Troy-Bilt Automatic Lawn Tractor User's Manual
Contents
1. Fast Position Slow Slow Position Position Figure 6 IMPORTANT When operating the tractor with the cutting deck engaged be certain that the throttle lever is always in the FAST rabbit position Choke Control On some models moving the throttle lever all the way forward activates the engine s choke control On all other models the choke control can be found on the left side of the dash panel and is activated by pulling the knob outward Activating the choke control closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine Refer to Starting The Engine in the OPERATION section of this manual for detailed starting instructions Brake Pedal The brake pedal is located on the right front side of the tractor above the drive pedal along the running board The brake pedal can be used for sudden stops or setting the parking brake NOTE The brake pedal must be fully depressed to activate the safety interlock switch when starting the tractor ji V 1 nif eris wn for clarity FN o ot sh o Ez z o E o g e i o z eee ed Figure 7 G Throttle Lever A Systems Indicator Monitor Hour Meter H Cruise Control Button Levert B PTO Blade Engage Ignition Switch Module J Brake Pedal K Drive Pedal Knobt Blade Engage C Choke Knob PTO D Parking Brake Button E Shift Lever F Cup Holder L Deck Lift Lever M Seat Adjustme2. terminal with the bolt and wing nut e Make certain the retainer rod is in position over the battery securing it in place See Figure 1 Rubber Boot Ji Retainer Rod Wing Nut Hex Bolt Figure 1 NOTE f the battery is put into service after the date shown on top of battery charge the battery as instructed in the SERVICE section of this manual prior to operating the tractor Gas and Oil Fill up The gasoline tank is located under the hood and has a capacity of either two or three gallons Do not overfill WARNING Use extreme care when handling gasoline Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive Never fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running Extinguish cigarettes cigars pipes and other sources of ignition A Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your tractor Read instructions carefully IMPORTANT Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine However you MUST check the oil level before operating Be careful not to overfill Shipping Brace Removal WARNING Make sure the riding mower s A engine is off remove the ignition key and set the parking brake before removing the shipping brace e Locate the shipping brace if present and accompanying warning tag found on the right side of the mower between the discharge chute and the cutting deck See Figure
3. Depress the drive pedal with your right foot when the tractor shift lever is in either FORWARD or REVERSE to cause the tractor to move Systems Indicator Monitor Your tractor is equipped with either an hour meter or an ammeter as part of two available system indicator monitors Locate the monitor on the left side of your dash panel and compare it to both shown in Figure 9 Battery Hour Meter Figure 9 If the Brake light or PTO light illuminates when attempting to start the unit proceed as follows BRAKE Depress the brake pedal PTO Move PTO Blade Engage lever or PTO Blade Engage knob into the disengaged OFF position NOTE It is normal for the Oil light and the Battery light to illuminate while the engine is cranking but if either illuminate s while the engine is running proceed as follows OIL Stop the tractor immediately and check the crankcase oil level as instructed in the Engine Operator Owner Manual included with your tractor BATTERY The battery is in need of a charge or the engine s charging system is not generating sufficient amperage Refer to the MAINTENANCE section of this manual for the proper battery charging procedure or have the charging system checked by an authorized dealer On units so equipped the ammeter if so equipped measures the electrical output of the engine s charging system Under normal operating conditions
4. LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE I La A POWER POLE i l 1g ACORNER OF A BUILDING PE a OR A FENCE POST A DANGER 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 maintain your footing and you could slip resulting in serious injury Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes never across the face of slopes Operate WALK BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes never up and down slopes SECTION 3 TRACTOR SET UP NOTE This owner s manual covers various models of lawn tractors The units illustrated may vary slightly from your unit Follow only those instructions which pertain to your model lawn tractor Attaching the Battery Cables NOTE The positive battery terminal is marked Pos The negative battery terminal is marked Neg e The positive cable heavy red wire is secured to the positive battery terminal with a hex bolt and hex nut at the factory Make certain that the rubber boot covers the terminal to help protect it from corrosion e Remove the hex bolt and wing nut from the negative cable e Remove the black plastic cover if present from the negative battery terminal and attach the negative cable heavy black wire to the negative battery
5. Reverse Caution Mode Position REVERSE CAUTION Mop Stop E Position m Start Position Figure 11 Engaging the Parking Brake To engage the parking brake e Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with your foot while gently pushing the parking brake button inward e Hold the parking brake button in while removing your foot from the brake pedal e Once engaged the parking brake button and the brake pedal will lock in the down position To disengage the parking brake e Slightly depress the brake pedal NOTE The parking brake must be engaged if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off Setting the Cutting Height Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the six different cutting height notches on the right side of the fender Then adjust the deck wheels so that they are between 14 inch and 1 2 inch above the ground when the tractor is on a smooth flat surface such as a driveway from the discharge opening of the cutting WARNING Keep hands and feet away deck NOTE The deck wheels are an anti scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight of the cutting deck Refer to Leveling the Deck in the MAKING ADJUSTMENTS section of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding various deck adjustments Starting the Engine interlock system is malfunct
6. 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 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 Befamiliar 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 Tohelp av
7. grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck The ultra fine clippings are then forced back into the lawn where they act as a natural fertilizer Observe the following recommendations for the best results when mulching e Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1 3 the total height of the grass or approximately 1 1 2 inches Doing so will cause the clippings to clump up beneath the deck and not be mulched effectively e Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass clippings more time to effectively be mulched e Always position the throttle control lever in the FAST rabbit position and allow it to remain there while mowing Failing to keep the engine at full throttle places strain on the tractors engine and does not allow the blades to properly mulch grass NOTE It is not necessary to remove the discharge chute to operate the mower with the mulch kit installed NOTE The mulch kit is installed on models equipped with a 42 inch deck It is packed separately with an instruction sheet in the crate on models equipped with a 46 inch deck To operate the cutting deck without mulching simply remove the mulch plug by unthreading the plastic wing nut and removing the cupped washer which fastens it to the cutting deck This will allow the clippings to discharge out the side Headlights On some models the lamps are ON whenever the tractor s engine is running On other models the lamps are ON whenever the ignition key is moved out
8. of the STOP position On all models the lamps turn OFF when the ignition key is moved to the STOP position SECTION 6 MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WARNING Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running except where specified in the operator s manual A Leveling the Deck NOTE Check the tractor s tire pressure before performing any deck leveling adjustments Refer to Tires section for information regarding tire pressure Front To Rear The front of the cutting deck is supported by a stabilizer bar that can adjusted to level the deck from front to rear The front of the deck should be between 1 4 inch and 3 8 inch lower than the rear of the deck Adjust if necessary as follows e With the tractor parked on a firm level surface place the deck lift lever in the top notch highest position and rotate the blade nearest the discharge chute so that it is parallel with the tractor e Measure the distance from the front of the blade tip to the ground and the rear of the blade tip to the ground e The first measurement taken should be between 1 4 and 3 8 less than the second measurement Determine the approximate distance necessary for proper adjustment and proceed if necessary to the next step e Loosen the jam nut s on the rear side of the deck stabilizer bracket e Locate the lock nut s on the front side of the stabilizer bracket See Figure 13 Tighten the lock nut s to raise the front of the deck loo
9. 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 with 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 atleast two minutes before refueling h Never over fill fuel tank Fill tank to no more than 1 2 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 Toreduce 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 SERVICE 1 Nev
10. the tractor when children or others are around Stop the tractor immediately if someone enters the area To use the REVERSE CAUTION MODE IMPORTANT The operator MUST be seated in the tractor seat 1 Start the engine as previously instructed in this Operator s Manual 2 Turn the key from the NORMAL MOWING Green position to the REVERSE CAUTION MODE Yellow position of the key switch module See Figure 11 3 Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON Orange Triangular Button at the top right corner of the key Switch module The red indicator light at the top left corner of the key switch module will be ON while activated See Figure 11 4 Once activated indicator light ON the tractor can be driven in reverse with the cutting blades PTO engaged 5 Always look down and behind before and while backing to make sure no children are around 6 Afterresuming forward motion return the key to the NORMAL MOWING position IMPORTANT The REVERSE CAUTION MODE will remain activated until a The key is placed in either the NORMAL MOWING position or STOP position b The operator leaves the seat Models with Electric PTO ONLY c The operator engages the parking brake by fully depressing the brake pedal and holding it down while gently pushing the parking brake button inward Models with Manual PTO ONLY Reverse O CHILDREN AROUND s Push REVERSEPUSH N Button T Indicator Light BUTTON gt M
11. 2 Warning Tag Shipping Brace Figure 2 e While holding the discharge chute with your left hand remove the shipping brace with your right hand by grasping it between your thumb and index finger and rotating it clockwise WARNING The shipping brace used for A packaging purposes only must be removed and discarded before operating your riding mower WARNING The mowing deck is capable of throwing objects Failure to operate the riding mower without the discharge cover in the proper operating position could result in serious personal injury and or property damage Attaching the Steering Wheel A NOTE There are two different styles of steering wheel cap See Figure 3 Styles vary by model A WARNING Do NOT operate the tractor without first attaching both the steering wheel AND the seat Doing so could result in serious injury to the operator e Using your hands place the tractor s front tires in position for straight ahead travel e Remove the steering wheel cap from the center of the steering wheel Be careful not to lose the hex screw and cupped washer found beneath it e Place the steering wheel in position for straight ahead travel directly onto the steering shaft found in the center of the tractor s dash e Place the cupped washer cupped side DOWN over the steering shaft e Thread the hex screw into the steering shaft and tighten securely Reinsert the steering wheel cap in the center of th
12. 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 Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the machine while the engine is running 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 30011 12 13 14 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 Do not change the engine governor settings or over speed the engine The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels as necessary Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas oil etc to protect the environment WARNING 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 Safety labels found on your unit SLOPE GAUGE SECTION 2 Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely Do not operate your lawn tractor on such slopes eo SIGHT AND HOLD THIS
13. OTROV BILT Operator s Manual Automatic Lawn Tractor 22220 2 427 E IMPORTANT READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY P O BOX 1386 KITCHENER ONTARIO CANADA N2G 4J1 PRINTED IN U S A 772C0738 12 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Content Page Customer Support 2 Maintenance 20 Important Safe Operation Practices 3 Service 21 Slope Gauge 7 Off Season Storage 25 Setting Up 8 Attachments and Accessories 25 Know Your Lawn Tractor 10 Troubleshooting 26 Operating Your Lawn Mower 14 Warranty 27 Adjustments 18 Parts List 28 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 equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer s web site and or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized service dealer You can locate the model number by looking beneath the seat A sample model plate is explained below c Before you start assembling your new equipment please locate the model plate on the Model Number Serial Number Num ro de mod le Num ro de s rie Copy the model number here XXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX 2 TROYBILT CANADA Copy the serial number here OTROY BILT KITCHENER ON N2G 4J1 ENGINE INFORMATION The engine manufacturer is responsi
14. TE On models with a 46 inch deck it may be necessary to remove the belt keepers from around the engine pulley in order to removes the PTO belt e Looking at the cutting deck from the left side of the tractor locate the deck support pin on the rear left side of the deck See Figure 18 MJS L NS NI oo Nee wu Ss Wu MS S Figure 18 21 Hex Plug e Pull the deck support pin outward to release the deck from the deck lift arm e Rotate the pin slightly toward the rear of the tractor and release the pin into the hole provided e Repeat the above steps on the tractor s right side e Move the deck lift lever into the top notch on the right fender to raise the deck lift arms up and out of the way NOTE Models with a 46 inch deck are equipped with a short cable which controls the deck spindle brake It is necessary to unhook this cable in order to fully remove the cutting deck from the tractor Be certain to reattach the cable when re mounting the cutting deck e Gently slide the cutting deck toward the front of the tractor allowing the hooks on the deck to release themselves from the deck stabilizer rod e Gently slide the cutting deck from the right side out from underneath the tractor Tires A The recommended operating tire pressure is e Approximately 10 psi for the rear tires e Approximately 14 psi for the front tires WARNING Refer to the tire sidewall for exact tire manuf
15. TO move shift lever into neutral position stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting If the tractor does not come to a complete stop when the brake pedal is completely depressed or if the tractor s rear wheels can roll with the parking brake applied the brake is in need of adjustment The brake disc can be found on the right side of the transmission in the rear of the tractor Adjust if necessary as follows e Looking at the transmission from the right side of the tractor locate the compression spring and brake disc See Figure 15 Compression Spring Brake Disc Transmission NOTE View shown from beneath tractor Figure 15 e Loosen but do NOT remove the hex nut found on the right side of the brake assembly See Figure 15 e Using a feeler gauge set the gap between the brake disc and the brake puck at 011 e Re tighten the hex nut loosened earlier Seat Adjustment WARNING Before operating this machine A make sure the seat is engaged in the seat Quick Adjust Seat if so equipped stop stand behind the machine and pull back on seat until fully engaged into stop To adjust the position of the seat move the seat adjustment lever to the left and slide the seat forward or rearward Make sure seat is locked into position before operating the tractor Knob Adjustment Seat if so equipped To adjust the position of the seat on models so equipped loosen the two kno
16. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine Tall grass can hide obstacles e Avoid turns when driving on a slope If a turn must be made turn down the slope Turning up a slope greatly increases the chance of a roll over e 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 Setting the Cruise Control e Place the shift lever in the FORWARD position then slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired speed is achieved e Lightly depress the cruise control button e While continuing to hold the cruise button in lift your foot from the drive pedal you should feel the cruise latch engage e Once engaged the cruise control button and the drive pedal will lock in the down position and the tractor will maintain the same forward speed NOTE Cruise control can not 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 Disengage the cruise control using one of the following methods e Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and stop the tractor e Lightly depress the drive pedal To change to the reverse direction when operating with cruise control depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete stop Th
17. acturers recommended or maximum psi Do not overinflate Uneven tire pressure could cause the cutting deck to mow unevenly Battery The battery is sealed and is maintenance free Acid levels cannot be checked e Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosive build up e After cleaning the battery and terminals apply a light coat of petroleum jelly or grease to both terminals e Always keep the rubber boot positioned over the positive terminal to prevent shorting IMPORTANT If removing the battery for any reason disconnect the NEGATIVE Black wire from it s terminal first followed by the POSITIVE Red wire When re installing the battery always connect the POSITIVE Red wire its terminal first followed by the NEGATIVE Black wire Be certain that the wires are connected to the correct terminals reversing them could change the polarity and result in damage to your engine s alternating system Charging If the tractor has not been put into use for an extended period of time charge the battery with an automotive type 12 volt charger for a minimum of one hour at six amps WARNING Batteries give off an explosive gas while charging Charge battery in a well ventilated area and keep away from an open flame or pilot light as on a water heater space heater furnace clothes dryer or other gas appliances Jump Starting WARNING When removing or installing A the battery follow these instruction
18. aging completely For a proper working machine use factory approved belts To change or replace the deck belt and PTO belt on your tractor proceed as follows e Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender e Remove the belt guards by removing the self tapping screws that fasten them to the deck 42 inch and 46 inch Decks with Manual PTO e Grasp the rearmost portion of the PTO idler bracket and pivot it toward the discharge chute to relieve tension on the PTO belt See Figure 21 e Remove the PTO belt from around the engine pulley or electric PTO clutch and from around the PTO idler pulley s e Grasp the deck idler pulley and pivot it toward the left to relieve tension on the deck belt Carefully allow the ratchet to pivot rearward before removing it from the square hole e Remove the deck belt from around all pulleys including the deck idler pulley e Route the new belts deck belt first as shown in Figure 21 e Remount the belt guards removed earlier 42 inch Decks with Electric PTO Remove the belt keeper rod from around the engine pulley e Insert a 3 8 drive ratchet wrench set to loosen into the square hole found in the idler bracket on the left side of the deck s surface See Figure 22 e Grasp the ratchet s handle and pivot it toward the front of the tractor to relieve tension on the belt e With belt tension relieved carefully remove the belt from around the
19. ble for all engine related issues with regards to performance power rating specifications warranty and service Please refer to the engine manufacturer s Owner s Operator s Manual packed separately with your unit for more information CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from which it was purchased without first contacting Customer Support If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls operation or vi maintenance of this unit please call a Customer Support Representative 1 800 668 1238 Please have your unit s model number and serial number ready when you call See previous section to locate this information You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE Warranty service is available WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE through your local authorized service dealer To locate the dealer in your area Contact MTD Products Limited Kitchener ON N2G 4J1 or call 1 800 668 1238 or log on to our Web site at www mtdcanada com SECTION 1 IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING This symbol points out important safety instructions which if not followed could endanger A the personal safety and or property of yourself and others Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury When you see this symb
20. bs on the bottom of the seat Slide the seat forward or backward as desired Retighten the two knobs Steering Adjustment If the tractor turns tighter in one direction than the other or if the ball joints are being replaced due to damage or wear the steering drag links may need to be adjusted Adjust the drag links so that equal lengths are threaded into the ball joint on the left side and the ball joint on the right side e Loosen the jam nut found on the drag link at the rear of the ball joint See Figure 16 Hex Lock Nut Pivot Bar Drag Link Jam Nut Ball Joint Figure 16 e Remove the hex lock nut on the top of ball joint See Figure 16 e Thread the ball joint toward the jam nut to shorten the drag link Thread the ball joint away from the jam nut to lengthen the drag link e Replace lock nut and retighten the jam nut after proper adjustment is achieved NOTE Threading the ball joints too far onto the drag links will cause the front tires to toe in too far Proper toe in is between 1 16 and 5 16 Front tire toe in can be measured as follows e Place the steering wheel in position for straight ahead travel In front of the axle measure the distance horizontally from the inside of the left rim to the inside of the right rim Note the distance e Behind the axle measure the distance horizontally from the inside of the left rim to the inside of the right rim Note the distance e The mea
21. ders helpers children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation Stop machine if anyone enters the area WARNING 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 e Do not mow at high ground speed especially if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed e For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center After the first two laps reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting This will give a better appearance to the lawn e Do not cut the grass too short Short grass invites weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather e Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle e Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back over the cut area a second time to get a clean cut e Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely tall grass Your tractor is designed to mow lawns NOT clear brush e Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn Refer to Cutting Blades of this manual for proper blade sharpening instructions Mulching Tractors come equipped with a mulch kit which incorporates special blades already standard on your tractor in a process of recirculating
22. drive pedal to deactivate cruise control Refer to OPERATION SECTION this manual for detailed instructions regarding the cruise control feature NOTE Cruise control can NOT 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 Cargo Net optional Conveniently located on the tractor s dash panel the cargo net can be used to store personal items while operating the tractor Shift Lever The shift lever is located on the left side of the fender and has three positions FORWARD NEUTRAL and REVERSE The brake pedal must be depressed and the tractor must not be in motion when the moving shift lever See Figure 10 IMPORTANT Never force the shift lever Doing so may result in serious damage to the tractor s transmission Shift Knob Figure 10 SECTION 5 OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR Safety Interlock Switches This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of the operator If the interlock system should ever malfunction do not operate the tractor Contact an authorized service dealer e The safety interlock system prevents the engine from cranking or starting unless the parking brake is engaged and the PTO Blade Engage knob or lever is in the disengaged OFF position e The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the seat before engaging the park
23. duced traction could cause sliding 6 Donotshift to neutral and coast downhill Over speeding may cause the operator to lose control of the machine resulting in serious injury or death 7 Donottow 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 Keepchildren out of the mowing area and in watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator b Bealert 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 Toavoid back over accidents always disengage the cutting blade s before shifting into reverse The R
24. e steering wheel Refer to Figure 3 Steering Wheel Cap Figure 3 Attaching the Seat Refer to Figures 4 and 5 to identify your tractor s seat style and follow applicable instructions NOTE For shipping reasons seats are either fastened to the tractor seat s pivot bracket with a plastic tie or mounted backward to the pivot bracket In either case free the seat from its shipping position and remove the two hex screws or knobs on models so equipped from the bottom of seat before proceeding with applicable instructions below Quick Adjustment Seat NOTE f your seat was shipped mounted backwards on the seat pivot bracket pull out the tab found on the seat stop and hold it open while sliding the seat off the seat pivot bracket See Figure 4 e Line up the plastic seat spacers with the slots in seat pivot bracket e Slide seat in until front seat spacer engages the seat stop See Figure 4 QUICK ADJUSTMENT Seat Stop Pivot Bracket Figure 4 make sure the seat is engaged in the seat stop stand behind the machine and pull back on seat until fully engaged into stop Knob Adjustment Seat e Position the shoulder screws found on the base of the seat inside the slot openings in the seat pivot bracket See Figure 5 Slide the seat slightly rearward in the seat pivot bracket lining up the rear slots in the pivot bracket with the remaining two holes in the seat s base e Select desired position for t
25. e blade spindles for cracks or damage especially if you strike a foreign object Replace immediately if damaged A The blades may be removed as follows e Remove the deck from beneath the tractor refer to Cutting Deck Removal on page 21 then gently flip the deck over to expose its underside e Place a block of wood between the center deck housing baffle and the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer See Figure 19 e Usea 15 16 wrench to remove the hex flange nut that secures the blade to the spindle assembly See Figure 19 e To properly sharpen the cutting blades remove equal amounts of metal from both ends of the blades along the cutting edges parallel to the trailing edge at a 25 to 30 angle See Figure 20 IMPORTANT If the cutting edge of the blade has already been sharpened to within 5 8 of the wind wing radius or if any metal separation is present replace the blades with new ones See Figure 20 Blade Separation Worn Blade Edge Wind Wing Sharpen Edge Evenly Figure 20 It is important that each cutting blade edge be ground equally to maintain proper blade balance A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive vibration and may cause damage to the tractor and result in personal injury The blade can be tested by balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver Grind metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly When replacing the blade be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade marked B
26. ease fitting Lubricate with a grease gun after every 25 hours of tractor operation Cleaning the Engine and Deck Any fuel or oil spilled on the machine should be wiped off promptly Do NOT allow debris to accumulate around the cooling fins of the engine or on any other part of the machine IMPORTANT The use of a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your tractor is NOT recommended It may cause damage to electrical components spindles pulleys bearings or the engine The use of water will result in a shortened life of the tractor and reduce its serviceability Deck Wash System Optional A hex plug can be found on your tractor s deck surface This plug can be replaced with a water port to be used as part of a separately available deck wash system Use the Deck Wash System to rinse grass clippings from the deck s underside and prevent build up of corrosive chemicals Refer to page 25 for information regarding this and other separately available attach ments amp accessories for your tractor SECTION 8 SERVICE Cutting Deck Removal To remove the cutting deck proceed as follows e Place the PTO Blade Engage knob or lever in the disengaged OFF position and engage the parking brake e Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender e Remove the PTO belt from around the tractor s engine pulley or electric PTO clutch if so equipped and idler pulley s See Figure 18 NO
27. eat to the desired position Once a comfortable position is found release the seat adjustment lever to lock the seat in place Refer to Seat Adjustment of this manual for more detailed instructions Deck Lift Lever Found on your tractor s right fender the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck To use move the lever to the left then place in the notch best suited for your application Parking Brake Button To set the parking brake fully depress the brake pedal and push the parking brake button in Hold the button in while taking your foot off the brake pedal Both the parking button and the brake pedal will then stay depressed To release the parking brake depress the brake pedal slightly The parking brake button will then return to its original position NOTE The parking brake must be set if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off IMPORTANT Always set the parking brake when leaving the tractor unattended Cruise Control Button The cruise control button is located on the tractor dash panel to the left of the ignition switch Push the cruise control button while traveling forward at a desired speed While holding the button in release pressure from the drive pedal This will engage the cruise control and allow the tractor to remain at that speed without applying pressure to the drive pedal Depress the brake pedal or the
28. ed in the separate Engine Manual packed with your unit Perform the above steps in the opposite order after oil has finished draining 20 e Refill the engine with new motor oil IMPORTANT Refer to the separate engine manual packed with your unit for information regarding the quantity and proper weight of motor oil Air Cleaner Service the pre cleaner if so equipped and cartridge air cleaner element as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit Spark Plug s The spark plug s should be cleaned and the gap reset once a season Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each mowing season Refer to the separate engine manual for correct plug type and gap specifications Lubrication WARNING Before lubricating repairing or A inspecting always disengage PTO move shift lever into neutral position set parking brake stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting Engine Lubricate the engine with motor oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit Pivot Points amp Linkage Lubricate all the pivot points on the drive system parking brake and lift linkage at least once a season with light oil Rear Wheels The rear wheels should be removed from the axles once a season Lubricate the axles and the rims well with an all purpose grease before re installing them Front Axles Each end of the tractor s front pivot bar may be equipped with a gr
29. en place the shift lever in the REVERSE position and depress the drive pedal Engaging the Blades Engaging the PTO Blade Engage transfers power to the cutting deck or other separately available attachments To engage the blades proceed as follows e Move the throttle control lever to the FAST rabbit position Models with Manual PTO e Grasp the PTO Blade Engage lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged ON position Models with Electric PTO e Pull the PTO Blade Engage knob outward into the engaged ON position See Figure 12 Front View Pull Out Push In E Figure 12 e Keep the throttle lever in the FAST rabbit position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other separately available attachments IMPORTANT The engine on models with a manual PTO or electric PTO clutch on models with an electric PTO will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the shift lever in position for reverse travel with the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position Refer to Safety Interlock Switches Using the Deck Lift Lever To raise the cutting deck move the deck lift lever to the left then place it in the notch best suited for your application Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this section A The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck with your tractor A WARNING To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury keep bystan
30. er run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide an odorless and deadly gas 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 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 an authorized MTD Service Dealer Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected to wear during normal operation Adjust and service as required 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 Mower blades are sharp Wrap the blade or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them Keep all nuts bolts and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition Never tamper with the safety interlock system or other safety devices Check their proper operation regularly 10 11 A
31. everse Caution Mode should not be used when children or others are around g Keepchildren 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 i 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 atthe 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 Onslopes 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 Donotshiftto neutral and coast downhill SERVICE SAFE HANDLING OF 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 Useonly an approved gasoline container b Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner Always
32. g 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 Useextra care with grass catchers or other attachments These can change the stability of the machine 6 Keepall 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 Donotturn on slopes unless necessary then turn slowly and gradually downhill if possible 2 Donot 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 Donottry to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground 4 Donotuse a grass catcher on steep slopes 5 Do not mow on wet grass Re
33. ght 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 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 mower related 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 an authorized MTD Service Dealer for assistance 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 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 changin
34. he instructions in the separate engine manual packed with your unit for proper engine care prior to storing your tractor WARNING Never store the machine or A fuel container indoors where there is an open flame spark or pilot light such as on water heater furnace clothes dryer or other gas appliance SECTION 10 ATTACHMENTS amp ACCESSORIES MODEL DESCRIPTION OEM 190 118 46 inch Deck Mulch Kit OEM 190 193 50 inch Deck Mulch Kit OEM 190 182 Twin Bagger Grass Collector for 46 inch Decks OEM 190 192 Triple Bagger Grass Collector for 50 inch Decks OEM 190 215 Rear Wheel Weights 62 Ib OEM 190 603 Grille Guard mounts on front of tractor OEM 190 607 OEM 190 751 OEM 190 823 OEM 190 833 490 900 0025 Deluxe Tractor Sunshade Tractor Snow Cab 42 inch Two stage Snow Thrower 46 inch Front Dozer Blade Deck Wash Kit 25 SECTION 11 TROUBLESHOOTING Trouble Possible Cause s Corrective Action Engine fails to start PTO engaged Parking brake not engaged Spark plug wire s disconnected Throttle control lever not in correct starting position Choke not activated Fuel tank empty or stale fuel Blocked fuel line Faulty spark plug Engine flooded Place PTO knob or lever in disengaged OFF position Engage parking brake Connect wire s to spark plug s Place throttle lever to FAST position Pull out the CHOKE control if so equipped or place the throttle control in CHOKE posi
35. he seat and secure with the two knobs removed earlier See Figure 5 1 WARNING Before operating this machine KNOB ADJUSTMENT Knobs Shoulder Screws m ill i i uf Opening in Slot Pivot Bracket Figure 5 A WARNING 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 OTHERS 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 ENGINE ARE STOPPED BEFORE PLAC ING 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 SECTION 4 KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR Throttle Control Lever The throttle control lever is located on the right side of the tractor s dash panel This lever controls the speed of the engine and on some models when pushed all the way forward the choke control also When set in a given position the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed See Figure 6 Choke Position Fast r Position
36. ing brake Models with Manual PTO Blade Engage e The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the tractor s seat with the PTO Blade Engage lever in the engaged ON position regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged e With the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position the engine will automatically shut off if the PTO Blade Engage lever is moved into the engaged ON position with the shift lever in Reverse Models with Electric PTO Blade Engage e The electric PTO Blade Engage clutch will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the tractor s seat with the PTO Blade Engage knob in the engaged ON position regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged e With the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position the electric PTO Blade Engage clutch will automatically shut off if the PTO Blade Engage knob is moved into the engaged ON position with the shift lever in Reverse WARNING Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning This system was designed for your safety and protection Reverse Caution Mode The REVERSE CAUTION MODE position of the key switch module allows the tractor to be operated in reverse with the blades PTO engaged IMPORTANT Mowing in reverse is not recommended A WARNING Use extreme caution while operating the tractor in the REVERSE CAUTION MODE Always look down and behind before and while backing Do not operate
37. ioning This system was designed for your safety and protection NOTE Refer to the TRACTOR SET UP section of this manual for Gasoline and Oil fill up instructions WARNING Do not operate the tractor if the e Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch e Place the PTO Blade Engage knob or lever in the disengaged OFF position e Engage the tractor s parking brake e Activate the choke control e Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position After the engine starts release the key It will return to the ON position IMPORTANT Do NOT hold the key in the START position for longer than ten seconds at a time Doing so may cause damage to your engine s electric starter e After the engine starts deactivate the choke control and place the throttle control in the FAST position NOTE Do NOT leave the choke control on while operating the tractor Doing so will result in a rich fuel mixture and cause the engine to run poorly 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 the damage before restarting and operating e Ifthe blades are engaged place the PTO Blade Engage knob or lever in the disengaged OFF position e Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF position e Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent unintended sta
38. left hand spindle pulley 46 inch Decks with Electric PTO Insert a 3 8 drive ratchet wrench set to loosen into the square hole found in the idler bracket on the left side of the deck s surface See Figure 22 e Grasp the ratchet s handle and pivot it toward the tractor s right side to relieve tension on the belt e With belt tension relieved carefully remove the belt from around the left hand spindle pulley All Models IMPORTANT Carefully allow the ratchet to pivot rearward before removing it from the square hole e Remove the deck belt from around all pulleys including the deck idler pulley e Route the new belts deck belt first e Remount the belt guards removed earlier Changing the Transmission Drive Belts NOTE Several components must be removed and special tools i e air impact wrench in order to change the tractor s drive belts See an authorized dealer to have your drive belts replaced 42 inch Deck Electric PTO Shown Figure 21 24 Belt Guard Figure 22 SECTION 9 OFF SEASON STORAGE Clean and lubricate the tractor as instructed in MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR of this manual before storing for an extended period WARNING Drain fuel only into an approved container outdoors away from an open flame Allow engine to cool Extinguish cigarettes cigars pipes and other sources of ignition prior to draining fuel Figure 23 Follow t
39. nt Lever NOTE Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator s position NOTE Hood styles vary by model Ignition Switch Module WARNING Never leave a running machine A unattended Always disengage PTO move shift lever into neutral position set parking brake stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting To start the engine insert the key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the START position Release the key into the NORMAL MOWING MODE position once the engine has fired To stop the engine turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the STOP position See Figure 8 Normal Driving Mode REVERS CAUTION Mop Stop Position I Start Position Figure 8 IMPORTANT Prior to operating the tractor refer to both Safety Interlock Switches page 14 and Starting The Engine page 15 of this manual for detailed instructions regarding the Ignition Switch Module and operating the tractor in REVERSE CAUTION MODE CJ ies Ground speed is also controlled with the drive pedal The further down the pedal is depressed the faster the tractor will travel The pedal will return to its original position when it s not depressed IMPORTANT Always set the parking brake when leaving the tractor unattended Drive Pedal The drive pedal is located below the brake pedal on the right front side of the tractor along the running board
40. oid blade contact or a thrown object injury keep bystanders helpers children and pets atleast 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 can 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 Thrown 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 discharge 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 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 hei
41. ol heed its warning DANGER This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this man A ual As with any type of power equipment carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death GENERAL OPERATION 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
42. ottom or with a part number stamped in it facing the ground when the mower is in the operating position IMPORTANT Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade spindle hex flange nut to between 70 foot pounds and 90 foot pounds Fuses Two fuses are installed in your tractor s wiring harness to protect the tractor s electrical system from damage caused by excessive amperage If the electrical system does not function or your tractor s engine will not crank first check to be certain that the fuse has not blown One can be found under the hood mounted behind the top of the dash panel on the support bar The other can be found under the seat mounted to the inside of the tractor frame next to the battery tray WARNING Always use a fuse with the same amperage capacity for replacement Changing the Deck Belt amp PTO Belt WARNING Be sure to shut the engine off A remove ignition key disconnect the spark plug wire s and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the belt s WARNING Avoid the possibility of a pinching injury Do not place your fingers on the idler spring or between the belt and the pulley while removing the belt All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and should be replaced if any signs of wear are present IMPORTANT The V belts found on your tractor are specially designed to engage and disengage safely A substitute non OEM V belt can be dangerous by not diseng
43. rs or component parts thereof are covered by a one year warranty or 5 Routine maintenance items such as lubricants filters blade sharpening and tune ups or adjustments such as brake clutch or deck or 6 Normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure Full Ninety Day Warranty on Battery For ninety 90 days from the date of retail purchase if any battery included with this unit proves defective in material or workmanship and our testing determines the battery will not hold a charge MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED will replace the battery at no charge to the original purchaser Additional Limited Thirty Day Warranty on Battery After ninety 90 days but within one hundred twenty 120 days from the date of purchase MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED will replace the defective battery for the original pur chaser for a cost of one half 1 2 of the current retail price of the battery in effect at the date of return Full Sixty Day Warranty on Normal Wear Parts Normal wear parts are defined as belts blade adapters blades grass bags seats tires rider deck wheels and clutch parts friction wheels These parts are warranted to the origi nal purchaser to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of sixty 60 days from the date of retail purchase How to Obtain Service Warranty service is available with proof of purchase through your local authorized ser vice dealer or distributor If you do not know the dealer or di
44. rting Driving the Tractor WARNING Avoid sudden starts A cessive speed and sudden stops ex WARNING Do not leave the seat of the tractor without first placing the PTO Blade Engage knob or lever in the disengaged OFF position depressing the brake pedal and engaging the parking brake If leaving the tractor unattended also turn the ignition key off and remove the key e Depress the brake pedal to release the parking brake and let the pedal up e Move the throttle lever into the FAST rabbit position IMPORTANT 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 shifting e To move forward place the shift lever in the FORWARD position then slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired speed is achieved e 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 Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE to help determine slopes where you may operate the tractor safely WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a A slope in excess of 15 degrees a rise of approximately 2 1 2 feet every 10 feet The tractor could overturn and cause serious injury e Mow up and down slopes NEVER across e Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes e Watch for holes ruts bumps rocks or other hidden objects
45. s to prevent the screwdriver from shorting against the frame IMPORTANT Never jump your tractor s dead battery with the battery of a running vehicle e Connect end of one jumper cable to the positive terminal of the good battery then the other end to the positive terminal of the dead battery e Connect the other jumper cable to the negative terminal of the good battery then to the frame of the unit with the dead battery WARNING Failure to use this procedure A could cause sparking and the gas in either battery could explode Cleaning Clean the battery by removing it from the tractor and washing with a baking soda and water solution If necessary scrape the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove deposits Coat terminals and exposed wiring with grease or petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion Hex Flange Nut 5 Wood Block Figure 19 Battery Failures Some common causes for battery failure are incorrect initial activation overcharging freezing These failures are NOT covered by your tractor s warranty Cutting Blades A undercharging corroded connections WARNING Be sure to shut the engine off remove ignition key disconnect the spark plug wire s and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the cutting blade s for sharpening or replacement Protect your hands by using heavy gloves or a rag to grasp the cutting blade WARNING Periodically inspect th
46. sen the lock nut s to lower the front of the deck to raise deck to lower deck NOTE 46 inch Deck Support Shown Figure 13 e Retighten the jam nut s loosened earlier when proper adjustment is achieved Side to Side If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly a side to side adjustment can be performed Adjust if necessary as follows e With the tractor parked on a firm level surface place the deck lift lever in the top notch highest position and rotate both blades so that they are perpendicular with the tractor e Measure the distance from the outside of the left blade tip to the ground and the distance from the outside of the right blade tip to the ground Both measurements taken should be equal If they re not proceed to the next step e Loosen but do NOT remove the hex cap screw on the left deck hanger bracket See Figure 14 Adjustment Gear Hex Bolt Figure 14 e Balance the deck by using a wrench to turn the adjustment gear found immediately behind the hex cap screw just loosened clockwise up or counterclockwise down e The deck is properly balanced when both blade tip measurements taken earlier are equal e Retighten the hex cap screw on the left deck hanger bracket when proper adjustment is achieved Parking Brake Adjustment A WARNING Never attempt to adjust the brakes while the engine is running Always disengage P
47. stributor in your area please write to the Service Department of MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED P O BOX 1386 KITCHENER Ontario N2G 4J1 The return of a com plete unit will not be accepted by the factory unless prior written permission has been extended by MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED Transportation Charges Transportation charges for the movement of any power equipment unit or attachment are the responsibility of the purchaser Transportation charges for any part submitted for replacement under this warranty must be paid by the purchaser unless such return is requested in writing by MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED Other Warranties All other warranties express or implied including any implied warranty of merchantability is lim ited in its duration to that set forth in this express limited warranty The provisions as set forth in this warranty provide the sole and exclusive remedy of MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED obligations arising from the sale of its prod ucts MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED will not be liable for incidental or consequential loss or damage 27
48. surement taken in front of the axle should be between 1 16 and 5 16 less than the measurement taken behind the axle Adjust if necessary SECTION 7 MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR WARNING Before performing any maintenance or repairs disengage PTO move shift lever into neutral position set parking brake stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting A Engine Refer to the separate engine manual for engine maintenance instructions Check engine oil level before each use as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit Read and follow instructions carefully Changing Engine Oil NOTE Depending on the engine model found on your tractor it may be necessary to remove the tractor s side panel in order to replace the oil filter if so equipped e Unscrew oil fill cap and remove dipstick from the oil fill tube See Figure 17 Oil Fill Cap _ Oil Drain Hose Protective Cap Oil Drain Valve Drain Port Figure 17 e Pop open the protective cap on the end of the oil drain valve to expose the drain port See Figure 17 e Push the oil drain hose packed with this manual onto the oil drain port Route the opposite end of the hose into an appropriate oil collection container with a capacity of no less than 64 oz e Push the oil drain valve in slightly then rotate counterclockwise and pull outward to begin draining oil See Figure 17 e Service the oil filter if so equipped as instruct
49. ting blade Tighten blade and spindle Balance blade Replace blade Mower will not mulch grass Engine speed too low Wet grass Excessively high grass Place throttle control in FAST rabbit position Do not mow when grass is wet wait until later to cut Mow once at a high cutting height then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting swath Dull blade Sharpen or replace blade Uneven cut Deck not balanced properly Perform side to side deck adjustment Dull blade Sharpen or replace blade Uneven tire pressure Check tire pressure in all four tires 26 TWO YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY For TWO YEARS from the date of retail purchase within Canada MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED will at its option re pair or replace for the original purchaser free of charge any part or parts found to be defective in material or workmanship This warranty does not cover 1 Any part which has become inoperative due to misuse commercial use abuse neglect accident im proper maintenance or alteration or 2 The unit if it has not been operated and or maintained in accordance with the owner s instructions fur nished with the unit or 3 The engine or motor or component parts thereof which carry separate warranties from their manufac turers Please refer to The applicable manufacturer s warranty on these items or 4 Batteries and normal wear parts except as noted below Log splitter pumps valves and cylinde
50. tion Fill tank with clean fresh less than 30 days old gas Clean fuel line or replace fuel filter if so equipped Clean adjust gap or replace plug Crank engine with throttle in FAST position Engine runs erratic Unit running with CHOKE applied Spark plug wire s loose Blocked fuel line or stale fuel Vent in gas cap plugged Water or dirt in fuel system Dirty air cleaner Push CHOKE control if so equipped in or move the throttle control out of the CHOKE position Connect and tighten spark plug wire s Clean fuel line fill tank with clean fresh less than 30 days old gasoline Replace fuel filter if so equipped Clear vent or replace cap if damaged Drain fuel tank Refill with clean fresh less than 30 days old gasoline Replace air cleaner cartridge element or clean pre cleaner if so equipped Engine overheats Engine oil level low Air flow restricted Fill crankcase with proper capacity and weight of oil Clean grass clippings and debris from around the engine s cooling fins and blower housing Engine hesitates at high RPM Spark plug s gap too close Remove spark plug s and reset the gap Idles poorly Spark plug s fouled faulty or gap too wide Dirty air cleaner Replace spark plug s Set plug s gap Replace air cleaner cartridge element or clean pre cleaner if so equipped Excessive vibration Cutting blade loose or unbalanced Damaged or bent cut
51. with the engine at full throttle the ammeter s needle should measure a positive charge The hour meter if so equipped operates whenever the engine is running and records the actual hours of tractor operation Electric PTO Blade Engage Knob To engage the power to the cutting deck or other separately available attachments on models equipped with an electric PTO pull outward on the PTO Blade Engage knob Push the PTO Blade Engage knob inward to disengage the power to the cutting deck NOTE The PTO Blade Engage knob must be in the disengaged OFF position when starting the engine when traveling in reverse and if the operator leaves the seat Manual PTO Blade Engage Lever ON 7x1 MARCHE f a OFF PTO ARRET V PDF On models equipped with a manual PTO Blade Engage the PTO Blade Engage lever is located on the left side of the dashboard next to the steering wheel Move the PTO Blade Engage lever forward to engage the power to the cutting deck or other separately available attachments move the PTO Blade Engage lever rearward to disengage the power to the attachments NOTE The PTO Blade Engage lever must be in the disengaged OFF position when starting the engine when traveling in reverse and if the operator leaves the seat Seat Adjustment Lever To adjust the seat forward or backward on units equipped with a quick adjust seat slide the seat adjustment lever to the left and reposition the s
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search