Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING 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. I. GENERAL OPERATION • Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual and on the machine before starting.
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.
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INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3) Adjust seat before tightening adjustment knob. • Remove adjustment knob and flat washer securing seat to cardboard packing and set aside for assembly of seat to tractor. • Pivot seat upward and remove from the cardboard packing.
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I M P O R T A N T : F O R S H I P P I N G P U R P O S E S , T H E 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.
OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. BATTERY CAUTION OR REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW WARNING LIGHTS ON OVER TEMP ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE LIGHT PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED MOWER LIFT FUEL...
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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 adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. AMMETER THROTTLE/ CHOKE CONTROL CLUTCH/ BRAKE...
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The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or standard 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.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL • The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with summer weight oil. • Check engine oil with tractor on level ground. • Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and read oil level.
MOWING TIPS • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. • The left hand side of mower should be used for trimming. • Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has been cut.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES TRACTOR Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- 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 Adjustments section of this manual).
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to “leak” power. • Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery cable and remove battery from tractor. • Rinse the battery with plain water and dry. •...
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CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES AIR FILTER (See Fig. 16) Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Clean the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of operation or every season. Service paper cartridge every 100 hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs first. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. • Turn ignition key “OFF” and remove key. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground or driveway. Make sure tires are properly inflated (See “PROD- UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual). If tires are over or underinflated, you will not properly adjust your mower.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS IDLER PULLEYS MANDREL PULLEYS FIG. 23 TO ADJUST BRAKE (See Fig. 24) Your tractor is equipped with an adjustable brake system which is mounted on the right side of the transaxle. If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance at high speed in highest gear on a level dry concrete or paved surface, then brake must be adjusted.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal (left to right) when wheels are positioned straight forward, remove steer- ing wheel and reassemble per instructions in the Assembly section of this manual. FRONT WHEEL TOE-IN/CAMBER The front wheel toe-in and camber are not adjustable on your tractor.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS SEAT PAN FIG. 29 TERMINAL KEPS NUT COVER POSITIVE (RED) CABLE NEGATIVE (BLACK) CABLE FIG. 30 TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULB • Raise hood. • Pull bulb holder out of 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. CAUTION: Never store the tractor with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE Will not start Out of fuel. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. Engine flooded. Bad spark plug. Dirty air filter. Dirty fuel filter. Water in fuel. Loose or damaged wiring. Carburetor out of adjustment. Engine valves out of adjustment. Hard to start Dirty air filter.
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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 Worn, bent or loose blade. Mower deck not level. Buildup of grass, leaves, and trash under mower. Bent blade mandrel.
The Manufacturer warrants to the original consumer purchaser that this product as manufactured is free from defects in materials and workmanship. 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 find to be defective due to materials or workmanship.
POLICY ® 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, transmission, 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 purposes, which is found upon examination by any Tecumseh Authorized Service Outlet or by Tecumseh’s factory in Grafton, Wisconsin, to be DEFECTIVE IN MATERIAL...
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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.