Bush Hog HDZ-4 Series User manual

HDZ-4 SERIES
ZERO TURN MOWERS
Published 12/20 Manual Number 50081560
MODELS:
HDZ3155FX4, HDZ3161FX4, HDZ3173FX4,
HDZ3355ECV4, HDZ3361ECV4, HDZ3373ECV4
HDZ3855ECV4, HDZ3861ECV4, HDZ3873ECV4
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc..

SLOPE INDICATOR
This page may be copied for personal use
outside of this manual.
Operating of this Zero Turn Mower on a Slope Exceeding 15 De-
grees is unsafe and can cause upset or loss of traction resulting
in death or serious injury.
q
w
qFold along the dashed line to measure the slope being checked.
wAlign this edge with a vertical reference point, a tree, building, power pole, etc.
eShows example of how to compare the slope with the folded edge.

To the Owner/Operator/Dealer
This Operator's Manual is an integral part of the safe operation of this Zero Turn Mower and must be maintained with
the Zero Turn Mower at all times. A Manual holder is provided on the Zero Turn Mower where this manual can be
properly stored. If you lose or damage this manual a free replacement manual can be obtained from an authorized
Bush Hog dealer or by down loading the manual from the Bush Hog website www.bushhog.com
BEFORE YOU START! READ, UNDERSTAND, and FOLLOW the information provided in this manual and the Engine
manual carefully to learn how to operate and service your Zero Turn Mower properly. Failure to do so could result in
personal injury to you and bystanders. All Zero Turn Mowers with moving parts are potentially hazardous. Every effort
has been made to ensure that the Zero Turn Mower is safe but operators must avoid engaging in unsafe practices
and follow the written instructions provided. The manufacturer has designed this Zero Turn Mower to be used with
all its safety equipment properly attached to minimize the chance of accidents.
SAFETY FIRST. Completely read and understand the safety section of this manual before operating this equipment.
Do not allow anyone to operate this equipment who has not fully read and understood this manual. Contact your
Dealer to explain any instructions that you do not fully understand.
The care you give your Bush Hog Zero Turn Mower will greatly determine your satisfaction with its performance and
its service life. Carefully read and follow the instructions in this manual to provide you with a thorough understanding
of your new Zero Turn Mower and its intended use and service requirements.
All references made in this manual to right, left, front, rear, top or bottom are as viewed facing the direction of forward
travel with the Zero Turn Mower.
Replacement Parts information is located in a separate Parts Manual. Bush Hog parts are made and tested to Bush
Hog specifications. Non-genuine “will fit” parts do not consistently meet these specifications. The use of “will fit” parts
may reduce Zero Turn Mower performance, void warranties, and present a safety hazard. Use genuine Bush Hog
Zero Turn Mower parts for economy and safety. For future reference, record your Bush Hog product model number
and serial number.
This unit is Approved for use on U.S. Forest Service Lands.
Serial Number located on right
hand side on the frame.
Manual Holder located on back
of seat.

LIMITED WARRANTY
Bush Hog warrants to the original purchaser of any new Bush Hog HDZ Series Zero Turn Mower purchased from an Author-
ized Bush Hog Dealer. This shall warranty that the Zero Turn Mower is free from defects in material and workmanship.
Warranty is a Three, (3) year Limited Warranty from the date of retail sale. (Third year parts only.)
Limited Lifetime Deck Weldment Warranty (Original Purchaser).
Engine Warranty is through the engine manufacturer.
The obligation of Bush Hog under these warranties are limited to repair or replacement of defective parts.
Replacement or repair parts installed in the equipment covered by this limited warranty are warranted for ninety (90) days
from the date of purchase of such part or the expiration of the applicable new equipment warranty period, whichever comes
later.
Warranted parts shall be provided at no cost to the user through an Authorized Bush Hog Dealer during regular hours of op-
eration. Bush Hog reserves the right to inspect any equipment or parts which are claimed to have been defective in material
or workmanship.
DISCLAIMER OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES & CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
Bush Hog’s obligation under this limited warranty, to the extent allowed by law, is in lieu of all warranties, implied or expressed,
INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE and any
liability for incidental and consequential damages with respect to the sale or use of the items warranted. Such incidental and
consequential damages shall include but not be limited to: transportation charges other than normal freight charges; cost of
installation other than cost approved by Bush Hog; duty; taxes; charges for normal service or adjustment; loss of crops or
any other loss of income; rental of substitute equipment, expenses due to loss, damage, detention or delay in the delivery
of equipment or parts resulting from acts beyond the control of Bush Hog.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL NOT APPLY:
1. To vendor items which carry their own warranties, such as engines, tires, and tubes.
2. If the unit has been subjected to misapplication, abuse, misuse, negligence, fire or other accident.
3. If parts not made or supplied by Bush Hog have been used in connection with the unit, if, in the sole judgement of Bush
Hog such use affects its performance, stability or reliability.
4. If the unit has been altered or repaired outside of an authorized Bush Hog dealership in a manner which, in the sole
judgement of Bush Hog, affects its performance, stability or reliability.
5. To normal maintenance service and normal replacement items such as hydrostatic oil, worn blades, or to normal deteri-
oration of such things as belts and exterior finish due to use or exposure.
6. To expendable or wear items such as belts, springs and any other items that in the company’s sole judgement is a wear
item.
NO EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF BUSH HOG IS AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IN
ANY WAY OR GRANT ANY OTHER WARRANTY UNLESS SUCH CHANGE IS MADE IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY
BUSH HOG’S SERVICE MANAGER, 2501 GRIFFIN AVE., SELMA, ALABAMA 36703.
Record the model number, serial number and date
purchased. This information will be helpful to your
dealer if parts or service are required.
MODEL NUMBER
SERIAL NUMBER
DATE OF RETAIL SALE
Make Certain that the retailing dealer has
registered your warranty information with
Bush Hog at time of purchase.

DEALER PREPARATION CHECK LIST
For NEW ZERO TURN RIDING MOWER
BEFORE DELIVERING MACHINE - The following check list should be completed.
Use the Operator's Manual as a guide. Engine has been serviced.
 Ground Cable connected to Battery Negative Pole.
 Zero Turn Mower start code communicated to Owner.
 Low oil pressure light checked for operation.
 Operator interlock switches checked for operation.
 Assembly completed.
 All fittings lubricated.
 Hydraulic Reservoirs filled to Cold Fill Line with oil.
 All shields in place and in good condition.
 Roll-over Protective Structure is raised to the upright position and pinned out. This may re-
quire the upper ROPS to be rocked forward to align the Pin-Out Holes.
 Retractable seat belt functions property.
 All fasteners torqued to specifications given in Torque Chart.
 All decals in place and readable. (See decal page.)
 Overall condition good (i.e. paint, welds)
 Parking brake checked and adjusted, if necessary.
 Steering checked and adjusted, if necessary.
 Check tire pressure.
 Warranty information has been registered on line with Bush Hog.
 Operator's manual has been delivered to owner and he has been instructed on the safe and
proper use of the Zero Turn Mower.
Dealer's Signature ____________________________________
Purchaser's Signature _______________________________________
THIS CHECKLIST TO REMAIN IN OWNER'S MANUAL
It is the responsibility of the dealer to complete the procedures listed
above before delivery of this Zero Turn Mower to the customer.

HDZ SERIES ZERO TURN MOWER
TABLE OF CONTENT
SAFETY (SECTION 1)
General Safety Instructions and Practices............................................................................1-2
Important Safety Considerations and Precautions ..............................................................1-3
Safety Instructions and Recommendations ..........................................................................1-3
OPERATOR SAFETY................................................................................................................1-4
MOWER OPERATION SAFETY................................................................................................1-4
Ground Speed When Mowing ..................................................................................................................................1-4
ACCIDENT PATTERNS TO AVOID...........................................................................................1-5
Contact With The Rotating Blades............................................................................................................................1-5
Mower Thrown Objects.............................................................................................................................................1-5
Grass Discharge Chute ............................................................................................................................................1-5
Over Turning.............................................................................................................................................................1-5
Mower Running Over Victim.....................................................................................................................................1-5
Child Safety ..............................................................................................................................................................1-5
Fuel and Grass Fires ................................................................................................................................................1-5
MOWER BLADE CONTACT HAZARDS...................................................................................1-6
THROWN OBJECT SAFETY ....................................................................................................1-7
USE ROPS & SEATBELTS FOR OPERATING ON SLOPES SAFETY...........................1-8 / 1-9
RUN OVER HAZARDS............................................................................................................1-10
CHILD SAFETY .......................................................................................................................1-11
FUEL & FIRE SAFETY .................................................................................................1-12 / 1-13
MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND STORAGE SAFETY .................................................1-14 / 1/15
HIGH PRESSURE OIL LEAK HAZARD .................................................................................1-16
BATTERY SERVICE PRECAUTIONS.....................................................................................1-17
DRIVING AND TRANSPORTING ON PUBLIC ROADS.........................................................1-18
PARTS INFORMATION ...........................................................................................................1-19
SAFETY DECAL LOCATIONS (MOWER DECK)...................................................................1-20
SAFETY DECAL LOCATIONS (POWER UNIT) .....................................................................1-21
SAFETY DECAL PICTORIALS.....................................................................................1-22 / 1/25
FEDERAL LAWS and REGULATIONS ..................................................................................1-26
INTRODUCTION (SECTION 2)
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................2-1 / 2-2
SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................................................................2-3
CONTROLS (SECTION 3)
CONTROL LOCATIONS...........................................................................................................................................3-1
CONTROL PANEL....................................................................................................................................................3-2
IGNITION SWITCH ..................................................................................................................................................3-3
PERSONALIZING YOUR KEY CODE .....................................................................................................................3-3
CHOKE and THROTTLE..........................................................................................................................................3-3
STEERING CONTROL LEVERS .............................................................................................................................3-4
SPEED TRACKING ADJUSTMENT.........................................................................................................................3-4
USB CHARGING SOCKET ......................................................................................................................................3-4
PTO SWITCH ...........................................................................................................................................................3-5
CUTTING HEIGHT CONTROLS ..............................................................................................................................3-5
FUEL TANK and FILLER NECK ...............................................................................................................................3-5
SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS ..........................................................................................................................3-6
TRANSAXLE BYPASS CONTROLS ........................................................................................................................3-6
PARKING BRAKE.....................................................................................................................................................3-7

OPERATION (SECTION 4)
TRAINING ...............................................................................................................4-1
BEFORE STARTING ..................................................................................................................4-1
Starting the Engine ....................................................................................................................................................4-1
Shutting Down the Engine .........................................................................................................................................4-1
STEERING..................................................................................................................................4-2
To Move Forward or Backwards ................................................................................................................................4-2
To Turn Left ................................................................................................................................................................4-2
To Turn Right..............................................................................................................................................................4-2
To Perform a Zero Turn..............................................................................................................................................4-2
OPERATING THE MOWER........................................................................................................4-2
ROPS and SEAT BELTS............................................................................................................4-3
REAR HITCH ..............................................................................................................................4-3
MOWING ON SLOPES and HILLS............................................................................................4-3
MOWING NEAR WATER, DITCHES, and EMBANKMENTS ....................................................4-4
MOWING TIPS............................................................................................................................4-4
AFTER MOWING is COMPLETED ............................................................................................4-4
MOVING THE MACHINE MANUALLY.......................................................................................4-5
WEAK or DISCHARGED BATTERY..........................................................................................4-5
Jumper Cable Usage .................................................................................................................................................4-5
Starting Engine ..........................................................................................................................................................4-5
Removing Jumper Cables..........................................................................................................................................4-5
TRANSPORTING (SECTION 5)
TRANSPORTING THE MACHINE .............................................................................................5-1
Preparing to Transport ...............................................................................................................................................5-1
Loading the Machine..................................................................................................................................................5-1
Tie Down Points .........................................................................................................................................................5-1
Unloading the Machine ..............................................................................................................................................5-2
MAINTENANCE (SECTION 6)
RECOMMENDED REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ....................................................6-1
LUBRICATION............................................................................................................................6-2
Lubrication Points on Power Unit...............................................................................................................................6-2
Lubrication Points on Mower Deck ............................................................................................................................6-2
ENGINE MAINTENANCE...................................................................................................6-2 / 6-3
SERVICING the BATTERY.........................................................................................................6-4
Keep Battery Terminal Clean - Cleaning Battery Terminals .......................................................................................6-4
Replacing the Battery.................................................................................................................................................6-4
SAFETY SYSTEM ......................................................................................................................6-5
PARKING BRAKE ......................................................................................................................6-5
Parking Brake Adjustment..........................................................................................................................................6-5
TIRE PRESSURE .......................................................................................................................6-5
CASTER WHEELS .....................................................................................................................6-6
ANTI SCALP ROLLERS.............................................................................................................6-6
MOWER DECK V-BELT .............................................................................................................6-7
Mower Deck Belt Removal.........................................................................................................................................6-7
Mower Deck Belt Installation......................................................................................................................................6-7
Adjusting the Mower Deck Belt ..................................................................................................................................6-7

PUMP BELT INSTALLATION .....................................................................................................6-9
CUTTING BLADE MAINTENANCE ...........................................................................................6-9
Blade Removal...........................................................................................................................................................6-9
Inspect Blades ...........................................................................................................................................................6-9
Sharpening Blades...................................................................................................................................................6-10
Installing Blades.......................................................................................................................................................6-10
ADJUSTING the MOWER DECK.............................................................................................6-10
Leveling the Deck ....................................................................................................................................................6-10
TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................6-11
Fluid and Filter Change Procedure ..........................................................................................................................6-11
Purging Procedures .................................................................................................................................................6-12
CONSOLE MAINTENANCE ...........................................................................................6-13- 6-15
General Care ...........................................................................................................................................................6-14
Bypass or Failed Safety Interlock Switch Detection.................................................................................................6-14
Service Alerts ...........................................................................................................................................................6-14
Alarms......................................................................................................................................................................6-14
Console Diagnostic Codes.......................................................................................................................................6-15
Spartk Arrestor Maitenance .....................................................................................................................................6-16
STORAGE (SECTION 7)
WINTER STORAGE ...................................................................................................................7-1
Preparing the Machine for Storage ............................................................................................................................7-1
New Season Preparation ...........................................................................................................................................7-1
TROUBLE SHOOTING (SECTION 8) .....................................................................8-1
TECHNICAL DATA (SECTION 9)
MAIN WIRING HARNESS with FUSE LOCATIONS..................................................................................................9-1
MAIN WIRING HARNESS SCHEMATIC ...................................................................................................................9-2
ENGINE ADAPTOR HARNESS FOR KAWASAKI ENGINES ...................................................................................9-3
ENGINE ADAPTOR HARNESS FOR KOHLER ENGINES.......................................................................................9-4
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................................................................................9-5
SERVICE and MAINTENANCE RECORDS ..............................................................................................................9-6
Notes Page ................................................................................................................................................................9-7

SAFETY
SECTION 1
ZTR 12/20 Safety Section 1-1
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc.

SAFETY
SAFETY
ZTR 12/20 Safety Section 1-2
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc.

SAFETY
SAFETY
ZTR 12/20 Safety Section 1-3
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc.

SAFETY
SAFETY
ZTR 12/20 Safety Section 1-4
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc.

SAFETY
SAFETY
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc.
ZTR 12/20 Safety Section 1-5

SAFETY
SAFETY
ZTR 12/20 Safety Section 1-6
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc.

SAFETY
SAFETY
ZTR 12/20 Safety Section 1-7
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc.