Safety Rules & Information Read the Manual The operator’s manual contains important safety information you need to be aware of BEFORE you operate your unit as well as DURING operation. Safe operating techniques, an explanation of the product’s features and controls, and maintenance information is included to help you get the most out of your equipment investment.
Moving Parts This equipment has many moving parts that can injure you or someone else. However, if you are seated in the seat properly, and follow all the rules in this book, the unit is safe to operate. The mower deck has spinning mower blades that can amputate hands and feet. Do not allow anyone near the equipment while it is running! To help you, the operator, use this equipment safely, it is equipped with an operator-present safety system.
Safety Rules & Information Read these safety rules and follow them closely. Failure to obey these rules could result in loss of control of unit, severe personal injury or death to you, or bystanders, or damage to property or equipment. This mowing deck is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip- over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If you can- not back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not operate on it.
Safety Rules & Information SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Safe Handling of Gasoline 1. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. 2. Use only approved gasoline containers. 3. Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine running.
Identification Numbers When contacting your authorized dealer for replace- ment parts, service, or information you MUST have these numbers. Record your model name/number, manufacturer’s identi- fication numbers, and engine serial numbers in the space provided for easy access. These numbers can be found in the locations shown.
Safety Decals SAFETY DECALS This unit has been designed and manufactured to pro- vide you with the safety and reliability you would expect from an industry leader in outdoor power equipment manufacturing. Although reading this manual and the safety instructions it contains will provide you with the necessary basic knowledge to operate this equipment safely and effec- tively, we have placed several safety labels on the unit to...
SAFETY ICONS Warning: Read Operator’s Manual. Read and understand the Operator’s Manual before using this machine. Warning: Remove Key Before Servicing. Remove the key and consult techni- cal literature before performing repairs or maintenance. Danger: Dismemberment. This machine can amputate limbs. Keep bystanders and children away when engine is running.
Features & Controls Figure 1. Tractor and Mower Controls NOTE: Steering wheel removed for clarity Please take a moment and familiarize yourself with the name, location, and function of these controls so that you will better understand the safety and operating instructions pro- vided in this manual.
PTO Switch The PTO (Power Take-Off) switch engages and disen- gages attachments that use the PTO. To engage the PTO, pull UP on the switch. Push DOWN to disengage. Note that the operator must be seated firmly in the trac- tor seat for the PTO to function.
Features & Controls Catcher Open/Close Lever The catcher open/close lever opens the catcher so that it may be emptied and closes it for mowing. To empty the catcher, depress the catcher dump lock pedal and pull forward on the handle. To close, push the lever back- ward until the catcher closes and locks.
DRIVING THE TRACTOR 1. Sit in the seat and adjust the seat so that you can comfortably reach all the controls and see the dash- board display. 2. Engage the parking brake. 3. Make sure the PTO switch is disengaged. 4.
Operating the Tractor Figure 3. Engaging the Parking Brake A. Ground Speed Pedals B. Brake Pedal C. Parking Brake Knob PARKING BRAKE FUNCTION Applying the Parking Brake - See Figure 3. To lock the parking brake, release the ground speed pedals (A), fully depress the brake pedal (B), pull UP on the parking brake knob (C), and then release brake pedal.
ATTACHING A TRAILER NOTE: Remove the hopper to attach a trailer. The maximum horizontal drawbar force allowed is 444 Newton. The maximum vertical drawbar force is 222 Newton. This equates to a 396 lbs (180 kg) trailer on a 10 degree hill. Secure the trailer with an appropriately sized clevis pin (A, Figure 5) and clip (B).
Operating the Tractor Figure 6. Raising & Lowering Mower A. Mower Height adjuster / Lift Lever B. Hopper Lever WARNING Engage parking brake, disengage PTO, stop engine and remove key before attempting to install or remove the mower. MOWER DECK REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Removing the Mower Deck 1.
Installing the Mower Deck 1. Park tractor, shut off PTO and engine, remove the key and apply parking brake. Turn the wheels fully to the left. 2. From the rear with the grass catcher open pull dis- charge chute to rear. 3.
Operating the Tractor MULCH PLUG INSTALLATION & REMOVAL (SOME MODELS) 1. Secure plate (B, Figure 12) to the mulch plug (A) using 1/4-20 x 3/4 capscrews (D) and 1/4 lockwash- ers (C). WARNING For your personal safety, do not handle the sharp mower blades with bare hands.
Regular Maintenance MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE & PROCEDURES The following schedule should be followed for normal care of your tractor and mower. Use the hour meter to deter- mine your operating time. SAFETY ITEMS Check Grass Collector for Wear Check Safety Interlock System Check Tractor Brakes Check Mower Blade Stopping Time TRACTOR MAINTENANCE ITEMS...
CHECK TIRE PRESSURES Service Interval: Every 25 Hours Tire Pressure should be checked periodically, and main- tained at the levels shown in the chart. Note that these pressures may differ slightly from the “Max Inflation” stamped on the side-wall of the tires. The pressures shown provide proper traction, improve cut quality, and extend tire life.
Regular Maintenance LUBRICATION Service Interval: Every 25 Hours Lubricate the unit at the locations shown in Figures 17- 20 as well as the lubrication points listed. Generally, all moving metal parts should be oiled where contact is made with other parts. Keep oil and grease off belts and pulleys.
LUBRICATE REAR AXLE SHAFTS Service Interval: Yearly We recommend removing the rear wheel hubs and lubri- cating the axle shafts yearly. This prevents the wheel hubs from seizing onto the axle shaft and makes future service easier. 1. Turn off the ignition, turn off the PTO, engage the parking brake, and block the front tires.
Regular Maintenance 4x4 Wood Block Figure 22. Removing the Blade SERVICING THE MOWER BLADES WARNING For your personal safety, do not handle the sharp mower blades with bare hands. Careless or improper handling of blades may result in serious injury. Service Interval: Every 100 Hours or As Required NOTE: Replace blades and bolts in sets.
SET MOWER BELT TENSION WARNING For your personal safety, do not handle the sharp mower blades with bare hands. Careless or improper handling of blades may result in serious injury. Service Interval: Yearly 1. Turn the PTO to the off position, engage the parking brake, turn the engine off, and remove the key.
Troubleshooting, Adjustments, & Service TROUBLESHOOTING While normal care and regular maintenance will extend the life of your equipment, prolonged or constant use may eventually require that service be performed to allow it to continue operating properly. The troubleshooting guide below lists the most common problems, their causes and remedies.
Tractor Troubleshooting Continued Tractor drive belt slips. Brake will not hold. Tractor steers hard or handles poorly. TROUBLESHOOTING THE MOWER PROBLEM Mower will not raise. Mower cut is uneven. Mower cut is rough looking. Engine stalls easily with mower engaged. Excessive mower vibration.
Troubleshooting, Adjustment, & Service SEAT ADJUSTMENT Pitch Adjustment The pitch of the seat can be adjusted to one of three positions. To adjust, remove the carriage bolts, spacers, washers, and nuts (B, Figure 26) from the hinge and reinstall them in the desired holes. Seat Slide Adjustment The seat can also be adjusted forward and back.
STEERING GEAR ADJUSTMENT If there is excessive slack in the steering system, the steering gear backlash can be removed. 1. See Figure 28. Locate the steering gear assembly on the underside of the tractor. Loosen the two nuts and adjust the bracket so the gear teeth are closely meshed.
Troubleshooting, Adjustment, & Service CATCHER-FULL ALARM ADJUSTMENT There are two ways to adjust the “catcher full” alarm one for grass volume and one for sensitivity. GRASS VOLUME ADJUSTMENT Sliding the paddle bracket (C, Figure 30) up increases the volume of grass in the collector before the alarm goes off.
PTO CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT WARNING To avoid serious injury, perform adjustments only with engine stopped, key removed and tractor on level ground. Check the PTO clutch adjustment after every 250 hours of operation. Also perform the following procedure if the clutch is slipping or will not engage, or if a new clutch has been installed.
Troubleshooting, Adjustment, & Service TRANSMISSION PURGING Purge the transmission if the unit is excessively noisy or lacks drive in forward or reverse. 1. Elevate the rear end of the tractor using a chain hoist or floor jack. Support the rear of the unit using jack- stands.
MOWER ADJUSTMENTS WARNING Before checking mower, shut off PTO and engine, remove the key, and allow all moving parts to stop. Cutting Height Adjustment The cutting height adjustment lever (A, Figure 37) con- trols the mower cutting height. Push the button to release the lever.
Troubleshooting, Adjustment, & Service PTO BELT REPLACEMENT 1. With the mower deck installed, park the tractor on a smooth, level surface such as a concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, shut the engine off, and remove the key. 2.
NOTE: Specifications are correct at time of printing and are subject to change without notice. * The power ratings for an individual engine model are initially developed by starting with SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) code J1940 (Small Engine Power & Torque Rating Procedure) (Revision 2002–05). Given both the wide array of products on which our engines are placed, and the variety of environmental issues applicable to operating the equipment, it may be that the engine you have purchased will not develop the rated horsepower when used in a piece of power equipment (actual “on–site”...
For applicable manuals currently available for your model, contact our Customer Publications Department at 262-284-8519 (Simplicity) / 866-313-6682 (Snapper). Have the information listed in the box below available when phoning in your request. Technical manuals can be downloaded from www.simplicitymfg.com...
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