Page 2
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 INTRODUCTION ............................3 2.2 SIGNAL WORDS ............................3 2.3 BEFORE OPERATION CONSIDERATIONS ....................4 2.4 TESTING THE SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEM ..................4...
Page 4
Table of Contents SECTION 5 - TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS ..........22 SECTION 6 - ADJUSTMENTS ....................25 6.1 PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT ......................25 6.2 TRAVEL ADJUSTMENTS ........................26 6.3 THROTTLE CONTROL AND CHOKE ADJUSTMENTS ............... 27 6.4 BELT ADJUSTMENT ..........................27 6.5 BELT ALIGNMENT ...........................27 6.6 CUTTER DECK ADJUSTMENTS ......................28 6.7 ELECTRIC CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT ......................30 SECTION 7 - MAINTENANCE ....................31...
Your mower was built to the highest standards in the Attachments and accessories manufactured by industry. However, the prolonged life and maximum companies other than Scag Power Equipment are not efficiency of your mower depends on you following the approved for use on this machine. See Section 8. Be...
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 INTRODUCTION 2.2 SIGNAL WORDS 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.
If the safety interlock system machine over prolonged periods of time can does not operate as described below, contact your local cause loss of hearing. Authorized Scag Power Equipment Dealer immediately to have the safety interlock system repaired.
Section 2 6. Sit in the seat in the operating position, engage the WARNING 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 engine running, move either steering control lever This machine is equipped with an interlock out of the neutral lock position.
Page 10
Section 2 7. Before attempting to start the engine, with the CAUTION operator in the seat, disengage power to the cutter deck, place the steering control levers in the neutral position and engage the parking brake. 8. If the mower discharge ever plugs, shut off the Do not touch the engine or the muffler while the engine, remove the ignition key, and wait for all engine is running or immediately after stopping.
Section 2 2.6 ROLL-OVER PROTECTION 2. Lower the roll bar to the down position. STRUCTURE 3. To raise the roll bar, lift the bar to the upright position. Install the two (2) lock pins through the hole, secure with the two (2) hairpin cotter pins. See WARNING Figure 2-2.
Page 12
Section 2 WARNING WARNING Reduce speed when turning, operating on slopes, Failure to properly inspect and maintain the seat slick or wet surfaces. Allow extra distance to stop. belt can cause serious injury or loss of life. Stay off of slopes too steep for safe operation. 1.
Check blade If you need service on your hydraulic system, mounting bolts frequently to be sure they are tight. please see your Authorized Scag Power Equipment 5. Do not change the engine governor settings or Dealer.
Section 2 2.10 SAFETY AND INSTRUCTIONAL DECALS 483405 483633 483402 483505 WARNING WARNING Operation of this equipment may create sparks that can start fires around dry vegetation. A spark 481568 arrestor may be required. The operator should contact local fire agencies for laws or regulations relating to fire prevention requirements.
Section 3 Steering/Travel Control ...................Twin Lever Fingertip Steering Control with Individual Control to Each Wheel with Gas Spring Dampers Parking Brake ..............Lever Actuated Linkage to Brakes on Both Drive Wheel Axles Wheels: (2) Front Caster SPZ-52H .........................13 X 5-6 Two-Ply (2) Front Caster SPZ-61H ......................
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). Use to engage Do not attempt to operate this mower unless you and disengage the mower drive system.
Page 19
Section 4 6. Hourmeter (Figure 4-1). Indicates the number of hours the engine has been operated. It operates whenever 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.
Section 4 13. Deck Lift Foot Lever (Figure 4-1). Use to raise -NOTE- and lower the cutter deck. All SPZ models will start with the parking brake engaged or disengaged. For all test procedures 14. Cutting Height Adjustment (Figure 4-1). Use to listed below, the engine should be started with the set the cutter deck at the desired cutting height.
Section 4 4.5 STARTING THE ENGINE 4.6 GROUND TRAVEL AND STEERING - IMPORTANT - CAUTION If you are not familiar with the operation of a machine with lever steering and/or hydrostatic transmissions, the steering and ground speed DO NOT USE STARTING FLUIDS. Use of starting operations should be learned and practiced in fluids in the air intake system may be potentially an open area, away from buildings, fences, or...
Section 4 - IMPORTANT - To stop the reverse travel, allow the steering control levers to return to the neutral position. If the mower is to be parked, Do not travel forward over a curb. The mower will place the handles in the neutral lock position, fully depress hang up on the curb.
Section 4 4.8 HILLSIDE OPERATION 4.9 PARKING THE MOWER 1. Park the machine on a flat, level surface only. Do not WARNING park the machine on an incline. 2. Place the steering control levers in the neutral position. DO NOT operate on steep slopes. To check a slope, attempt to back up it (with the cutter deck 3.
Section 4 4.11 REMOVING CLOGGED MATERIAL 2. The discharge chute must not be removed and 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 4.14 ADJUSTING CUTTING HEIGHT 4.15 TOWING (OPTIONAL HITCH ACCESSORY) The mower deck can be adjusted from a height of 1 inch 1. NEVER allow children or others in or on towed to 4-1/2 inches at 1/4-inch intervals. To adjust the cutting equipment.
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...
Page 27
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...
Page 28
Section 5 TROUBLESHOOTING CUTTING CONDITIONS (CONT'D) CONDITION CAUSE CURE SCALPING - BLADES HITTING Low tire pressures Check and adjust pressures D I R T O R C U T T I N G V E RY CLOSE TO THE GROUND Ground speed too fast Slow speed to adjust for conditions May need to reduce ground speed, raise...
If the following procedures do not allow you to engage the parking brake properly, contact your Authorized Scag Power Equipment Dealer for further brake adjustments. 1. Park the machine on a flat surface and block the caster wheels to prevent the machine from moving.
Section 6 6.2 TRAVEL ADJUSTMENTS 3. Run the engine at full operating speed and check if the machine creeps forward or backwards. Neutral or tracking adjustments will need to be made if: 4. Adjust the RH wheel by loosening the jam nuts on the steering control rod and turning the adjustment nut until the drive wheel turns in the forward A.
These adjustments must be performed by your Authorized before beginning work. Scag Power Equipment Dealer to ensure proper and efficient running of the engine. Should either need adjustment, contact your authorized Scag service center.
Section 6 6.6 CUTTER DECK ADJUSTMENTS CUTTER DECK PITCH The pitch of the cutter deck should be equal between Cutter deck level, pitch and height are set at the factory. the front and rear of the cutter deck for proper cutting However, if these adjustments should ever need to be performance.
Page 33
Section 6 2. Turn the adjustment bolts on both sides either clockwise to raise or counter-clockwise to lower the front of the cutter deck until the measurements are equal. Tighten the elastic stop nuts. - NOTE - To prevent the cutter deck from teetering, all four LOOSEN HERE (4) cutter deck hanging chains must have tension on them.
Section 6 6.7 ELECTRIC CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT 3. Tighten or loosen the adjusting bolt as needed to achieve the 0.015 inch airgap. See Figure 6-10. Perform this operation at all three inspection The electric clutch serves two functions in the operation of windows.
Section 7 MAINTENANCE 7.8 MAINTENANCE CHART - RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVALS HOURS PROCEDURE COMMENTS BREAK-IN (FIRST 10) Check all hardware for tightness Check hydraulic oil level See paragraph 7.2 Check all belts for proper alignment See paragraph 7.7 Check engine oil level See paragraph 7.3 Check hydraulic hoses for leaks U s e e x t r e m e c a u t i o n w h e n...
Section 7 7.10 HYDRAULIC SYSTEM 4. Remove the hydraulic filters from both axles and allow the fluid to drain into the container. Properly discard the oil when the system has drained A. CHANGING HYDRAULIC OIL completely. See Figure 7-2. 5. Once the hydraulic system has drained, install new The hydraulic system oil and filter should be changed after hydraulic oil filters to both axles by hand, turn 3/4 the first 75-100 hours of machine operation and every 400...
Section 7 7.11 ENGINE OIL 9. Reinstall the fill port plug on the top of the transaxle. 10. The hydraulic system will need to be purged of all air. Raise the rear of the machine so the drive A. CHECKING ENGINE CRANKCASE OIL wheels are off the ground.
Section 7 7.12 ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM 2. Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow the engine to completely cool before fueling. DANGER 3. Never fuel the machine indoors or in an enclosed trailer. 4. Never store the machine or fuel container where To avoid injury from burns, allow the mower there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as on to cool before removing the fuel tank cap and...
Section 7 7.14 BATTERY WARNING Lead-acid batteries produce flammable and explosive gases. To avoid personal injury when checking, testing or charging batteries, DO NOT use smoking materials near batteries. Keep arcs, sparks and flames away from batteries. Provide proper ventilation and wear safety glasses. ENGINE FUEL FILTER WARNING...
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 Power Equipment instructions. service center for belt adjustment. Under normal conditions the engine’s alternator will have WARNING no problem keeping a charge on the battery.
Page 42
Section 7 C. BLADE REPLACEMENT - NOTE - Keep the blades sharp. Cutting with dull blades not only yields a poor mowing job, but slows the WARNING cutting speed of the mower and causes extra wear on the engine and the blade drive by pulling hard. Always wear proper hand and eye protection B.
Section 7 - NOTE - Be sure that the blade is installed with the lift wing toward the top. 5. Install the cutter blade onto the cutter spindle shaft. Secure the blades from rotating and torque to 75 ft/ lbs. See Figure 7-9. 7.17 TIRES Check the tire pressures after every 8 hours of operation or daily.
Section 8 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: Accessories Accessories Grass Collection Systems...
500 hours (whichever comes first) (First and second year of the warranty covers parts and labor. The third year covers parts or labor to repair) for non-commercial use. 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.