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OPERATOR’S MANUAL Model 53AA1A3G401 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest- covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).
Content Maintaining Safety ... 3 Slope Gauge... 6 Know Your Z-Series... 7 Operating Your Z-Series ... 10 Making Adjustments ... 12 Maintaining Your Z-Series ... 14 Maintaining Mower Deck... 18 Troubleshooting ... 21 Parts List... 22 This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new Z-Series. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance.
SECTION 1: MAINTAINING SAFETY WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury.
SLOPE OPERATION 1. Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.
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14. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower. 15. Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown.
SECTION 3: KNOW YOUR Z-SERIES NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position. WARNING: Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.
Electric PTO (Power Take-Off) Switch The PTO switch is located on the right control panel and it is used to control the engagement of the cutting blades. When the knob is up, the cutting blades are engaged. When the knob is down, the cutting blades are disengaged.
Fuel Engine Oil Figure 6 Brake Pedal and Parking Brake Pedal The brake pedal is located on the lower left side of the control tower and it is used to engage the brake in order to slow down or stop the unit. It also is used to engage the parking brake.
The speed control bar also aids the drive handles in making “perfect U-turns”. To move forward grasp both drive handles and the speed control bar at the same time, then release the left drive handle to turn left and SECTION 4: OPERATING YOUR Z-SERIES WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before...
NOTE: The Z-Series speed is based on the position of the drive handles. Push the handles forward to increase speed and back toward neutral for slower speeds. Driving On Slopes Before operating the Z-Series on any slope: • Use the SLOPE GAUGE to determine if the slope is safe for operation.
Release Handles = Neutral / Stop Full Right Forward And Full Left Back = Zero Turn Left Right Forward And Left Neutral = Left Turn SECTION 5: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS Adjusting the Mower Deck Height • To push or pull the lift lever, depress and hold the button.
Checking the Brake Adjustment • Position the Z-Series on a level surface and move the throttle lever to the slowest position (turtle). • Stop the engine, remove the key from the ignition, and engage the parking brake. • Release both hydraulic relief levers. •...
• Remove bolts that secure linkage to upper control handles and lower control arms. The shock absorbers should remain connected to linkage. See Figure 12. Hex Bolt Jam Nuts Hex Bolt Figure 12 • Insert quarter inch by seven inch pin or equivalent through the top and bottom alignment holes of the control arms to secure arms at positive neutral.
Deck Lift Pivot Grease Fittings Lift Handle Grease Fitting Control Tower Grease Fittings Engine Refer to the separate engine manual for engine maintenance instructions. Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely dusty conditions. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine manual.
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• Flip seat up and clean the area around the hydraulic oil dipstick to prevent debris from entering the crankcase. See Figure 15. • Remove the hydraulic fill plug/dipstick and read the level: If hydraulic oil level is inside operating range, then do nothing.
Headlight Mounting Bracket Connector Light Bulb Figure 17 Changing The Fuse • The fuse can be located on a wiring harness in a protective cover between the engine and the battery. • Remove the old fuse and replace with same rated fuse.
SECTION 7: MAINTAINING MOWER DECK Checking The Level Of The Mower Deck Side to Side • Position the Z-Series on a hard and level surface and place the PTO switch in the OFF position. • Engage the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and remove key.
Removing The Mower Deck WARNING: Do not remove deck immedi- ately after operating the tractor. Allow the engine and other moving parts ample time to cool down. • Position the Z-Series on a hard flat surface and engage the parking brake. •...
To Clutch Pulley Figure 26 Installing The Mower Deck • Slide the mower deck under the Z-Series, making sure belt covers are removed. • From the rear, reach under the muffler cover and grasp the belt from the mower deck and bring it between the hydraulic units.
SECTION 8: TROUBLESHOOTING Trouble Possible Cause(s) Engine fails to start PTO switch engaged. Brake pedal not engaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Throttle control lever not in correct starting position. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Blocked fuel line. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded.
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Model 53AA1A3G401 REF. PART 603-0340 Bellcrank Ass’y Upper LH 603-0341 Bellcrank Ass’y Upper RH 603-0342 Bellcrank Ass’y Lower LH 603-0343 Bellcrank Ass’y Lower RH 603-0647 Support Ass’y Tower 603-0410 Rod Ass’y Control RH 603-0411 Rod Ass’y Control LH 710-0216 Hex Cap Screw 3/8-16 x .75 710-3005 Hex Cap Screw 3/8-16 x 1.25...
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Model 53AA1A3G401 REF. PART DESCRIPTION 711-0642A Handle Button 731-3158 Handle Deck Lift Grip 732-3097 Compression Spring 747-3405 Front Lift Rod 738-0507B Shoulder Screw .500 Dia x .434 710-0216 Hex Cap Screw 3/8-16 x .75 603-0422 Shaft Mounting Bracket - LH 603-0370 Pivot Link Bearing Ass’y...
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Model 53AA1A3G401 REF. PART 712-3075 Hex Lock Nut, 1.0-14 736-0274 Flat Washer 603-0389A Pin Ass’y, Pivot 737-3090 Adapter, 1/8 NPTF x 1/8 NPTF 737-3072 Grease Fitting, 65° w/Extension 712-0431 Hex Flange Lock Nut, 3/8-16 712-0229 Push Nut, 3/8 ID 710-3178 Carriage Bolt, 3/8-16 x .75...
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Model 53AA1A3G401 REF. PART DESCRIPTION 712-0455 Retaining Nut 3/8-16 603-0720B Frame Assembly 712-0251 Retaining Nut 3/8-16 710-0216 Hex Cap Screw 3/8-16 x .75 712-0431 Lock Nut 3/8-16 710-3144 Hex Cap Screw 3/8-16 x 2.0 749-3061 Lower Bumper Tube 712-3004 Lock Nut 5/16-18...
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Model 53AA1A3G401 REF. PART DESCRIPTION 732-0556 Spring Extension .94 OD x 7.57 LG 712-3006 Hex Nut 1/4-20 710-0597 Hex Cap Screw 1/4-20 x 1.0 703-2559 Stop Bracket 703-2945 Pulley Shield LH 703-3237 Pulley Shield RH 712-3004A Flange Lock Nut 5/16-18...
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Model 53AA1A3G401 REF. PART DESCRIPTION 751-3124B Fuel Cap 751-3143 Fuel Tank 736-0227 Flat Washer.390 ID x 1.5 OD 736-0169 Lock Washer 3/8 703-2783 Fuel Tank Mounting Bracket 710-0870 Hex Washer Screw 3/8-16 x .625 710-1260A Hex Washer Screw 5/16-18 x .75...
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MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD PRODUCTS INC (“MTD”) with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. MTD warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in...