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FAILURE TO FOLLOW SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES MAY RESULT • Read this manual completely as well as other manuals that came with your mower. • DO NOT operate on steep slopes. To check a slope, attempt to back up it (with the cutter deck down).
All information is based upon product information available at the time of approval for printing. Scag Power Equipment reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation.
Section 2 INTRODUCTION Your mower is only as safe as the operator. Carelessness or operator error may result in serious bodily injury or death. Hazard control and accident prevention are dependent upon the awareness, concern, prudence, and proper training of the personnel involved in the operation, transport, maintenance and storage of the equipment.
DO NOT allow children to ride or play on the machine, it is not a toy. Clear the area to be mowed of objects that could be picked up and thrown by the cutter blades. DO NOT carry passengers. DO NOT operate the machine under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Section 2 Reduce speed and exercise extreme caution on slopes and in sharp turns to prevent tipping or loss of control. Be especially cautious when changing directions on slopes. Stay two cut widths away from slopes, drop offs, ditches and retaining walls. To prevent tipping or loss of control, start and stop smoothly, avoid unnecessary turns and travel at reduced speed.
Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision. NEVER leave the machine running unattended. ROLL-OvER PROTECTION SYSTEM WARNING Keep the roll bar in the raised and locked position and the seat belt securely fastened during operation.
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Section 2 WARNING Failure to properly inspect and maintain the seat belt can cause serious injury or loss of life. Check the full length of the seat belt webbing for cuts, wear, fraying, dirt and stiffness. See Figure 2-3. Check the seat belt webbing in areas exposed to ultra violet rays from the sun or extreme dust or dirt.
MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS & STORAGE Never make adjustments to the machine with the engine running unless specifically instructed to do so. If the engine is running, keep hands, feet, and clothing away from moving parts. Disengage drives, lower implement, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key or disconnect spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting of the engine when servicing or adjusting the machine.
Section 2 SAFETY AND INSTRUCTIONAL DECALS 483407 483407 483406 483633 484321 WARNING INSTALL BELT COvER BEFORE OPERATING MACHINE READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL FORWARD 483300 483425 484293 483402 483402 REvERSE 481568 WARNING Operation of this equipment may create sparks that can start res around dry vegetation.
ENGINE General Type ...Heavy Duty Industrial/Commercial Gas/LP Brand ... Kubota Dual Fuel [Spec. #DF972-E2] Model ... Kubota DF972 Horsepower ...LP = 29 HP at 3600 RPM, Gas = 31 HP at 3600 RPM Type ... 4 Cycle Dual Fuel, 3 Cylinder, Horizontal Shaft, Water Cooled Displacement ...
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION Do not attempt to operate this mower unless you have read this manual. Learn the location and purpose of all controls and instruments before you operate this mower. CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION Before operating the mower, familiarize yourself with all mower and engine controls.
Section 4 Hourmeter (Figure 4-1). Indicates the number of hours the engine has been operated. It only operates when the engine is running. Has preset maintenance reminders for engine and hydraulic system oil changes. Will start flashing scheduled maintenance 2 hours before preset time and continue flashing until 2 hours after.
INITIAL RUN-IN PROCEDURES FIRST DAY OF USE OR APPROxIMATELY 20 HOURS Check all belts for proper alignment and wear at 2, 4 and 8 hours. Change the engine oil and oil filter after the first 20 hours of operation. (See Section 7.4.) Check hydraulic oil level in reservoir.
Section 4 - NOTe - Smooth operation of the steering levers will produce smooth mower operation. While learning the operation of the steering controls, keep the travel speed low. - IMPORTANT - Do not travel forward over a curb. The mower will hang up on the curb.
HILLSIDE OPERATION WARNING DO NOT operate on steep slopes. To check a slope, attempt to back up it (with the cutter deck down). If the machine can back up the slope without the wheels slipping, reduce speed and use extreme caution.
Section 4 4.11 MOvING MOWER WITH ENGINE STOPPED To “free-wheel” or move the mower around without the engine running, rotate the dump valve levers counter- clockwise. See Figure 4-4. Disengage the parking brake and move the mower by hand. When the machine is in the desired position, engage the parking brake and rotate the levers clockwise until they stop.
Insert the lanyard pin into the cutting height index at the desired cutting height. Push forward on the deck lift foot lever, hold in place and pull back on the deck release lever. See Figure 4-6. Slowly release the foot pedal.
Section 4 4.16 TOWING (OPTIONAL HITCH ACCESSORY) NEVER allow children or others in or on towed equipment. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the hitch point. Follow manufacturer's recommendations for weight limit for towed equipment.
TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS CONDITION STRINGERS - OCCASIONAL Low engine RPM BLADES OF UNCUT GRASS Ground speed too fast Wet grass Dull blades, incorrect sharpening Deck plugged, grass accumulation Width of Deck Belts slipping SGB020 STREAKING - STRIPS OF Dull, worn blades UNCUT GRASS IN CUTTING PATH Incorrect blade sharpening...
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Section 5 TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS (CONT'D) CONDITION U N E v E N C U T O N F L AT GROUND - WAvY HIGH-LOW APPEARANCE, SCALLOPED CUT, OR ROUGH CONTOUR Width of Deck SGB020 UNEvEN CUT ON UNEvEN GROUND - WAvY APPEARANCE, HIGH-LOW SCALLOPED CUT, OR ROUGH CONTOUR Width of Deck...
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TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS (CONT'D) CONDITION SCALPING - BLADES HITTING DIRT OR CUTTING vERY CLOSE TO THE GROUND Width of Deck SGB022 STEP CUT - RIDGE IN CENTER OF CUTTING PATH Width of Deck SGB024 SLOPE CUT - SLOPING RIDGES ACROSS WIDTH OF CUTTING PATH Width of Deck SGB025...
Section 6 PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT WARNING Do not operate the mower if the parking brake is not operable. Possible severe injury could result. The parking brake linkage should be adjusted whenever the parking brake lever is placed in the “ENGAGE” position and the parking brake will allow the mower to move.
TRAvEL ADJUSTMENTS Neutral or tracking adjustments will need to be made if: A. The steering control levers are in the neutral position and the machine creeps forward or backward. (Neutral Adjustment, See Below). B. The steering control levers are in the full forward position and the mower pulls to one side or the other when traveling in a forward direction.
Section 6 Actuate the steering control levers forward and reverse several times and return them to the neutral position. Check that the drive wheels remained in neutral and readjust if necessary. Check that the steering control levers hit the stop before the pumps reach full stroke.
BELT ALIGNMENT Belt alignment is important for proper performance of your Scag mower. If you experience frequent belt wear or breakage, see your authorized Scag service center for belt adjustment. CUTTER DECK ADJUSTMENTS Cutter deck level, pitch and height are set at the factory. However, if these adjustments should ever need to be made, the following procedures will aid in obtaining the proper cutter deck adjustment.
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Section 6 - NOTe - To prevent the cutter deck from teetering, all four (4) cutter deck hanging chains must have tension on them. If all four chains do not have tension on them and the deck teeters, you must readjust the cutter deck as outlined in the procedures above.
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CUSTOM-CUT BAFFLE ADJUSTMENT The Custom-Cut Baffle is designed to deliver optimum airflow and superior cutting performance in any type of grass. The Custom-Cut Baffle can be raised or lowered to precisely tailor the deck's performance for the type of grass being cut. The baffle can be set in seven (7) different positions for optimum performance.
Section 6 ELECTRIC CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT The electric clutch serves two functions in the operation of the mower. In addition to starting and stopping the power flow to the cutter blades, the clutch also acts as a brake to assist in stopping blade rotation when the PTO is switched off or the operator presence circuit is interrupted.
MAINTENANCE CHART - RECOMMENDED SERvICE INTERvALS HOURS BREAK-IN (FIRST 10) * Perform these maintenance procedures more frequently under extreme dusty or dirty conditions MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE Check all hardware for tightness Check hydraulic oil level C h e c k a l l b e l t s f o r p r o p e r alignment Change engine oil and filter Check coolant level...
Section 7 HYDRAULIC SYSTEM A. CHECKING HYDRAULIC OIL LEvEL The hydraulic oil level should be checked after the first 10 hours of operation. Thereafter, check the oil after every 200 hours of machine operation or monthly, whichever occurs first. - IMPORTANT - If the oil level is consistently low, check for leaks and correct immediately.
C. CHANGING HYDRAULIC OIL FILTER ELEMENT The hydraulic oil filter should be changed after every 500 hours of operation or annually, whichever occurs first. Remove the oil filter element and properly discard it. See Figure 7-3. Fill the new filter with clean oil and install the filter.
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Section 7 Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. Use only an approved gasoline container. Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow the engine to completely cool before fueling. Never fuel the machine indoors or in an enclosed trailer.
Engine Fuel Filter Figure 7-6. Fuel Filter ENGINE AIR CLEANER A. CLEANING AND/OR REPLACING AIR CLEANER ELEMENT For any air cleaner, the operating environment dictates the air cleaner service periods. Inspect and clean the air cleaner element after every 100 hours of operation or bi-weekly, whichever occurs first and replace the element if required.
Section 7 A. CHARGING THE BATTERY Refer to the battery charger’s manual for specific instructions. Under normal conditions the engine’s alternator will have no problem keeping a charge on the battery. If the battery has been completely discharged for a long period of time, the alternator may not be able to recharge the battery, and a battery charger will be required.
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- NOTe - DO NOT sharpen the blades beyond 1/3 of the width of the blade. See Figure 7-7. Sharpen the cutting edge at the same bevel as the original. See Figure 7-7. Sharpen only the top of the cutting edge to maintain sharpness. Angle Blade Back Do Not Cut In Figure 7-7.
Section 7 7.10 TIRES Check the tire pressures after every 8 hours of operation or daily. Caster Wheels Flat Free Drive Wheels 12 PSI 7.11 CUTTER DECK GEARBOx A. CHECKING LUBRICANT LEvEL CAUTION The cutter deck gearbox can reach high operating temperatures.
Fill to Bottom of Filler Neck Figure 7-10. Coolant Level Replace the radiator cap. Push down on the cap and turn clockwise until it stops. - NOTe - The cooling system should be flushed and the coolant replaced every 500 hours of operation or annually.
Section 8 ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST SCAG APPROvED ATTACHMENTS AND ACCESSORIES. Attachments and accessories manufactured by companies other than Scag Power Equipment are not approved for use on this machine. Scag approved attachments and accessories: • Mulch Plate (p/n 9288, 920F) •...
BRAKE AND STEERING COMPONENTS Section 8 TO RH PUMP TO LH PUMP STT DB&SC...
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Section 8 BRAKE AND STEERING COMPONENTS Ref. Part No. Description 482340 Grip, Handle Bar 461914 Handle Bar, LH (Includes item 1) 461923 Handle Bar, RH (Includes item 1) 04001-09 Bolt, Hex Head 5/16-18 x 1” 04030-03 Lockwasher, 5/16” 483250 Rubber Spacer 483238 Bar, Control Lever 451483...
REPLACEMENT DECALS AND INFORMATION PLATES Avoid injury from burns - Shut o engine - Allow to cool several minutes - Remove cap slowly - Do not over ll 484281 FORWARD REVERSE WARNING INSTALL BELT COVER BEFORE OPERATING MACHINE READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL 483762 482983 MOWER DECK...
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Section 8 REPLACEMENT DECALS AND INFORMATION PLATES Ref. Part No. Description 483407 Decal, Danger-Spinning Blades 483406 Decal, Warning-Rotating Blades 483044 Decal, Patents 484281 Decal, Fuel Tank 483158 Decal, ROPS 483201 Decal, 61” Velocity Plus 481568 Decal, Traction Control 483633 Decal, Seat Replacement 481971 Decal, Heavy Duty Commercial 483402...
Cutter decks are warranted against cracking for a period of three (3) years. (parts and labor 1st and 2nd year; parts only 3rd year.) The repair or replacement of the cutter deck will be at the option of Scag Power Equipment. We reserve the right to request components for evaluation.