Page 1
IMPORTANT MANUAL OWNER'S MANUAL MODEL: PDB18H42STA LAWN TRACTOR ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION DURING OPERATION Do Not Throw Away 02478 WARNING: Read this Owner's Man u al and follow all Warn- ings and Safety Instructions. Fail ure to do so can re sult in serious in ju ry.
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.
Page 7
SEAT SEAT PAN 02466 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.
IMPORTANT: FOR SHIPPING PURPOSES, THE MULCHER PLATE WAS PREATTACHED TO YOUR MOWER. THE MULCHER PLATE MUST ONLY BE USED WITH THE MULCHING BLADES THAT CAME PACKED SEPARATELY IN THE CARTON. YOUR MOWER CAME FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BLADES, WHICH ARE THE BEST BLADES FOR BAGGING AND DISCHARGING.
These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their mean- ing. REVERSE NEUTRAL LIGHTS ON ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE FUEL OVER TEMP LIGHT ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED FREE WHEEL (Automatic Models only) Failure to follow instructions...
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/...
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 operating 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.
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 7) Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain conditions.
Transmission Engaged Transmission Disengaged FIG. 9 NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.). TOWING CARTS AND OTHER AT TACH - MENTS Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and...
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP • Before driving the unit in cold weather, the trans mis sion should be warmed up as follows: • Be sure the tractor is on level ground. • Place the motion control lever in neutral. Re lease the parking brake and let the clutch/brake slowly return to operating position.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN AFTER EACH USE. • The spe cial mulch ing blade will recut the grass clip- pings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed.
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).
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to “leak” power. • Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst then RED bat- tery cable and remove battery from tractor. • Rinse the battery with plain water and dry. •...
Page 19
NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged cooling fi ns, and/or cooling shrouds re moved will cause engine damage due to overheating. ENGINE OIL FILTER Replace the engine oil fi lter every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one year.
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 TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground or driveway. Make sure tires are properly infl ated (See “PROD UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual). If tires are over or underinfl ated, you will not properly adjust your mower.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT (See Fig. 23) The mower blade drive belt may be replaced without tools. Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake. BELT REMOVAL - • Remove mower from tractor (See “TO REMOVE MOW ER”...
Page 23
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ENGINE PULLEY CLUTCHING IDLER STA TION ARY IDLER TRANS MIS SION INPUT PULLEY FIG. 25 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.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BATTERY (See Fig. 28) WARNING: Lead-acid batteries gen- er ate ex plo sive gases. Keep sparks, fl ame and smoking ma te ri als away from bat ter ies. Always wear eye pro tec tion when around batteries.
Page 25
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULB • Raise hood. • Pull bulb holder out of the hole in the backside of the grill. • Replace bulb in holder and push bulb holder securely back into the hole in the backside of the grill. •...
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.
Page 28
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.
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES chassis_elite sv_pro_4...
Page 33
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES PART DESCRIPTION 174619 Chassis 176554 Drawbar 17060612 Screw 3/8-16 x 3/4 155272 Bumper Hood/Dash 168337X012 Dash 72140608 Bolt RdHd Sqnk. 3/8-16 Unc x 1 174996 Panel Asm. Dash Lh...
Page 34
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA DRIVE drive-hydro.stlt_34...
Page 35
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA DRIVE PART DESCRIPTION - - - - - - Transaxle Hydro Gear Model 314- 0510 (Order parts from the trans- axle manufacturer) 165619 Rod, Shift 76020416 Pin, Cotter 1/8 x 1 10040400...
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA STEERING ASSEMBLY steering_pl.lt_29...
Page 37
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA STEERING ASSEMBLY PART DESCRIPTION 180656 Wheel Steering 184706 Axle Asm Front 169840 Spin dle Asm Lh 169839 Spin dle Asm Rh 6266H Bear ing Race Thrust Harden 121748X Wash er 25/32 x 1 5/8 x 16 Ga.
Page 38
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA ENGINE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Spark Arrester engine-bs.1cyl_46...
Page 39
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA ENGINE PART DESCRIPTION 170551 Control Throt /Ch Flag 17720408 Screw Hex Thd Cut 1/4-20 x 1/2 - - - - - - Engine Briggs Model 31M777 (Order Parts From Engine Manufacturer) 137352 Muffl...
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA SEAT ASSEMBLY seat_lt.knob_1 PART DESCRIPTION 171683 Seat 140551 Brack et Pnt Pivot Seat (blk ) 71110616 Bolt 19131610 Wash er 13/32 x 1 x 10 Ga 145006 Clip Push-In Hinged 73800600 124181X...
Page 41
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA DECALS PART DESCRIPTION 157032 De cal Instruction Operat English/French 172743 Decal Ins Strg Wh 186163 De cal Hood Rh 186164 De cal Hood Lh 187668 Decal Replacement 179128 Decal Deck “B” 42”...
Page 42
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA MOWER LIFT 17 18 lift-rh.1pc.stlt_12...
Page 43
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PDB18H42STA MOWER LIFT PART DESCRIPTION 184432 Plunger Asm. 159476 Shaft Asm Lift 178981 Pin Groove 12000002 E Ring #5133-62 19211621 Washer 21/32 x 1 x 21 Ga. 120183X Bearing Nylon 175830 Grip Handle...
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 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.