonthe bottomof theengine,usingoneof thefollowingtwomethods.

Themufflerattherearoftheridingmowermaybeextremelyhot,andcould causeseriousbums.Useextremecautionwhennearthemuffler.AllowtheI

Imuffertofuy coobeforeremovngthebetfromthePTOpu ey. j

ReleasingBeltTensionwiththe IdlerPulley

a. Usingthedeck lifthandle,raisethedecktothe positionthat

providesthemosthorizontalrunof thebelt betweenthe deck idlerpulleysandthe PTOpulleyonthebottomoftheengine.

b. Workingfromthemiddleofthe ridingmower,pivottheidler

bracketandmovableidlerpulleyrearwardawayfromthe backsideofthe'V" beltjustfar enoughto liftthe beltupand overthe idlerpulley.SeeFigure37.

V=Belt

Gauge Wheel

Bracket

Gauge Wheel

Shoulder Bolt

Flange

Lock Nut

Figure36

3. Insertthe shoulderboltintothe oneoffourindexholesin the front gaugewheelbracketthatwillgivethegaugewheela 1/4"to 1/2"

clearancewiththe groundandsecurewiththeflangelocknut.

4. Notetheindexholeofthejustadjustedwheel,andadjusttherear gaugewheelintothe respectiveindexholesofthe othergauge

wheelbracketonthedeck.

Figure37

c. Frombeneaththe rearofthe ridingmower,slidethebeltoff

ofthe PTOpulleyonthebottomofthe engine.

RollingtheBeltoff the PTOPulley

a. Usingthedeck lifthandle,raisethedecktothe positionthat

providesthemosthorizontalrunof thebelt betweenthe deck idlerpulleysandthe PTOpulleyonthebottomoftheengine.

b. Sittingbehindtheridingmowerfacingforward,reach

beneaththe ridingmowerto graspthe beltat thefrontof the

PTOpulley.

+ 82 hidden pages