SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers IMPORTANT: 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 are. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to •...
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tractor. It has been designed, engineered and manu fac tured to give you the best possible dependability and performance. Gasoline Capacity 2.0 Gallons and type: Unleaded Regular Should you experience any problem you cannot easily rem- Oil Type SAE 30 (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 PROTECTIVE CAPS KEPS TERMINAL HEX BOLT COVER SEAT PAN SHOULDER BOLTS 02617 02604 NEGATIVE (BLACK) POSITIVE (RED) CABLE CABLE FIG. 3 FLAT WASHER SEAT PAN 02615 LABEL ADJUSTMENT KNOB FIG. 2 CONNECT BATTERY (See Figs. 3 and 4) 02602 CAUTION: Do not short battery termi- nals by allowing a wrench or any other...
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ASSEMBLY • Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake CHECK DECK LEVELNESS pedal and set the parking brake. For best cutting results, mower housing should be properly • Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position. leveled. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Service •...
OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their mean- ing. FAST IGNITION REVERSE HIGH SLOW NEUTRAL CHOKE LIGHTS ON ENGINE START ENGINE ON PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE ENGINE OFF LOCKED UNLOCKED...
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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. LIGHT IGNITION AT TACH MENT...
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 operating 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 TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 8) "ENGAGED" PO SI TION Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly ATTACHMENT off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height LIFT LEVER in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck AT TACH MENT HIGH PO SI TION in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain...
OPERATION TRANSMISSION ENGAGED CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gas o hol or using ethanol or methanol) can at- tract moisture which leads to sep a ra tion and for ma tion of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage.
OPERATION • Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP tractor moves approximately fi ve (5) feet, slowly move • Before driving the unit in cold weather, the trans mis sion motion control lever to reverse position. After the trac- should be warmed up as follows: tor moves approximately fi...
OPERATION MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN MAX 1/3 AFTER EACH USE. • The spe cial mulch ing blade will recut the grass clip- pings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed.
MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE SERVICE DATES Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence and Interlock Systems Check for Loose Fasteners Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades Lubrication Chart Check Battery Level Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transaxle Cooling Check V-Belts Check Engine Oil Level...
MAINTENANCE TRACTOR IMPORTANT: TO ENSURE PROPER ASSEMBLY, CENTER HOLE IN BLADE MUST ALIGN WITH STAR ON MANDREL Always observe safety rules when performing any main- ASSEMBLY. te nance. • Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer and fl at washer in exact order as shown. BRAKE OPERATION •...
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MAINTENANCE BATTERY SAE VISCOSITY GRADES Your tractor has a battery charging system which is suf fi cient SAE 30 for normal use. However, periodic charging of the battery with an automotive charger will extend its life. 5W-30 • Keep battery and terminals clean. •...
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MAINTENANCE • Refi ll engine with oil through oil fi ll dipstick tube. Pour MUFFLER slowly. Do not overfi ll. For approximate capacity see Inspect and replace corroded muffl er and spark arrester “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this man- (if equipped) as it could create a fi re hazard and/or dam- u al.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SER VICE OR AD JUST - MENTS • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • Before making any necessary adjustments, check that TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING both front links are equal in length. Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground • If links are not equal in length, adjust one link to same or driveway.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • If distance is other than 1-9/16", loosen jam nut and TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT turn nut “A” until distance becomes 1-9/16". Retighten (See Fig. 23) jam nut against nut “A”. The mower blade drive belt may be replaced without tools. •...
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ENGINE NEUTRAL MOTION CONTROL PULLEY LOCK GATE LEVER CLUTCHING IDLER STA TION ARY IDLER ADJUSTMENT BOLT FIG. 26 TRANS MIS SION INPUT PULLEY TO AD JUST STEER ING WHEEL ALIGN- CENTER SPAN KEEPER MENT If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal (left to right) when wheels are positioned straight forward, remove steer- ing wheel and reassemble per instructions in the Assembly section of this manual.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BATTERY TO REMOVE HOOD AND GRILL ASSEMBLY (See Fig. 28) (See Fig. 29) • Raise hood. WARNING: Lead-acid batteries gen- • Unsnap headlight wire connector. er ate ex plo sive gases. Keep sparks, •...
STORAGE Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end ENGINE 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 fl ooded. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. Bad spark plug. Replace spark plug. Dirty air fi...
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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 1.
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TRACTOR - - MODEL NO. MC20H42ST (MC20H42STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 33-03 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...
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TRACTOR - - MODEL NO. MC20H42ST (MC20H42STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 33-03 MOWER DECK PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 532 16 58-92 Deck Asm MWR 42"weldment 532 13 22-64 Roller Nose 872 14 05-06 Bolt Rdhd Sqnk 5/16-18 unc x 3/4...
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SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION ONLY RIDE UP AND DOWN HILL, NOT ACROSS HILL 15 DEGREES MAX. WARNING: To avoid serious injury, operate your tractor up and down the face of slopes, never across the face. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees.
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