Page 1
IMPORTANT MANUAL OPERATOR'S MANUAL MODEL: PXT12538 LAWN TRACTOR ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION DURING OPERATION Visit our website: www.poulan-pro.com 431147 10.26.09 SR DO NOT THROW AWAY 5000 WARNING: Read this Man u al and follow all Warnings and Safety Instructions. Fail ure to do so can re sult in serious in ju ry.
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers DANGER: 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. WARNING: In order to prevent ac ci den tal starting when setting up, trans port ing, ad just ing or making repairs, al ways dis con nect spark plug wire and place...
Page 3
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers III. CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the ma chine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. •...
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.
INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3) Adjust seat before tightening adjustment bolt. • Remove adjustment bolt, lock washer and flat washer se cur ing seat to cardboard packing and set aside for as sem bly of seat to tractor. • Pivot seat upward and remove from the cardboard pack- ing.
These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. REVERSE NEUTRAL ENGINE OFF REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS) LIGHTS ON FUEL ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY FREE WHEEL (Automatic Models only) Failure to follow instructions...
Page 9
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. LIGHT SWITCH THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL CLUTCH/BRAKE...
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 OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 6) Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine. You must remain fully and centrally positioned in the seat to prevent the engine from hesitating or cutting off when operating your equipment on rough, rolling terrain or hills.
ADD GASOLINE • Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular un lead ed gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline.
TRACTOR Always observe safety rules when per form ing any main te nance. BRAKE OPERATION If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to stop at highest speed in high est gear on a level, dry concrete or paved surface, then brake must be checked and ad just ed. (See “TO CHECK BRAKE”...
V-BELTS Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours of operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not ad just able. Re place belts if they begin to slip from wear. TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which can restrict cooling.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (See Fig. 12) Debris may clog the engine's air cooling system. Remove blower housing and clean the area shown to prevent over- heating and engine damage. CLEAN OUT CHAFF AND DEBRIS AIR SCREEN Fig. 12 MUFFLER Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SE RI OUS IN JU RY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place gearshift lever in neutral position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS SIDE-TO-SIDE ADJUSTMENT (See Figs. 15 and 16) • 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 19
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 2. Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position. The rear wheels must lock and skid when you try to manually push the tractor forward. If the rear wheels rotate, then the brake needs to be serviced. Contact a qualified service center. TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT(See Fig.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS If “jumper ca bles” are used for emer gen cy starting, use the following pro ce dure: IMPORTANT: YOUR TRACTOR IS EQUIPPED WITH A 12 VOLT SYSTEM. THE OTHER VEHICLE MUST ALSO BE A 12 VOLT SYSTEM. DO NOT USE YOUR TRACTOR BATTERY TO START OTHER VEHICLES.
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 flame or spark.
PROBLEM CAUSE 1. Out of fuel. Will not start 2. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. 3. Engine flooded. 4. Bad spark plug. 5. Dirty air filter. 6. Dirty fuel filter. 7. Water in fuel. 8. Loose or damaged wiring. 9. Carburetor out of adjustment. 10.
Page 23
PROBLEM CAUSE 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. Excessive 2. Bent blade mandrel. vibration 3. Loose/damaged part(s). 1. Faulty operator-safety presence control Engine continues system. to run when oper- ator leaves seat with attachment clutch engaged 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. Poor cut - uneven 2.
Page 24
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.
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 find to be defective due to materials or workmanship.