Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Service • Troubleshooting
OperatOr’s Manual
Lawn Tractor
Table of Contents
Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 2 Product Care ...........................................................14
Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 6 Parts/Warranty.............. See Separate Supplement
Controls & Operation.............................................10
WARNING
READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTE: This Operator’s Manual covers several models. Features may vary by model. Not all features in this manual are applicable to all
models and the model depicted may differ from yours.
Form No. 769-17290A
(September 19, 2018)
Important Safe Operation Practices
WARNING
This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger 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 symbol. HEED ITS WARNING!
WARNING
California Proposition 65
Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
DANGER
This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in this manual. 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.
1
6.
Do not operate the machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
Slope Operation
General 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.
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.
1
7.
18.
9.
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
Never carry passengers.
1
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.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part
of this manual to measure slopes before operating
this machine on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope
is greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope
gauge, do not operate this machine on that area or
serious injury could result.
2
3
.
.
Be familiar with all controls and their proper
operation. Know how to stop the machine
and disengage them quickly.
20.
Slow down before turning. Operate the
machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation
and excessive speed.
Never allow children under 14 years of age to
operate this machine. Children 14 and over
should read and understand the instructions
and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and should be trained
and supervised by an adult.
21.
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.
Do:
1.
Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise
extreme caution when changing direction on
slopes.
4
.
.
Never allow adults to operate this machine
without proper instruction.
2.
Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or
other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could
overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
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.
22.
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.
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.
2
3.
Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck. This machine
should not be driven up or down ramp(s),
because the machine could tip over, causing
serious personal injury. The machine must be
pushed manually on ramp(s) to load or unload
properly.
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.
4.
5.
6.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations
for wheel weights or counterweights to
improve stability.
7.
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward roads,
24.
Muffler and engine become hot and can
cause a burn. Do not touch.
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.
Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability
of the machine.
2
5.
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 machine,
which could result in serious injury.
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.
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.
26.
Disengage all attachment clutches, depress
the brake pedal completely and shift into
neutral before attempting to start engine.
27.
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.
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.
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.
10.
For extended use of this product, hearing
protection is required.
2
8.
9.
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.
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.
11.
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.
3.
4.
Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting
your foot on the ground.
2
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.
12.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts
or under the cutting deck. Contact with the
blade(s) can amputate hands and feet.
Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5.
Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction
could cause sliding.
1
3.
4.
5.
A missing or damaged discharge cover can
cause blade contact or thrown object injuries.
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.
1
Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives,
walks, or roads and while not cutting grass.
3
0.
If situations occur which are not covered in
this manual, use care and good judgment.
Contact your customer service representative
for assistance.
1
Watch for traffic when operating near or
crossing roadways. This machine is not
intended for use on any public roadway.
2
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).
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.
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.
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.
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!”
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.
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.
a.
Keep children out of the mowing area
and in watchful care of a responsible
adult other than the operator.
e.
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes
and other sources of ignition.
12.
Do not change the engine governor settings
or over-speed the engine. The governor
controls the maximum safe operating speed of
the engine.
b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child
enters the area.
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.
c.
Before and while backing, look behind
and down for small children.
1
3.
4.
15.
Maintain or replace safety and instruction
labels, as necessary.
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.
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.
1
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations
for gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.
According to the Consumer Products
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 path of
the machine.
Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this
product has an Average Useful Life of seven
(7) years, or 270 hours of operation. At the end
of the Average Useful Life have the machine
inspected annually by an authorized service
dealer to ensure that all mechanical and