Craftsman 247.204201 User manual

Operator's Manual
CRRFrSMRN
=RO ZERIES:
Zero=Turn Rider
24 HP, 48" MOWER DECK
Model No. 247.204201
• Espanol, P.39
THIS product has alow emission engine which operates differently from
previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and understand
this Operator's Manual.
Before using this equipment,
read this manual and follow
all safety rules and operating
instructions.
For answers to your questions about
this product, call:
1-888 -331-4569
CustomerCareHotLine
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-10440C
(May26,2015)

Warranty Statement ................................... 2
Safety Instructions .................................... 3
Slope Guide .......................................... 7
Assembly ............................................. 8
Operation ........................................... 12
Service and Maintenance ............................ 22
Off-Season Storage ................................... 32
Troubleshooting ..................................... 33
Espa_ol .............................................. 39
Service Numbers ............................ Back Cover
CRAFTSMANLIMITEDWARRANTY
FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,allnon-expendablepartsofthisridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstdefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.
Withproofofpurchase,adefectivenon-expendablepartwillreceivefreerepairorreplacementatoptionofseller.
Battery Limited Warranty
FOR90DAYSfromthedateofpurchase,thebattery(anexpendablepart)ofthisridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstdefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.
Withproofofpurchase,youwillreceiveanewbatteryatnocharge.Youareresponsibleforthelaborcostofbatteryinstallation.
WARRANTYSERVICE
Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainfreerepairorreplacement,visitthewebpage:www.craftsman.com/warranty
Product Replacement
Ifpartrepairorreplacementisimpossible,youwill receiveanewridingequipmentunitofthesameorequivalentmodel.
Warranty Restriction
Allwarrantycoverageisvoidifthisridingequipmentiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorifrentedtoanotherperson.
Thiswarranty coversONLYdefectsinmaterial and workmanship.WarrantycoveragedoesNOTinclude:
•Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,sparkplugs,belts
andair,oilorgasfilters.
•Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchangesortune-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,NoffmanEstates,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 importantsafety instructionswhich,if not
followed,couldendangerthe personalsafetyand/or propertyof
yourselfandothers. Readandfollow all instructionsin this manual
beforeattempting tooperatethis machine.Failuretocomplywith these
instructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethissymbol,HEED
ITSWARNING!
Thismachinewasbuilt to beoperatedaccordingto the safeoperation
practicesin this manual.Aswith anytype of powerequipment,
carelessnessorerroronthe part ofthe operatorcanresultin seriousinjury.
Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers, hands,toesand feetand
throwing debris.Failureto observethe following safety instructionscould
resultin seriousinjury or death.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehiclecomponents
containoremit chemicalsknownto StateofCaliforniato causecancerand
birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.
Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontain leadandlead
compounds,chemicalsknowntothe StateofCaliforniatocausecancerand
reproductiveharm.Washhandsafter handling.
Your Responsibility--Restrict the useof thispowermachineto
personswho read,understandandfollow thewarningsandinstructionsin
thismanualandonthemachine.
SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!
GENERAL OPERATION
Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthemachineandinthe
manual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.Keepthismanualina
safeplaceforfutureandregularreferenceandfororderingreplacementparts.
Befamiliarwith allcontrolsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhowto stop
themachineanddisengagethemquickly.
Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethismachine.Children
14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsandsafeoperation
practicesinthismanualandonthemachineandshouldbetrainedand
supervisedbyanadult.
Neverallowadultstooperatethismachinewithout properinstruction.
Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrownobjectinjury,keepbystanders,
helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachinewhileitisin
operation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea.
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 clothesandjewelrycanbecaughtinmovableparts.Never
operatethismachineinbarefeetorsandals.
Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionanddonotpoint
itatanyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithout thedischargecoverorentire
grasscatcherinitsproperplace.
Donotputhandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsorunderthecuttingdeck.
Contactwith theblade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet.
Amissingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontactorthrown
objectinjuries.
Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,orroadsandwhilenot
cuttinggrass.
Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.Thismachineis
not intendedforuseonanypublicroadway.
Donotoperatethemachinewhileunderthe influenceofalcoholordrugs.
Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.
Nevercarrypassengers.
Backupslowly.Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking
toavoidaback-overaccident.Beawareandpayattentiontothesafety
systemfunctionthatstopspowertothe bladeswhendrivinginreverse.
Ifnotfunctioningproperly,contactanauthorizeddealerforsafetysystem
inspectionandrepair.
Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoiderratic
operationandexcessivespeed.
Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntilthe
blade(s)cometoacompletestopbeforeremovinggrasscatcher,emptying
grass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassordebris,or makingany
adjustments.
Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoffblade(s),place
drivecontrolleversinneutral,setparkingbrake,stopengineandremove
keybeforedismounting.
Useextracarewhenloadingor unloadingthemachineintoatrailerortruck.
Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupordownramp(s),becausethemachine
couldtipover,causingseriouspersonalinjury.Themachinemustbepushed
manuallyonramp(s)toloadorunloadproperly.
Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Donottouch.
Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlowhangingtree
branches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wheretheoperatormaybestruckor
pulledfromthemachine,whichcouldresultinseriousinjury.
Disengageallattachmentclutches,settheparkingbraketothe'on'position
andmovethe RHandLHdrivecontrolleverstothe neutralpositionbefore
attemptingtostarttheengine.

Yourmachineisdesignedtocutnormalresidentialgrassofaheightnomore
than10".Donotattempttomowthroughunusuallytall,drygrass(e.g.,
pasture)orpilesofdryleaves.Drygrassorleavesmaycontacttheengine
exhaustand/orbuilduponthemowerdeckpresentingapotentialfirehazard.
Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedforthismachinebythe
machinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowallinstructions
providedwiththeapprovedaccessoryorattachment.Foralistofapproved
accessoriesandattachments,call1-888-331-4569.
Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,areinvolvedin a
largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries.Theseoperatorsshould
evaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheridingmowersafelyenoughtoprotect
themselvesandothersfromseriousinjury.
If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredin thismanual,usecareandgood
judgment.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-overaccidentswhichcan
resultinsevereinjuryordeath.Allslopesrequireextracaution.Ifyoucannotback
uptheslopeorif youfeeluneasyonit, donotmowit.
Foryoursafety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartoftNs manualtomeasure
slopesbeforeoperatingthismachineonasJopedorhillyarea.If theslopeisgreater
than15degreesasshownontheslopegauge,donotoperatethismachineonthat
areaorseriousinjurycouldresult.
Do_"
Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Exerciseextremecautionwhen
changingdirectiononslopes.
Watchfor holes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.Uneventerrain
couldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsothatyouwill nothaveto
stopwhileontheslope.Avoidstartingorstoppingonaslope.Ifthetiresare
unabletomaintaintraction,disengagethebladesandproceedslowlyand
carefullystraightdowntheslope.
Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor
counterweightstoimprovestability.
Useextracarewith grasscatchersorotherattachments.Thesecanchange
thestabilityofthemachine.
Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donotmakesudden
changesinspeedordirection.Rapidaccelerationordecelerationcouldcause
thefrontofthe machineto lift andrapidlyrolloverbackwards,whichcould
causeseriousinjury.
Do Not:
Donotturnonslopesunlessnecessary;thenturnslowlyuphillanduseextra
carewhileturning.
Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments.Themowercould
suddenlyturnoverifawheelisovertheedgeofacliff,ditch,orif anedge
cavesin.
Donottrytostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfootontheground.
Donotuseagrasscatcheronsteepslopes.
Donotmowonwetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.
Donottowheavypullbehindattachments(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.
Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandinwatchfulcareofaresponsible
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.
Onslopes,theweightofthetowedequipmentmaycauselossoftractionand
lossofcontrol.
Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.
Donotshifttoneutralandcoastdownhill.
Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,lawn
roller,etc.)onslopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoingdownhill,the
extraweighttendstopushtheridingmowerandmaycauseyoutoloose
control(e.g.ridingmowermayspeedup,brakingandsteeringabilityare
reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcauseridingmowertooverturn).
SERVICE
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecareinhandling
gasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthe vaporsare explosive.
Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilledonyourselfor your
clotheswhichcanignite. Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.
Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
Neverfill containersinsideavehicleoronatruckortrailerbedwith a plastic
liner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthegroundawayfromyourvehiclebefore
filling.
Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckor
trailerandrefuelit ontheground.Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentona trailerwith aportablecontainer,ratherthanfromagasoline
dispensernozzle.
4

Keepthenozzlein contactwith therimofthefueltankorcontaineropening
atalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.
Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesofignition.
Neverfuelmachineindoors.
Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhiletheengineishotor running.Allow
enginetocoolatleasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.
Neveroverfill fueltank.Filltanktonomorethan1/2inchbelowbottomof
fillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.
Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit off theengineandequipment.Movemachineto
anotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestartingtheengine.
Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris
build-up.Cleanupoilorfuelspillageandremoveanyfuelsoakeddebris.
Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewherethereisanopen
flame,sparkorpilotlightasonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothes
dryerorothergasappliances.
Allowamachinetocoolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.
General Service
Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engineexhaust
containscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.
Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertaintheblade(s)andall
movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthesparkplugwireandground
againsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.
Periodicallycheckto makesurethe bladescometocompletestopwithin
approximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthebladedisengagement
control.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthethistimeframe,haveyour
machineservicedprofessionallybySearsoranotherqualifieddealer.
Regularlycheckthesafetyinterlocksystemforproperfunction,asdescribed
laterinthismanual.Ifthesafetyinterlocksystemdoesnotfunctionproperly,
haveyourmachineservicedprofessionallyby Searsoranotherqualified
dealer.
Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervalsfor
propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s)fordamage(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,andscrewstightto besuretheequipmentisin safe
workingcondition.
Nevertamperwith thesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafetydevices.Check
theirproperoperationregularly.
Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthesparkplug
wire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthemachinefor
anydamage.Repairthedamagebeforestartingandoperating.
Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsorrepairstothemachinewhilethe
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
Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,do notmodifyengineinanyway.Tampering
with the governorsettingcanleadto a runawayengineandcauseitto
operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwith factorysettingofengine
governor.
NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS
Engineswhkh arecertified to complywith CaliforniaandfederalEPA
emissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)arecertified
to operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayincludethefollowing
emissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM),OxidizingCatalyst(OC),
SecondaryAirInjection(SAI)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.
SPARK ARRESTOR
Thismachineisequippedwith aninternalcombustionengineandshould
not beusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-coveredor
grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwith a
sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor state laws(if any).
Ifasparkarrestor isused,it shouldbemaintained ineffectiveworkingorder
bythe operator.Inthe Stateof Californiathe aboveisrequiredbylaw(Section
4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilar
laws.Federallawsapply onfederallands.
Asparkarrestorfor the muffler isavailablethrough your nearestSearsParts
andRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS
This pagedepicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructionson the machine before
attempting to assemble and operate.
O
10
lil®®
d
READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)
Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate
DANGER- ROTATING BLADES
Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.
DANGER- ROTATING BLADES
Mowing in reverse is not recommended.
WARNING -- ROTATING BLADES
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the
blade(s) can amputate hands and feet.
DANGER- ROTATING BLADES
Look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident.
WARNING -- THROWN OBJECTS
This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.
DANGER -- SAFETY DEVICES
Keep safety devices (guards, shields, switches, etc.) in place and working.
WARNING -- BYSTANDERS
Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
operation.
WARNING -- SLOPE OPERATION
Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees. Do not mow across slopes.
Mow up and down slopes no greater than 15 degrees. Avoid sudden turns. Use low speed. If
machine stops going uphill, stop blades and back down slowly.
WARNING -- HOT SURFACE
Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine
and muffler to cool before touching.
DANGER- ROTATING BLADES
To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover
or grass catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.
WARNING -- FIREHAZARD
Allow machine to cool before fueling or storing.
WARNING -- FIREHAZARD
Do not drive through piles of dry leaves or tall grass.
WARNING -- FIREHAZARD
Operation of this equipment may create sparks that can start fires around dry vegetation. A
spark arrestor may be required.
6

(OK) 15° Slope X (TOO STEEP)
15° Slope
Figure1
USETHiSSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE
iFA SLOPEiSTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!
Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:
1. Removethis pageandfold alongthe dashedline.
2. Locateavertical objecton or behindthe slope(e.g.a pole,building,fence, tree, etc.)
3. Aligneither sideofthe slopegaugewith theobject(SeeFigure1 andFigure2 ).
4. Adjust gaugeup or downuntil the left cornertouchestheslope(SeeFigure1 andFigure2).
5.
O. daShed.fine
If thereis agap belowthe gauge,the slopeistoo 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:Removethedeckwashsystemnozzleadapterfromthemanualbagandstore
forfutureuse.
Moving TheRidingMower Manually
Yourridingmower'stransmissionisequippedwithahydrostaticreliefvalvefor
occasionswhenitisnecessarytomovetheridingmowermanually.Openingthis
valvepermitsthefluidinthetransmissiontobypassitsnormalroute,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
Shoulder
,Bolt
Figure1
2. Engagethebypassrodsbypullingeachoneout (a)andtotheright(b)to
lockit intoplace.SeeFigure1.
3. Disengagethebypassrodsbyreversingstepsa &b aftermovingthetractor.
SeeFigure1.
NOTE:Thetransmissionwill NOTengagewhenthe hydrostaticbypassrodis
pulledout.Returntherodto itsnormalpositionpriortooperatingthe riding
mower.
Neverattempt to movethe riding mowermanuallywithout first opening
the hydrostaticreliefvalve.Doingsowill resultinseriousdamageto the
ridingmower'stransmission.
J
Figure2
Rotatetheseatintopositionandsecuretheseatintoplacewith the
previouslyremovedshoulderboltsandlocknuts.Becarefulnottocrimpor
damagethewireharnesswhileinstallingtheseat.SeeFigure3.
ShoulderBolts
Figure3
8

PositionDriveControllevers
Thedrivecontrolleversoftheridingmowerareloweredforshippingpurposes.
Theflangelocknuts,hexscrews,andflatwashersthatnormallysecurethecontrol
leversintheiroperatingpositionareunfastenedandinstalledintheslottedholesof
thecontrolleversforshipment.Thecontrolleversmustberepositionedtooperate
theridingmower.Torepositionthecontrolleversforoperation,proceedasfollows:
1. Removethehexscrewsandflatwashersfromthehardwarepackinyour
manualbag.
2. Liftandswingthatcontrolleverupwarduntiltheslottedholeinthelever
bracketalignswith oneoftheholesin thepivotbracket.SeeFigure4.
ControlLever
LiftControl
LeverUpward
Pivot
HexScrew 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, followed bythe NEGATIVE(Black)wire.
Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmentmayhavebeenleft
disconnectedfromtheterminalsatthefactory.Toconnectthebatterycables,
proceedasfollows:
NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+). Thenegativebattery
terminalismarkedNeg.(-).
NOTE: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,
thenrepeatthepreviousstepstorepositiontheothercontrolleverin
approximatelythesameposition.
Torquethe screwsdowntightly to preventthe control leversfrom slipping
out of position.
5. Referto"AdjustingtheDriveControlLevers"intheMaintenance&
Adjustmentsforinstructionsonthefinaladjustmentofthelevers.
Figure5
Removetheplasticcover,if present,fromthenegativebatteryterminaland
attachtheblackcabletothenegativebatteryterminal(-) with theboltand
hexnut. SeeFigure5.
Positiontheredrubberbootoverthepositivebatteryterminaltohelp
protectitfromcorrosion.
NOTE:Ifthebatteryisputintoserviceafterthedateshownontoporside
ofbattery,chargethebatteryasinstructedintheServiceandMaintenance
sectionofthisOperator'sManualpriortooperatingtheridingmower.
9

LowerDeckDischargeChuteDeflector CheckingTirePressure
Neveroperatethe mowerdeckwithoutthechutedeflector installedand in
thedown position.
Thedischargechutedeflectormustbeinstalledbeforeoperatingthe mower.
I. Removethekeysthat areattachedwith aziptietothechutebracket.
2. Removethehexscrewsandflatwashersfromthehardwarepackinyour
manualbag.SeeFigure6.
,! i j
Figure6
Withthe previouslyremovedhardware,installthechutedeflectoronthe
deckasshownin Figure6.
Donotoverinflate tires.Checksidewalloftires for maximumpsi.Equaltire
pressureshouldbemaintainedat alltimes.
Thetiresonyourridingmowermaybeoverinflatedforshippingpurposes.Reducethe
tirepressurebeforeoperatingtheridingmower.Checksidewalloftiresformaximumpsi.
Adjusting the GaugeWheels
Keephandsandfeet awayfrom the dischargeopeningof thecutting deck.
NOTE:Thedeckgaugewheelsareananti-scalpfeatureofthedeckandarenot
designedtosupporttheweightofthecuttingdeck.
Themowerdeckcuttingheightcanbesetinanyofsixheightsettingsusingthe
ridingmower'sdecklift handle.Thedeckheightsrangefrom1-1/£'to4".Thedeck
gaugewheelpositionshouldbeapproximately1/4"to1/£,abovethegroundwhen
thedeckissetinthedesiredheightsetting.
Usingthelift handle,setthedeckin thedesiredheightsetting,thencheckthe
gaugewheeldistancefromthegroundbelow.Ifnecessaryadjustasfollows:
1. Visuallycheckthedistancebetweenthefrontgaugewheelsandtheground.
Ifthegaugewheelsarenearortouchingtheground,theyshouldberaised.If
morethan1/2"abovetheground,theyshouldbelowered.
2. Removethelocknutsecuringoneofthefrontgaugewheelhexscrewstothe
deck.Removethegaugewheel,hexscrewandspacer.Referto Figure7.
Wheel
Figure7
3. Insertthehexscrewintotheoneofthreeindexholesinthefrontgauge
wheelbracketthatwill givethegaugewheela1/4-1/2"clearancewith the
ground.
4. Notetheindexholeofthejustadjustedwheel,andadjusttheotherfront
gaugewheelintotherespectiveindexholeoftheotherfrontgaugewheel
bracket.
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