Snapper LT12D41 Series Safety Instructions & Operator's Manual

_Safety Instructions& Operator's Manual for

LT12D41 SERIES LAWN

TRACTORS

& MOWER

ATTACHMEN'r

Thank you for buying a SNAPPER product! Before operating your mower, read
and follow the Important Safety Instructions(on page 2), the other instructions
contained in this manual and the accompanying booklet, "About Power Mower
Safety". Lawnmowers, and all power equipment, can be potentially dangerous

if used improperly. REMEMBER: SAFETY REQUIRES CAREFUL USE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND COMMON SENSE.

SNAPPER POWEREQUIPMENT

McDonough, Georgia 30253

ADivismnof Fuqualndustrles :_/_ I_I

(Rev. 2. 4/90) M,_NUAL #2-3211

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: This powerful cutting machine is capable of
amputating hands and feet and can throw objects that can
cause injury and damage! Failure to observe the following

safety instructions could result in serious injury. Carefully

read this manual and question your dealer if something is
not clear. Should the dealer be unable to answer to your

satisfaction, write or call the Customer Service Depart-

ment at SNAPPER Power Equipment, McDonough,

Georgia 30253 (phone [phone]).

PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN

1,

2.

DO NOT allow children in yard when machine is

operated.

DO NOT allow children to ride on machine or on at-
tachments.

3. DO NOT allow pre-teenage children to operate
machine.

4. Only responsible teenagers with mature judgement
shall be allowed to operate machine and only under
close supervision.

PROTECTION AGAINST TIPOVERS

1.

2,

DO NOT operate machine on slopes exceeding 15°

(27% grade),

On slopes above 10° (18% grade); exercise extreme
caution; turn blade OFF when traveling uphill;

reduce speed , ayoid sharp turns.

3,

4.

Avoid uphill starts. If machine is stopped going
uphill, turn blade off and back slowly down the slope.

DO NOT mow under any condition where traction or

stability is doubtful without first test driving over the

terrain with blade OFF.

5. Stay alert for holes and other hidden hazards and
keep away from ditches, washouts, culverts, fences

and protruding objects.

6. DO NOT mow back and forth across face of slopes.

7. KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE (at least three feet) away
from edge of ditches and other drop offs.

OTHER IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

1. Read and follow operator's manuals and instructions
furnished with attachments.

2. Only mature, responsible persons shall operate the
machine.

3,

4.

5.

6.

7.

Mount and dismount machine from left side.

Wear appropriate protective clothing when mowing
such as long pants and substantial footwear, not
barefoot or with open sandals.

Practice operation of machine with blade OFF to
learn controls and develop skill.

Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs must
not operate machine.

Know how to stop blade and engine quickly in
preparation for emergencies.

8,

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

2

Keep people and pets a safe distance from machine.

Shields, deflectors, switches, blade controls and
other safety devices must be in proper position and

functional.

Clear area to be worked of wire, rocks and other ob-
jects that could cause injury if thrown by blade.

STOP blade, stop engine and remove key when leaw

ing machine.

DO NOT operate machine unless properly seated

with feet on foot rests or pedal.

Keep hands and feet away from rotating blade
underneath deck. Never place foot on ground while

blade is ON or when machine is in motion!

Turn blade OFF, stop engine and wait for blade to
stop before attempting to unclog grass or leaves to

prevent loss of fingers or hand.

Blade must be OFF except when cutting grass.
Set cutter in highest position When mowing over
rough ground.

Deflector or arass catcher must be in eosition. Never

point discharge at people, passing cars, windows or

doors. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near

roadways.

Operate in reverse only after careful observation of
entire area behind the machine. DO NOT mow in

reverse unless absolutely necessary.

Service machine and make adjustments only when
engine is stopped.

Have machine serviced by an authorized Snapper

dealer at least once a year and have the dealer install
any new safety devices.

Use only genuine Snapper replacement parts to
assure that original standards are maintained.

Tighten all nuts, bolts, screws, frequently and check,
adjust, repair or replace brakes as needed.

Lubricate machine at intervals specified in manual to
prevent controls from binding.

Mow only in daylight or with good artificial light.
Handle gasoline with care! Never remove cap while

engine is running. Fill tank outdoors only with engine
stopped and cool. Clean spilled gasoline from

machine. Store gasoline in approved container, out
of the reach of children, in well ventilated, unoc-
cupied building.

DO NOT change engine governor speed settings or
overspeed engine.

Check grass catcher components frequently for
signs of wear or deterioration and replace as needed

to prevent injury from items going through weak or
worn spots.

Exercise caution when pulling loads. Limit loads to
those you can safely control and attach loads to

hitch plate as specified with Snapper attachment in-
structions.

FAMILIARIZATION

SEAT ADJUSTMENT--
KNOB (Not Shown)

GROUND
SPEED
SELECTOR

LEVER

MOWER

BLADE

CONTROL

LEVER

MFTLEVER

RELEASE BUTTON

CONTROL PANEL

_)

FUEL TANK & BATTERY

(UNDER HOOD)

CLUTCH!BRAKEPEDAL
(NOTSHOWN)

TILTING
HOOD

(10 PSI)

/

DEFLECTOR

CHUTE

MOWER

DECK

DECK ROLLER--

MUFFLER
HEAT SHIELD

BLADE BRAKE

ADJUSTMENT

' FIGURE i

INTRODUCTION

This manual has been prepared for the operators of the

SNAPPER LTD Series LAWN TRACTOR.

Its purpose, aside from recommending operating and
routine service requirements, is to promote safety

through the use of accepted operating practices. READ,

UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW the safety

precautions on page 2 of this manual and all safety

messages On the tractor and attachments before oper-
ating the machine.

ENGINE COMPONENTS

NOT SHOWN:

• AIR CLEANER

• MUFFLER

• SPARK PLUG

• FUEL FILTER

(12 PSI)

NOMENCLATURE
The nomenclature drawing above (Figure 1) shows the

essential parts of the SNAPPER LTD Series LAWN
TRACTOR. It is recommended that all operators of this

equipment become thoroughly familiar with the controls,
parts and operation of this machine before operating.

Specific details involving the engine are found in the
separate engine owner's manual. Study these manuals

before operating and keep both handy for future

reference.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE OPERATING:

Be thoroughly familiar with all controls and how to use
them before operating your mower. Know beforehand
how to stop the engine, wheel drive and mower blade in
preparation for possible emergencies.

STOPPING
ENGINE: STOP ENGINE by turning the KEYSWITCH to

"OFF". See Figure 2.

FIGURE 2

WHEEL DRIVE: STOP FORWARD MOTION of mower
by pushing Clutch/Brake pedal all the way down. See

Figure 3.

/

/

FIGURE 3

MOWER BLADE: STOP MOWER BLADE by pushing
BLADE CONTROL lever downward to "OFF" See

Figure 4.

FIGURE 4

PRE-START CHECK LIST

Make the following checks and perform the service as
required before each start up.

,, CHECK TIRES and add air as needed to bring

pressure to 12 psi in front and 10 psi in rear tires.

• CHECK GUARDS, DEFLECTORS & COVERS to

make sure all are in place and securely tightened.

• CHECK BLADE CONTROL to insure it works freely.
Blade lever must be moved manually from ON to

OFF to stop blade.

• CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACES of cutting deck and

engine of any accumulation of dirt, grass, oil, etc.
Keep engine air intake screens and cooling fins

clear at all times.

• RE-ADJUST SEAT as needed to most comfortable
position. (Refer to Pages 5 & 6, Figure 8)

• CHECK ENGINE OIL and add oil as needed to bring
level up to (but not over) the full mark. (Refer to
engine manual for oil specifications).

• ADD FUEL to tank after pushing the mower outside

where fumes can be dissipated. Make sure cap is
tightened after refueling. (Refer to engine manual
for fuel specifications). See Figure 5.

KEEP REDBOOT OVER

'POSITIVETERMINAL

FIGURE 5

4

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

STARTING & OPERATING
ENGINE: START ENGINE as foliows:

1. PUSH BLADE CONTROL LEVER downward to

"OFF" position (Fig. 4) and fully depress the
CLUTCH/BRAKE pedal (Fig. 7), so that Safety
Interlock System will allow engine to start.

2. CHOKE ENGINE for cold starting by moving
THROTTLE CONTROL to "CHOKE" position.

(Little or no choking will be needed when restarting
awarm engine). Referto Figure 2.

NOTE

THE SEAT INTERLOCK FUNCTIONS TO SHUT

OFF THE ENGINE IN THE EVENT THE OPERA-

TOR VACATES THE SEAT WITH THE TRACTION
DRIVE ENGAGED AND/OR THE MOWER BLADE

ENGAGED, IN THE EVENT OF AN INTERLOCK
MALFUNCTION, DO NOT OPERATE THE TRAC-

TOR UNTIL THE CONDITION IS CORRECTED.

3. Insert key in ENGINE IGNITION switch, turn key to
"START" position to crank engine and hold until
engine starts then release.

NOTE
LIMIT CRANKING INTERVALS TO FIVE
SECONDS DURATION TO PREVENT

OVERHEATING OF STARTING MOTOR
AND/OR DEPLETION OF BATTERY ENERGY.

NORMALLY, FIVE SECONDS IS SUFFICIENT

CRANKING TIME FOR STARTING. IF THIS
TIME IS EXCEEDED, LOCATE AND COR-

RECT CAUSE OF STARTING PROBLEM.

4=

WARM-UP ENGINE momentarily, then move the
THROTTLE CONTROL downward out of CHOKE

position until engine runs smoothly. Set desired
speed, Best cutting and bagging performance is
obtained with engine at or near top speed.

TO START MOTION

L

After theengine hasbeen startedand is running

smoothly, proceedas follows to startforward or
rearward motion.

,

With CLUTCHIBRAKE pedal depressed, shift

SPEED SELECTOR to I for forward or R for reverse
and release pedal. (For comfort and safety, always

shift back to I before starting forward). See
Figure 6.

II SELECTOR

SHIFTER

FIGURE 6

I RIGHT SIDE

SHOWN

TO STOP MOTION

Push CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL all the way down to

stop forward or rearward motion.

TO SET PARKING BRAKE

Depress CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL Pull PARKING
BRAKE LEVER "UP"while releasing pedal. See

Figure 7.

SRAKE

DEPRESSED

CAUTION

AVOID UPHILL STARTS. IF MACHINE IS

STOPPED GOING UP SLOPE, PUSH

BLADE CONTROL LEVER DOWNWARD

TO "OFF" POSITION AND BACK SLOWLY

DOWN SLOPE. IF UPHILL START MUST BE
MADE, 'PUSH BLADE CONTROL LEVER

DOWNWARD TO "OFF" AND SET THROTTLE

AT HALF SPEED.

FIGURE 7
Push CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL down to release PARK-
ING BRAKE.

TO ROLL MACHINE

Shift SPEED SELECTOR to "N" position or hold
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL half down.

TO ADJUST OPERATOR'S SEAT

FORE & AFT ADJUSTMENT: With machine
stopped, loosen the ADJUSTING KNOB on seat

5

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

support. Sit in operators seat and, while depressing

the CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL, slide the seat forward

or rearward to the most comfortable position,

then lock in position by tightening ADJUSTING KNOB.

See Figure 8.

FIGURE 8

TO OPERATE MOWER

During transport or for clearance through gates it may

become necessary to raise the DISCHARGE DE-

FLECTOR. Reinstall the wing nuts on the studs when
the DEFLECTOR is raised so they will not be lost. Be
sure to lower the DEFLECTOR and clamp it securely
down with the wing nuts before mowing. See Figure 9.

FIGURE 10

To suit mowing conditions, experiment by increasing
engine speed and/or decreasing driving speed until
smoothest cut is obtained without placing engine under
heavy strain.

TO START MOWER BLADE
START MOWER BLADE by pulling BLADE

CONTROL LEVER "UP" to "ON". See Figure 10A.

\

DEFLECTOR

FIGURE 9

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

The cutting height can be changed to any one of nine

positions by raising or lowering the cutting deck attach-

ment with the IMPLEMENT LIFT LEVER as shown in
Figure 10.

FIGURE 10A

TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF MOWER
AND LEAVE ENGINE RUNNING:

1. Push BRAKE all way down.

2. Set PARKING BRAKE.

3. Push BLADE CONTROL LEVER downward to

"OFF" position. Refer to Figure 10A.