SAFETY RULES 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. • Disengage blades when not mowing. Shut off engine and wait for all parts to come to a complete stop before WARNING: In order to prevent ac- cleaning the machine, removing the grass catcher, or...
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SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers III. CHILDREN GENERAL SERVICE • Never operate machine in a closed area. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to • Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the equipment the presence of children.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tractor. It has been designed, engineered and manu fac tured to give Gasoline Capacity 1.25 Gallons you the best possible dependability and performance. and type: Unleaded Regular Should you experience any problem you cannot easily rem- Oil Type (API-SG-SL): SAE 10W30 (above 32°F) edy, please contact your nearest authorized service center/...
ASSEMBLY 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.
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ASSEMBLY DISCARD TER MI NAL SEAT SHOULDER PROTECTIVE CAPS BOLT KEPS TERMINAL HEX BOLT COVER SEAT PAN 02604 NEGATIVE (BLACK) POSITIVE (RED) CABLE CABLE FIG. 3 FLAT WASHER SEAT PAN LABEL ADJUSTMENT 02464 KNOB FIG. 2 CONNECT BATTERY (See Figs. 3 and 4) CAUTION: Do not short battery termi- 02602 nals by allowing a wrench or any other...
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ASSEMBLY TO DRIVE TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Op- ✓CHECKLIST er a tion section for location and func tion of BEFORE YOU OPERATE YOUR NEW TRAC TOR, WE con trols) WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST PER- WARNING: Before starting, read, un der stand and follow FOR MANCE AND SAT IS FAC TION FROM THIS QUALITY all in struc tions in the Operation section of this manual.
OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. FAST REVERSE HIGH SLOW NEUTRAL CHOKE IGNITION SWITCH ENGINE START MOWER HEIGHT REVERSE ENGINE ON PARKING BRAKE MOWER LIFT ENGINE OFF OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS) CLUTCH/BRAKE...
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OPERATION 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. ROS "ON"...
OPERATION 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 op- erating 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.
OPERATION • When use of the ROS is no longer needed, turn the TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 7) ignition key clockwise to engine "ON" position. Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing ENGINE "ON" POSITION switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with ROS "ON"...
OPERATION • For cold weather operation you should change oil for • The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If easier starting (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine Maintenance sec tion of this manual).
MAINTENANCE BEFORE EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY BEFORE MAINTENANCE EACH SEASON STORAGE SCHEDULE HOURS HOURS HOURS HOURS Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence & ROS Systems Check for Loose Fasteners Check/Replace Mower Blades Lubrication Chart Check Battery Level Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transaxle Cooling Check Mower Levelness...
MAINTENANCE TRACTOR BLADE CARE For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re place Always observe safety rules when per form ing any main- te nance. bent or damaged blades. BRAKE OPERATION CAUTION: Use only a replacement blade If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to stop at highest approved by the manufacturer of your speed in high est gear on a level, dry concrete or paved tractor.
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MAINTENANCE SAE VISCOSITY GRADES CENTER HOLE 10W30 5W-30 BLADE 5/8" BOLT OR PIN TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE oil_visc_chart4_e FIG. 11 Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one year.
MAINTENANCE IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 13) CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS The fuel filter should be replaced once each season. If fuel To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are filter becomes clogged, ob struct ing fuel flow to car bu re tor, re place ment is re quired.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SE RI OUS IN JU RY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR AD JUST - MENTS: • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS FRONT-TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT (See Figs. 17 and 18) TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING IMPORTANT: DECK MUST BE LEVEL SIDE-TO-SIDE. IF THE Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground FOLLOWING FRONT-TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT IS NECESSARY, or driveway. Make sure tires are properly inflated (See BE SURE TO AD JUST BOTH FRONT LINKS EQUAL LY SO “PROD UCT SPECIFICATIONS”...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT TO CHECK AND ADJUST BRAKE (See Fig. 20) (See Fig. 19) Your tractor is equipped with an ad just able brake system The mower blade drive belt may be replaced without tools. which is mounted on the right side of the transaxle.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT TRANSAXLE GEAR SHIFT LEVER NEU TRAL- (See Fig. 21) ADJUSTMENT (See Fig. 22) Park the tractor on level surface. En gage parking brake. The transaxle should be in neutral when the gear shift For as sis tance, there is a belt installation guide decal on lever is in neutral (N) (lock gate) position.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REMOVE WHEEL FOR REPAIRS TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BATTERY (See Fig. 23) (See Fig. 24) • Block up axle securely. WARNING: Lead-acid batteries gen- • Remove axle cover, retaining ring and washers to allow er ate ex plo sive gases.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS INTERLOCKS AND RELAYS ENGINE Loose or damaged wiring may cause your tractor to run TO AD JUST THROTTLE CON TROL CABLE poorly, stop running, or prevent it from starting. • Check wiring. See electrical wiring diagram in the The throttle control has been preset at the factory and Repair Parts section.
STORAGE ENGINE 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. FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT: IT IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM DEPOSITS WARNING: Never store the trac tor with FROM FORMING IN ES SEN TIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH gas o line in the tank inside a building AS CARBURETOR, FUEL FIL TER, FUEL HOSE, OR TANK...
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Will not start Out of fuel. Fill fuel tank. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. See “TO START ENGINE” in Operation section. Engine flooded. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. Bad spark plug. Replace spark plug. Dirty air filter.
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TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Engine continues to run Faulty operator-safety presence control system. Check wiring, switches and connections. If not when operator leaves seat corrected, contact an authorized service center/ with attachment clutch department. engaged Poor cut - uneven Worn, bent or loose blade.
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TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER LT1597 (96011022001), PRODUCT NO. 960 11 02-20 SCHEMATIC BLACK BATTERY FUSE STARTER AMMETER (OPTIONAL) BLACK WHITE SOLENOID CLUTCH / BRAKE (PEDAL UP) WHITE SEAT SWITCH IGNITION (NOT OCCUPIED) SWITCH WHITE BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK ATT'MENT CLUTCH...