Tractor Set-Up; Tire Pressure - MTD 650 Operator's Manual

SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP
Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before
IMPORTANT:
starting the engine and operating. Refer to the separate Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual (or Tecumseh
engine's Owner's Manual) packed with your tractor. Read instructions carefully.
NOTE:
Reference to right or left hand side of the unit
is observed from the driver's seat, facing forward.
Tools Required For Assembly
(1) 1/2" socket wrench (for steering wheel)
(1) 9/16" wrench or socket wrench (for seat)
Attaching The Steering Wheel
• The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has
been packed within the steering wheel, beneath
steering wheel cap. Carefully pry off the steering
wheel cap and remove the hardware.
• Remove the steering bellow from its packaged
location on the deck engagement/lift lever (found
on the right hand side of tractor).
• Place the steering bellow over the steering shaft
extending through the dash. See Figure 1.
NOTE:
If the openings on each end of the steering
bellow are two different sizes, the smaller end goes
down, against the dash of the lawn tractor.
• With the wheels of the tractor pointing straight
forward, place the steering wheel over the steering
shaft.
• Place the washer (with the cupped side down) over
the steering shaft and secure with the hex bolt. See
Figure 1.
• Place the steering wheel cap over the center of the
steering wheel and push downward until it "clicks"
into place.
Hex Bolt
& Washer
Steering
Bellow
Figure 1
Steering
Wheel Cap
Steering
Shaft
Attaching The Seat
NOTE:
For shipping reasons, seats are either
fastened to the tractor seat's pivot bracket with a plastic
tie, or mounted backward to the pivot bracket. In either
case, free the seat form its shipping position and
remove the two hex screws from the bottom of seat
before proceeding with instructions below.
1. Position the shoulder screws (found on the base of
the seat) inside the slot openings in the seat pivot
bracket. Figure 2.
Hex Screws
Shoulder
Screws
Opening
in Slot
Pivot Bracket
2. Slide the seat slightly rearward in the seat pivot
bracket, lining up the rear slots in the pivot bracket
with the remaining two holes in the seat's base.
3. Select desired position for the seat, and secure with
the two hex screws removed earlier. See Figure 2.

Tire Pressure

WARNING:
any circumstances is 30 psi. Equal tire
pressure should be maintained at all times.
The tires on your unit may be over-inflated for shipping
purposes. Reduce the tire pressure before operating
the tractor. Recommended operating tire pressure is
approximately 10 p.s.i for the rear tires & 14 p.s.i. for
the front tires. Check sidewall of tire for maximum p.s.i.
8
Figure 2
Maximum tire pressure under