Assembly - Craftsman T1200 Operator's Manual

IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you
MUST check the oil level before operating. Refer to the Service & Maintenance
section for instructions on checking the oil level.
Attaching the Battery Cables
WARNING
California Proposition 65
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
CAUTION
When attaching battery cables, always connect the POSITIVE (Red) wire to its
terminal first, followed by the NEGATIVE (Black) wire.
For shipping reasons, both battery cables on your equipment have been left
disconnected from the terminals at the factory. To connect the battery cables,
proceed as follows:
NOTE: The positive battery terminal is marked Pos. (+). The negative battery
terminal is marked Neg. (-).
1. Remove the plastic cover, if present, from the positive battery terminal and
attach the red cable to the positive battery terminal (+) with the bolt and
hex nut. See Figure 1.
2. Remove the plastic cover, if present, from the negative battery terminal and
attach the black cable to the negative battery terminal (–) with the bolt and
hex nut. See Figure 1.
3. Position the red rubber boot over the positive battery terminal to help
protect it from corrosion.
NOTE: If the battery is put into service after the date shown on top of battery,
charge the battery as instructed in the Service & Maintenance section of this
manual prior to operating the tractor.

ASSEMBLY

Figure 1
Shipping Brace Removal
WARNING
Make sure the riding mower's engine is off, remove the ignition key, and
set the parking brake before removing the shipping brace. Refer to the
Operation section for instructions on how to set the parking brake.
• Locate the shipping brace, if present, and accompanying warning tag found
on the right side of the mower, between the discharge chute deflector and
the cutting deck. See Figure 2.
• Place the deck lift lever in the highest cutting position. Refer to Setting the
Cutting Height in the Operation section of this manual.
• While pushing the discharge chute deflector towards the machine with your left
hand, remove the shipping brace with your right hand by grasping it between your
thumb and index finger and rotating it clockwise.
WARNING
The shipping brace, used for packaging purposes only, must be removed and
discarded before operating your riding mower.
WARNING
The mowing deck is capable of throwing objects. Failure to operate the
riding mower without the discharge cover in the proper operating position
could result in serious personal injury and/or property damage.
Attaching The Steering Wheel
If the steering wheel for your tractor did not come attached, the hardware for
attaching it has been packed within the steering wheel, beneath the steering wheel
cap. Carefully pry off the steering wheel cap and remove the hardware.
1. With the wheels of the tractor pointing straight forward, place the steering
wheel over the steering shaft.
2. Place the washer (with the cupped side down) over the steering wheel and
secure with the hex bolt. See Figure 3.
3. Place the steering wheel cap over the center of the steering wheel and
push downward until it "clicks" into place.
9
Figure 2