Troy-Bilt T609 User Manual
Operator’s Manual
Auto Drive Lawn Tractors
Super Bronco™
Bronco™
(Models J609 & T609)
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state
laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the
above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply
on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service
department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.
TROY-BILT LLC. P.O. BOX 361131, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO.
770-10490D.fm
(4/2004)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Customer Support 2
Important Safe Operation Practices 3
Tractor Set-Up 7
Operation 8
Making Adjustments 13
Maintenance 15
Content Page
Service 17
Off-Season Storage 22
Attachments & Accessories 22
Troubleshooting 23
Illustrated Parts List 24
Warranty 40
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, pl ease locate the model plate under th e
seat of the tractor and copy the informa tion in the space provided below. A sample m odel plate is
also given below. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s web site and/or
help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized serv ice dealer.
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
TROY-BILT LLC
www.troybilt.com
P. O. BOX
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
330-558-7220
866-840-6483
361131
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, opera tion or
maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
Visit troybilt.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and you will
get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately
available.
The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!
To reach the Customer Support Line, please call 1-866-840-6483 or 1-330-558-7220.
The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!
Engine
Manual
The engine manufactur er is responsible for all engine-related issu es with regards to
performance, power-rating, specifica tions, warranty and service. Please re fer to the engine
manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, at the end of this manual, for more information.
2
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not follo wed, could endanger
the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all inst ructions in this manual
before attempting to operate this m achine. Failure to comply with these instructions may r esult in personal
injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.
DANGER: This machine was built to be operat ed according to the rules for safe operation in this man ual.
As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the oper ator can result in serious
injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing ob jects. Failure to observe the
following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
California Proposition 65 Warning: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cance r and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
General Operation
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place
for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation.
Know how to stop the machine and disengage them
quickly.
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the operation instructions and safety rules in
this manual and should be trained and supervised by a
parent.
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without
proper instruction.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75
feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to
be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys,
and other foreign objects which could be picked up and
thrown by the blade(s). Thrown objects ca n cause
serious personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material
toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction
which may cause discharged material to ricochet back
toward the operator.
8. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. Throw n objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.
9. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes and jewelry can be
caught in movable parts. Never operate this machine in
bare feet or sandals.
10. Be aware of the mower and attachment disch arge
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the
mower without the discharge cover or entire grass
catcher in its proper place.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate
hands and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
13. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or
roads and while not cutting grass.
14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways. This machine is not intended for use on any
public roadway.
15. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
17. Never carry passengers.
18. Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse. Back up
slowly. Always look down and behind before and while
backing to avoid a back-over accident.
19. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.
20. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine and
wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop before
removing grass catcher, emptying grass, unclogging
chute, removing any grass or debris, or making any
adjustments.
21. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn
off blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set parking
brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.
22. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or
down ramp(s), because the unit could tip over, causing
serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed
manually on ramp(s) to load or unload properly.
23. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do
not touch.
24. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving
under low hanging tree branches, wires, door openings
etc., where the operator may be struck or pulled from the
unit, which could result in serious injury.
25. Disengage all attachment clutches, depress the brake
pedal completely and shift into neutral before attempting
to start engine.
26. Your machine is designed to cut normal residential grass
of a height no more than 10”. Do not attempt to mow
through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of
dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine
exhaust and/or build up on the mower deck presenting a
potential fire hazard.
3
27. Use only accessories and attachments approved for this
machine by the machine manufacturer. Read,
understand and follow all instructions provided with the
approved accessory or attachment.
28. Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
are involved in a large percentage of riding mowerrelated injuries. These operators should evaluate their
ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to
protect themselves and others from serious injury.
29. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual,
use care and good judgment. Contact your Troy-Bilt
dealer for assistance.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tipover accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All
slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope
or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this
manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a
sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that
area or serious injury could result.
Do:
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme
caution when changing direction on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
3. Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so
that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes
are functioning properly. Always keep machine in gear
when going down slopes to take advantage of engine
braking action.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability.
5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments.
These can change the stability of the machine.
6. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do
not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid
engagement or braking could cause the front of the
machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards which
could cause serious injury.
7. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction,
disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down
the slope.
Do Not:
1. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly
and gradually downhill, if possible.
2. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments.
The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the
edge of a cliff, ditch, or if an edge caves in.
3. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on
the ground.
4. Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause
sliding.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-speeding
may cause the operator to lose control of the machine
resulting in serious injury or death.
7. Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. loaded
dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5
degrees. When going down hill, the extra weight tends to
push the tractor and may cause you to loose control. (e.g.
tractor may speed up, braking and steering ability are
reduced, attachment may jack-knife and cause tractor to
overturn).
Children
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the machine and the mowing activity. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.
a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.
b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the
area.
c. Before and while backing, look behind and down
for small children.
d. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut
off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or
interfere with safe machine operation.
e. Use extreme care when approaching blind
corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects
that may block your vision of a child who may run
into the machine.
f. Disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting in
reverse. The “No-Cut-In Reverse” feature is a
reminder not to cut in reverse and to help avoid
back over accidents. Do not defeat it.
g. Keep children away from hot or running engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
h. Remove key when machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
2. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the operation instructions and safety rules in
this manual and should be trained and supervised by a
parent.
Towing
1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
2. Follow the manufacturers recommendation for weight
limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
3. Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause
loss of traction and loss of control.
5. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
Service
Gasoline:
1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash
your skin and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
4
b. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck
or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place
containers on the ground away from your vehicle
before filling.
c. When practical, remove gas-powered equipment
from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground.
If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment
on a trailer with a portable container, rather than
from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
d. Keep the nozzle in contact wi th the rim of the fuel
tank or container opening at all times until fueling
is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open
device.
e. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
f. Never fuel machine indoors.
g. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the
engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at
least two minutes before refueling.
h. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than
½ inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space
for fuel expansion.
i. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
j. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5
minutes before starting the engine.
k. To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of
grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up
oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked
debris.
l. Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light
as on a water heater, space heater, furnace,
clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
m. Allow a machine to cool at least 5 minutes before
storing.
General:
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless, and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain
the blade(s) and all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the
engine to prevent unintended starting.
3. Periodically check to make sure the blades come to
complete stop within approximately (5) five seconds after
operating the blade disengagement control. If the blades
do not stop within the this time frame, your unit should be
serviced professionally by your Troy-Bilt dealer.
4. Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected to
wear during normal operation. Adjust and service as
required.
5. Check the blade(s) and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually
inspect blade(s) for damage (e.g., excessive wear, bent,
cracked).
Replace the blade(s) with the original equipment
manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) blade(s) only, listed in this
manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original
equipment specifications may lead to improper
performance and compromise safety!”
6. Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear gloves,
and use extra caution when servicing them.
7. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition
8. Never tamper with the safety interlock system or other
safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
9. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect
the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine.
Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair
the damage before starting and operating.
10. Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the
machine while the engine is running.
11. Grass catcher components and the discharge cover are
subject to wear and damage which could expose moving
parts or allow objects to be thrown.
For safety protection, frequently check components and
replace immediately with original equipment
manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this manual.
“Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment
specifications may lead to improper performance and
compromise safety!”
12. Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine. The governor controls the maximum
safe operating speed of the engine.
13. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
14. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas,
oil, etc. to protect the environment.
.
Your Responsibility
Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who
read, understand and follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine.
5
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE
your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower
could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to main tain
L
D
O
F
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
O
N
DO
T
T
S
E
NT
RE
P
RE
E
D
L
I
N
E
,
A CORNER OF A BUILDING
OR A FENCE POST
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
A POWER POLE
WARNING
15°
I
NG
A
1
5
°
S
L
O
P
E
6
SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP
NOTE: Any reference to right, left, front or back of the
tractor is from the operating position, unless otherwise
stated.
Steering
Wheel Cap
Attaching The Steering Wheel
• The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has
been packed within the steering wheel, beneath
steering wheel cap. Carefully pry off the steering
wheel cap and remove the hardware.
• With the wheels of the trac tor pointing st raight
forward, place steering wheel over steering shaft.
• Place the washer (with the cupped sid e down) over
the steering shaft and secure with the hex bolt. See
Figure 2.
• Place steering wheel cap over the center of steering
wheel and push downward until it “clicks” into place.
Attaching The Seat
NOTE: For shipping reasons, seats are mounted
backward to the pivot bracket. Release the seat form its
shipping position and remove the two hex screws from
the bottom of the seat before proceeding.
• Pull out the tab found on the seat stop and hold it
open while sliding the seat off the seat pivot bracket.
See Figure 3.
• Line up the plastic seat spacers with the slots in seat
pivot bracket.
• Slide seat in until front seat spacer engages the seat
stop. See Figure 3.
WARNING: Before operating, stand behind
the machine and pull back on seat until fully
engaged into stop.
Hex Bolt
& Washer
Steering
Shaft
Figure 1
Seat Stop
Tab
Pivot Bracket
Figure 2
Remove Shipping Brace
IMPORTANT:
discarded before operating your riding mower.
• Locate the shipping brace and accompanying
warning tag on the right side of the mower, between
discharge chute and cutting deck. See Figur e 3.
• While holding the discharge chute up, ro tate the
shipping brace clockwise and remove.
• Discard the shipping brace.
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
The gasoline tank is located under the hood and dep ending on the model of tracto r, has a capacity of either two or
three gallons. Do not overfill.
IMPORTANT:
operating. The capacity of your engine’s sump and oil filter is 62 oz (1.8 liters). Be careful not to overfill.
The shipping brace must be removed and
Shipping Brace
Warning Tag
Figure 3
WARNING: Use extreme ca re when handling gasoline. Gaso line is extremely flammable and the vapors
are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or runnin g. Extinguish cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.
Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before
7
SECTION 4: OPERATION
Know the Controls
Read this owner’s manual and safety rules before operat ing your lawn mower. Compare figure below with your lawn
tractor to learn about the loction and purpose of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future
reference. It is very important to follow the instructions and operate t he controls properly.
F
G
H
A
C
D
B
Steering Wheel not shown for clarity.
AMPS
P
I
J
K
L
M
E
Figure 4
A PTO (Blade Engage) Lever H Cruise Control Button
B Choke Control (Super Bronco only) I Ignition Switch
C Parking Brake Button J Brake Pedal
D Shift Lever K Drive Pedal
E Cup Holder L Cargo Net (not shown)
F Ammeter M Deck Lift Lever
G Throttle Control Lever
NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the t ractor is observed from operator ’s position.
8
Throttle Control Lever
The throttle control lever controls the speed of th e engine. When set in a
given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed.
Choke
(Model only)
Fast
Choke Control
Bronco: Moving the throttle lever all the way for ward activates the engine’s
choke control.
Super Bronco: The choke control knob is on the left side of th e dash panel
and is activated by pulling outward. Activating the choke control closes the
choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine.
IMPORTANT:
throttle control lever must alway s be in the FAST (rabbit) position.
When operating the tractor with the cutting deck engage d,
Slow
Brake Pedal
The brake pedal is used for sudden stops or setting the parking brake. This pedal must be fully depressed to
activate the safety interlock switch when starting the tractor
.
Parking Brake Button
NOTE: The parking brake must be set if the operator leaves the seat with
the engine running; otherwise the engine will automatically shut off.
• To set the parking brake, fully depress the brake pe dal and push the
parking brake button in. Hold the button in while taking your foot of f the brake pedal. Both parking button an d
brake pedal will stay depressed.
• To release the parking brake, depress the brake pedal slightly. The parking brake button will then return to its
original position.
IMPORTANT:
Always set the parking brake when leaving the tractor unattended.
P
Drive Pedal
The drive pedal controls movement and grou nd speed of the tractor. Depress the drive peda l with your right foot
(when the tractor shift lever is in either forward or re verse) to cause the tractor to mo ve. The further down the pedal
is depressed, the faster the tractor will travel. The pedal will return to its original position when it is not depressed.
PTO (Blade Engage) Lever
Engaging this lev er transfers power to the cu tting deck or other (separately
available) attachments. The PTO (Blade Engage) lever must be
disengaged when (1) starting the engine, (2) travelling in reverse or (3) if
the operator leaves the seat.
• To engage the PTO, pro ceed as follows:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
3. Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most eff icient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments.
• To disengage the PTO, move the lever towards rear. This will cut off power to deck or other attachments.
IMPORTANT:
regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged, and (2 ) the PTO is engaged while the drive pedal is in position
for reverse travel.
The engine will automatically shut off if (1) the operator leaves the seat while the PTO is still engaged
Ignition Switch
Ignition switch is activated to start the engine. Insert key into the ignition
switch and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the key into the
ON position once engine has fired.
ON
STOP
* This may also be referrred to as
simply PTO lever.
On/Lights
Off
On
WARNING: Never leave a running machine unattended. Always
disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking
brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
9
Start
Headlights
• To turn on the headlights, rotate the same ign ition key from ON position to ON/LIGHTS position of th e ignition
switch.
• To turn off the headlights, rotate the ignition key from ON/LIGHTS position to either ON position (to leave the
engine running) or OFF position (to shut the engine off) .
WARNING: Never move the key into the Start position while the engine is running. Doing so may cause
damage to your engine’s starter.
Ammeter
The ammeter measures the electrical output of the engine’s chargin g
system. Under normal operating conditions, with engine a t full throttle, the
ammeter should indicate positive charge.
AMPS
Shift Lever
The shift lever has three positions: FORWARD (F), NEUTRAL (N) and
REVERSE (R).These control the direction of movement of the tractor.
Depress the brake pedal and let the tractor stop before moving t he shift
lever to one of these three positions.
IMPORTANT:
damage to the tractor’s transmission.
Never force the shift lever. Doing so may result in serious
F
N
Shift
Knob
R
Cruise Control Button
The cruise control feature should only be utilized while traveling in t he
forward direction. To engage th e cruise control, follow t hese steps:
1. Place shift lever in FORWARD position, then slowly depress the drive
pedal until desired speed is achieved.
2. Lightly depress the cruise control butto n.
3. While continuing to hold the cruise button in, lift your foot from the drive
pedal (you should feel the cruise latch engage) .
4. Once engaged, the cruise control button and the drive pedal will lock in
the “down” position, and the tractor will maintain same forward speed.
NOTE: Cruise control cannot be engaged at the tractor’s fastest ground
speed. If the operator should attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing
ground speed.
• To disengage the cruise control, lightly depress either the brake ped al or the drive pedal.
• To change to the reverse direction when opera ting with cruise control, depr ess the brake pedal to disengage
the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete stop. Then place the shift lever in the REVERSE position
and depress the drive pedal.
Seat Adjustment Lever
To adjust the seat position, loosen the two seat adjustment knob s and reposition the seat to the desired position.
Once a comfortable position is found, tighten the adjustment knobs to lock the seat in place.
Deck Lift Lever
The deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use,
move the lever to the left, then place it in one of the six notches best suited
for your application.
To set the cutting height of the deck you will also have to adjust the deck
wheels so that they are between ¼-inch and ½-inch above th e ground when
the tractor is on a smooth, flat surface such as a driveway. refer to Deck
Levelling instructions on page 14.
10
NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight of the
cutting deck.
Cargo Net
Conveniently located on the tractor’s dash panel, the ca rgo net can be used to store personal ite ms while operating
the lawn tractor.
Cup Holder
The tractor’s cup holder is located on the fender to th e left of the seat, just to the rear of the parking brake lever.
Safety Interlock Switches
The safety interlock system prevents the engine from
cranking or starting unless the parking brake is engaged,
and the PTO lever is in the “Blades Stop” position. If this
system should ever malfunction, do not operate the
tractor, immediately contact a Troy-Bilt dealer.
• The safety interlock system will automatically shut off
the engine if the operator leaves the seat before
engaging the parking brake.
• The safety interlock system will automatically shut off
the engine if the operator leaves the tracto r’s seat with
the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the ON position,
regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged.
• The safety interlock system will automatically shut off
the engine if the PTO (Blade Engage) Lever is moved
into the engaged (ON) position with the drive pedal in
position for reverse travel.
IMPORTANT:
Tampering with or attempting to bypass the
tractors Safety Interlock Switches in any way will void your
tractor’s warranty.
AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
• GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS.
• AVOID SUDDEN TURNS.
• DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP.
• IF MACHINE STOPS GOING UPHILL, STOP BLADE(S) AND BACK
DOWNHILL SLOWLY.
• DO NOT MOW WHEN CHILDREN OR O THERS ARE AROUND.
• NEVER CARRY CHILDREN, EVEN WITH BLADES OFF.
• LOOK DOWN AND BEHIND BEFORE AND WHILE BACKING.
• KEEP SAFETY DEVICES (GUARDS, SHIELDS, AND SWITCHES) IN
PLACE AND WORKING.
• REMOVE OBJECTS THAT COULD BE THROWN BY THE BLADE(S).
• KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF ALL CONTROLS.
• BE SURE BLADE(S) AND EN GINE ARE STOPPED BEFORE PLACING HANDS OR FEET NEAR BLADE(S).
• BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR’S POSITION, DISENGAGE
BLADE(S), PLACE THE SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL, ENGAGE
BRAKE LOCK, SHUT ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE KEY.
READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL
WARNING
WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was
designed for your safety and protection.
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Starting the Engine
NOTE: Refe r to the TRACTOR SET-UP on page 7 manual for
gasoline and oil fill-up instructions.
1. Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
2. Place the PTO (Blade Engage) Lever in the
disengaged (Blade Stop) position.
3. Engage the tractor’s parking brake.
4. Move the throttle control lever into the CHOKE position
(a warm engine may not require choking).
5. Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position.
After the engine starts, release the key. It will return to
the ON position.
IMPORTANT:
longer than ten seconds at a time . Doing so may cause
damage to your engine’s electric starter.
6. After the engine starts, move the thrott le control lever
from CHOKE to the FAST position.
NOTE: Do NOT leave choke control on while operating t he
tractor. Doing so will result in a "rich" fuel mixture and
cause the engine to run poorly.
Do not hold the key in the START position for
Stopping the Engine
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the
engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground
against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any
damage. Repair damage before restarting.
1. If the blades are engaged, place the PTO lever in the
“Blades Stop” position.
2. Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF
position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent
unintended starting.
IMPORTANT
Do not leave the seat of the tractor without
1. disengaging PTO lever
2. depressing brake pedal
3. engaging parking brake
If leaving the tractor unatte nded, also turn t he
ignition key off and remove the key.
Do not use the shift lever to change the direction of
travel when the tractor is in motion. Always use the
brake pedal to bring the tractor to a complete stop
before moving the shift lever.
Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden
stops while driving the tractor.
Do not mow on slope in excess of 15 degrees ( a rise
of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet).
Keep hands and feet away from the opening of the
cutting deck.
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of
materials toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and
the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a
wall or obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
Driving The Tractor
• Depress the brake pedal to release the parking brake.
• Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit) po sition.
• To move forward, place the shift lever in the FORWARD position, then slowly depress the drive pedal until the
desired speed is achieved. To move in reverse, place the shift lever in the REVERSE position, check that the
area behind is clear then slowly depress the drive pedal.
Driving On Slopes
IMPORTANT:
• Mow up and down slopes, never across.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven ter rain could overturn the machine. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
• Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be made, attempt while going downward on the slope.
• Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and
carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the tractor over backward.
Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 6 to help determine slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.
Mowing
The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck with your tractor.
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