Page 1
ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION DURING OPERATION Do Not Throw Away 02777 WARNING: Read this Owner's Man u al and follow all Warnings and Safety Instructions. Fail ure to do so can re sult in serious in ju ry. 190944 1.23.04 RD Printed in U.S.A.
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROW ING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I. GENERAL OPERATION • Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual and on the machine before starting.
Page 3
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers • Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • Never carry passengers or children even with the blades off. • Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Al ways look down and behind before and while backing.
Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier.
SEAT PAN FLAT WASHER ADJUSTMENT KNOB FIG. 2 CHECK BATTERY (See Fig. 3) • Lift seat pan to raised position. • If this battery is put into service after month and year indicated on label (label located between terminals) charge battery for minimum of one hour at 6-10 amps. (See "BATTERY"...
RETAINER SPRING SHOULDER BOLT AD JUST ING GAUGE WHEEL 3/8 WASH ER FIG. 4 INSTALL MULCHER PLATE (See Fig. 5) (If previously removed) • Raise and hold defl ector shield in up right po si tion. • Place front of mulcher plate over front of mower deck open ing and slide into place, as shown.
These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. REVERSE NEUTRAL LIGHTS ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE FUEL OVER TEMP LIGHT ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED FREE WHEEL (Automatic Models only) Failure to follow instructions could result in serious injury or death.
Page 10
KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and ad just ments. Save this manual for future reference. THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL...
The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye dam age. Always wear safety glass es or eye shields while op- erating your tractor or per form ing any adjustments or repairs. We rec om mend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or stan dard safety glasses.
• Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See “TO AD- JUST MOWER CUT TING HEIGHT” in the Operation sec tion of this manual). • Remove retainer spring and clevis pin which secure each gauge wheel bar. • Lower gauge wheels to ground. Raise gauge wheels slightly to align holes in bracket and gauge wheel bar and insert clevis pin.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL • The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already fi lled with sum mer weight oil. • Check engine oil with tractor on level ground. • Remove oil fi ll cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and read oil level.
• Slowly move motion control lever to full forward position and hold for fi ve (5) seconds, or approximately 40 feet. Slowly move lever to full reverse position and hold for fi ve (5) seconds, or approximately 20 feet. After the tractor moves approximately 20 feet in reverse return the motion control lever to the neutral (N) position.
TRACTOR Always observe safety rules when performing any main- te nance. BRAKE OPERATION If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See “TO ADJUST BRAKE” in the Service and Ad just ments section of this manual).
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst then RED bat- tery cable and remove battery from tractor. • Rinse the battery with plain water and dry. • Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright. • Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly. •...
MUFFLER Inspect and replace corroded muffl er and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could create a fi re hazard and/or dam- age. SPARK PLUGS Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs fi...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SER VICE OR AD JUST - MENTS: • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS SIDE-TO-SIDE ADJUSTMENT (See Figs. 19 and 20) • Raise mower to its highest position. • At the midpoint of both sides of mower, measure height from bot tom edge of mower to ground. Distance “A” on both sides of mower should be the same or within 1/4"...
Page 21
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO CHECK BRAKE • Park tractor on a level, dry concrete or paved surface, depress clutch/brake pedal all the way down and en- gage parking brake. • Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in “transmission disengaged” position. Pull freewheel con trol out and into the slot and release so it is held in the disengaged position.
Page 22
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS MOTION CONTROL LEVER FIG. 26 TRANSMISSION REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement, it should be purged after reinstallation and before operating the tractor. See “PURGE TRANS MIS SION” in the Operation section of this manual. TO AD JUST STEER ING WHEEL ALIGN- MENT If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal (left to right)
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • Lift seat pan to raised position. • Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst then RED battery cable and carefully remove battery from tractor. • Install new battery with terminals in same position as old battery. • First connect RED battery cable to positive (+) terminal with hex bolt and keps nut as shown.
Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or more. WARNING: Never store the trac tor with gas o line in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open fl...
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE Will not start Out of fuel. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. Engine fl ooded. Bad spark plug. Dirty air fi lter. Dirty fuel fi lter. 7. Water in fuel. Loose or damaged wiring. Carburetor out of adjustment. Engine valves out of adjustment.
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE Engine continues to run Faulty operator-safety presence control system. when operator leaves seat with attachment clutch engaged Poor cut - uneven 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. Mower deck not level. Buildup of grass, leaves, and trash under mower. Bent blade mandrel.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PD185H42ST (PD185H42STB) SCHEMATIC AMMETER (OPTIONAL) WHITE IGNITION SWITCH BLUE IGNITION SWITCH POSITION CIRCUIT “MAKE” M+G+A1 NONE RUN/LIGHT B+A1 A2+L B+A1 NONE START B + S + A1 NONE BATTERY FUSE CLUTCH / BRAKE (PEDAL UP) WHITE BLACK BLACK...
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PD185H42ST (PD185H42STB) STEERING ASSEMBLY steering_pl.lt_47...
Page 35
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PD185H42ST (PD185H42STB) STEERING ASSEMBLY PART DESCRIPTION 184704X428 Wheel Steering 184706 Axle Asm Cast Iron LT 169840 Spindle Asm LH 169839 Spindle Asm RH 6266H Bearing Race Thrust Harden 121748X Washer 25/32 x 1-5/8 x 16 Ga. 12000029 Ring Klip #t5304-75 175121...
Page 36
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PD185H42ST (PD185H42STB) SEAT ASSEMBLY seat_lt.knob_1 PART DESCRIPTION 188712 Seat 140551 Bracket Pivot Seat 8 720 71110616 Bolt Fin Hex 3/8-16 unc x 1 19131610 Washer 13/32 x 1 x 10 Ga. 145006 Clip Push-In 73800600 Nut Hex w/Ins.
Page 37
Decal Fend Refl ector Lh WHEELS AND TIRES 4,10 PART 160396 186163 145005 179768X428 Pad Footrest LH 179769X428 Pad Footrest RH 178392 138311 190944 190945 PART 59192 65139 106222X 59904 106732X421 Rim Asm 6" front Service 278H 9040H 106108X421 Rim Asm 8" rear Service...
Page 38
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PD185H42ST (PD185H42STB) ENGINE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Spark Arrester PART DESCRIPTION 170551 Control, Throttle 17720408 Screw Hex Thd Cut 1/4-20 x 1/2 - - - - - - - Engine Briggs Model 31P777 (Order Parts from Engine Mfg.) 137352 Muffl...
Page 39
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PD185H42ST (PD185H42STB) MOWER LIFT PART DESCRIPTION 159461 Wire Asm Inner/Sprg W/plunger 159476 Shaft Asm Lift RH w/Inf 188822 Pin Groove 5/16 Dia x 1.875 12000002 E Ring #5133-62 19211621 Washer 21/32 x 1 x 21 Ga. 120183X Bearing Nylon Blk 629 Id 125631X...
Page 45
The Manufacturer warrants to the original consumer purchaser that this product as manufactured is free from defects in materi- als and work man ship. For a period of two (2) years from date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser, we will repair or replace, at our option, without charge for parts or labor incurred in replacing parts, any part which we fi...
Page 46
® Issued January 1980 Revised January 1991 NEW PEERLESS GEAR POWER TRAIN COMPONENTS Peerless Gear and Machine Division of Tecumseh Products Company (“Tecumseh”), subject to the limitations contained below, will, at its option, repair or replace, without charge for parts or labor only, any part of a new Power Train Component (which as used herein means and includes the transaxle, gear box, trans mis sion, differential and right angle drives, and any part of the Power Train Component), EXCEPT any new Power Train Component incorporated in equipment used for commercial or rental pur pos es, which is found upon examination by any Tecumseh Au tho rized Service Outlet or by Tecumseh’s factory in Grafton, Wis con sin, to be DEFECTIVE...
Page 47
SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION WARNING: To avoid serious injury, operate your tractor up and down the face of slopes, never across the face. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees. Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control.
PARTS AND SERVICE Your POULAN PRO product has been expertly en gi neered and carefully manu fac tured to rigid quality stan dards. As with all mechanical products, some adjustments or part replacement may be necessary during the life of your unit.