Craftsman 247 User manual

Operator's Manual
[RRFrSMRN°
Zero=Turn Rider
22 HP, 42" MOWER DECK
Model No. 247.204110
CAUTION: Before using this product,
read this manual and follow all safety
rules and operating instructions.
•SAFETY
•ASSEMBLY
•OPERATION
•MAINTENANCE
•PARTS LIST
•ESPANOL
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.
Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-09506
(November12,2013)

Warranty Statement ................................... 2
Safety Instructions .................................... 3
Slope Guide .......................................... 7
Assembly ............................................. 8
Operation ........................................... 12
Service and Maintenance ............................ 20
Off-Season Storage ................................... 29
Troubleshooting ..................................... 30
Espaffol .............................................. 35
Service Numbers ............................ Back Cover
CRAFTSMANFULLWARRANTY
FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,allnon-expendablepartsofthisridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.
Adefectivenon-expendablepartwill receivefreein-homerepairorreplacementifrepairisimpossible.
BATTERYLIMITEDWARRANTY
FOR90DAYSfromthedateofpurchase,thebattery(anexpendablepart)ofthisridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor
workmanship.Anewbatterywillbesuppliedfreeofcharge.Youareresponsibleforthelaborcostofbatteryinstallation.
WARRANTYSERVICE
Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainfreerepairorreplacement,call1-800-659-5917orvisitthewebsite:www.craftsman.com
Inallcasesabove,ifpartrepairorreplacementisimpossible,theridingequipmentwillbereplacedfreeofchargewiththesameoranequivalentmodel.
Alloftheabovewarrantycoverageisvoidifthisridingequipmentiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorifrentedtoanotherperson.
ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsinmaterialandworkmanship.Warrantycoverage
doesNOTinclude:
•Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,sparkplugs,air
cleaners,belts,andoilfilters.
•Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,ortune-ups.
•Tirereplacementorrepaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,orglass.
•Tireorwheelreplacementorrepairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationormaintenance.
•Repairsnecessarybecauseofoperatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityoftheriding
equipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframe,axleassemblyorcrankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.
•Repairsnecessarybecauseofoperatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproperstorage,failureto
usethepropergradeandamountofengineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintaintheridingequipmentaccording
totheinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.
•Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningorrepairscausedbyfueldeterminedtobecontaminatedoroxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeusedwithin30days
ofitspurchasedate.
•Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,orproductlabelreplacement.
Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.
SearsBrandsManagementCorporation,HoffmanEstates,IL60179
Engine Oil: SAE 30
Fuel: Unleaded Gasoline
Model Number
Serial Number
Date of Purchase
Record the model number, serial number,
and date of purchase above.
© Sears Brands, LLC 2

Thissymbolpoints out importantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not
followed,couldendangerthe personalsafetyand/orproperty of
yourselfandothers. Readandfollow all instructionsinthismanual
beforeattempting tooperatethis machine.Failuretocomplywith these
instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethissymbol,HEED
ITSWARNING!
Thismachinewasbuilt to beoperatedaccordingto the safeoperation
practicesinthis manual.Aswith anytype of powerequipment,
carelessnessorerroronthe part ofthe operatorcanresultinseriousinjury.
Thismachineiscapableof amputatingfingers, hands,toesandfeet and
throwing debris.Failureto observethe following safetyinstructionscould
resultin seriousinjury or death.
CALiFORNiA PROPOSiTiON 65
EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehidecomponents
containoremit chemicalsknownto StateofCaliforniato causecancerand
birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.
Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontain leadand lead
compounds,chemicalsknownto the StateofCaliforniatocausecancerand
reproductiveharm.Washhandsafter handling.
Your Responsibility--Restrict the useofthis powermachineto
personswhoread,understandandfollow the warningsandinstructionsin
thismanualandonthe machine.
SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!
GENERAL OPERATION
Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsonthemachineandinthe
manual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.Keepthismanualin
asafeplaceforfutureandregularreferenceandfororderingreplacement
parts.
Befamiliarwith allcontrolsandtheir properoperation.Knowhowtostop
themachineanddisengagethemquickly.
Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis machine.Children
14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsandsafeoperation
practicesinthismanualandonthemachineandshouldbetrainedand
supervisedbyanadult.
Neverallowadultstooperatethismachinewithoutproperinstruction.
Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrownobjectinjury,keepbystanders,
helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachinewhileit isin
operation.Stopmachineif anyoneentersthearea.
Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobeused.Remove
allstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeignobjectswhichcould
bepickedupandthrownbytheblade(s).Thrownobjectscancauseserious
personalinjury.
Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtowardroads,
sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainst
awallorobstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterialto ricochetback
towardtheoperator.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperationandwhile
performinganadjustmentor repairtoprotectyoureyes.Thrownobjects
whichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytotheeyes.
Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts.
Loosefitting clothesandjewelrycanbecaughtin movableparts.Never
operatethis machineinbarefeetorsandals.
Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionanddonotpoint
it atanyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthedischargecoverorentire
grasscatcherin itsproperplace.
Donotput handsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor underthecuttingdeck.
Contactwiththe blade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet.
Amissingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontactorthrown
objectinjuries.
Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,orroadsandwhilenot
cuttinggrass.
Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.Thismachineis
not intendedforuseonanypublicroadway.
Donotoperatethemachinewhileunderthe influenceofalcoholordrugs.
Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.
Nevercarrypassengers.
Backupslowly.Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking
toavoidaback-overaccident.Beawareandpayattentiontothesafety
systemfunctionthatstopspowertothe bladeswhendrivingin reverse.
Ifnotfuctioningproperly,contactanauthorizeddealerforsafetysystem
inspectionandrepair.
Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoiderratic
operationandexcessivespeed.
Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntilthe
blade(s)cometoacompletestopbeforeremovinggrasscatcher,emptying
grass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassordebris,or makingany
adjustments.
Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoffblade(s),place
drivecontrolleversinneutral,setparkingbrake,stopengineandremove
keybeforedismounting.

Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoatrailerortruck.
Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupordownramp(s),becausethemachine
couldtipover,causingseriouspersonalinjury.Themachinemustbepushed
manuallyonramp(s)toloadorunloadproperly.
Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Donottouch.
Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlowhangingtree
branches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wheretheoperatormaybestruckor
pulledfromthemachine,whichcouldresultinseriousinjury.
Disengageallattachmentclutches,settheparkingbraketothe'on'position
andmovethe RHandLHdrivecontrolleverstotheneutralpositionbefore
attemptingtostarttheengine.
Yourmachineisdesignedtocutnormalresidentialgrassofaheightnomore
than10".Donotattempttomowthroughunusuallytall,drygrass(e.g.,
pasture)orpilesofdryleaves.Drygrassor leavesmaycontacttheengine
exhaustand/orbuilduponthemowerdeckpresentingapotentialfire
hazard.
Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedforthismachinebythe
machinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall instructions
providedwith theapprovedaccessoryorattachment.Foralistofapproved
accessoriesandattachments,call1-800-659-5917.
Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,areinvolvedina
largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries.Theseoperatorsshould
evaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheridingmowersafelyenoughtoprotect
themselvesandothersfromseriousinjury.
If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredin thismanual,usecareandgood
judgment.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-overaccidentswhichcan
resultinsevereinjuryordeath.Allslopesrequireextracaution.Ifyoucannotback
uptheslopeorif youfeeluneasyonit, donotmowit.
Foryoursafety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartofthis manualto measure
slopesbeforeoperatingthis machineonaslopedorhillyarea.Iftheslopeisgreater
than15degreesasshownontheslopegauge,donotoperatethismachineonthat
areaorseriousinjurycouldresult.
Do;
Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Exerciseextremecautionwhen
changingdirectiononslopes.
Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.Uneventerrain
couldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsothatyouwill nothaveto
stopwhileontheslope.Avoidstartingorstoppingonaslope.Ifthetiresare
unabletomaintaintraction,disengagethebladesandproceedslowlyand
carefullystraightdowntheslope.
Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor
counterweightstoimprovestability.
Useextracarewith grasscatchersor otherattachments.Thesecanchange
thestabilityofthemachine.
Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donotmakesudden
changesinspeedordirection.Rapidaccelerationordecelerationcouldcause
thefrontofthemachinetolift andrapidlyrolloverbackwards,whichcould
causeseriousinjury.
Do Not:
Donotturnonslopesunlessnecessary;thenturnslowlyuphillanduseextra
carewhileturning.
Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments.Themowercould
suddenlyturnoverira wheelisovertheedgeofacliff, ditch,orifanedge
cavesin.
Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfootontheground.
Donotuseagrasscatcheronsteepslopes.
Donotmowonwetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.
Donottow heavypullbehindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,lawn
roller,etc.)onslopesgreaterthan5degrees.Whengoingdownhill,the
extraweighttendstopushtheridingmowerandmaycauseyoutoloose
control(e.g.ridingmowermayspeedup,brakingandsteeringabilityare
reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcauseridingmowertooverturn).
CHILDREN
Tragicaccidentscanoccurif theoperatorisnotalertto thepresenceofchildren.
Childrenareoftenattractedtothemachineandthemowingactivity.Theydonot
understandthedangers.Neverassumethatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsaw
them.
Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandin watchfulcareofaresponsible
adultotherthantheoperator.
Bealertandturnmachineoff ifachildentersthearea.
Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwayslookbehindanddownforsmall
children.
Nevercarrychildren,evenwith theblade(s)shutoff.Theymayfall offand be
seriouslyinjuredorinterferewith safemachineoperation.
Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,shrubs,trees
orotherobjectsthat mayblockyourvisionofachildwhomayrunintothe
pathofthemachine.
Keepchildrenawayfromhotorrunningengines.Theycansufferburnsfrom
ahotmuffler.
Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized
operation.
Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethismachine.Children14and
overshouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin
thismanualandonthemachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyanadult.
TOWING
Towonlywith a machinethathasa hitchdesignedfor towing.Donotattach
towedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.
Followthe manufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfortowed
equipmentandtowingonslopes.
Neverallowchildrenorothersinorontowedequipment.
4

Onslopes,theweightofthetowedequipmentmaycausebssoftractionand
lossofcontrol.
Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.
Donotshiftto neutralandcoastdownhill.
Donottowheavypullbehindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,lawn
roller,etc.)onslopesgreaterthan5degrees.Whengoingdownhill,the
extraweighttendstopushtheridingmowerandmaycauseyouto loose
control(e.g.ridingmowermayspeedup,brakingandsteeringabilityare
reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcauseridingmowertooverturn).
SERVICE
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
Toavoidpersonalinjuryorproperty damageuseextremecareinhandling
gasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthe vaporsareexplosive.
Seriouspersonalinjury canoccurwhen gasolineisspilledonyourselforyour
clotheswhichcanignite. Washyourskinand changeclothesimmediately.
Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
Neverfill containersinsideavehicleoronatruckortrailerbedwith aplastic
liner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthegroundawayfromyourvehiclebefore
filling.
Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckor
trailerandrefuelit ontheground.Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatrailerwitha portablecontainer,ratherthanfromagasoline
dispensernozzle.
Keepthenozzlein contactwith therimof thefueltankorcontaineropening
atalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.
Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesofignition.
Neverfuelmachineindoors.
Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhiletheengineishotor running.Allow
enginetocoolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.
Neveroverfill fueltank.Filltanktonomorethan1/2inchbelowbottomof
fillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.
Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit off theengineandequipment.Movemachineto
anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingtheengine.
Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris
build-up.Cleanupoilorfuelspillageandremoveanyfuelsoakeddebris.
Neverstorethe machineorfuelcontainerinsidewherethereisanopen
flame,sparkorpilotlightasonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothes
dryerorothergasappliances.
Allowamachinetocoolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.
General Service
Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engineexhaust
containscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.
Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertaintheblade(s)andall
movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthesparkplugwireandground
againsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.
Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocompletestopwithin
approximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthe bladedisengagement
control.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthethistimeframe,aveyour
machineservicedprofessionallybySearsoranotherqualifieddealer.
Regularlycheckthesafetyinterlocksystemforproperfunction,asdescribed
laterinthis manual.Ifthesafetyinterlocksystemdoesnotfunctionproperly,
haveyourmachineservicedprofessionallybySearsoranotherqualified
dealer.
Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervalsfor
propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s)for damage(e.g.,excessive
wear,bent,cracked).Replacetheblade(s)with theoriginalequipment
manufacturer's(O.E.M.)blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofparts
whichdonotmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!
Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduseextra
cautionwhenservicingthem.
Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstight tobesuretheequipmentisinsafe
workingcondition.
Nevertamperwith thesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafetydevices.Check
theirproperoperationregularly.
Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthesparkplug
wire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthemachinefor
anydamage.Repairthedamagebeforestartingandoperating.
Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsorrepairstothe machinewhilethe
engineisrunning.
Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoveraresubjecttowear
anddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsorallowobjectstobe
thrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsandreplace
immediatelywith originalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,
listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonotmeettheoriginalequipment
specificationsmayleadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!
Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedtheengine.The
governorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeedoftheengine.
Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.
Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,etc.toprotectthe
environment.
AccordingtotheConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)andthe
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproducthasanAverage
UsefulLifeofseven(7)years,or270hoursofoperation.Attheendof
theAverageUsefulLifehavethemachineinspectedannuallybySearsor
anotherqualifieddealertoensurethatallmechanicalandsafetysystems
areworkingproperlyandnotwornexcessively.Failuretodosocanresultin
accidents,injuriesordeath.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE
Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,donot modifyengineinanyway.Tampering
with thegovernorsetting canleadto a runawayengineandcauseitto
operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwith factorysetting ofengine
governor.
NOTICE REGARDING EMiSSiONS
Engineswhich arecertified to complywith Californiaandfederal EPA
emissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)arecertified
tooperateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayincludethefollowing
emissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM),OxidizingCatalyst(0C),
SecondaryAirinjection(SAI)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)ifsoequipped.
SPARK ARRESTOR
Thismachineisequippedwith aninternalcombustionengineandshould
not beusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brushcoveredor
grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwith a
sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).
Ifa sparkarrestorisused,itshould bemaintained in effectiveworking order
bythe operator.Inthe StateofCaliforniathe aboveisrequiredbylaw(Section
4442of the CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilar
laws. Federallawsapply onfederal lands.
Asparkarrestorfor the muffler isavailablethroughyournearestSearsParts
andRepairServiceCenter.
SAFETY SYMBOLS
Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthisproduct.Read,understand,andfollow all instructionsonthemachinebefore
attempting toassembleandoperate.
= = READTHEOPERATOR'SMANUAL(S)
Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and
operate
WARNING-- ROTATINGBLADES
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s)can
amputate hands and feet.
_j/_ WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS
iiii_;!:_iiii/ This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.
WARN NG--T.ROWNOBJECTS
_F This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.
®
J _ Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least75 feet from the machine while it isin operation.
WARNING-- SLOPEOPERATION
Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15degrees.
DANGER-- ROTATINGBLADES
Toreduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away.Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass
catcher isin its proper place. Ifdamaged, replace immediately.
6

(OK) 15° Slope X (TOO STEEP)
15° Slope
Figure1
USETHiSSLOPEGAUGETO DETERMINE
iFA SLOPEiSTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!
Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:
1. Removethis pageandfold alongthe dashedline.
2. Locateaverticalobjecton or behindthe slope(e.g.a pole,building,fence, tree, etc.)
3. Aligneitherside ofthe slopegaugewith the object(SeeFigure1 andFigure2 ).
4. Adjust gaugeup or down until the left cornertouchestheslope (SeeFigure1 andFigure2).
5.
O. daShed.fine
If thereis agap belowthe gauge,theslope istoo steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).
Figure2
Slopes are a major factor related to tip-over and roll-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. Do not operate machine
on slopes in excess of 15 degrees. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not
mow it. Always mow across the face of slopes, never mow up and down the face of slopes.

Set-Up
NOTE:Removethedeckwashsystemnozzleadapterandoildraintubefromthe
manualbagandstoreforfutureuse.
Moving TheRidingMower Manually
Yourridingmower'stransmissionisequippedwitha hydrostaticreliefvalvefor
occasionswhenit isnecessarytomovetheridingmowermanually.Openingthis
valvepermitsthefluidinthetransmissionto bypassitsnormalroute,allowingthe
reartiresto"freewheel."Toopenthehydrostaticreliefvalve,proceedasfollows:
1. Locatethehydrostaticbypassrodintherearoftheridingmower.SeeFigure1.
Install Operator'sSeat
Toinstalltheseatproceedasfollows:
NOTE:Theseatisshippedwith theseatswitchandseatpanattached.
1. Cutanystrapssecuringtheseatassemblyandthedrivecontrolleverstothe
ridingmower.Removeanypackingmaterial.
NOTE:Becarefulnottocutthewiringharnessconnectingtheseatandthe
seatswitch.
2. Removethetwoshoulderboltsandlocknutsintheseatpanasshownin
Figure2.
f
Figure1
Engagethebypassrodsbypullingeachoneout (a)andtotheright(b)to
lockitintoplace.SeeFigure1.
Disengagethebypassrodsbyreversingstepsa&baftermovingthetractor.
SeeFigure1.
NOTE:Thetransmissionwill NOTengagewhenthe hydrostaticbypassrodis
pulledout.Returntherodto itsnormalpositionpriortooperatingthe riding
mower.
Neverattempt to movethe riding mowermanuallywithout first opening
the hydrostaticrelief valve.Doingsowill resultinseriousdamagetothe
ridingmower'stransmission.
Shoulder
.Bolt
J
Figure2
Rotatetheseatintopositionandsecuretheseatintoplacewith the
previouslyremovedshoulderboltsandlocknuts.Becarefulnottocrimpor
damagethewireharnesswhileinstallingtheseat.SeeFigure3.
ShoulderBolts
Figure3
8

PositionDriveControllevers
Thedrivecontrolleversoftheridingmowerareloweredforshippingpurposes.
Theflangelocknuts,hexscrews,andflatwashersthatnormallysecurethecontrol
leversintheiroperatingpositionareunfastenedandinstalledintheslottedholesof
thecontrolleversforshipment.Thecontrolleversmustberepositionedtooperate
theridingmower.Torepositionthecontrolleversfor operation,proceedasfollows:
1. Removethehexscrewsandflatwashersfromthehardwarepackinyour
manualbag.
2. Liftandswingthatcontrolleverupwarduntiltheslottedholeinthelever
bracketalignswith oneoftheholesin thepivotbracket.SeeFigure4.
Control
Flat Washer..
LiftControl
LeverUpward
Hex Screw Bracket
Connectingthe Battery Cables
Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadandlead
compounds,chemicalsknownto the Stateof Californiato causecancerand
reproductiveharm.Washhandsafter handling.
Whenattaching batterycables,alwaysconnectthe POSITIVE(Red)wire to
itsterminal first, followedbythe NEGATIVE(Black)wire.
Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmentmayhavebeenleft
disconnectedfromtheterminalsatthefactory.Toconnectthebatterycables,
proceedasfollows:
flOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+). Thenegativebattery
terminalismarkedNeg.(-).
flOTE:Ifthepositivebatterycableisalreadyattached,skipaheadtostep2.
1. Removetheplasticcover,if present,fromthepositivebatteryterminaland
attachtheredcabletothepositivebatteryterminal(+)with theboltand
hexnut.SeeFigure5.
Figure4
3. Slidetheflat washerontothe hexscrew.Fromtheoutside,insertthehex
screwwith washerthroughthecontrolleverslotandtheholeofthepivot
bracket.SeeFigure4.Usinga1/2"wrenchsnugthescrew,butdonotfully
tighten.
4. Notetherelativepositionofthecontrollevertothepivotbracket,
thenrepeatthe previousstepstorepositiontheothercontrolleverin
approximatelythesameposition.
Torquethe screwsdowntightly to preventthe controlleversfrom slipping
out of position.
5. Referto"AdjustingtheDriveControlLevers"intheMaintenance&
Adjustmentsforinstructionsonthefinaladjustmentofthelevers.
Figure5
Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthenegativebatteryterminaland
attachtheblackcabletothenegativebatteryterminal(-) with theboltand
hexnut. SeeFigure5.
Positiontheredrubberbootoverthepositivebatteryterminaltohelp
protectitfromcorrosion.
flOTE:Ifthebatteryisputintoserviceafterthedateshownontoporside
ofbattery,chargethebatteryasinstructedintheServiceandMaintenance
sectionofthisOperator'sManualpriortooperatingtheridingmower.
9

LowerDeckDischargeChuteDeflector CheckingTirePressure
Neveroperatethe mowerdeckwithoutthechutedeflectorinstalledand in
thedown position.
Thedischargechutedeflectormustbeinstalledbeforeoperatingthe mower.
1. Removethekeysthat areattachedwith aziptie tothechutebracket.
2. Removetheflangelocknutsfromthedeck.Donotremovethepushnuts
orcarriagebolts,leavingtheminplacewill aidininstallingthechute.See
Figure6.
eBolts
Figure6
Installthedischargechutedeflectorusingthecarriagebolts,pushnutsand
flangelocknutsasshownin Figure7andsecurelytightenthehardware.
Flan_
Discharge
Chute
Deflector
PushNuts
triageBolts
Figure7
Donotoverinflate tires,Checksidewalloftires for maximumpsi.Equaltire
pressureshouldbemaintainedat alltimes.
Thetiresonyourridingmowermaybeoverinflatedforshippingpurposes.Reducethe
tirepressurebeforeoperatingtheridingmower.Checksidewalloftiresformaximumpsi.
Adjusting the GaugeWheels
Keephandsandfeet awayfrom the dischargeopeningofthe cuttingdeck.
NOTE:Thedeckgaugewheelsareananti-scalpfeatureofthedeckandarenot
designedtosupporttheweightofthecuttingdeck.
Themowerdeckcuttingheightcanbesetinanyofsixheightsettingsusingthe
ridingmower'sdecklift handle.Thedeckheightsrangefrom1-1_" to4".Thedeck
gaugewheelpositionshouldbeapproximately%"to_" abovethegroundwhen
thedeckissetinthedesiredheightsetting.
Usingthelift handle,setthedeckinthedesiredheightsetting,thencheckthe
gaugewheeldistancefromthegroundbelow.Ifnecessaryadjustasfollows:
1. Visuallycheckthedistancebetweenthefrontgaugewheelandtheground.
Ifthegaugewheelisnearortouchingtheground,itshouldberaised.If
morethan_A"abovetheground,itshouldbelowered.
2. Removetheflangelocknutsecuringthefrontgaugewheelshoulderboltto
thedeck.Removethegaugewheelandshoulderbolt.RefertoFigure8.
eWheel
LockNut
k. j
Figure8
3. Inserttheshoulderboltintotheoneoffourindexholesinthefrontgauge
wheelbracketthatwill givethegaugewheela%"to _A"clearancewith the
groundandsecurewith theflangelocknut.
4. Notetheindexholeofthejustadjustedwheel,andadjustthereargauge
wheelintotherespectiveindexholesoftheothergaugewheelbracketon
thedeck.
10

Adjusting the Seat 3.
Toadjustthepositionoftheseat,rotatetheseatforwardandlocatetheclampknob
onthefrontleftoftheseatpan.RefertoFigure9. 4.
Clamp
Knob
Seat
Adjustment
Positions
Figure9
Rotatetheclampknobstotheleftandremovethem,slidetheseatforwardor
backwardandre-inserttheclampknobsintooneofthefouravailablepositionson
theseatpanandintotheseat,thentightensecurely.Makesuretheseatislockedinto
positionbeforeoperatingthetractor.SeeFigure9
Gasand Oil
UsinganapprovedredGASOLINEcontainer,addfuelslowly,beingcarefulto
avoidspilling.
Fillthetankuntilthefuelreachesthebottomofthefueltankneck.
Replacethefuelcapandtightensecurely.Wipeupspilledfuelbefore
startingengine.IffuelisspilledDONOTstartengine.Moveridingmower
awayfromareaofspillage.Avoidcreatinganysourceofignitionuntilfuel
vaporsaregone.
Checkingand Adding Oil
Yourridingmowerisshippedwith oilintheengine.However,youMUSTcheck
theoil levelbeforeoperating.Checkandaddtheoil asinstructedinyourEngine
Operator'sManual.
FuelRecommendations
Useautomotivegasoline(unleadedorlowleadedtominimizecombustionchamber
deposits)witha minimumof87octane.Gasolinewith upto10%ethanolor15%
MTBE(MethylTertiaryButylEther)canbeused.Neveruseanoil/gasolinemixture
ordirtygasoline.Avoidgettingdirt,dust,orwaterinthefueltank.DONOTuseE85
gasoline.
Refuelinawell-ventilatedareawith theenginestopped.Donotsmokeor
allowflamesorsparksintheareawheretheengineisrefueledorwhere
gasolineisstored.
Donotoverfillthefueltank.Afterrefueling,makesurethetankcapisclosed
properlyandsecurely.
Becarefulnottospillfuelwhenrefueling.Spilledfuelorfuelvapormayignite.
Ifanyfuelisspilled,makesuretheareaisdrybeforestartingtheengine.
Avoidrepeatedorprolongedcontactwith skinorbreathingofvapor.
Adding Fuel
Useextremecarewhen handling gasoline.Gasolineisextremely
flammable andthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelthe ridingmower
indoorsorwhilethe engineishotor running. Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,
pipesandother sourcesof ignition.
1. Besureengineisoutdoorsandinawell-ventilatedarea.
2. Cleanareaaroundthefuelfillcapandremovethefuelfill cap. 11

FuelLevelWindow\ l\
FueiTankCap
LHDrive RHDrive
ControlLever ControlLever LCDServiceMinder&
HourMeter
ignitionSwitch
CupHolder
Tray
LHTransmissionByic \nsmissionBypassRod
Figure10
Nowthatyouhavesetupyourridingmower,it'simportanttobecomeacquainted
with itscontrolsandfeatures.Referto Figure10.
NOTE:ReferencestoLEFT,RIGHT,FRONT,andREARindicatethatpositiononthe
ridingmowerwhenfacingforwardwhileseatedintheoperator'sseat.
CupHolder
ThecupholderislocatedtowardtherearoftheRHconsoletotherightofthe
operator'sseat.
RHand LHDriveControl Levers
TheRHandLHcontrolleversarelocatedoneachsideoftheoperator'sseat.These
hingedleverspivotoutwardtoopenspacetopermittheoperatortoeither sitinthe
tractorseat,ortodismountthetractor.Theleversmustbefullyopenedoutandin
theneutralpositiontostartthetractorengine.Whenthe leversarefully outward,
theparkingbrakeisalsoengaged.
EachlevercontrolstherespectiveRHorLHtransmission.Consequently,theselevers
StorageTray
Thestoragetray islocatedattherearofthe RHconsole.
DeckHeightindex
Thedecklift handleislocatedonthefront!rightoftheconsole,andisused
toraiseandlowerthemowerdeck.Pullthehandletotheleftoutofthe
indexnotchandpushdownwardto lowerthedeck,or pullupwardtoraise
thedeck.Whenthedesiredheightisattained,movethe lift handletothe
rightuntilfully intheindexnotch.
DeckLift Handle
Thedecklift handleislocatedonthefront/rightoftheseatboxframe,and
isusedtoraiseandlowerthemowerdeck.Pullthehandletotheleftoutof
theindexnotchandpushdownwardtolowerthedeck,orpullupwardtoraise
thedeck.Whenthedesiredheightisattained,movethelift handletothe
rightuntilfullyintheindexnotch.
controlallofthemovementsofthetractor.Drivingandsteeringutilizingthese
controlleversisquitedifferentfromconventionaltractors,andwill takesome
practiceto master.RefertoOperationforinstructionsonusingthecontrollevers.
PowerTake-Off(PTO)Switch
ThePTOswitchislocatedontheRHconsoletotherightoftheoperator'sseat.The
PTOswitchoperatestheelectricPTOclutchmountedonthebottomoftheengine
crankshaft.PulltheswitchknobupwardtoengagethePTOclutch,orpushtheknob
downwardtodisengagetheclutch.ThePTOswitchmustbeinthe"disengaged"
positionwhenstartingtheengine.
12

ignition Switch LowOil
TheignitionswitchislocatedontheRH RUN
consoletotherightoftheoperator'sseat. I
Theignitionswitchhasthreepositions.
STOP_-- Theengineandelectrical
systemisturnedoff.
RUN_-- Theridingmowerelectricalsystemisenergized.
START_-- Thestartermotorwill turnovertheengine.Releasethekey
immediatelywhentheenginestarts
NOTE:Topreventaccidentalstartingand/orbatterydischarge,removethe
keyfromtheignitionswitchwhentheridingmowerisnotin use.
TransmissionBypassRods
Thetransmissionbypassrods(oneforeachtheRHandLHtransmission)arelocated
beneaththeframeplatform,justinsideeachrearwheel.
Whenengaged,thetwo rodsopena bypasswithin the hydrostatictransmissions,
whichallowstheridingmowertobepushedshortdistancesbyhand.Refertothe
Assemblysectionforinstructionsonusingthebypassfeature.
Theletters"LO"followedbytheletters"OIL",thenfollowedbythemeter's
accumulatedtimewill indicatethetractorislowonoil.Stopthetractor
immediatelyandchecktheengineoil levelasinstructedinthisOwner'sManual.
Low Battery 11_;I 8Rrrl
Atstartup,thebatteryvoltageisbrieflydisplayedthen
changestoaccumulatedhours.Theletters"LO"willdisplay
followedbytheletters"BATT"andthenfollowedybythemeter'saccumlulatedtime.
"LO/BATT/TIME"isdisplayedontheLCDwhenthevoltagedropsbelow11.5volts.When
thisoccurs,thebatteryisinneedofachargeortheengine'schargingsystemisnot
generatingsufficientamperage.ChargethebatteryasinstructedintheServicesectionof
thismanualorhavethechargingsystemcheckedbyyourlocalservicedealer.
AirRIterServke I[_ [L ]
Theletters"CLN"will display,followedbytheletters _ n
"AIR",followedby"FILT",thenfollowedbythemeter's
accumulatedtime."CLN/AIR/FILT/TIME"will alternateonthedisplayfor7 minutes
afterthemeterreachges25hours.Thisairfilter servicemindertimeintervalwill be
every25hours.Onintervallsthatarecommonwith oilservice,theoil messagewill
bediplayedfirstfollowedbytheairfilter message.
Nevertowyour ridingmower.Towingthe riding mowerwith the rear
wheelsonthe groundmaycauseseveredamageto the transmissions.
FuelTankCap
Thefueltankcapislocatednearthemiddleofthe LHconsole.Turnthefillcapto
remove.Thefuelcapistetheredtothetractortopreventitsloss.Donotattemptto
removethecapfromthetractor.Filltanktothebottomofthefillerneck,allowing
somespaceinthetankforfuelexpansion.Donotoverfillthetank.
Pushthecapdownwardonthefueltankfill neckandturnclockwiseuntilit clicksto
tighten.Alwaysre-installthefuelcaptightly ontothefueltankafterremoving
Neverfill the fueltank when the engineisrunning. Ifthe engineishot
from recentlyrunning,allow to coolfor severalminutesbeforerefueling.
Highlyflammable gasolinesplashingontoahotenginecouldcauseafire.
LCDServiceMinder & Hour Meter
WhentheignitionkeyisrotatedoutoftheSTOPpositionbutnotintotheSTART
position,the LCDServiceMinderandHourMeterwill brieflydisplythebattery
voltage,followedbythetractor'saccumulatedhours.
NOTE:Hoursoftractoroperationarerecordedanytimetheignitionkeyis
rotatedoutoftheSTOPposition,regardlessofwhethertheengineisstarted.
TheLCDServiceMinderwill remindtheoperatorof maintenanceintervalsfor
changingtheengineoil,airfilterservice,lowengineandlowbatterywarnings.
ChangeOil
TheLCDwill displaythe letters"CHG",followedbytheletters"OIL",followedbythe
letters"SOON",thenfinallyfollowedbythemeter'saccumulatedtime. "CHG/OIL/
SOON/TIME"will alternateonthedisplayfor 7minutesafterthe meterreaches50
hours.Thisoilserviceminderintervallwill occurevery50hours.Beforetheinterval
expires,changetheengineoil asinstructedin theMaintenancesectionofthis
Operator'sManual.
Throttle/ChokeControl
Thethrottle/chokecontrolislocatedonthe LHconsoletotheleftofthe
operator'sseat.Whensetin agivenposition,a uniformenginespeedwill
bemaintained.
Pushthethrottle/chokecontrolhandleforwardtoincreasetheengine
speed.Theridingmowerisdesignedtooperatewith thethrottle/choke
controlinthe FAST_ positionwhentheridingmowerisbeingdriven
andthemowerdeckisengaged.
PullthethrotNe/chokecontrolhandlerearwardtodecreasetheengine
speed.
Whenstartingtheengine,pushthecontrolhandlefullyforwardintothe
CHOKENposition.
m
m
$LSW
Afterstartingandwarmingtheengine,movethecontrolhandlerearwarduntilyou
feelit movepastthechokedetent.
GeneralSafety
RECEIVEINSTRUCTION-- Entirelyreadthisoperator'smanual.Learnto
operatethismachineSAFELY.DonotriskINJURYorDEATH.Allowonlythose
whohavebecomecompetentin itsusagetooperatethisridingmower.
Beforestartingtheengineorbeginningoperation,befamiliarwith the
controls.Theoperatorshouldbeintheoperator'sseat.ThePTOswitchmust
beinthedisengagedposition,theparkingbrakeengaged,andthe RHand
LHdrivecontrolleversmovedfullyoutwardintheneutralposition.
Keepallshieldsin place.Keepawayfrommovingparts.
NORIDERS!Keepall peopleandpetsasafedistanceaway.Lookbehindand
downto bothsidesoftheridingmowerbeforeandwhilebackingup.
DONOTdirectthemowerdischargeatpeople.
Avoidslopeswherepossible.Neveroperateonslopesgreaterthan15°.
Slopeswith agreaterinclinepresentdangerousoperatingconditions.Riding
mowerscanberolledover.
13

Beforeleavingtheoperator'sseat:Shutoffthe PTO,movethe RHandLH
drivecontrolleversfullyoutwardintheneutralposition,engagetheparking
brake0, shutofftheengineandremovetheignitionkey.Waitforall
movementtostopbeforeservicingorcleaning.
Operatethedrivecontrolleverssmoothlyandavoidanysuddenmovements
oftheleverswhenstartingandstopping.Keepafirm griponthecontrol
levers.
Becarefulwhenoperatingnearroadways.Stopthe ridingmowermotion
andwaitfor vehiclestopassbeforeoperatingalongtheroad.
Donotoperatetheridingmowerwiththemowerdeckremoved.Removalof
thedeckwill changethebalanceoftheridingmower,andcouldcontribute
toaridingmowerrollover.
Avoidoperationontractionsurfacesthatareunstable;useextremecaution
ifthesurfaceisslippery.
Slowdownbeforeturningandcometoacompletestopbeforeanyzeroturn
maneuver.
Donotstoptheridingmowerorparkthe ridingmowerovercombustible
materialssuchasdrygrass,leaves,debris,etc.
Donotfill thefueltankwhentheengineisrunningorwhiletheengineis
hot.Allowtheengineseveralminutestocoolbeforerefueling.Tightenthe
fuelcapsecurely.
Before Operating YourRidingmower
Beforeyouoperatetheridingmower,studythismanualcarefullytofamiliarize
yourselfwith theoperationofalltheinstrumentsandcontrols.It hasbeen
preparedtohelpyouoperateandmaintainyourridingmowereffldently.
Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonlyonclean,fresh,unleadedregular
gasoline.Forbestresults,fill thefueltankwithonlyclean,fresh,unleaded
gasolinewith a pumpstkkeroctaneratingof87orhigher.
Unleadedgasolineisrecommendedbecauseit leaveslesscombustionchamber
depositsandreducesharmfulexhaustemissions.Leadedgasolineisnot
recommendedandmustnotbeusedwhereexhaustemissionsareregulated.
NOTE:Purchasegasolineinsmallquantities.Donotusegasolineleftover
fromthe previousseason,tominimizegumdepositsinthefuelsystem.
Gasohol(upto10%ethylalcohol,90%unleadedgasolinebyvolume)isan
approvedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblendsarenotapproved.
MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends(uptoa
maximumof15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels.Othergasoline/ether
blendsarenotapproved.
Checkthe engineoil level.
Cleantheaircleanerelementifnecessary.
Checkthe tireinflationpressures.
Adjusttheseatfor operator'smaximumcomfort,visibilityandfor
maintainingcompletecontroloftheridingmower.
Safety Interlock System
Thisridingmowerisequippedwith asafetyinterlocksystemfor theprotectionof
theoperator.Iftheinterlocksystemshouldevermalfunction,donotoperatethe
ridingmower.Call1-800-659-5917toscheduleservicefromSearsParts&Repair.
Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromcrankingorstartingunless
the RHandLHdrivecontrolleversaremovedfullyoutwardtoeachsideinthe
neutralposition,theparkingbrakeisengaged,andthePTOisdisengaged.
Toavoidsuddenmovementwhendisengagingthe parkingbrake,thesafety
interlocksystemwill shutoffthe engineif theRHand/orLHdrivecontrol
leversaremovedtoapositionotherthanthefullyout intheneutralposition
whentheparkingbrakeisengaged.
Thesafetyinterlocksystemwill shutoffthe engineiftheoperatorleavesthe
seatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.
Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutofftheengineiftheoperatorleavestheseat
withthePTOengaged,regardlessofwhethertheparkingbrakeisengaged.
NOTE:ThePTOswitchmustbemovedtothe"OFF"positiontorestarttheengine.
Thesafetyinterlocksystemwill shutoffthe PTOandthemowerbladeswill
stopif bothdrivecontrolleversaremovedintothereverseposition.ThePTO
will re-engagewhenoneor bothoftheleversaremovedbacktoeitherthe
neutralorforwardposition.
Starting the Engine
Thisriding mowerisequippedwith asafetyinterlocksystemdesignedfor
the protectionofthe operator.Donotoperatethe riding mowerifanypart
ofthe interlocksystemismalfunctioning. Periodicallycheckthe functions
ofthe interlocksystemfor properoperation.
Forpersonalsafety,the operatormust besitting in the riding mowerseat
whenstarting the engine.
1. Operatormustbesittinginthetractorseatwith thecontrolleversfully
outwardinneutral(parkingbrakeon).
2. MakecertainthePTOswitchisinthedisengaged(down)position.Referto
Figure11.
RHControlLever
Ill ControlLever 3 o o o o o o o G
OntinNentral 3oooooooo_OntinNentral
00000000000
00000000000
Throttle/ChokeControl
totheChokePosition
/
(Disengaged)Position
--__itch
Figure11
14

3. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverfullyforwardintothe CHOKEI'_1
position.
flOTE:Iftheengineiswarmedup,it maynotbenecessaryto placethe
throttle/chokecontrolintheCHOKEI%1position.
4. Turntheignitionkeyclockwiseto theSTART_ positionandreleaseit as
soonastheenginestarts;however,donotcranktheenginecontinuouslyfor
morethan5secondsatatime.If theenginedoesnotstartwithinthistime,
turnthekeytoSTOP_ andwaitatleast15secondstoallowtheengine's
startermotortocool.Tryagainafterwaiting.Ifafterafewattemptsthe
enginefailstostart,donotkeeptryingtostartit withthechokeclosedas
thiswill causefloodingandmakestartingmoredifficult.
5. Astheenginewarmsup,graduallypullthethrottle/chokecontrollever
rearwardpastthechokedetentposition.Donotusethechokepositionto
enrichthefuelmixture,exceptasnecessarytostarttheengine.
6. Allowtheenginetorunforafewminutesatmidthrottlebeforeputtingthe
engineunderload.
ColdWeather Starting
Whenstartingtheengineattemperaturesnearor belowfreezing,ensurethe
correctviscositymotoroil isusedin theengineandthebatteryisfully charged.
Starttheengineasfollows:
I. Besurethebatteryisingoodcondition.Also,awarmbatteryhasmuch
morestartingcapacitythanacoldbattery.
2. Usefreshwintergradefuel.Wintergradegasolinehashighervolatilityto
improvestarting.Donotusegasolineleftoverfromsummer.
3. FollowthepreviousinstructionforStartingthe Engine.
UsingJumper CablesToStart Engine
Batteriescontainsulfuric acidandproduceexplosivegasses.Makecertain
the areaiswell ventilated,wear glovesandeyeprotection,and avoid
sparksor flamesnearthe battery.
Ifthebatterychargeisnotsufficienttocranktheengine,rechargethebattery.Ifa
batterychargerisunavailableandtheridingmowermustbestarted,theaidofa
boosterbatterywill benecessary.Connecttheboosterbatteryasfollows:
1. Connectthe endofonecabletothedisabledridingmowerbattery'spositive
terminal;thenconnecttheotherendofthatcabletotheboosterbattery's
positiveterminal.
2. Connectoneendoftheothercabletotheboosterbattery'snegative
terminal;thenconnecttheotherendofthatcabletothe frameofthe
disabledridingmower,asfarfromthebatteryaspossible.
3. Startthedisabledridingmowerfollowingthenormalstartinginstructions
previouslyprovided;thendisconnectthejumpercablesintheexactreverse
orderoftheirconnection.
4. Havetheridingmower'selectricalsystemcheckedandrepairedassoonas
possibletoeliminatethe needforjumpstarting.
Stopping the Engine
1. Placethe PTOswitchintheOFFposition.
2. Movethe RHandLHdrivecontrolleversfully outwardintheneutralposition
(parkingbrakeon).
3. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolto midwaybetweentheSLOW_ and
FAST_ positions.
4. Turntheignitionkeytothe STOP_ positionandremovethekeyfromthe
ignitionswitch.
flOTE:Alwaysremovethekeyfromtheignitionswitchtopreventaccidental
startingorbatterydischargeiftheequipmentisleft unattended.
PracticeOperation (initial Use)
Operatingazero-turnridingmowerisnotlikeoperatingaconventionaltyperiding
ridingmower.Becauseazeroturnridingmowerismoremaneuverable,getting
usedtooperatingthecontrolleverstakessomepractice.
Westronglyrecommendthatyoulocateareasonablylarge,levelandopen"practice
area"wheretherearenoobstructions,pedestrians,oranimals.Youshouldpractice
operatingtheridingmowerforaminimumof30minutes.
Carefullymove-- orhaveanexperiencedusermove-- theridingmowerto
thepracticearea.Whenperformingthepracticesession,thePTOshouldnotbe
engaged.Whilepracticing,operatethe ridingmoweratapproximately1/2-3/4
throttle andatlessthanfull speedinbothforwardandreverse.
Carefullypracticemaneuveringtheridingmowerandproceedtodriveasdescribed
inthefollowingDrivingtheRidingmowerForwardsection.
Drivingthe Riding mower
Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.
1. Adjusttheoperator'sseattothemostcomfortablepositionthatallowsyou
tooperatethecontrols.See"AdjustingtheSeat"theAssemblysection.
2. MovetheRHandLHdrivecontrolleversinwardintheneutralposition.Refer
to Figure12.
ntrolLeverMovedInwardandinNeutral-
OOOOO OOOOO
0000 00000
0000 0000
1
L
Figure12
NOTE:Ifthecontrolleversarenotevenintheneutralposition,refertoService
andMaintenanceforinstructionstoadjusttheleverssothattheyareeven.
15

Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverforwardtothe FAST_ (fullthrottle)
position.
NOTE:Althoughtheridingmower'sengineisdesignedtorunatfull throttle,
whenperformingapracticesessiontheridingmowermustbeoperatedat
lessthanfull throttle.Thisonlyappliestopractice.
Alwaysmaintaina firm grip onthe controllevers.DONOTreleasethe
control leversto slowor stopthe ridingmower;moveleversto neutral
positionusingyourhands.
4. Todrivetheridingmower,firmly grasptherespectivedrivecontrollevers
with yourright andleft handsandcontinuewith DrivingtheRidingmower
Forward.
Driving the Ridingmower Forward
Keepall movementofthe drive controlleversslowand smooth.Abrupt
movementofthe control leverscanaffectthe stability ofthe riding mower
andcouldcausethe riding mowertoflip over,whichmayresult in serious
injury ordeathto the operator.
Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrivecontrolleversforward.Theridingmower
will starttomoveforward.SeeFigure13.
DrivingForward Faster
0O 0 O O 0 O 0 0 0 0 Ill
0 0 0 0 0
0 0_0 0 0 0 0_0 0 Slower
Figure13
Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherforwardthespeedoftheriding
mowerwill increase.
Toslowtheridingmowermovethecontrolsleverrearwardtoattainthedesired
speed,ormovetheleverstotheneutralpositiontostoptheridingmower.
Alwaysmaintainyour grasponthe drivecontrol levers.Donot releasethe
leverstoslowthe riding moweror to returnto neutral.
Turningthe Riding mower While Driving Forward
Whenreversingthedirection of travel,werecommendperforming gradual
'U'turnswherepossible.Sharperturnsincreasethe possibilityofturf
defacement,and couldaffectcontrolof the ridingmower.ALWAYSslow
the ridingmowerbeforemakingsharpturns.
Toturntheridingmowerwhiledrivingforward,movethecontrolleversas
necessarysothatoneleverisrearwardoftheother.Theridingmowerwill turnin
thedirectionoftherearwardcontrollever.
Toturntotheleft,movetheleftdrivecontrolleverrearwardoftheright
lever.SeeFigure14.
ForwardLeftTurn
Figure14
2. Toturntotheright,movetherightdrivecontrolleverrearwardoftheleft
lever.SeeFigure15.
ForwardRightTurn
0 0 O O O _00E 0 0 0
O_11 _ O O O
O O A O O O
Figure15
16

3.
4.
Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthetwolevers,thesharperthe
ridingmowerwill turn.
Toexecuteazeroturnmovetheturnsidedrivecontrollevertothe inward
neutralposition,whilemovingtheothercontrolleverforward.
NOTE:Makingazeroturnwhilethevehicleismovingwill greatlyincrease
thepotentialfordefacementoftheturf.Forturf protectionandtoavoid
personalinjury,alwaysstopthevehiclebeforeexecutingazeroturn.
Driving the Riding mower In Reverse
Alwaysbok behindand downonbothsidesoftheridingmowerbefore
backingup.Alwayslookbehindwhile traveling inthe reversedirection.
1. Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrivecontrolleversrearward.Theriding
mowerwillstarttomoveinthereversedirection.SeeFigure16.
2.
3.
Figure16
Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherrearwardthespeedofthe riding
mowerwill increase.
Toslowtheridingmowermovethecontrolsleverforwardtoattainthedesired
speed,ormovetheleverstotheneutralpositiontostoptheridingmower.
TurningWhile Driving Rearward
I. Toturntheridingmowerwhiledrivingrearward,movethecontrollevers
asnecessarysothatoneleverisforwardoftheother.Theridingmowerwill
turninthedirectionoftheforwardcontrollever.
Toturntotheleft whiletravelingin reverse,movetheleftdrivecontrollever
forwardoftherightlever.SeeFigure17.
00000000000
00000000000
00000000000
00000000000
RearwardLeftTurn
I
Figure17
Toturntotherightwhiletravelingin reverse,movetheright drivecontrol
leverforwardoftheleft lever.SeeFigure18.
L_
I-I IZI 0 I-i I-i I-i I-i i-i i-i i-i Ci
0 IZI 0I-i 0 Ci 0 Ci 0 Ci 0 |
L
I-I I-I IZI Ci Ci Ci Ci Ci Ci Ci Ci
0 I-I 0 CI 0 Ci O Ci O Ci 0
17
J
Figure18
4. Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthetwo levers,thesharperthe
ridingmowerwill turn.
5. Toexecuteazeroturn,movetheturnsidedrivecontrollevertotheneutral
position,whilemovingtheothercontrolleverrearward.
NOTE:Makingazeroturnwhilethevehicleismovingwill greatlyincrease
thepotentialfordefacementoftheturf. Forturfprotectionandtoavoid
personalinjury,alwaysstopthevehiclebeforeexecutingazeroturn.

ExecutingaZeroTurn
Whenexecutinga zeroturn, the ridingmowerMUSTBESTOPPED.
Executingazeroturn while the ridingmowerismovingcansignificantly
reduceyourcontroloftheridingmowerandwill causesevereturf
defacementtooccur.
Stoptheforwardorreversemotionoftheridingmowerbymovingthetwo
drivecontrolleverstoneutral.
Toturnclockwise,movetheleftcontrolleverforwardwhilesimultaneously
movingtherightcontrolleverrearward.SeeFigure19.
I
Figure19
Toturncounterclockwise,movetherightcontrolleverforwardwhile
simultaneouslymovingtheleftcontrolleverrearward.SeeFigure20.
Stopping the Riding mower
1. Movebothdrivecontrolleverstotheneutralposition(parkingbrakeon)to
stopthemotionoftheridingmower.
2. PushthePTOswitchdownwardtotheDISENGAGEDposition.
3. Usethedecklift handleto raisethedecktoits highestposition.
4. Ifdismountingthetractor,movethedrivecontrolhandlesfully outward
intheneutralpositionwhichalsoengagesthe parkingbrake,movethe
throttle/chokecontrollevertotheFAST_ position,turntheignition
switchtoSTOP6 andremovethekeyfromtheswitch.
Donot leavethe seatofthe riding mowerwithout disengagingthe PTO,
movingdrivecontrol leversfully outward inthe neutral position(parking
brakeon).If leavingtheridingmowerunattended,turntheignitionkey
off andremovekey.
DrivingOnSlopes
RefertotheslopegaugeintheSafeOperationSectiontohelpdetermineslopes
whereyoumaynotoperatesafely.
Donotoperateoninclineswith a slopein excessof15degrees(ariseof
I
approximately2J/2 feet every10feet). Theridingmowercouldoverturn
andcauseseriousinjury.
1. Alwaysdriveacrossslopes,neverupanddown.Controlthespeedand
directionoftheridingmowerusingprimarilythecontrolleveronthe
downhillsideoftheridingmower,with theuphillcontrolleverremaining
essentiallyinafixedposition.
2. Avoidturningdownhillif possible.Startatthebottomofaslopeandwork
upward.Alwaysslowdownbeforeturning.
3. Useextracareandgoslowlywhenturningdownhill.
Operating ThePTO
Operatethe PTOclutchasfollows:
1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrollevertoapproximatelythemidthrottle
position.
2. PullthePTOswitchupwardtothe ENGAGEDposition.
3. Advancethethrottle/chokelevertotheFAST_ position(fullthrottle).
4. Theoperatormustremainintheridingmowerseatatalltimes.Ifthe
operatorshouldleavetheseatwithoutturningoff thepowertake-off
switch,theridingmower'senginewill shutoff.
5. ThePTOclutchcannotbeoperatedwhentheridingmowerisdrivinginthe
reversedirection.ThePTOwill disengagewhenbothdrivecontrollevers
aremovedtothe reverseposition,andwill re-engagewhenone(orboth)
controllever(s)ismovedtotheneutralorforwardposition.
Figure20
18

Usingthe Mower Deck
Makecertainthe areato bemowedisfreeofdebris,sticks,stones,wire or
other objectsthat canbethrown bythe rotatingblades.
flOTE:Donotengagethemowerdeckwhenloweredingrass.Prematurewearand
possiblefailureofthe'V"beltandPTOclutchwill result.Fullyraisethedeckormove
toanon-grassyareabeforeengagingthemowerdeck.
1. Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Ifmowinga slope,startatbottomand
workupwardtoensureturnsaremadeuphill.
2. Onthefirstpasspickapointontheoppositesideoftheareatobemowed.
3. Engagethe PTOclutchusingthePTOswitchandmovethethrottle/choke
controltothe FAST_ position.
4. Lowerthe mowerdeckto thedesiredheightsettingusingthe lift handle.
5. Slowlyandevenlypushthe RHandLHdrivecontrolleversforwardto move
theridingmowerforward,andkeeptheridingmowerheadeddirectly
towardthealignmentpoint.
flOTL::Thespeedoftheridingmowerwill affectthequalityofthemower
cut.Mowingatfull speedwill adverselyaffectthecutquality.Controlthe
groundspeedwith thecontrollevers.
6. Whenapproachingtheotherendofthestrip,slowdownorstopbefore
turning.AU-turnisrecommendedunlessazeroturnisrequired.
7. Alignthe mowerwith anedgeofthemowedstripandoverlap
approximately3".
8. Directtheridingmoweroneachsubsequentstripto alignwith apreviously
cutstrip.
9. Topreventruttingorgroovingoftheturf, ifpossible,changethedirection
thatthestripsaremowedbyapproximately45°forthenextandeach
subsequentmowing.
Checkingthe SafetyInterlockCircuits
Periodicallycheckthesafetyinterlockcircuitstoensuretheyareworkingproperly.If
asafetycircuitisnotworkingasdesigned,contactyouCubCadetdealertohavethe
tractorinspected.DONOToperatethetractorifanysafetycircuitisnotfunctioning
properly.Tocheckthesafetycircuits,proceedasfollows:
1. PullthePTOswitchupwardtotheengagedposition.Momentarilyturnthe
ignitionswitchtothestart_ position;theengineshouldnotcrank.
2. Movebothcontrolleversfully inwardintheneutralposition;thenlift
upwardfromtheoperator'sseat.Theengineshouldstop.
3. Withbothcontrolleversfully outwardinthe neutral/parkingbrakeengaged
position,engagethe PTO.Liftupwardfromtheoperator'sseat;theengine
shouldstop.
4. Startthetractorandmovethecontrolleversinwardtotheneutraloperating
position.Engagethe PTOandmovebothcontrolleverslowlyintotheslow
reverseposition;thePTOshoulddisengageandthemowerdeckshouldstop.
Becarefulwhen crossinggrave[pathsor driveways.Disengagethe PTOand
raisethe decktothe highestpositionbeforecrossing.
flOTL::Whenstoppingtheridingmowerforanyreasonwhileonagrass
surface,always:
Placethecontrolleversinneutral(parkingbrakeon),
Shutengineoffand removethekey.
Doingsowii[minimizethepossibilityofhavingyourlawn
"browned"byhotexhaustfromyourridingmower'srunning
engine.
19

MAINTENANCESCHEDULE
Beforeperforming anytype ofmaintenance/service,disengageallcontrols
andstop theengine.Wait untilallmovingpartshavecometo acomplete
stop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainsttheengineto
preventunintendedstarting. Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring operation
orwhile performinganyadjustmentsor repairs.
Eachuse 1. Mowerand exhaust area 1.
2. HydraulicTransaxle 2.
3. Tiresand pressure 3.
4. Deck,mower and drivebelts 4.
5. Bladesandbolttightness 5.
6. Safetyswitchoperation 6.
Every25hours 1. SpindleBearings 1.
Every50hours 1. WearPoints 1.
2. Greasefitting 2.
Every100hours 1. Coolingshroudsandcooling 1.
areas
2. Fastenersandcomponents 2.
Everyseason/Beforestorage 1. Pivotpoints 1.
2. Controlhandle 2.
3. Extensionspring 3.
Aftermowing 1. Mowerandexhaustarea 1.
2. Wearpoints 2.
OnceMonthly I. SpindlePulleys I.
2. V-Belt 2.
Beforeperforming anymaintenanceor repairs,disengagethe PTO,move
the drive controlleversfully outward inthe neutral position,engagethe
parkingbrake,stopthe engineandremovethe keyto preventunintended
starting.
EngineMaintenance
RefertotheKohlerOwner'sManualforallenginemaintenanceproceduresand
instructions.
Changingthe EngineOil
Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribesserviceguidelines
Ifthe enginehasbeenrecentlyrun,the engine,muffler andsurrounding
metalsurfaceswill behotand cancauseburnstothe skin. Exercisecaution
to avoidburns.
Tocompleteanoilchange,proceedasfollows:
1. Locatetheoildrainportontheleftsideoftheengine.
only.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackofcompletedmaintenancetasks.To
scheduleservicefrom SearsParts&Repair,call1-800-659-5917.
Clean
Checkforleaks
Check
Check
Check
Check
Grease
Lubricate
Lubricate
Removeandclean
Checkandsecure
Lubricate
Lubricate
Lubricate
Clean
Lubricate
Clean
Clean
2.
f
k.
2O
Popopentheprotectivecapontheendoftheoildrainvalvetoexposethedrain
port.RefertoFigure21.Removetheoilfillcap!dipstickfromtheoilfilltube.
Dipstkk OilFillCap
OilDrainPort
OilDrainHose
Figure21