Simplicity ZT2354, LC-9 User Manual

Print Instructions for Print Vendors (Paper Manuals)

OPERA

TOR’S

MANUAL

TOTAL PAGE COUNT: Less than 45

Paper Size: • 11 x 17

• Body - 50 lbs brilliant white offset or equivalent.

• Cover - on 80 lbs coated cover stock
(NOTE: If total order quantity is less than 100 pieces, use uncoated cover stock)

Press: • Body - 1-color, 2-sided

• Cover - 1-color, 2-sided

Bindery: • Staple (2X), Face Trim

TOTAL PAGE COUNT: 45 or greater

Paper Size: • 8-1/2 x 11

• Body - 50 lbs brilliant white offset or equivalent.

• Cover - on 80 lbs coated cover stock
(NOTE: If total order quantity is less than 100 pieces, use uncoated cover stock)

Press: • Body - 1-color, 2-sided

• Cover - 1-color, 2-sided

Bindery: • Perfect Bind, Face Trim (3 knife)

GENERAL

COVERS: • Covers are located at the beginning of this package.

• Back cover is the page IMMEDIATELY AFTER the front cover.

• Check the front cover for the individual part number (typically a 2xxxx or 182xxxx number).

• Check the front cover for the document number (TP 1xx - xxxx - xx - xx - xx)

BODY: •ODD number pages are ALWAYS right hand pages, and EVEN number are ALWAYS left hand

pages.

General: • This instruction page is NOT part of the manual and must NOT be printed.

• Pages labeled with the text “THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK” are placement pages ONLY,
and should NOT be printed.

If you have any further questions regarding this manual, please contact Ken Cehonski in
Ferris Industries Engineering Department at [phone] ext. 249.

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

TM

OPERATOR’S
MANUAL

1822408

5/2000

TP 100-7009-00-SL-D

The Stallion

Zero-Turn Riding Mower

Model:

ZT2354

mowers are built by
Ferris Industries, a
Simplicity company.

Ferris Industries

5375 North Main Street
Munnsville, NY 13409
800-933-6175

TM

Ferris Industries

5375 North Main Street
Munnsville, NY 13409
800-933-6175

www.ferrisindustries.com

© Copyright 2000 Ferris Industries
All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA.

1

WARNING

Engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known, in certain quantities, to cause
cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Table of Contents

Identification Numbers .......................................2

Safety Rules & Information ................................3

Features & Controls............................................6

Control Functions....................................................6

Safety Interlock System ..........................................7

Operating the Tractor..........................................8

General ...................................................................8

Checks Before Starting...........................................8

Starting the Engine .................................................9

Stopping the Rider ..................................................9

Mowing....................................................................9

Pushing the Rider by Hand.....................................9

Zero Turn Driving Practice....................................10

Mower Removal & Installation ..............................12

Storage .................................................................14

Starting After Long Term Storage .........................14

Regular Maintenance ........................................16

Maintenance Schedule .........................................16

Checking Tire Pressures.......................................16

Checking/Adding Fuel...........................................17

Fuel Filter ..............................................................17

Oil & Filter Change ...............................................17

Check / Change Air FIlter .....................................17

Check Hydraulic Oil Level.....................................17

Lubrication ............................................................18

Battery Maintenance .............................................20

Checking Battery Fluid..................................20

Cleaning the Battery and Cables..................20

Servicing the Mower Blades .................................21

Troubleshooting, Adjustments & Service.......23

Troubleshooting the Tractor ..................................23

Troubleshooting the Mower ..................................24

Seat Adjustment....................................................25

Ground Speed Control Lever Adjustment.............25

Speed Balancing Adjustment................................25

Parking Brake Adjustment ....................................26

Suspension Height Adjustment.............................26

PTO Clutch Adjustment.........................................27

Blade Brake Check ...............................................27

Neutral Adjustment................................................28

Dampener and Return Spring Adjustment............28

Mower Adjustments...............................................29

Gauge Wheel Adjustment.............................29

Cutting Height Adjustment ............................29

Deck Roller Adjustment ................................29

Hydraulic Pump Drive Belt Replacement .............30

Mower Belt Replacement......................................30

Battery Service......................................................32

Checking the Battery Voltage ...........................32

Charging A Completely

Discharged Battery .......................................32

Jump Starting with

Auxiliary (Booster) Battery ............................32

Lawn Care & Mowing Information.............LC—1

International Symbols ................................LC—8

Technical Manuals ......................................LC—8

NOTE: In this manual, “left” and “right” are referred to as
seen from the operating position.

© Copyright 2000 Ferris Industries
All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA.

TP 100-7009-00-SL-D

2

IDENTIFICATION TAG LOCATIONS

Identification
Numbers

When contacting your
Authorized Dealer for
replacement parts, service,
or information YOU MUST
HAVE THESE NUMBERS.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

Record your model name/number, unit and mower deck
manufacturer numbers and engine serial number in the
space provided for easy reference.

• The Tractor I.D. tag is located on the inside of the
main frame rail, behind the deck height plate.

• For location of Engine Serial Number, refer to the
Engine Owner’s Manual.

Be sure to fill out and return the Warranty Registration
Card supplied with your unit.

ENGINE REFERENCE DATA

Model Description Name/Number

Unit MFG Number

PRODUCT REFERENCE DATA

Unit SERIAL

Number

Dealer Name

Date Purchased

Engine Make/Model

Engine ID/Serial Number

Mower Deck MFG Number

Mower Deck SERIAL

Number

Tractor

identification tag

XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

N/A

N/A



  

  

   

 

 

3

Read these safety rules and follow them closely. Failure to obey these rules could result in loss of con­trol of unit, severe personal injury or death to you, or bystanders, or damage to property or equipment.
This mowing deck is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. The triangle
in text signifies important cautions or warnings which must be followed.

Safety Rules

& Information

WARNING

Never operate on slopes greater than 30 percent
(16.7°) which is a rise of three feet vertically in 10
feet horizontally.

Select slow ground speed before driving onto slope.
In addition to front and rear weights, use extra caution
when operating on slopes with rear-mounted grass
catcher.

Mow UP and DOWN the slope, never across the
face, use caution when changing directions and
DO NOT START OR STOP ON SLOPE.

Do

• See your authorized dealer for recommendations of
available weights to improve stability.

• Mow up and down slopes, not across.

• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain
could overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

• Use slow speed. Choose a slow speed so that you
will not have to stop or change speed while on the
slope.

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

• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.

Do Not

• Do not start or stop on a slope. If tires lose traction,
disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.

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

• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embank-
ments. 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 unit by putting your foot on
the ground.

• Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the
manual and on the unit before starting.

• Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with
the instructions, to operate the unit.

• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire,
etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the
blade(s).

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

• Never carry passengers.

• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
Always look down and behind before and while trav­elling in reverse.

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

• Slow down before turning.

• Never leave a running unit unattended. Always
disengage the PTO, set parking brake, stop engine,
and remove keys before dismounting.

• Turn off the PTO switch to disengage the blades
when not mowing.

• Stop engine before removing grass catcher or
unclogging chute.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Do not operate the unit while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.

• Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways.

• Use extra care when loading or unloading the unit
into a trailer or truck.

• Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and
above, are involved in a large percentage of riding
mower-related injuries. These operators should
evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower
safely enough to protect themselves and others from
serious injury.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and
tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or
death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot

back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not
drive on it.

4

Safety Rules & Information

CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the unit and the mowing activity. Never assume that chil­dren will remain where you last saw them.

• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of another responsible adult.

• Be alert and turn unit off if children enter the area.

• Before and during reverse operation, look behind
and down for small children.

• Never carry children. They may fall off and be seri­ously injured or interfere with safe unit operation.

• Never allow children to operate the unit.

•

Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE

• Always observe safe refueling and fuel handling
practices when refueling the unit after transportation
or storage.

• Always follow the engine manual instructions for
storage preparations before storing the unit for both
short and long term periods.

• Always follow the engine manual instructions for
proper start-up procedures when returning the unit to
service.

• Never store the unit or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame or pilot light, such as in a
water heater. Allow unit to cool before storing.

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

• Use extra care when handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive.

a) Use only an approved container.

b) Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine

running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. Do
not smoke.

c) Never refuel the unit indoors.

• Never run a unit in an enclosed area.

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment
bolts, tight and keep equipment in good condition.

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.

• Keep unit free of grass, leaves, or other debris build­up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage.

• Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an
object. Repair, if necessary, before restarting.

• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine
running unless specified otherwise in the engine
manufacturer’s manual.

• Grass catcher components are subject to wear, dam­age, and deterioration, which could expose moving
parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check
components and replace with manufacturer’s recom­mended parts, when necessary.

• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when
servicing them.

• Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service
as required.

• Use only factory authorized replacement parts when
making repairs.

• Always comply with factory specifications on all
settings and adjustments.

• Only authorized service locations should be utilized
for major service and repair requirements.

• Never attempt to make major repairs on this unit
unless you have been properly trained. Improper
service procedures can result in hazardous opera­tion, equipment damage and voiding of manufactur­er’s warranty.

5

SAFETY DECALS

This unit has been designed and manufactured to pro­vide you with the safety and reliability you would expect
from an industry leader in outdoor power equipment
manufacturing.

Although reading this manual and the safety instructions
it contains will provide you with the necessary basic
knowledge to operate this equipment safely and effec­tively, we have placed several safety labels on the unit
to remind you of this important information while you are
operating your unit.

All DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION and instructional
messages on your rider and mower should be carefully
read and obeyed. Personal bodily injury can result when
these instructions are not followed. The information is for
your safety and it is important! The safety decals below
are on your rider and mower.

If any of these decals are lost or damaged, replace them
at once. See your local dealer for replacements.

These labels are easily applied and will act as a con­stant visual reminder to you, and others who may use
the equipment, to follow the safety instructions neces­sary for safe, effective operation.

DANGER

ROTATING CUTTING BLADE

Do not put hands or feet
under mower deck while
blade is rotating.

1704276

DANGER

ROTATING CUTTING BLADE
Do not operate mower
without deflector or entire
grass catcher in place.

1704277

Safety Rules & Information

Decal - Danger

Part No. 1704276

Decal - Danger

Part No. 1704277

Decal - Danger
Part No. 22143

Decal - Warning/Danger

Part No. 45560

Decal - Operation & Controls

Part No. 45559

OPERATION

To Start Engine:

To Stop Engine:

Seat must be occupied, PTO
Switch OFF , P arking Brak e ON
and both control handles are
locked in Neutral.

Engage Parking Brake, Throttle at
half to full, turn Ignition Switch Off.

Before Leaving Machine:

Turn PTO s witch off , shut off engine ,
remove key, and set Parking
Brake

To Operate PTO Clutch:

Operator must be in seat.
Pull up to Engage.
Push down to Disengage.

When Operator Leaves Seat:

Engine will shut off if PTO is on.
Engine will shut off of Parking Brake
is off.
Engine will shut off if both control
levers are not locked in neutral.

GROUND SPEED AND
STEERING LEVERS

Right lever controls speed
and direction of right drive
wheel. Notch is neutral
lock.
Left lever controls speed and
direction of left drive wheel.
Notch is neutral lock.
Steer by slowing the lever in
the direction of the turn.

PARKING BRAKE
LEVER

Pull to set Parking Brake.
Push to release Parking
Brake.

DECK LIFT PEDAL

Push to raise deck.

CUTTING HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT PIN

DO NOT TOW!

Damage may result to
Hydrostatic Transmission.

DANGER

ROTATING PARTS UNDER ENGINE.
KEEP HANDS AND FEET CLEAR.
STOP ENGINE BEFORE SERVICING.

6

Features & Controls
of the Zero Turn Rider

CONTROL FUNCTIONS

The information below briefly describes the function of individual controls. Starting, stopping, driving, and mowing
require the combined use of several controls applied in specific sequences. To learn what combination and
sequence of controls to use for various tasks see the OPERATION section.

A. Ground Speed Control Levers

These levers control the ground speed of the rider. The
left lever controls the left rear drive wheel and the right
controls the right rear drive wheel.

Moving a lever forward increases the FORWARD speed
of the associated wheel, and pulling back on a lever
increases the REVERSE speed.

Note: The further a lever is moved away from the neutral
position the faster the drive wheel will turn.

See the Operating the Zero Turn Rider section for steer­ing instructions.

B. Seat Adjustment Lever

The seat can be adjusted forward and back. Move the
lever forward, position the seat as desired, and release
the lever to lock the seat in position.

C. Ignition Switch

The ignition switch starts and stops the engine, it has
three positions:

OFF Stops the engine and shuts off the

electrical system.

RUN Allows the engine to run and powers the

electrical system.

START Cranks the engine for starting.

NOTE: Never leave the ignition switch in the RUN posi­tion with the engine stopped–this drains the battery.

Please take a moment and familiarize
yourself with the name, location, and
function of these controls so that you will

better understand the safety and operating
instructions provided in this manual.

H

J

A

A

B

G

D

F

C

K

I

E

Figure 1. Control Locations

L

7

Features & Controls

D. Parking Brake Handle

The parking brake is applied by pulling UP on the park­ing brake handle until it locks over-center. To release the
parking brake, push the handle DOWN.

E. PTO (Power Take Off) Switch

The PTO switch engages and disengages the mower.
Pull UP on the switch to engage, and push DOWN to
disengage.

F & G. Deck Lift Pedal & Cutting Height
Adjustment Pin

These control the cutting height of the mower deck.

Depress the pedal until it locks into the TRANSPORT
position. Place the adjustment pin in the desired cutting
height and release the lift pedal.

H & I. Throttle / Choke Control

Pulling the round choke control knob (I) out fully chokes
the engine for cold starts. (A warm engine may not
require choking.) Moving the throttle control (H) fully for­ward is FULL throttle position. Always operate the unit
at FULL throttle when mowing.

J. Headlight Switch

Turn the switch ON to light the front headlight.

K. Hour Meter

Measures the time of the PTO being engaged.

L. Fuel Shut Off Valve

Turning the handle to the desired position determines
which tank will be supplying fuel. With the handle point­ing forward, it will draw fuel from the left-hand tank.
With the handle pointed towards the rear, it will draw fuel
from the right-hand fuel tank. With the handle pointing
towards the right, it will shut off fuel flow to the engine.

SAFETY
INTERLOCK SYSTEM

This unit is equipped with safety interlock switches and
other safety devices. These safety systems are present
for your safety, do not attempt to bypass safety switch­es, and never tamper with safety devices. Check their
operation regularly.

Operational SAFETY Checks

Your unit is equipped with a seat switch safety system.
Check the seat switch operation every fall and spring
with the following tests.

Test 1 — Engine should NOT crank if:

• PTO switch is engaged, OR

• Parking brake is not engaged, OR

• Motion control handles are not in the NEUTRAL
position, OR

• Operator is not on the seat.

Test 2 — Engine SHOULD crank if:

• PTO switch is NOT engaged, AND

• Parking brake is engaged, AND

• Motion control handles are locked in the NEUTRAL
position, AND

• Operator is on the seat.

Test 3 — Engine should SHUT OFF if:

• Operator rises off seat with PTO engaged, OR

• Operator rises off seat with parking brake disen­gaged.

Test 4 — Blade Brake Check

Mower blades and mower drive belt should come to a
complete stop within five seconds after electric PTO
switch is turned off (or operator rises off seat). If mower
drive belt does not stop within five seconds, see your
dealer.

NOTE: Once the engine has stopped, PTO switch must
be turned off, parking brake must be engaged, and the
motion control handles must be locked in the NEUTRAL
position after the operator returns to the seat in order to
start the engine.

WARNING

If the unit does not pass a safety test, do
not operate it. See your authorized dealer. Under
no circumstance should you attempt to defeat
the purpose of the safety interlock system.

Operating
the Zero Turn Rider

GENERAL OPERATING SAFETY

Before first time operation:

• Be sure to read all information in the Safety and
Operation sections before attempting to operate this
tractor and mower.

• Become familiar with all of the controls and how to
stop the unit.

• Drive in an open area without mowing to become
accustomed to the unit.brake pedal or set the park­ing brake.

CHECKS BEFORE STARTING

• Check that crankcase is filled to full mark on dipstick.
See the engine Operator’s Manual for instructions
and oil recommendations.

• Make sure all nuts, bolts, screws and pins are in
place and tight.

• Adjust the seat position, and make certain you can
reach all controls from operator’s position.

• Fill the fuel tank with fresh fuel. Refer to engine man­ual for fuel recommendations.

WARNING

Never allow passengers to ride on the unit.

Before leaving the operator’s position for any
reason, engage the parking brake, disengage the
PTO, stop the engine and remove the key.

To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine, tractor
and mower free of grass, leaves and excess
grease. Do not stop or park tractor over dry
leaves, grass or combustible materials.

Gasoline is highly flammable and must be
handled with care. Never fill the tank when the
engine is still hot from recent operation. Do not
allow open flame, smoking or matches in the
area. Avoid over-filling and wipe up any spills.

DANGER

OPERATING ON SLOPES
CAN BE DANGEROUS

Never operate on slopes greater than 30 percent
(16.7°) which is a rise of three feet vertically in 10
feet horizontally.

Operate the unit at a slow ground speed when
driving onto slope.

In addition to counterweights, use extra caution
when operating on slopes with rear-mounted
grass catcher. Mow UP and DOWN the slope,
never across the face, use caution when
changing directions and DO NOT START OR
STOP ON SLOPE.

A

B

C

A

Figure 2. Pre-start Checks

A. Fuel Tank Filler Neck
B. Crankcase Oil Fill
C. Seat Adjustment Lever

8

WARNING

If you do not understand how a specific control
functions, or have not yet thoroughly read the
FEATURES & CONTROLS section, do so now.

Do NOT attempt to operate the tractor without
first becoming familiar with the location and
function of ALL controls.

STARTING THE ENGINE

1. While sitting in the operator’s seat, engage the park­ing brake and make sure the PTO switch is disen­gaged and the motion control handles are locked in
the NEUTRAL position.

2. NOTE: A warm engine may not require choking.

Set the engine throttle control (H, Figure 1) to FAST
throttle position. Then fully close the choke (I, Figure

1) by pulling the knob OUT fully.

3. Insert the key into the ignition switch (K, Figure 1)
and turn it to START.

4. After the engine starts, gradually open the choke
(push knob down fully).

Warm up the engine by running it for at least a minute
before engaging the PTO switch or driving the rider.

5. After warming the engine, ALWAYS operate the
unit at FULL THROTTLE when mowing.

In the event of an emergency the engine can be
stopped by simply turning the ignition switch to
STOP. Use this method only in emergency situations.

For normal engine shut down follow the procedure given
in STOPPING THE RIDER.

STOPPING THE RIDER

1. Returning the ground speed control levers (A, Figure

1) to the middle position will stop tractor movement.
Pivot the levers outward and lock them in NEUTRAL.

2. Disengage the PTO by pushing down on the PTO
switch (E, Figure 1).

3. Engage the parking brake by pulling the handle (D,
Figure 1) up until it locks into position.

4. Move the throttle control (H, Figure 1) to mid-throttle
position and turn the ignition key to OFF Remove
the key.

MOWING

1. Engage the parking brake. Make sure the PTO
switch is disengaged, the motion control handles are
locked in the NEUTRAL position and the operator is
on the seat.

2. Start the engine (see STARTING THE ENGINE).

3. Set the mower cutting height.

4. Set the throttle to FULL.

5. Engage the PTO by pulling up on the PTO switch (E,
Figure 1).

6. Begin mowing. See Section C for tips on mowing
patterns, lawn care, and trouble shooting information.

7. When finished, shut off the PTO.

8. Stop the engine (see STOPPING THE TRACTOR
AND ENGINE).

PUSHING THE RIDER BY HAND

1. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, turn
the ignition OFF, and remove the key.

2. Lift the seat plate to gain access to the battery com­partment and hydraulic pumps.

3. To disengage the pumps (free-wheel position), turn
the hydraulic release valves (A, Figure 3) located on
the pumps COUNTER-CLOCKWISE a maximum

of

2 full turns.

4. Disengage the parking brake.

The tractor can now be pushed by hand.

5. After moving the tractor, re-engage the pumps (drive
position) by turning the release valves CLOCKWISE
and tighten to 80-120 in. lbs. of torque.

DO NOT TOW RIDER

Towing the unit will cause hydraulic pump
and wheel motor damage. Do not use
another vehicle to push or pull this unit.

Operating the Zero Turn Rider

Figure 3. Hydraulic System By-Pass

A. Hydraulic Release Valve

A

9

10

Operating the Zero Turn Rider

ZERO TURN
DRIVING PRACTICE

The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive,
and learning to gain a smooth and efficient control of the
rider’s forward, reverse, and turning movements will take
some practice.

Spending some time going through the maneuvers
shown and becoming familiar with how the unit acceler­ates, travels, and steers — before you begin mowing —
is absolutely essential to getting the most out of the Zero
Turn rider.

Locate a smooth, flat area of your lawn — one with
plenty of room to maneuver. (Clear the area of

objects, people and animals before you begin.) Operate
the unit at mid-throttle during this practice session
(ALWAYS operate at full throttle when mowing), and turn
slowly to prevent tire slippage and damage to your lawn.

We suggest you begin with the Smooth Travel proce-
dure to the right, and then advance through the forward,
reverse, and turning maneuvers.

You must release the parking brake prior to moving the
control levers inward.

BASIC DRIVING

Forward Travel Practice

Gradually move both ground speed control levers —
evenly FORWARD from neutral. Slow down and repeat.

NOTE: Straight forward travel takes practice. If neces­sary, top speed can be balance-adjusted — see the
Speed Balancing Adjustment in the Adjustments section
near the back of this manual.

Reverse Travel Practice

LOOK DOWN & BEHIND, then gradually move both
ground speed control levers evenly BACK from neutral.
Slow down and repeat.

NOTE: Practice backing up for several minutes before
attempting to do so near objects. The rider turns sharply
in reverse as well as forward, and backing up straight
takes practice.

Figure 5. Forward Travel

Forward
Travel

Figure 6. Forward Travel

Reverse
Travel

Smooth Travel

The lever controls of the
Zero Turn rider are
RESPONSIVE .

The BEST method of
handling the ground
speed control levers is in
three steps — as shown
in Figure 4.

FIRST place your hands
onto the levers as shown.

SECOND, to go forward
gradually push the levers
forward with your palms.

THIRD, to speed up
move the levers farther
forward. To slow down
smoothly, slowly move
the levers toward neutral.

Figure 4. Move Control

Levers Gradually

11

ADVANCED DRIVING

Executing an End-Of-Row Zero
Turn

Your Zero Turn Rider’s unique ability to turn
in place allows you to turn around at the end
of a cutting row rather than having to stop
and Y-turn before starting a new row.

For example, to execute a right end-of row
Zero Turn:

1. Slow down at the end of the row.

2. Move the LEFT ground speed control
lever forward slightly while moving the
RIGHT ground speed control lever back
to center and then slightly back from cen­ter.

3. Begin mowing forward again.

This technique turns the rider RIGHT and
slightly overlaps the row just cut —eliminating
the need to back up and re-cut missed grass.

As you become more familiar and experi­enced with operating the Zero Turn rider, you
will learn more maneuvers that will make
your mowing time easier and more enjoy­able.

Remember, the more you practice, the better
your control of the Zero Turn will be!

Operating the Zero Turn Rider

Practice Turning In Place

To turn in place, “Zero Turn,” gradually move one ground
speed control lever forward from neutral and one lever
back from neutral simultaneously. Repeat several times.

NOTE: Changing the amount each lever is pulled—for­ward or back, changes the “pivot point” you turn on.

Practice Turning Around a Corner

While traveling forward allow one handle to gradually
return back toward neutral. Repeat several times.

NOTE: To prevent pivoting directly on the tire tread, it is
best to keep both wheels going at least slightly forward.

Executing
Turns

Figure 7. Turning Around a Corner

Figure 8. Turning in Place

Turning
In-Place

Figure 9. Executing an End-Of-Row Turn

12

Operating the Zero Turn Rider

MOWER DECK REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION

Removing the Mower Deck

NOTE: Perform mower removal on a hard, level surface
such as a concrete floor.

1. Push the deck lift pedal forward until it locks in the
“TRANSPORT” position and remove the height
adjustment pin.

2. Place two, 2” x 4” blocks (B, Figure 10) under the
outside edges of the mower.

3. Release the deck lift pedal to lower the deck.

4. Dismount the mower and push back on the deck lift
pedal until the mower chains are slack. Reinstall the
height adjustment pin in any hole to prevent the
pedal from pivoting forward and applying tension to
the chains.

5. Remove the hairpin clip and clevis pin and remove
the deck lift foot pedal.

6. Remove the hairpin clip, push down on the top of the
spindle, and rotate the gauge wheel (A, Figure 10)
into sliding position. Replace the hair pin clip.

7. Lift the floor plate to gain access to the deck drive
belt.

8. Release the spring tension on the deck drive belt
with a wrench on top of the idler pulley (A, Figure

11). Slide the drive belt over the edge of the idler
pulley to remove the belt. Remove the belt from the
PTO clutch pulley groove before proceeding.

NOTE: Releasing the belt tension may loosen the hard­ware fastening the idler pulley to the idler arm. Make
sure to re-tighten the hardware if this occurs.

9. Remove the chain mounting hardware from the lift
arm end of the chain (B, Figure 12).

10. Remove the hardware fastening the roller position
link (D, Figure 12) from the pusher bar end.

11. Remove the 2” x 4” blocks from under the mower.

12. Remove the rear deck mount pins (C, Figure 12) and
let the pusher bar (A, Figure 12) swing out of the
way.

13. Slide the mower out from under tractor.

WARNING

Engage parking brake, disengage PTO, stop
engine and remove key before attempting to
install or remove the mower.

Figure 10. Gauge Wheels

A. Gauge Wheel
B. 2” x 4” Block

Figure 12. Rear Deck Mount (right side shown)
A. Pusher Bar(s) C. Bar Mount Pin(s)
B. Chain Mount Hardware D. Roller Position Link

(all locations) (right side only)

D

A

B

C

Figure 11. Mower PTO Belt

A. Idler Pulley (Flat-sided)
B. PTO Drive Belt

B

A

A

B

13

Operating the Zero Turn Rider

Installing the Mower Deck

NOTE: Perform mower installation on a hard, level sur­face such as a concrete floor.

1. Slide the mower under the tractor.

2. Install the bar mount pins (C, Figure 12) to secure
the pusher bars (A, Figure 12) to the mower.

3. Place two, 2” x 4” blocks (B, Figure 10) under the
outside edges of the mower.

4. Install the roller position link (D, Figure 12) to the
pusher bar.

5. From the front of the machine, push back on the
deck lift pedal until it stops. Reinstall the height
adjustment pin in any hole to prevent the pedal from
pivoting forward.

5. Remove the hairpin clip and clevis pin and remove
the deck lift foot pedal.

7. Lift the floor plate to gain access to the deck drive
belt.

8. Secure the chains to the lift arms (B, Figure 12).

9. Install the drive belt on the PTO pulley, the arbor pul­ley and V-sided idler pulley. Release the spring ten­sion on the idler pulley (A, Figure 11) and install the
belt onto the pulley. Make sure the V-side of the belt
runs in the pulley grooves (Figure 13).

NOTE: Releasing the belt tension may loosen the hard
ware fastening the idler pulley to the idler arm. Make
sure to re-tighten the hardware if this occurs.

10. Remove the 2” x 4” blocks from under the mower.

11. Lower the floor plate and reinstall the deck lift foot
pedal with the hairpin clip and clevis pin.

WARNING

Engage parking brake, disengage PTO, stop
engine and remove key before attempting to
install or remove the mower.

FRONT

Figure 13. Mower PTO Belt Routing

A. Arbor Pulley C. Idler Pulley (Flat-sided)
B. PTO Drive Belt D. Idler Pulley (V-sided)

C

B

D

A

14

Operating the Zero Turn Rider

STORAGE

Temporary Storage (30 Days Or Less)

Remember, the fuel tank will still contain some gasoline, so
never store the unit indoors or in any other area where fuel
vapor could travel to any ignition source. Fuel vapor is also
toxic if inhaled, so never store the unit in any structure
used for human or animal habitation.

Here is a checklist of things to do when storing your unit
temporarily or in between uses:

• Keep the unit in an area away from where children may
come into contact with it. If there’s any chance of unau­thorized use, remove the spark plug (s) and put in a
safe place. Be sure the spark plug opening is protected
from foreign objects with a suitable cover.

• If the unit can’t be stored on a reasonable level surface,
chock the wheels.

• Clean all grass and dirt from the mower.

Long Term Storage (Longer Than 30 Days)

Before you store your unit for the off-season, read the
Maintenance and Storage instructions in the Safety Rules
section, then perform the following steps:

1. Drain crankcase oil while engine is hot and refill with a
grade of oil that will be required when unit is used
again.

2. Prepare the mower deck for storage as follows:

a. Remove mower deck from the unit.

b. Clean underside of mower deck.

c. Coat all bare metal surfaces with paint or light coat of

oil to prevent rusting.

3. Clean external surfaces and engine.

4. Prepare engine for storage. See engine owner’s
manual.

5. Clean any dirt or grass from cylinder head cooling fins,
engine housing and air cleaner element.

6. Cover air cleaner and exhaust outlet tightly with plastic
or other waterproof material to keep out moisture, dirt
and insects.

7. Completely grease and oil unit as outlined in the
Normal Care section.

8. Clean up unit and apply paint or rust preventative to
any areas where paint is chipped or damaged.

9. Be sure the battery is filled to the proper level with
water and is fully charged. Battery life will be increased
if it is removed, put in a cool, dry place and fully
charged about once a month. If battery is left in unit,
disconnect the negative cable.

WARNING

Never store the unit, with gasoline in engine or
fuel tank, in a heated shelter or in enclosed,
poorly ventilated enclosures. Gasoline fumes may
reach an open flame, spark or pilot light (such as
a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, etc.) and
cause an explosion.

Handle gasoline carefully. It is highly flammable
and careless use could result in serious fire
damage to your person or property.

Drain fuel into an approved container outdoors
away from open flame or sparks.

10. Drain fuel system completely or add a gasoline stabiliz­er to the fuel system. If you have chosen to use a fuel
stabilizer and have not drained the fuel system, follow
all safety instructions and storage precautions in this
manual to prevent the possibility of fire from the ignition
of gasoline fumes. Remember, gasoline fumes can trav­el to distant sources of ignition and ignite, causing risk
of explosion and fire.

NOTE: Gasoline, if permitted to stand unused for extended
periods (30 days or more), may develop gummy deposits
which can adversely affect the engine carburetor and cause
engine malfunction. To avoid this condition, add a gasoline
stabilizer to the fuel tank and run the engine a few minutes,
or drain all fuel from the unit before placing it in storage.

STARTING AFTER
LONG TERM STORAGE

Before starting the unit after it has been stored for a long
period of time, perform the following steps.

1. Remove any blocks from under the unit.

2. Install the battery if it was removed.

3. Unplug the exhaust outlet and air cleaner.

4. Fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline. See engine
manual for recommendations.

5. See engine owner’s manual and follow all instructions
for preparing engine after storage.

6. Check crankcase oil level and add proper oil if
necessary. If any condensation has developed during
storage, drain crankcase oil and refill.

7. Inflate tires to proper pressure. Check fluid levels.

8. Start the engine and let it run slowly. DO NOT run at
high speed immediately after starting. Be sure to run
engine only outdoors or in well ventilated area.

15

Notes

Regular
Maintenance

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE & PROCEDURES

The following schedule should be followed for normal care of your rider and mower. You will need to keep a record
of your operating time. Determining operating time is easily accomplished by observing the elapsed time recorded
by the hour meter.

See Before Before Every Every Every Spring

SAFETY ITEMS Page First Use Each Use 5 Hours 25 Hours 100 Hours & Fall

Check Safety Interlock System 7 X X

Check Rider Brakes 26 X X

Check Mower Blade Stopping Time 27 X X

See Before Before Every Every Every Spring

NORMAL CARE ITEMS Page First Use Each Use 5 Hours 25 Hours 100 Hours & Fall

Check Rider/Mower for loose hardware — X X

Check Engine Oil Level 17* X X X X

Check Engine Air Filter 17* X ***X

Change Engine Oil & Filter ** 17* ***X Every 50 Hours ***X

Lubricate Rider & Mower 18 ***X

Check Tire Pressure 16 X ***X

Check Hydraulic Fluid 17 X ***X

Check Fuel Filter 17 X

Clean Battery & Cables 20 X

Clean & Sharpen Mower Blades 21 X

Inspect Spark Plug 17* X

* See the engine manufacturer's owner's manual.

** Change original engine oil after first 5 hours of operation.

*** More often in hot (over 85° F: 30° C) weather or dusty operating conditions.

Tire Pressure

Front 20 psi (138 kPa)

Rear 15 psi (103 kPa)

Figure 14. Checking Tire Pressure

CHECK TIRE PRESSURES

Tire Pressure should be checked periodically, and main­tained at the levels shown in the chart. Note that these
pressures may differ slightly from the “Max Inflation”
stamped on the side-wall of the tires. The pressures
shown provide proper traction, improve cut quality, and
extend tire life.

16

CHECKING / ADDING FUEL

To add fuel:

1. Remove the fuel cap (see A, Figure 2).

2. Fill the tank.

Do not overfill. Leave approximately 1” of room in the
tank for fuel expansion. Refer to your engine manu­al for specific fuel recommendations.

3. Install and hand tighten the fuel cap.

4. Repeat same process for opposite tank.

FUEL FILTER

The fuel filter is located in the fuel line between fuel shut
off valve and carburetor, near the fuel pump. If filter is
dirty or clogged, replace as follows:

1. Shut off the fuel valve.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

3. Place a container below the filter to catch spilled
fuel.

4. Using a pliers, open and slide hose clamps from fuel
filter.

5. Remove hoses from filter.

6. Install new filter in proper flow direction in fuel line.

7. Secure with hose clamps.

8. Reconnect the negative battery cable when finished.

OIL & FILTER CHANGE

Refer to engine owners manual.

CHECK / CHANGE AIR FILTER

Refer to engine owners manual.

REPLACE SPARK PLUG

Refer to engine owners manual.

CHECK HYDRAULIC OIL LEVEL

NOTE: Do not open the hydraulic reservoir unless oil is
being added.

1. Lift up the seat plate to gain access to the oil reser­voir compartment.

2. Look at the oil reservoir (A, Figure 15) and observe
the oil level. The oil level should never be above the
MAX. HOT OIL LEVEL line.

3. If necessary, open the expansion chamber and add
either Mobil 1, 15W-50 synthetic oil or Castrol Syntec
5W-50 oil. DO

NOT use conventional oils. Make
sure area around the chambers is free of dust, dirt,
or other debris.

WARNING

Gasoline is highly flammable and must be
handled with care. Never fill the tank when the
engine is still hot from recent operation. Do not
allow open flame, smoking or matches in the
area. Avoid over-filling and wipe up any spills.

Do not remove fuel filter when engine is hot, as
spilled gasoline may ignite. DO NOT spread hose
clamps further than necessary. Ensure clamps
grip hoses firmly over filter after installation.

Do not use gasoline containing METHANOL,
gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol,
gasoline additives, premium gasoline, or
white gas because engine/fuel system
damage could result.

Regular Maintenance

Figure 15. Checking Hydraulic Oil Level

A. Hydraulic Reservoir
B. Hydraulic Oil Filter
C. Battery Box

A

B

C

17

LUBRICATION

Lubricate the unit at the locations shown in Figures 16
through 22 as well as the following lubrication points.

Grease:

• front caster wheel axles

• motion control pivots

• suspension a-arms

• rear deck mounts

• deck lift pivots

• deck lift foot pedal

• front pivot frame

• mower arbors

Use grease fittings when present. Disassemble parts
to apply grease to moving parts when grease fittings
are not installed.

Not all greases are compatible. Ferris Red Grease is
recommended, automotive-type high-temperature, lithi­um grease may be used when this is not available.

Oil:

• gauge wheel brackets

• roller cross shaft

• roller location links

• discharge chute hinge

Generally, all moving metal parts should be oiled
where contact is made with other parts. Keep oil
and grease off belts and pulleys. Remember to wipe
fittings and surfaces clean both before and after
lubrication.

Regular Maintenance

Figure 16. Mower Arbor Lubrication

Figure 17. Mower Lubrication (Grease)

Figure 18. Mower Lubrication (Oil)

18

19

Regular Maintenance

Figure 19. Suspension Lubrication

Top & Bottom, Left & Right

Figure 20. Rear Control Pivot Lubrication

Figure 22. Front Pivot Frame Lubrication

(Front location shown, rear grease fitting located through
clearance hole in brake cover panel.)

Figure 21. Lift Pivot Lubrication

20

Regular Maintenance

BATTERY MAINTENANCE

Checking the Battery Fluid

1. Raise the seat plate to access battery.

2. Remove the rubber strap and battery box cover.

3. Remove the battery filler cap (A, Figure 23). Fluid
must be even with the split ring full mark. If not, add
distilled water.

4. Reinstall the filler cap.

5. Reinstall the the battery box cover and rubber strap.

Cleaning the Battery and Cables

1. Disconnect the cables from the battery, negative
cable first (C, Figure 23).

2. Remove the battery and clean the compartment with
a solution of baking soda and water.

3. Clean the battery terminals and cable ends with a
wire brush until shiny.

4. Reinstall the battery and reattach the battery cables,
positive cable first (see B, Figure 23)

5. Coat the cable ends and battery terminals with petro­leum jelly or non-conducting grease.

A

B

C

Figure 23. Battery Compartment

A. Vent Cap(s)
B. Positive (+) Terminal
C. Negative (-) Terminal

WARNING

Be careful when handling the battery. Avoid
spilling electrolyte. Keep flames and sparks away
from the battery.

When removing or installing battery cables,
disconnect the negative cable FIRST and reconnect
it LAST. If not done in this order, the positive
terminal can be shorted to the frame by a tool.

21

SERVICING THE MOWER BLADES

1. Remove mower from the rider. See Mower
Installation & Removal.

2. Blades should be sharp and free of nicks and dents.
If not, sharpen blades as described in following
steps.

3. To remove blade for sharpening, use a wood block to
hold blade while removing the blade mounting cap­screw (Figure 24).

4. Use a file to sharpen blade to fine edge. Remove all
nicks and dents in blade edge. If blade is severely
damaged, it should be replaced.

5. Balance the blade as shown in Figure 25. Center the
blade’s hole on a nail lubricated with a drop of oil. A
balanced blade will remain level.

6. Reinstall each blade with the tabs pointing up toward
deck as shown in Figure 26. Secure with a cap­screw, spring washer and hex washer (be certain the
hex washer is aligned with the hex shaft). Use a
wooden block to prevent blade rotation and torque
capscrews to 45-55 ft.lbs. (61-75 N.m.).

WARNING

For your personal safety, blade mounting
capscrews must each be installed with a hex
washer and spring washer, then securely
tightened. Torque blade mounting capscrew to
45-55 ft. lbs. (61-75 N.m.)

LOOSEN

A

D

C

B

TIGHTEN

Figure 24. Removing the Blade

Figure 25. Balancing The Blade

Figure 26. Installing The Blade

A. 4x4 Wood Block C. Spring Washer
B. Hex Washer D. Blade Bolt

Nail

Regular Maintenance

22

Notes

23

Troubleshooting

Adjustments & Service

TROUBLESHOOTING

While normal care and regular maintenance will extend
the life of your equipment, prolonged or constant use
may eventually require that service be performed to
allow it to continue operating properly.

The troubleshooting guide below lists the most common
problems, their causes and remedies.

See the information on the following pages for instruc­tions on how to perform most of these minor adjust­ments and service repairs yourself. If you prefer, all of
these procedures can be performed for you by your
local authorized dealer.

WARNING

To avoid serious injury, perform maintenance on
the tractor or mower only when the engine is
stopped and the parking brake engaged.

Always remove the ignition key, disconnect the
spark plug wire and fasten it away from the plug
before beginning the maintenance, to prevent

TROUBLESHOOTING THE RIDER

PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY

Engine will not turnover or start. 1. Parking brake not engaged. 1. Engage parking brake.

2. PTO (electric clutch) switch 2. Place in OFF position.
in ON position.

3. Out of fuel. 3. If engine is hot, allow it to cool, then refill

the fuel tank.

4. Engine flooded. 4. Move throttle control out of CHOKE position.

5. Fuse blown. 5. Replace fuse.

6. Battery terminals require 6. Clean the battery terminals
cleaning.

7. Battery discharged or dead. 7. Recharge or replace.

8. Wiring loose or broken. 8. Visually check wiring & replace broken or

frayed wires. Tighten loose connections.

9. Solenoid or starter motor faulty. 9. Repair or replace. See authorized service dealer

10. Safety interlock switch 10. Replace as needed. See authorized
faulty. service dealer.

11. Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled 11. Clean and gap or replace.
or incorrectly gapped. See engine manual.

12. Water in fuel. 12. Drain fuel & refill with fresh fuel.

13. Gas is old or stale. 13. Drain fuel & replace with fresh fuel.

Engine starts hard or runs poorly. 1. Fuel mixture too rich. 1. Clean air filter. Check choke adjustment

(throttle control).

2. Spark plug faulty, fouled, or 2. Clean and gap or replace.
incorrectly gapped. (See engine manual.)

Engine knocks. 1. Low oil level. 1. Check/add oil as required.

2. Using wrong grade oil. 2. See engine manual.

Excessive oil consumption. 1. Engine running too hot. 1. Clean engine fins, blower screen and

air cleaner.

2. Using wrong weight oil. 2. See engine manual.

3. Too much oil in crankcase. 3. Drain excess oil.

Engine exhaust is black. 1. Dirty air filter. 1. Replace air filter. See engine manual.

2. Engine choke control 2. Open choke control.
is in closed position.

24

Rider Troubleshooting Continued.

PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY

Engine runs, but rider will 1. Hydraulic release valve(s) 1. Turn valve(s) clockwise to close.
not drive. in “open” position.

2. Belt is broken. 2. See Drive Belt Replacement.

3. Drive belt slips. 3. See problem and cause below.

4. Brake is not fully released. 4. See authorized service dealer

Rider drive belt slips. 1. Clutch is out of adjustment. 1. See authorized service dealer.

2. Pulleys or belt greasy or oily. 2. Clean as required.

3. Belt stretched or worn. 3. Replace belt.

Brake will not hold. 1. Brake is incorrectly adjusted. 1. See Brake Adjustment.

2. Brake caliper pads worn. 2. Replace with new brake pads.

Rider steers or handles poorly. 1. Steering linkage is loose. 1. Check and tighten any loose connections.

2. Improper tire inflation. 2. See Regular Maintenance Section.

TROUBLESHOOTING THE MOWER

PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY

Mower will not raise. 1. Lift linkage not properly attached 1. See authorized service dealer for repair.

or damaged.

Mower cut is uneven. 1. Mower not leveled properly. 1. See Mower Adjustment.

2. Rider tires not inflated 2. See Regular Maintenance Section.
equally or properly.

Mower cut is rough looking. 1. Engine speed too slow. 1. Set throttle to full.

2. Ground speed too fast. 2. Decrease Ground Speed.

3. Blades are dull. 3. Sharpen or replace blades.

See Mower Blade Service.

4. Mower drive belt slipping 4. Clean or replace belt as necessary.
because it is oily or worn.

5. Blades not properly fastened 5. See Servicing the Mower Blades.
to arbors.

Engine stalls easily with 1. Engine speed too slow. 1. Set to full throttle.
mower engaged. 2. Ground speed too fast. 2. Decrease Ground Speed.

3. Cutting height set too low. 3. Cut tall grass at maximum cutting

height during first pass.

4. Discharge chute jamming 4. Cut grass with discharge pointing toward
with cut grass. previously cut area.

Excessive mower vibration. 1. Blade mounting screws 1. Tighten to 45-55 ft.lbs. (61-75 N.m.).

are loose.

2. Mower blades, arbors, 2. Check and replace as necessary.
or pulleys are bent.

3. Mower blades are out 3. Remove, sharpen, and balance blades.
of balance. See Maintenance Section.

4. Belt installed incorrectly. 4. Reinstall Correctly.

Excessive belt wear or breakage. 1. Bent or rough pulleys. 1. Repair or replace.

2. Using incorrect belt. 2. Replace with correct belt.

Mower drive belt slips 1. Idler pulley spring broken or not 1. Repair or replace as needed.
or fails to drive. properly attached.

2. Mower drive belt broken. 2. Replace drive belt.

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

SEAT ADJUSTMENT

See Figure 27. The seat can be adjusted forward and
back. Move the lever forward, position the seat as
desired, and release the lever to lock the seat into posi­tion.

GROUND SPEED CONTROL LEVER
ADJUSTMENT

The control levers can be adjusted in two ways. The
alignment of the control levers can be adjusted along
with the placement of the levers (how close the ends are
to one another) can be adjusted.

To Adjust the Handle Alignment

Loosen the mount bolts (A, Figure 28) and pivot the
lever(s) (C, Figure 28) to align with each other.

To Adjust the Handle Placement

Loosen the jam nuts and adjust the placement bolt (B,
Figure 28) in or out to properly adjust the lever end
spacing.

SPEED BALANCING ADJUSTMENT

If the rider veers to the right or left when the ground
speed control levers are in the maximum forward posi­tion, the top speed of each of these levers can be bal­anced by turning the adjustment bolt(s) (A, Figure 29).
Only adjust the speed of the wheel that is traveling
faster.

To Reduce the Speed of the Faster Wheel

1. Loosen the securing nut.

2. turn the top speed adjustment bolt COUNTER­CLOCKWISE to reduce the speed.

3. Retighten the securing nut when adjustment is com­plete.

Seat Adjustment Lever

Figure 27. Seat Adjustment

A

Figure 28. Control Lever Adjustment

A. Alignment Hardware
B. Placement Hardware
C. Ground Speed Control Lever

B

Figure 29. Top Speed Adjustment

(Right side shown with control cover removed.)
A. Top Speed Adjustment Bolt
B. Control Lever Base
C. Neutral Lock Plate

A

FRONT

B

C

C

WARNING

DO NOT adjust the tractor for a faster overall
speed forward or reverse than it was designed
for.

25

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT

1. Disengage the PTO, stop the engine, block the front
wheels, remove the ignition key, and engage the
parking brake.

2. Remove both control covers.

3. Locate the upper brake spring (A, Figure 30).

4. With the parking brake engaged, measure the com­pressed spring length. The spring should be 2” to 2­1/8” (5.0 - 5.4cm) when compressed.

5. If the spring is not within this range, jack up the rear
of the machine and secure with jackstands. Remove
both drive tires.

6. Locate the lower brake spring (A, Figure 31), adjust­ment nuts (B, Figure 31) and adjustment link (C,
Figure 31).

7. Release the parking brake and turn the adjustment
nuts to compress or release the upper spring. Lock
the nuts against the adjustment link (C, Figure 31).

If this adjustment does not correct a braking prob­lem, see your dealer.

SUSPENSION HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

If the rider tilts either side-to-side or front-to-rear, this
adjustment will level the frame with the ground.

Although this adjustment may not be necessary, it may
be required if additional weight (ie. a grass catcher) is
added to the frame or a drive tire is replaced.

To level the frame, loosen the jam nut (B, Figure 32) and
turn turn the height adjustment bolt (A, Figure 32)
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE to lower the corresponding
side of the frame, and CLOCKWISE to raise the frame.

NOTE: Perform this adjustment on a hard, level surface
such as a concrete floor. Making this adjustment will
affect the mower cutting height. For fine cutting height
adjustment, see your authorized dealer.

A

Figure 32. Suspension Height Adjustment

A. Height Adjustment Bolt
B. Jam Nut

B

FRONT

Figure 30. Parking Brake Adjustment

A. Upper Brake Spring

A

Figure 31. Parking Brake Adjustment

A. Lower Brake Spring
B. Adjustment Nuts
C. Adjustment Link

A

C

B

CAUTION

Do not adjust the spring to be shorter than 2”
when compressed. This may damage the brake
caliper.

26

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

PTO CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT

Check the PTO clutch adjustment after the initial 50
hour break-in period and then after every 250 hours of
operation. Also perform the following procedure if the
clutch is slipping or will not engage, or if a new clutch
has been installed.

1. Remove key from ignition switch and disconnect
spark plug wires to prevent the possibility of acciden­tal starting while the PTO is being adjusted.

2. See Figure 33. Note the position of the 3 adjustment
windows (A) in the side of the brake plate and the
nylock adjustment nuts (B).

3. Insert a .010”-.015” (2.5-4mm) feeler gauge (C)
through each window, positioning the gauge between
the rotor face and the armature face as shown in
Figure 34.

4. Alternately tighten the adjustment nuts (B, Figure 33)
until the rotor face and armature face just contacts
the gauge.

5. Check the windows for an equal amount of tension
when the gauge is inserted and removed, and make
any necessary adjustments by tightening or loosen­ing the adjustment nuts.

NOTE: The actual air gap between the rotor and arma­ture may vary even after performing the adjustment pro­cedure. This is due to dimensional variations on compo­nent parts, and is an acceptable condition.

6. Check the mower blade stopping time. The mower
blades and mower drive belt should come to a com­plete stop within five seconds after the electric PTO
switch is turned off.

WARNING

To avoid serious injury, perform adjustments only
with engine stopped, key removed and tractor on
level ground.

Blade Brake Check

Mower blades and mower drive belt should come to a
complete stop within five seconds after electric PTO
switch is turned off.

1. With parking brake engaged, PTO disengaged and
an operator in the seat, start the engine engine.

2. Have an assistant observe the mower drive belt
through the open end of the left-hand arbor cover.
Engage the PTO and wait several seconds.
Disengage the PTO and check the amount of time it
takes for the mower drive belt to stop.

3. If the mower drive belt does not stop within five sec­onds, perform the PTO Clutch Adjustment. If the belt
still does not stop within 5 seconds, see your dealer.

B

A

C

A

B

B

B

Figure 33. PTO Clutch Adjustment

A. Adjustment Window (Qty. 3, one shown)
B. Adjustment Nut

Figure 34. Adjust PTO Clutch

A. Window
B. Adjustment Nut
C. .010”-.015” (2.5-4mm) Feeler Gauge

27

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT

If the tractor “creeps” while the ground speed control
levers are locked in NEUTRAL, than it may be neces­sary to adjust the control linkage.

NOTE: Perform this adjustment on a hard, level surface
such as a concrete floor.

1. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake and
turn off the engine.

2. Loosen the jam nut (B, Figure 35) and turn the
adjustment linkage (A, Figure 35) to adjust. If the
machine creeps forward, turn the linkage CLOCK­WISE (while standing at the rear of the machine, fac­ing forward), if the machine creeps backward, turn
the linkage COUNTER-CLOCKWISE.

3. Lock the jam nut (B) when neutral is achieved.

NOTE: This adjustment should not be performed while
the machine is running. It may take several attempts to
achieved neutral, depending upon how much the
machine creeps.

DAMPENER FORCE & NEUTRAL
SPRING RETURN ADJUSTMENT

These adjustments will taylor the “feel” of the control
levers to the operator.

Each of the dampeners and springs (C and A, Figure

36) has three adjustment holes (D and B, Figure 36).
The farther up the dampener and spring are placed, the
more effective the dampener becomes and the more
spring force will be felt by the operator while driving for­ward.

The closer together the dampeners and springs are
placed, the slower the machine will return to NEUTRAL
when the control levers are released. The farther apart
the dampeners and springs are placed, the faster the
machine will return to neutral.

NOTE: These adjustments must be made to BOTH
sides at the same time, and be placed in the SAME
position to one another.

A

B

Figure 35. Neutral Adjustment

A. Control Linkage
B. Jam Nut

Figure 36. Dampener & Return Spring Adjustment

A. Neutral Return Spring C. Dampener
B. Spring Adjustment Holes D. Dampener

Adjustment Holes

A

D

C

B

28

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

MOWER ADJUSTMENTS

Gauge Wheels

The mower gauge wheels can be placed in two posi­tions depending on the height of cut. When using higher
cutting heights, set the wheels in the lower position.
When using lower cutting heights, set the wheels in the
upper position. To adjust:

1. Remove the hair pin clip (A, B, Figure 37).

2. For upper position, install the pin (A) through the
spindle above the bracket (C). For the lower posi­tion, push down on the top of the spindle, and install
the hair pin clip (B) below the top of the bracket (C).

Cutting Height Adjustment

The cutting height adjustment pin (A, Figure 38) controls
the mower cutting height. The cutting height is
adjustable between 1-3/4” (4.4cm) and 5” (12.7cm) in
1/4” (.64cm) increments.

Depress the deck lift foot pedal (B, Figure 38), placing
the majority of the force on the top edge of the pedal
until it locks into the “TRANSPORT” position. Place the
cutting height adjustment pin in the desired cutting
height. Depress the deck lift foot pedal, placing the
majority of the force on the bottom edge of the pedal to
release the pedal from the “TRANSPORT” position.

Deck Roller Adjustment

Level the roller, side-to-side using the eccentric nuts.

First place the cutting height adjustment in the 1-3/4”
position. See figure 39. Loosen the outside nut (C)
then turn the eccentric nut (B) to raise or lower the roller
bar. There should be approximately 1/4” of ground
clearance in the lowest cutting position. This clearance
will increase as the height of cut increases.

WARNING

Before checking mower, shut off PTO and engine.
Allow all moving parts to stop. Remove ignition
key, then disconnect the spark plug wire and
fasten it away from the spark plug.

A

C

B

Figure 37. Gauge Wheel Adjustment

A. Hair Pin (Upper Position)
B. Hair Pin (Lower Position)
C. Gauge Wheel Bracket

A

B

C

Figure 38. Cutting Height Adjustment

A. Cutting Height Adjustment Pin
B. Deck Lift Foot Pedal
C. Cutting Height Selection Decal

Figure 39. Deck Roller Adjustment

A. Roller Bar
B. Eccentric Nut
C. Outside Nut

C

A

B

29

30

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

FRONT

Figure 40. Hydraulic Pump Drive Belt Replacement

A. Pump Drive Belt E. Idler Pulley (Ribbed)
B. Crankshaft Pulley F. Idler Pulley (Smooth)
C. Pump Pulley G. Idler Arm
D. Spring(s) H. Spring Anchor Bolt(s)

A

E

B

C

C

F

D

H

E

G

F

MOWER BELT REPLACEMENT

PTO Belt Replacement

1. Park the tractor on a smooth, level surface such as a
concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, engage the
parking brake, turn off the engine, and remove the
ignition key.

2. Remove the hairpin clip and clevis pin and remove
the deck lift foot pedal. Lift the floor plate to gain
access to the PTO drive belt.

3. Release the spring tension on the PTO drive belt
with a wrench on top of the idler pulley (A, Figure

41).

4. Slide the drive belt over the edge of the idler pulley.
Drop the belt from the PTO clutch pulley groove.

NOTE: Releasing the belt tension may loosen the hard­ware fastening the idler pulley to the idler arm. Make
sure to re-tighten the hardware if this occurs.

5. Remove the old belt and replace with a new one.
Make sure the V-side of the belt runs in the pulley
grooves (Figure 42).

6. Install the drive belt on the PTO pulley, the arbor pul­ley and V-sided idler pulley. Release the spring ten­sion on the idler pulley (A, Figure 41) and install the
belt onto the pulley.

7. Run the mower under no-load condition for about 5
minutes.

FRONT

Figure 42. Mower PTO Belt Routing

A. Arbor Pulley C. Idler Pulley (Flat-sided)
B. PTO Drive Belt D. Idler Pulley (V-sided)

C

B

D

A

Figure 41. Mower PTO Belt

A. Idler Pulley (Flat-sided)
B. PTO Drive Belt

B

A

HYDRAULIC PUMP DRIVE BELT
REPLACEMENT

1. Park the tractor on a smooth, level surface such as a
concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, engage the
parking brake, turn off the engine, and remove the
ignition key.

2. Remove the PTO drive belt (see section below for
instructions).

3. Remove the nuts fastening the spring anchor bolts
(H, Figure 40) to the anchor arm.

4. Remove the old belt and replace it with the new one.
Be sure the ribs of the belt are seated correctly in
the grooves of the pump pulleys, crankshaft pulley
and the ribbed idler pulleys (C, B and E, Figure 40).

5. Reinstall the anchor bolts (H, Figure 40) into the
anchor arm and fasten the nuts.

6. Reinstall the PTO drive belt.

To avoid damaging belts, DO NOT
PRY BELTS OVER PULLEYS.

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

C

A

A

D

B

Figure 43. Mower Deck

A. Capscrew
B. Right-hand Arbor Cover
C. Spring
D. Left-hand Arbor Cover

Arbor Drive Belt Replacement

NOTE: Be sure to use only genuine Simplicity replace­ment parts.

1. Park the tractor on a smooth, level surface such as a
concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, turn off the
engine and lock the parking brake. Remove the key.

2. Remove the PTO belt.

3. Remove the capscrews (A, Figure 43) securing the
right-hand arbor cover (B, Figure 43). Remove the
capscrews (A, Figure 43) securing the left-hand
arbor cover (D, Figure 43). Remove both arbor cov­ers.

4. Using a pair of locking pliers or a spring puller,
remove the idler pulley spring (C, Figure 43) from
slot in deck.

5. Slip the belt over the idler pulley and remove the
belt.

6. Install a new belt as shown in Figure 44. Make sure
that V-side of belt runs in arbor pulley (A) grooves
and flat side of belt runs against idler pulley (B).

7. Reinstall spring (C, Figure 43) into its slot in mower
deck.

8. Reinstall the right and left arbor covers (B and D,
Figure 43) and secure with the capscrews (A, Figure

43).

FRONT

A

A

B

A

Figure 44. Mower Deck Drive Belt Routing

A. Arbor Drive Pulley (V-sided)
B. Idler Pulley (Flat-sided)

31

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

BATTERY SERVICE

Checking Battery Voltage

A voltmeter can be used to determine condition of bat­tery. When engine is off, the voltmeter shows battery
voltage, which should be 12 volts. When engine is run­ning, the voltmeter shows voltage of charging circuit
which normally is 13 to 14 volts.

A dead battery or one too weak to start the engine may
not mean the battery needs to be replaced. For exam­ple, it may mean that the alternator is not charging the
battery properly. If there is any doubt about the cause of
the problem, see your dealer. If you need to replace the
battery, follow the steps under Cleaning the Battery &
Cables in the Regular Maintenance Section.

CHARGING A COMPLETELY
DISCHARGED BATTERY

1. Be aware of all the safety precautions you should
observe during the charging operation. If you are
unfamiliar with the use of a battery charger and
hydrometer, have the battery serviced by your deal­er.

2. Add distilled water sufficient to cover the plate (fill to
the proper level near the end of the charge). If the
battery is extremely cold, allow it to warm before
adding water because the water level will rise as it
warms. Also, an extremely cold battery will not
accept a normal charge until it becomes warm.

3. Always unplug or turn the charger off before attach­ing or removing the clamp connections.

4. Carefully attach the clamps to the battery in proper
polarity (usually red to [+] positive and black to [-]
negative).

5. While charging, periodically measure the tempera­ture of the electrolyte. If the temperature exceeds
125° F (51.6° C), or if violent gassing or spewing of
electrolyte occurs, the charging rate must be

WARNING

Keep open flames and sparks away from the
battery; the gasses coming from it are highly
explosive. Ventilate the battery well during
charging.

6. Charge the battery until fully charged (until the spe­cific gravity of the electrolyte is 1.250 or higher and
the electrolyte temperature is at least 60° F). The
best method of making certain a battery is fully
charged, but not over charged, is to measure the
specific gravity of a cell once per hour. The battery is
fully charged when the cells are gassing freely at low
charging rate and less than 0.003 change in specific
gravity occurs over a three hour period.

JUMP STARTING WITH AUXILIARY
(BOOSTER) BATTERY

Jump starting is not recommended. However, if it must
be done, follow these directions. Both booster and dis­charged batteries should be treated carefully when using
jumper cables. Follow the steps below EXACTLY, being
careful not to cause sparks. Refer to Figure 45.

1. Both batteries must be of the same voltage.

2. Position the vehicle with the booster battery adjacent
to the vehicle with the discharged battery so that
booster cables can be connected easily to the batter­ies in both vehicles. Make certain vehicles do not
touch each other.

3. Wear safety glasses and shield eyes and face from
batteries at all times. Be sure vent caps are tight.
Place damp cloth over vent caps on both batteries.

4. Connect positive (+) cable to positive post of dis­charged battery (wired to starter or solenoid).

5. Connect the other end of same cable to same post
marked positive (+) on booster battery.

6. Connect the second cable negative (-) to other post
of booster battery.

7. Make final connection on engine block of stalled
vehicle away from battery. Do not lean over batter­ies.

8. Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster bat­tery. Wait a few minutes, then attempt to start the
engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.

9. If the vehicle does not start after cranking for thirty
seconds, STOP PROCEDURE. More than thirty sec­onds seldom starts the engine unless some mechan­ical adjustment is made.

10. After starting, allow the engine to return to idle
speed. Remove the cable connection at the engine
or frame. Then remove the other end of the same
cable from the booster battery.

11. Remove the other cable by disconnecting at the dis­charged battery first and then disconnect the oppo­site end from the booster battery.

12. Discard the damp cloths that were placed over the
battery vent caps.

32

33

Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

To
Starter
Switch

Starting
Vehicle
Battery

To Ground

To
Starter
Switch

Discharged
Vehicle
Battery

Engine
Block

THIS HOOK-UP FOR NEGATIVE GROUND VEHICLES

MAKE CERTAIN VEHICLES DO NOT TOUCH

Jumper Cable

Jumper Cable

WARNING

Any procedure other than the preceding could
result in:

(1) personal injury caused by electrolyte

squirting out the battery vents,

(2) personal injury or property damage due to

battery explosion,

(3) damage to the charging system of the

booster vehicle or of the immobilized
vehicle.

Do not attempt to jump start a vehicle having a
frozen battery because the battery may rupture or
explode. If a frozen battery is suspected, examine
all fill vents on the battery. If ice can be seen or if
the electrolyte fluid cannot be seen, do not
attempt to start with jumper cables as long as the
battery remains frozen.

WARNING

For your personal safety, use extreme care when
jump starting. Never expose battery to open flame
or electric spark – battery action generates
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive.
Do not allow battery acid to contact skin, eyes,
fabrics, or painted surfaces. Batteries contain a
sulfuric acid solution which can cause serious
personal injury or property damage.

When removing or installing battery cables, dis­connect the negative cable FIRST and reconnect
it LAST. If not done in this order, the positive ter­minal can be shorted to the frame by a tool.

To avoid engine damage, do not disconnect bat­tery while engine is running. Be sure terminal
connections are tight before starting.

Figure 45. Jump Starting

34

Notes

Lawn Care

& Mowing Information

TYPES OF GRASS, CLIMATE AND
CONDITIONS

A variety of grasses are commonly grown in household
lawns, but two main groups known as cool-season
grasses (varieties of bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue),
and warm-season grasses (typically bermuda, buffalo
grass, and zoysia varieties) are the most common.

The cool-season grasses are better suited to cooler cli­mates, and do not endure hot and dry weather as well as
warm-season grasses, but conversely, the warm-season
grasses do not grow as well in cooler climates. Most resi­dential lawns are typically seeded with a mixture of these
grasses. (A local nursery or lawn center may help you to
identify what kind of grass your lawn contains from a
sample.)

Knowing your climate and conditions is also important to
proper lawn care. Drier climates or conditions will require
additional watering, while wetter climates may require
more frequent mowing.

HOW AND WHEN TO WATER,
FERTILIZE & AERATE

Every lawn’s watering needs are unique and are depen­dent upon the type of grass and soil, the amount of local
rainfall, and other conditions. Most lawns are watered
too often, but with too little water. However too much
water can allow development of diseases with your lawn.

It is best to water the lawn only when necessary, and
then to water it slowly, evenly, and deeply—imitating
a slow, soaking rain.

WHEN TO WATER YOUR LAWN

When the lawn begins to wilt, the grass’s color dulls, or
footprints stay compressed for more than a few seconds,
the lawn is beginning to dry out, and needs additional
moisture. The best time to water is early morning to allow
the water to soak deeply into the lawn and reduce the
amount that evaporates in the hot afternoon sun.

LC-1

HOW TO WATER YOUR LAWN

The best method of watering a lawn is to imitate a slow,
soaking rain, applying about 1 inch of water. A method
of verifying the amount that you have watered, is to place
several empty tin cans (low shallow cans work best) in
various spots around the lawn, and check the depth of
water in the can during the watering process.

HOW TO FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN

Fertilizing with a slow-release fertilizer provides missing
nutrients which help create slow, even growth. While
opinions vary on the need for fertilizing, when and how
much to fertilize will be more a factor of the condition of
the lawn and soil than any routine. Remember that over­fertilizing can cause harm, and that most fertilizing
should be applied in the spring so that it will release into
the lawn through the summer. For more information,
check with a local nursery or lawn care specialist, and
read and follow the fertilizer manufacturer’s instructions.

AERATING YOUR LAWN

Consider aerating your lawn in spring. Using an aerator
to remove cores of soil from the lawn increases the
speed of clipping decomposition and encourages deeper
root growth by opening up the soil and permitting greater
movement of water, fertilizer and air.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Proper mowing is an important part of maintaining your
lawn in the best possible condition. A healthy and well
maintained lawn is better able to resist drought, weeds,
and other stresses. But too much maintenance is as
detrimental to your lawn as neglect. Proper care for your
lawn involves more than just “cutting the grass.” To have
a healthy lawn, you need to know:

• Types of Grass, Climate and Conditions

• How and When to Water, Fertilize & Aerate

• How High to Mow the Grass

• When and How Often to Mow

• What Mowing Patterns to Use

• Proper Mowing Methods

• How to Solve Common Mowing Problems

TP 600-7000-01-UV-FD

LC-2

Lawn Care & Mowing Information

HOW HIGH TO
MOW THE GRASS

Often cutting height is a
matter of personal prefer­ence. Typically, you should
mow the grass when it is is
between three and five
inches high.

The proper
cutting height range for a
specific lawn will depend
upon several factors,
including the type of grass,
the amount of rainfall, the
prevailing temperature, and
the lawn’s overall condition.

Cutting the grass too short
causes weak, thin grass
plants, which are easily
damaged by dry periods
and pests. Cutting too short
is often more damaging
than allowing the grass to be slightly higher.

Letting grass grow a bit longer—especially when it is hot and
dry—reduces heat build-up, preserves needed moisture and
protects the grass from heat damage and other problems.
However, allowing grass to grow too high can cause thin turf
and additional problems.

Cutting off too much at one time shocks the plant’s growth
system and weakens the grass plants. A good rule of

thumb is the 1/3 rule: to cut no more than one third of
the grass height, and never more than 1 inch at a time.

The amount of grass you are able to cut in one pass is also
effected by the type of mowing system you are using (for
example, broadcasting with side discharge decks can
process a much larger volume of grass than mulching does).

NOTE: We cover some specific mowing instructions for
mulching and broadcasting later in this Lawn Care section.

Proper Cutting Height

Cut
Here On
Second
Pass

Cut Here On
First Pass

Optimal
cutting point
at less than
1/3 from top
of grass blade

Tall Grass Requires Incremental Cutting

For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at maxi­mum for the first pass, and then reset it to the desired
height and mow a second or third time.

Don’t cover the grass surface with a heavy layer of
clippings. Consider using a grass collection system
and starting a compost pile.

Cutting down to this
area contributes to
thatch problems

Cut less than

1/3

1 inch

1/3

LC-3

Lawn Care & Mowing Information

Where possible, make one or two passes around the
outside of the area discharging the grass INTO the lawn
to keep the cut grass off fences and walks.

WHEN AND HOW OFTEN TO MOW

The time of day and condition of the grass greatly affect
the results you’ll get when mowing. For the best results,
follow these guidelines:

l Mow when the grass is between three and five inches

high.

l Mow with sharp blades. Short clippings of grass one

inch or shorter decompose more quickly than longer
blades. Sharp mower blades cut grass cleanly and
efficiently, preventing frayed edges which harm the
grass.

l Mow at time of day when the grass is cool and dry.

Late afternoon or early evening often provide these
ideal mowing conditions.

l Avoid mowing after rain or even heavy dew, and

never mulch when the grass is wet (moist grass does
not mulch well, and clumps beneath the mower
deck).

WHAT MOWING PATTERNS TO USE

Always start mowing on a smooth, level area.
The size and type of area to be mowed will determine

the best mowing pattern to use. Obstructions such as
trees, fences and buildings, and conditions such as
slopes and grades must also be considered.

l Cut long straight strips overlapping slightly.
l Where possible, change patterns occasionally to

eliminate matting, graining or a corrugated appear­ance.

l For a truly professional cut, mow across the lawn in

one direction, then recut the lawn by mowing perpen­dicular to the previous cut.

The remainder of the mowing should be done in the
opposite direction so that the clippings are dispersed
OUT onto the area of lawn previously cut.

Note: Always operate the engine at full throttle when
mowing.

If you hear the engine slowing down, you are mowing too
fast—using a slower ground speed will improve the cut­ting efficiency of the blades and prevents many common
cutting problems. Use an appropriate ground speed for
the thickness and height of the grass you are cutting (3rd
gear or slower for manual gear models). If you hear the
engine slowing down you are mowing too fast, use a
slower ground speed.

LC-4

Lawn Care & Mowing Information

MOWING METHODS

Proper Broadcast Mowing

Broadcasting, or side-discharging, disperses fine clip­pings evenly over the entire lawn. Many golf courses use
this method. Your mower has a deep dish deck to allow
freer circulation of clippings so they are broadcast evenly
over the lawn.

ENGINE SPEED & GROUND SPEED FOR BROADCASTING

Always operate the engine at full throttle when mowing.
If you hear the engine slowing down, you are mowing too
fast—using a slower ground speed will improve the cut­ting efficiency of the blades and prevents many common
cutting problems.

ALWAYS use an appropriate ground speed for the thick­ness and height of the grass you are cutting (3rd gear or
slower for manual gear models). If you hear the engine

slowing down you are mowing too fast, use a slower
ground speed.

HOW MUCH GRASS TO CUT OFF WHEN BROADCASTING

Mow when the grass is 3-5 inches long. Do not cut the
grass shorter than 2 to 2-1/2 inches. Do not cut off more
that 1 inch of grass in a single pass.

Proper Mulching

Mulching consists of a mower
deck which cuts and recuts clip­pings into tiny particles and
which then blows them down
INTO the lawn. These tiny parti­cles decompose rapidly into by­products your lawn can use.
UNDER PROPER CONDI­TIONS, your mulching mower will virtually eliminate
noticeable clippings on the lawn surface.

NOTE: When mulching under heavy cutting conditions, a
rumbling sound may be present and is normal.

MULCHING REQUIRES EXCELLENT MOWING
CONDITIONS

Mulching mowers cannot function properly if the grass is
wet, or if the grass is simply to high to cut. Even more
than normal mowing, mulching requires that the grass be
dry and the the appropriate amount is cut.

Do not use the mower as a mulching mower during the
first two or three mowings in the spring. The long grass
blades, quick growth, and often wetter conditions are
more suitable for broadcasting (side-discharging) or
grass bagging operation.

ENGINE SPEED & GROUND SPEED FOR BROADCASTING

Use full engine throttle matched with a slow ground
speed so that clippings will be finely cut. Ground speed
while mulching should be HALF of the speed that would
be used when broadcasting (side discharging) under
similar conditions. Since mulching requires more horse­power than broadcasting, using a slower ground speed is
vitally important for proper mulching operation.

HOW MUCH GRASS TO MULCH

The best mulching action typical­ly results from cutting only the
top 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of grass
blade. This provides short clip­pings which decompose properly
(much more quickly than longer

clippings). The ideal cutting
height will vary with climate, time of year, and quality of
your lawn. We recommend that you experiment with both
the cutting height and ground speed until you achieve
the best cut. Start with a high cutting height and using
progressively lower settings until you find a cutting height
that is matched to your mowing conditions and prefer­ences.

Mulching Action

LC-5

Lawn Care & Mowing Information

TIPS On Dealing With Clippings

Clippings are beneficial to your lawn. A common mis­conception about clippings is that they automatically
lead to thatch—this is untrue. Short clippings produced
by broadcasting and clippings produced by mulching
methods actually contribute to a healthy lawn
because they:

• Reduce the evaporation of water from your lawn.

• Provide a cushioning layer to reduce lawn wear.

• Moderate soil temperature.

• Clippings act as a safe, non-polluting and inexpen­sive fertilizer that nourishes your lawn. Fresh cut
grass blades are 85% water, and are a rich source
of nitrogen which is essential to lush growth. And
one garbage bag of clippings contains about 1/4 lb.
of usable organic nitrogen.

COMPOSTING

The best way to recycle excess clippings and leave your
lawn looking immaculate is to collect them with an effi­cient collection system and deposit them in a compost
pile. A compost pile is a collection of grass, leaves, and
other organic wastes which—when properly tended—
decompose into an odorless, topsoil material. This
material, in turn, acts as an inexpensive fertilizer for your
lawn and garden.

How to start a healthy compost pile:

1 Build a bin using bricks, fencing, cement blocks, etc. or pur-

chase a prefabricated bin from a garden store. The bin
should also have venting on each side and from the bottom
to the top.

2 Fill the bin with alternating layers of yard waste. Follow this

recipe:
First layer: 3-4 inches of chopped brush or other coarse

material.
Second layer: 6-8 inches of mixed leaves, grass clippings,

sawdust, etc. Materials should be "sponge damp."
Third layer: 1 inch of soil to add micro-organisms that help

break down organic matter.

Fourth layer: 1-2 inches of manure to provide the nitrogen
needed by micro-organisms.

Keep adding layers until the bin is almost full. Top off with
a 4-6 inch layer of straw and scoop out a "basin" to catch
rain water.

3 Four or five days later the pile will reach temperatures of

140-160 degrees. At this time you'll notice it settling, a
good sign your compost is working properly.

4 After 5-6 weeks, fork materials into a new pile, turning the

outside of the old heap into the center of the new one. Add
water if necessary. The compost should be ready to use
within three to four months when dark brown, crumbly, and
earthy-smelling.

LC-6

Lawn Care & Mowing Information

Stepped Cutting

Stepped cutting is sharp ridges or uneven levels left in
the lawn surface. Stepped cutting is usually caused by
mower deck damage or misadjustment, or damage to
mower blades.

CAUSE SOLUTION

Deck is not leveled correctly Level the deck correctly
Tires are not properly inflated Check and inflate the tires
Blades are damaged Replace the blades
Deck shell is damaged Repair or replace the deck
Mower spindle is bent or loose Repair or replace the spindle
Blades are installed incorrectly Reinstall the blades correctly

Stepped Cutting

Streaking

Streaking

Streaking is when thin strips of uncut grass are left
behind the mower. Streaking is usually caused by
operator error or poor blade maintenance.

CAUSE SOLUTION

Blades are not sharp Sharpen your blades
Blades are worn down too far Replace your blades
Engine speed is too slow Always mow at full throttle
Ground speed is too fast Slow down
Deck is plugged with grass Clean out the mower
Not overlapping cutting rows enough Overlap your cutting rows
Not overlapping enough when turning When turning your effective cutting width

decreases–overlap more when turning

SOLUTIONS FOR COMMON MOWING PROBLEMS

LC-7

Lawn Care & Mowing Information

Stingers

Stingers are sparse patches of uncut grass left behind
the mower. Stingers are usually caused by operator
error or poor blade maintenance.

CAUSE SOLUTION

Blades are not sharp or are nicked Sharpen your blades
Blades are worn down too far Replace your blades
Engine speed is too slow Always mow at full throttle
Ground speed is too fast Slow down
Deck is plugged with grass Clean out the mower

Uneven Cutting

Uneven cutting is waviness or smooth troughs in the
lawn surface. Uneven cutting is usually caused by
mower deck damage or misadjustment.

CAUSE SOLUTION

Deck is not leveled correctly Level the deck correctly
Blades are dull or worn Sharpen or replace the blades
Blades are damaged Replace the blades
Deck is clogged with grass clippings Clean out the deck
Deck shell is damaged Repair or replace the deck
Mower spindle is bent or loose Repair or replace the spindle
Blades are installed incorrectly Reinstall the blades correctly

Scalping

Scalping is when the mower deck comes close to or hits
the ground. Scalping can be caused by the mower deck
misadjustment, unevenness in the lawn, or by mower
deck bouncing because the ground speed is too fast.

CAUSE SOLUTION

Lawn is uneven or bumpy Roll or level the lawn
Mower deck cutting height is set too low Raise the cutting height
Ground speed is too fast Slow down
Deck is not leveled correctly Correctly level the deck
Tire pressure is low or uneven Check and inflate the tires

Uneven Cutting

Scalping

Stingers

LC-8

Common International Symbols

Technical Manuals

Additional Technical Literature Available

Operators Manuals

Additional copies of this manual are available, (and as part
of our product support commitment, we maintain a stock of
printed operators manuals going back many years!)

Parts Manuals

Fully illustrated parts manuals are also available —
these manuals show all of the product’s components in
exploded views (“3D” illustrations which show the relationship of
the parts and how they go together), as well as giving the replace­ment part numbers and quantities used. Important assembly notes and
special torque values are included in these manuals.

For the applicable manuals currently available for
your model, contact your local dealer. Have the
information listed in the box at the right available
when making your request.

Model:
Serial No.:
Your Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Visa/Mastercard No.:
Card Expiration Date:

Choke

Fast (Throttle)

Slow (Throttle)

Throttle

Fuel

PTO Clutch

Parking Brake

Brake

Headlights

Mower Cutting
Height Adjustment

LC-9

Notes