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WARNING FAILURE TO FOLLOW SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • 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).
Table of Contents Table of Contents SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION ...................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION ............................1 1.2 DIRECTION REFERENCE ...........................1 1.3 SERVICING THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS ..............1 1.4 SYMBOLS ..............................2 SECTION 2 - SAFETY INFORMATION ..................3 2.1 IMPORTANT SAFETY PRACTICES FOR RIDE-ON MOWERS ..............3 2.2 INTRODUCTION ............................3 2.3 SIGNAL WORDS ............................3 2.4 CHILDREN ..............................3...
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Table of Contents 4.14 ADJUSTING CUTTING HEIGHT ......................18 4.15 TOWING (OPTIONAL HITCH ACCESSORY)(NOT AVAILABLE FOR SZL36) ........19 SECTION 5 - TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS ..........20 SECTION 6 - ADJUSTMENTS ....................23 6.1 PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT ......................23 6.2 TRACKING ADJUSTMENT ........................24 6.3 THROTTLE CONTROL AND CHOKE ADJUSTMENTS ................24 6.4 BELT ADJUSTMENT ..........................24 6.5 BELT ALIGNMENT .............................25 6.6 CUTTER DECK ADJUSTMENTS ......................25...
Attachments and accessories manufactured by companies industry. However, the prolonged life and maximum other than Scag Power Equipment are not approved for use efficiency of your mower depends on you following the on this machine. See Section 8, Paragraph 8-1.
Section 1 1.4 SYMBOLS SYMBOL DESCRIPTION SYMBOL DESCRIPTION Choke Transmission Parking Brake Spinning Blade 48071S On/Start Spring Tension on Idler Off/Stop Falling Hazard Thrown Object Hazard Fast Slow Continuously Variable - Linear Cutting Element - Basic Symbol Pinch Point Cutting Element - Engage 481039S Hour meter/Elapsed Operating Hours Cutting Element - Disengage...
Section 2 SAFETY INFORMATION 2.1 IMPORTANT SAFETY PRACTICES FOR SIGNAL WORD: RIDE-ON MOWERS It is a distinctive word found on the safety decals on the machine and throughout this manual that alerts the viewer to the existence and relative degree of the hazard. This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
Section 2 3. Be alert and turn machine off if a child or other 6. DO NOT carry passengers. person enters the area. 7. DO NOT operate the machine under the influence of 4. DO NOT allow children to ride or play on the alcohol or drugs.
If the safety interlock system and the vapors are explosive. does not operate as described below, contact your local Authorized Scag Power Equipment Dealer immediately to 1. See Section 7.5 ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM for fueling have the safety interlock system repaired.
Section 2 6. Keep flammable objects (cigarettes, matches, etc.), 11. Never direct the discharge of material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall open flames and sparks away from the fuel tank and fuel container. or obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward operator.
Section 2 23. Disengage power to the attachments when transporting or when not in use. 24. The machine and attachments should be stopped and inspected for damage after striking a foreign object, and damage should be repaired before restarting and operating the machine. CAUTION Figure 2-1.
Section 2 6. To reduce fire hazard, keep the cutting units, drives, 17. Charge batteries in an open, well ventilated area, muffler and engine free of grass, leaves, excessive away from spark and flames. Unplug charger before grease, oil and dirt. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and connecting or disconnecting from battery.
Section 3 Tire Pressure: Front Caster............................... 25 PSI Drive ..................................8 PSI Fuel Tank ....3-1/2 Gallon (36) or 5-1/2 Gallon (48/52/61) Polyetholene Tank with Large Opening and Fuel Cap Seat ..........Padded, Thick Cushion with Extra Spring Support and Armrests(Excludes 36" Model) Travel Speed: Forward ..............................
Section 4 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 1. Ignition Switch (Figure 4-1). The ignition switch WARNING is used to start the engine and has three positions; OFF, ON, and START. 2. Mower Deck Switch (Figure 4-1). Used to engage Do not attempt to operate this mower unless you and disengage the mower drive system.
If the safety interlcok system does not operate as engage and disengage the parking brakes. Pull the descibed below, contact your local Scag Power Equipment lever back to engage the parking brakes. Push the Dealer immediately for repair of the safety interlock system.
Section 4 4.5 STARTING THE ENGINE 4. Sit in the seat in the operating position, engage the parking brake, place the steering control levers in the neutral lock position, move the PTO switch to the OFF (down) position, and start the engine. With the CAUTION engine running, engage the PTO switch to the ON (up) position, and rise slightly off of the seat.
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Section 4 - NOTE - Practice operating the mower until you are comfortable with the controls before proceeding Smooth operation of the steering levers will to mow. produce smooth mower operation. While learning the operation of the steering controls, keep the travel speed low.
Section 4 4.8 SLOPE OPERATION To steer right while traveling in reverse, allow the right steering control lever to move forward. The further the control is allowed to move forward, the quicker the mower Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip will turn right.
Section 4 4.9 PARKING THE MOWER 12. Loss of traction may occur when traveling down hill. Weight transfers to the front of the machine and may cause the drive wheels to slip causing loss of 1. Park the machine on a flat, level surface only. Do not braking or steering.
Section 4 2. The discharge chute must not be removed and 4.11 REMOVING CLOGGED MATERIAL must be kept in the lowest position to deflect grass clippings and thrown objects downward. Direct the side discharge away from sidewalks or streets to DANGER minimize cleanup of clippings.
Section 4 Figure 4-5. Adjusting Cutting Height 3. Lift the pin and insert into the cutting height index at the desired cutting height. See Figure 4-5. Slowly release the foot pedal. A deck height decal is located next to the cutting height index as an aid in adjusting the deck to the desired height.
Section 5 TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS CONDITION CAUSE CURE STRINGERS - OCCASIONAL Low engine RPM Run engine at full RPM BLADES OF UNCUT GRASS Ground speed too fast Slow speed to adjust for conditions Wet grass Cut grass after it has dried out Dull blades, incorrect sharpening Sharpen blades Deck plugged, grass accumulation...
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Section 5 TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS (CONT'D) CONDITION CAUSE CURE U N E V E N C U T O N F L AT Lift worn from blade Replace blade GROUND - WAVY HIGH-LOW APPEARANCE, SCALLOPED Blade upside down Mount with cutting edge toward ground CUT, OR ROUGH CONTOUR Deck plugged, grass accumulation Clean underside of deck...
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Section 5 TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS (CONT'D) CONDITION CAUSE CURE SCALPING - BLADES HITTING Low tire pressures Check and adjust pressures DIRT OR CUTTING VERY CLOSE TO THE GROUND Ground speed too fast Slow speed to adjust for conditions May need to reduce ground speed, raise Cutting too low cutting height, change direction of cut, and/or change pitch and level...
Section 6 ADJUSTMENTS 6.1 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 RELEASE BRAKE the parking brake will not prevent the mower from moving.
These adjustments must be performed by your Authorized indication that the left wheel is turning faster than Scag Power Equipment Dealer to ensure proper and the right wheel. To adjust this condition, proceed as efficient running of the engine. Should either need follows: adjustment, contact your authorized Scag service center.
Section 6 WARNING ADJUSTMENT If the pump drive belt fails, steering control will be lost which could result in serious injury or death. Replace the pump drive belt as needed or every ADJUSTMENT 400 hours / 2 years, whichever occurs first. 6.5 BELT ALIGNMENT Belt alignment is important for proper performance of your Scag mower.
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Section 6 - NOTE - To prevent the cutter deck from teetering, all four (4) cutter deck hanging links must have tension on them. If all four links do not have tension on ADJUSTMENT them and the deck teeters, you must readjust the cutter deck as outlined in the procedures above.
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Section 6 ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENT Figure 6-8. Cutter Deck Height Adjustment - Right Side 3. Turn the elastic stop nuts an equal amount of turns either clockwise to raise or counter-clockwise to lower the cutter deck until the measurement at the cutter blade is 3"...
Section 7 MAINTENANCE 7.1 MAINTENANCE CHART - RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVALS HOURS PROCEDURE COMMENTS BREAK-IN (FIRST 10) Check all hardware for tightness Check hydraulic oil level See paragraph 7.3 Check all belts for proper alignment See paragraph 7.8 Change engine oil See paragraph 7.4 Check hydraulic hoses for leaks U s e ex t r e m e c a u t i o n w h e n...
Section 7 7.2 GREASE FITTING LOCATION CHART - GREASE GUN Not Applicable to 36” models Not Applicable to 36” models Not Applicable to 36” models Not Applicable to 36” models...
Section 7 7.3 HYDRAULIC SYSTEM B. CHANGING HYDRAULIC OIL The hydraulic system oil should be changed after the first A. CHECKING HYDRAULIC OIL LEVEL 120 hours of machine operation and every 400 hours or annually thereafter, whichever occurs first. The oil should The hydraulic oil level should be checked after the first 10 also be changed if the color of the fluid has become black hours of operation.
Section 7 5. Once the hydraulic system has drained, install new DUMP VALVE hydraulic oil filters to both axles by hand, turn 3/4 CONTROL LEVER to one complete turn after filter gasket contacts the filter base. 6. Reinstall the filter guards and torque the screws to 65 in/lbs.
Section 7 C. CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER 7.5 ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM Replace the oil filter after every 100 hours of operation. DANGER Refer to Engine Operator’s Manual for instructions. To avoid injury from burns, allow the mower to cool before removing the fuel tank cap and refueling.
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Section 7 5. NEVER fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling. 6. Remove the machine from the truck or trailer and fuel on level ground.
Section 7 7.6 ENGINE AIR CLEANER 7.7 BATTERY A. CLEANING AND/OR REPLACING AIR WARNING CLEANER ELEMENT For any air cleaner, the operating environment dictates the Lead-acid batteries produce flammable and air cleaner service periods. Inspect and clean the air filter explosive gases.
Section 7 A. CHARGING THE BATTERY - NOTE - If you experience frequent belt wear or breakage, Refer to the battery charger’s manual for specific see your authorized Scag service center for belt instructions. adjustment. Under normal conditions the engine’s alternator will have WARNING no problem keeping a charge on the battery.
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Section 7 - NOTE - 2. Raise the mower deck to the highest position. Place the lanyard pin in the highest cutting height position Keep the blades sharp. Cutting with dull blades not to prevent the cutter deck from falling. only yields a poor mowing job, but slows the cutting speed of the mower and causes extra wear on the 3.
Section 7 7.10 TIRES Check the tire pressures after every 8 hours of operation or daily. Caster Wheels 25 PSI Drive Wheels 8 PSI 7.11 BODY, DECK, AND UPHOLSTERY CAUTION Do not wash any portion of the equipment while it is hot.
Section 8 ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST 8.1 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: • GC-SZL/SFZ/SPZ (p/n 901K, requires p/n 9070 (36"), 9069 (48") or 9070 (52") baffle kit) •...
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Flatwasher, 1/4-.312 x .750 x .065 462942 Instrument Panel w/Decal, SZL-36 485216 Hourmeter 485833 Switch, PTO 04030-04 Washer, Lock 3/8 Spring 04001-19 Bolt, Hex Head 3/8-16 x 1" 04132-01 Threaded Insert, 3/8-16 * Not available through Scag Power Equipment. Purchase locally.
Section 8 ELECTRICAL SCHEMATIC BRAKE INTERLOCK SWITCH WHITE BLACK LH NEUTRAL SWITCH GREEN BLACK W/RED STRIPE SEAT WHITE SWITCH GREEN GREEN BLACK BLACK W/RED STRIPE GREEN RH NEUTRAL SWITCH WHITE BLACK W/RED STRIPE GREEN Position Key Switch Legend G + M + A LIGHT KIT BLACK B + L + A...
If the mower is cutting more than the owners single property, it is deemed commercial use and the warranty does not apply. Scag Power Equipment reserves the right to deny and / or void the non- commercial warranty if it believes it to be in commercial use.