Craftsman EZ3 917.258914 User manual

®
MODEL 917.258914 OWNER'S MANUAL
®Assembly
• Operation
Customer Responsibilities
Service and Adjustments
,Repair Parts
For answers to your questions
about this product, Call:
1-800-659-5917
Sears CraftsmanHelp Line
5 am - 5 pro, Mon -Sat
CAUTION: Read and follow all safety rules and instructions before operating this equipment.

SAFETY RULES £k
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS iNJURY OR DEATH
LGENERAL OPERATION
° Read, understand, and follow all instructlonsin the manual
and on the machine before starting.
= Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the
instructions, to operate the machine°
•Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc,,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blade°
. Be surethe area isclear of other people before mowing Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
= Never carry passengers,
° Do not mew in reverse unless absolutely necessary, Always
look down and behind before and while backing.
•Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do not point
it at anyone° Do not operate the mower without either the
entire grass catcher or the guard in place,
° Slow down before tumingo
•Never leave a running machine unattended° Alwaysturnoff
blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and remove keys
before dismounting°
-Turn off blades when not mowing
°Stop engine before removing grass catcher or unclogging
chute.
.Mow only in daylight or good artificial light
°Do not operate the machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs°
• Watch for trafficwhen operating near orcrossing roadways°
•Use extra care when loading or unloadingthe machine into
atrailer or truck°
IL SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and
tipover accidents, which can result in severe injury or death.
All slopes require extra caution, if you cannot back up the
slope or ff you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.
DO:
•Mow upand down slopes, not across°
oRemove obstacles such as rocks,tree limbs, etc.
•Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturnthe machine. Taft grass can hide obstac/es.
oUse slowspeed, Choose alow gear so thatyou willnothave
tostop or shift while on the slope,
=Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability.
=Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments°
These can change the stability ot the machine.
Keep all movement on the s!opess!owand gradual Do not
make sudden changes in speed or direction.
°Avoid starting or stopping on a slope° Iftires lose traction,
disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the
slope°
DO NOT:
.Donor turnonslopes unless necessary, and then,turn slowly
and gradually downhill, if possible.
°Do notmow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. "Fne
mower could suddenly turn over if awheel is over the edge
ofacliff or ditch, or if an edge caves In.
oDo not mow on wet grass Reduced traction could cause
sliding.
.Do nottry to stabilize the machine byputting your foot on the
ground°
°Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
IlL CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
Keep children out ofthe mowing area and under the watchful
care of another responsible adult.
o Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area,
° Before and when backing, look behind and down for small
children.
°Never carry children,, They may fall off and be seriously
injured or interfere with safe machine operation_
° Never allow children to operate the machine°
• Use extra care when approaching blind comers, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
-Use extra care Inhandling gasoline and other fuels, They are
flammable and vapors are explosive.
Use only an approved container.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine
running, Allow engine to cool before refueling, Do not
smoke.
- Never refuel the machine indoors.
- Never store the machine or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame, such as awater heater°
.Never run a machine inside aclosed area°
o Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment botts, tight
and keep equipment in good condition_
° Never tamper with safety devices Check their proper
operation regularly_
o Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-upo
Clean oil or fuel spillage° Allow machine to cool before
storing°
oStop and inspect the equipment ff you strike an object,
Repair, if necessary, before restarting.
° Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running
= Grass catcher components are subject towear, damage, and
deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow
objects to be thrown. Frequently check components and
replace with manufacturer's recommended parts, when nec-
essary.
° Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or
wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
° Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as
required.
................. i
cAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug
wire and place wire where it cannot contact
spark plug In order to prevent accidental
starting when setting up, transporting,
...............................adjusting or making repairs,
..........A WARNING A
The engine exhaust from this product con-
tains cnemicats Known to the State of Cakfor-
nia to cause cancer, birth defects, or other
reproductive harm,
i,i, ,I'UU I I "lllll !ll!ll , , I lllll' 'lllll I

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears
Tractor+ It has been designed, engineered and manufac-
tured to give you the best possible dependability and
performance.
Should you experience any problem you cannot easily
remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized
Service Center/Department Department. W_ehave.com-
petent, well-trained technicians and the proper tools to
service or repair this tractor.
Please read and retain this manual The instructions wilt
enable you to assemble and maintain your tractor properly°
Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".
MODEL
NUMBER
SERIAL
NUMBER
917.258914
DATEOF PURCHASE
THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE FOUND
ON A PLATE UNDER THE SEAT,,
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER AND
DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
MAONTENANCE AGREEMENT
ASears Maintenance Agreement isavailable on thisprod-
uct. Contact your nearest Sears store for details.
CUSTOMER RESPONSiBiLiTiES
=Read and observe the safety rules.
-Followa regularschedule inmaintaining,caringforand
using yourtractor.
oFollow the instructionsunder"Customer Responsibili-
ties" and "Storage" sections of this owner's manual°
PRODUCT SPECiFiCATiONS
HORSEPOWER: 22+5
GASOLINE CAPACITY 3.5 GALLONS
AND TYPE: UNLEADED REGULAR
OIL TYPE (API+SF/SGiSH): SAE 10W30 (above 32°F)
SAE 5W-30 (below 32=F)
OIL CAPACITY: W/FILTER: 4,2 PINTS
W/O FILTER: 3°7 PINTS
SPARK PLUG: CHAMPION RC12YC
(GAP: +030")
VALVE CLEARANCE: NOT ADJUSTABLE
GROUND SPEED (MPH): FORWARD: 0- 5.8
REVERSE: 0- 2.1
TIRE PRESSURE: FRONT: 14 PSI
REAR: 10 PSI
CHARGING SYSTEM: I5 AMPS @ 3600 RPM
BATTERY: AMP/HR: 35
MIN° CCA: 280
CASE SIZE: UIR
BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 27-35 FT. LBS+
WARNING; This tractor is equipped with an internal
combustion engine and should not be used on or near any
unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-cov-
ered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped
with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws
(if any). Ifa spark arrester is used, it should be maintained
in effectiveworking order by the operator°
In the state of California the above is required by law
(Section 4442 of the California Pubfic Resources Code).
Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on
federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available
through your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center
Department (See REPAIR PARTS section ofthis manual).
,%[j- i i,iii,iiii I_'_I ±H ±UW I I "II 'I' '"'III 'I'I"'"'I'I"I'
LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN RiDiNG EQUIPMENT
Fortwo(2)yearsfromthedateofpurchase,ifthisCraftsmanRidingEquipmentismaintained,lubricatedand tunedupaccording
tothetnstrucUonsintheowner'smanual,Searswillrepairor replace,freeofcharge,any partsfoundtobe defectivein matedal
orworkmanship+
ThisWarrantydoesnotcover.
oExpendableitemswhichbecomewornduringnormaluse, suchas blades,sparkplugs,air cleaners,betts,etc°
= Tire replacementor repaircaused bypuncturesfrom outsideobjects,suchas nails,thorns,stumps,or glass_
oRepairsnecessarybecauseofoperatorabuse,negligence,improperstorageor accidentor thefailureto maintainthe
equipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedin theowner'smanual
° Ridingequipmentusedforcommercialor rentalpurposes+
LIMITED 90 DAY WARRANTY ON BATTERY
Forninety(90) daysfrom dateofpurchase,if anybattery includedwiththis ridingequipmentprovesdefectivein matedal or
workmanshipand ourtestingdeterminesthebatterywillnotholda charge,Searswillreplacethebatteryatno charge,
IN-HOME WARRANTY SERVICE ON YOUR CRAFTSMAN RIDING EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO-CHARGE FOR 30
DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST SERVICE CENTER. AFTER 30 DAYS
FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY TAKING YOUR CRAFTSMAN RIDING EQUIP-
MENT TO YOUR NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER. (IN+HOME WARRANTY SERVICE WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE
AFTER 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE BUT A STANDARD TRIP CHARGE WILL APPLY,,) THIS WARRANTY
APPLIES ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS IN THE UNITED STATES_
This Warranty gives you specific legal rights,and you may also have other dghts whichmay vary from state to state+
SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., 13/817WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60'179
......... I i ,11'11111 , II ii1,11,1,1, , I I I iii i,i1,,i,, i,iiii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
=............. H! '1 I'lll ,llLI I_l' I I'/II"' '"........ -N
SAFETY RULES ............................................................ 2
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 3
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ..................... 3, 16.19
WARRANTY ..................................................... _............ 3
TRACTOR ACCESSORIES ..................................... 5,15
ASSEMBLY .............................................................. 7-10
OPERATION ........................................................... 12-16
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ...................................... t7
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ............................ 21-27
STORAGE ................................................................... 28
TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................ 29-30
REPAIR PARTS - TRACTOR ................................. 32-50
REPAIR PARTS -ENGINE .................................... 51-58
PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ................ BACK COVER
INDEX A
Accessories ..............................................................5
Adjustments:
Brake ...............................................................23
Carburetor ................................................27
Clutch Pulley ..............................................23
Gauge Wheels .........................................I4
Mower
Front-To-Back ...............................22
Side-To-Side ....................................21
Throttle Control Cable ..........................27
Air Filter, Engine ....................................................20
Air Screen, Engine .....................................19
Assembly .....................................................7-I0
B
Battery:
Charging .....................................................8
Cleaning ................................................20
Starting with Weak Battery ................25
Storage ......................................................28
Terminals .................................................i 9
Belt:Motion Drive
RemovaVReplacement ................24
Mower Drive
RemovaVReplacement ..................22
Mower Blade Drive
Removal/Replacement ...............23
Blade:
Sharpening ...............................................18
Replacement ...........................................18
Brake Adjustment ..........................................23
C
Carburetor Adjustment ..................................27
Clutch Pulley ...................................................23
Controls,'Tractor ......................................12
Customer Responsibilities ..................t7-20
Engine:
Air Filter..............................................20
Air Screen .........................................19
Cooling Fins .....................................20
Engine Oil ..................................15,19
Fuel Filter ...........................................20
Spark Plug(s) ...................................20
Tractor:
Battery .............................................18
Blade .............................................18
LubricationChart ..............................17
Maintenance Schedule ............. 17
Tire Care ....................................8,18,25
Transaxle ........................................19
Cutting Height, Mower ...................................13
E
Electrical:
Interlocks and Relays ............................26
Schematic .....................................................31
Wiring Diagram ..........................................32
Engine:
Air Filter ..................................................20
Air Screen .............................................19
Cooling Fins .........................................20
Oil Change ..............................................19
Oil Level ...............................................15
OI1Type ........................................15,19
Preparation ................................................15
Repair Parts .......................................51-58
Starting.................................................15-16
Storage ...............................................25
F
Filten
Air Filter ...........................................................20
Fuel ....................................................................20
Oil...................................................................20
Fuel:Storage ..............................................................28
Type ...................................................................t 5
Fuse ............................................................................26
H
Headlights .............................................................26
Hood Removal/Installation .......................26
M
Maintenance Schedule .............................17
Mower:.
Adjustment, Front-to-Back ..............22
Adjustment, Side-to-Side ................2t
Blade Replacement .........................18
Blade Sharpening ................................18
Cutting Height ......................................13
Installation................................................2!
Operation .................................................14
Removal .................................................21
Mowing Tips ..................................................t6
Muffler ....................................................................20
Spark Arrester ....................................3,40
Oil: O
Cold Weather Conditions ...........15,t9
Engine ............................................................19
Storage ..........................................................28
4
Operation .......................................................12_I6
Operating Mower ............................................14
Options:
Accessories ..............................................5
Spark Arrester ..................................... 3,40
P
Parking Brake .....................................................13
Parts Bag ..............................................................6
Parts, Replacement/Repair ................32-50
Product Specifications ...................................3
R
Repair Parts ...........................................32-50
S
Safety Rules .......................................................2
Seat .........................................................................8
Service and Adjustments .................21-27
Carburetor ................................................27
Clutch Pulley ..........................................23
Fuse ........................................................26
Hood RemovaVlnstallation ................26
Motion Drive Belt
Removal/Replacement ....................22
Mower Drive Belt
Removal/Replacement ..................22
Mower Blade Drive Belt
Removal/Replacement ................23
Mower Adjustment
Front-to-Back ..................................22
Side-to-Side ....................................21
Mower Removal/Instalfation ..........21
Tire Care ........................................8,16,25
Slope Guide Sheet .....................................59
Spark Plug(s) .................................................20
Specifications ....................................................... 3
Starting the Engine ................................. 15-16
Steering Wheel ............................................7,24
Stopping the Tractor .......................................13
Storage ...............................................................28
T
Throttle Control Cable Adjustment ........27
Tires ...............................................................8,18,25
Troubleshooting Chart .........................29_30
Transaxle ...........................................................19
W
Warranty ...................................................................3
Wiring Diagram .............................................32
Wiring Schematic ..........................................31

ACCESSORNES AN ATTACHMENTS;
-- _..._,........................... ,,, ..................... , r, ,,,r,,_,,'...................... ,,,.......
These accessories and attachments were available throughmost Sears retailoutlets andservice centers when the trector was purchased,
Most Sears stores can order these items for you when you provide the model number of your tractor.
ENGINE
SPARKPLUG GAS CAN AIR FILTERENGINEOIL FUEL STABILIZER
MAINTENANCE
BLADES BELTS
PERFORMANCE
Sears offersawide varietyof attachments that fit yourtractor.,Many ofthese are listedbelow with brief explanations of how they can hefp
you, Thts tist was current at the time of publication;however, itmay change !nfuture years -more attachments may be added, changes
may be made inthese attachments, orsome may no longer be available ortit your model, Contact your nearest Sears store for the
accessories and attachments that are available for your tractor.
Most of these attachments do not require additionalhitches or conversionkits (those that do are indicated) and are designed for easy
attaching and detaching.
AERATOR promotes deep rootgrowth for ahealthy lawn. Tapered
2,5-Inch steel spikes mountedon 10-inch diameter discspuncture
holes insoilatcloseintervalsto letmoisture soakIn. Steelweighttray
for increasedpenetration.
BUMPER protectsfront end oftractorfrom damage°
CARTS makehaulingeasy_Varietyofsizes available, plusaccessm
dessuchasside panelkits,toolcaddy,cartcover, protectivemat and
dolty_
CORING AERATOR takes small plugsoui ofsoil toattow moisture
andnutrientsto reach grass roots, 36-inchswath, 24 hardenedsteel
codng tips. 150 lb.capacity weighttray.
DISC HARROW has 2gangs of 4steel blades that anglefrom 10 to
20degrees, 40 incheswide, Can hook 2 units in tandem, (Requires
Sleevehitch°)
DOZER BLADE removes snow; grades dirt, sandand gravel 48
incheswide,!7 incheshigh, clears44-inchpathwhenangled, Master
liftcontrolleverfor operator ease, Spdngtdp for snowremovalon
uneven pavement;buitt-fnfloat for blade to foltow groundcontour.
Reversible,replaceablescraperbar.(Use withtirechainsandwheel
weightsand/or reardrawbar weight.)
EASY OIL DRAIN VALVE makes oilchanges easier,faster°
FRONT NOSE ROLLER canters tn front of mower deck to reduce
chancesof "scalping" onuneventerrain°
GANG HITCH lets you tow 2 or 3 puf!-behindattachments at
once, such as sweepers, dethatchers, aerators (not for use w_th
rolIers,cartsorotherheavy attachments)°
MULCH RAKFJDETHATCHER loosens soil and flips thatch and
matted leaves to lawnsurface for easy pickup. Twentyspringtins
teeth. Usefultopreparebare areasfor seeding. Availableforfront or
rear mounting. HIGH PERFORMANCE REEL-ACTION SPRING
TINE DETHATCHER covers36-1nchwidepathandtossesthatchinto
large hopper° Mountsbehind tractor,,
PLOW turnsso]l 6inches deep, cuts10-inchfurrow. Crank adjust-
meritcontrolsdepth,3-positionyokesets width,Heavysteeltandside
forstraight furrowing. (Requiressteers hitch.,)
RAMP TOPS AND FEET let you load and unload tractor from a
pickuptruck,,Usewith2 x 8 or 2 x 10 lumber.
REARGRADER BLADE is42incheswideandoperatedfrom driver's
seat Reversiblesteel bladecanbe angled at30 degreesforgrading_
Reversesfor pushingsnowbackwards. (Requiressleeve hitch,)
ROLLERforsmootherlawnsurface. 364nch wide, 18-Inchdiameter
water-tightdrum holds up to 390 Ibs°of weight. Rounded edges
preventharm toturf° Adjustable scraperautomaticallycleansdrum.
SLEEVE CULTIVATOR is 43 inches wide. Prepares ground for
seeding, helps weedcontrol.Steelframeholds5 adjustablesweeps,
Adjusts vertically,horizontaliy, (Requires sleeve hitch.) Optional
accessory: steel furrow openerfor wider openingsfor potatoes,
corn,and otherdeep-seeded crOpSr
SLEEVE HITCHfor usewith masterlift system. Singlepincouples/
uncouples.
SNOW'THROWER has 42-inch swath,, Drum-type auger handles
powderyandwet/heavysnow Mountseasilywithsimplepinarrange-
ment. Dischargechute adjusts from tractorseat. 6-inchdiameter
spout dischargessnow I0 to50 feel Liftcontrolledat tractorseat.
(Use withchainsand wheel weightsand/or reardrawbar weighL)
SPRAYERS use12-voltDOelectricmotorthatconnectstothetractor
battery or other 12-volt source, Includes booms for automatic
spraying andhandheldwandforspotspraying_Wand hasadjustable
spray pattern, For applyingherbicides,insecticides,fungicides and
liquid fertilizers.
SPREADERff3EEDERS make seeding, fertilizing,and weed killing
easy° Broadcast spreaders are alsousefulfor granularde-icers and
sand°
SWEEPERS letyou collectgrassclippingsand leaves°
TILLERhas8hpenginetoprepareseedbeds,cultivate,andcompost
gardenresidue.Chain-drivetransmisston.SIx1l-inchdiameterone
pieceheat-treatedsteeltines.Tilts30-inchpath.(Requiressleeve
hitch.)Oruse5hptow-behlndTILLERwith36-Lnchswathtoprepare
seedbeds,cultivateandcompostgardenresidue.Tillerhas itsown
buitt-inliftand depthcontrolsystemanddoes NOT requirea sleeve
hitch.Fitsanylawn,yardorgardentractor°Simplyhookup tothe
tractor drawbar andgol Optional accessories for 5hp tiller convert
unitfor dethatchtng,aerating, hlllingo,.withouttools.
TIRE CHAINS are heavyduty;closelyspaced extra4argecrosslinks
give smooth ride,outstandingtraction.
TRACTOR CAB hasheavy dutyvinyl fabricovertubularsteel frame,
ABS plastictop;clearplasticwindshieldoffers 360 degree visiblIityo
Hinged metal doors with catch. Keeps operatorwarm and dry,
Remove vinyl stdes and windshieldsfor use as sun protector tn
summer. Optional accessories include: tinted/temperedsolid
safety glass windshieldwith hand operated wiper;,t2wolt amber
cautionlight for mountingon cabtop,
VACS for powerfulcollectionof heavy grass clippings and leaves,
Optional wandattachment topickupdebdstnhard-to-reachplaces.
VAC/CHIPPER includesachipper-shredder,
WEIGHT BRACKET fordrawbarforsnow removalapplications,Can
be mountedonfront oftractorfor plowingapplications, Uses (1) 55
Ib, weight.
WHEEL WEIGHTS for rearwheelsprovideneededtractionfor snow
removalor dozingheavymaterials.
5

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK
,i,,, I_L ;,_ :- ............. _l_,rl¸ i,ii , ,,i. ,, n,n,ll i ..... ;.......... , ,r,ll,i i,. i......
Parts Bag contents shown
(4) Washers 3/8 x 3/4 x 14 Ga.
(4) Shoulder Bolt
(12) Crownlock Nuts 3/16 x 8
(1) Shoulder Bolt
5/16-18
2) Carriaqe Botts
16-18 x 578
(4) Adjusting Bar
e
(4) Locknut 3/8-16
(1) Knob
(1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge
in ..... '1". i_
(2) Hex Bolts 1/4-20 x 314 (2) Hex NutsjC_=_k
._ 1/4-20 [_
"J i/(2) Washers L. _ (2)Lock _...
_ 9/32 x 5/8x 16 Ga, "_ vvasners ]/4
(4) Wheels
,,,i ...........
Steering
Wheel Steering Seat
Sleeve
Video ............
Manual Cassette Parts Bag
Parts bag contents not shown full size
_(2) Front Link Assemblies
_ teering
Wheel
Insert (2) Keys
Slope Sheet
6

LY
L HJ[llnl ,,_, ........... ............ ,. : m' I i I 11...... i
Your new tractor has been assembled atthe factory with the exception ofthose parts left unassembled for shipping purposes.
To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely,. Use
the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness.
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY
A socket wrenchset wilt make assembly easier_ Standard
wrench sizes are listed,
(2) 7/16" wrenches Tire pressure gauge
(1) 1/2" wrench Utility knife
(1) 9/t6" wrench
(1) 3/4" socket with drive ratchet
When right or left hand is mentioned in this manual, it
means when you are in the operating position (seated
behind the steering wheel).
TO REMOVE TRACTOR FROM CARTON
UNPACK CARTON
oRemove all accessible loose parts and parts cartons
from carton (See page 6).
o Cut, from top to bottom, along lines on all four corners
of carton, and lay panels flat.
° Check for any additional loose parts or cartons and
remove.
BEFORE ROLLING TRACTOR OFF SKID
ATTACH STEERING WHEEL (See Fig. 1)
°Remove hex bolt, lock washer and largeflat washer
from steering shaft.
o Position front wheels of the tractor sothey are pointing
straight forward.
° Slide steering sleeve over steering shaft.
° Position steering wheel so cross bars are horizontal
(left to right) and slide onto steering wheel adapter°
= Secure steering wheel to steering shaft with hex bolt,
lock washer and large flat washer previously removed,
Tighten securety_
o Snap steering wheel insert into center of steering
wheel,
oRemove protective materials from tractor hood and
grill
IMPORTANT: CHECK FORAND REMOVE ANY STAPLES
tN SKIDTHAT MAY PUNCTURETIRESWHERETRACTOR
IS TO ROLL OFF SKID.,
TO ROLL TRACTOR O FF SKID (See Operation
section for location and function of controls)
°Press liftlever plungerand raiseattachment lift leverto
itshighest position.
°Release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake
pedal
° Place freewheel control in freewheeling position to
disengage transmission (See "TO TRANSPORT" in
the Operation section of this manual).
o Roll tractor forward off skid°
=Remove mower and packing materials°
o Remove ties from V-belts.
STEERING WHEEL INSERT
7
STEERING
WHEEL
ADAPTER
STEERING
SHAFT
I/
STEERING tt /
SLEEVE _ _, ,,
Y
/
/
/
/
FIG. 1
HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR
CONNECT BATTERY (See Fig. 2)
i11 ,lll][Lll,l _ I ,i1,,,,i, I ,, i .... !,1/! i i1,1,,, ,,,,i,,11,I ......
CAUTION: Do not short battery termi-
nals by allowing a wrench or any other
object to contact both terminals at the
same time. Before connecting battery,
remove metal bracelets, wristwatch
bands, rings, etc.
o
o
Positive terminal must be connected
first to prevent sparking from acciden-
tal grounding.
Lift hood to raised position.
Open terminal access doors, remove terminal protec-
tive caps and discard_
°if this battery isput into service after month and year
indicatedon label (label located between terminals)
charge batter),"for minimum of one hour at 6-10 ampso
°First connect RED battery cable to positive (+) battery
terminal with hex bolt, flat washer, lock washer and hex
nut as shown° Tighten securely.
° Connect BLACK grounding cable to negative (-) bat-
tery terminal with remaining hex bolt, flat washer, lock
washer and hex nut. Tighten securely.
° Close terminal access doors°

BLY
g!l'l"l' _,_ ...... ....... _ .,.,,,.........,,,....,., + ,_ : • ,,+,, , i p I ,, ,,ii
Use terminal access doors for: CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
° Inspection for secure connections (to tighten hard-
ware).
= inspection for corrosion.
+Testing battery.
• Jumping (if required).
Periodic charging.
HEX NUT LOCK FLAT
DISCARD -,_ WASHER WASHER
PROTECTIVE HEX
CAPS OLT
++,+++......
•+-,,_+;: + • .+ ........
.++ ++.
a •
TERMINAL ;*
ACCESS ..... >_'._ roVE
• CABLE
"_"NEGATIVE
_'_+_+__ CABLE
(BLACK)
FIG. 2
INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3)
Adjust seat before tightening adjustment knob+
oRemove cardboard packing on seat pan.
=Place seat on seat pan and assemble shoulder bolto
Tighten shoulder bolt securety.
o Assemble adjustment knob and flat washer loosely,
Do not tighten,
oLower seat intooperating positionand sit on seat.
=Slideseat untila comfortablepositionisreached which
altows you to press clutch/brake pedal all the way
down.
°Get offseatwithoutmovingitsadjustedposition,
°Raise seat and tighten adjustment knob securely.
SEAT
SHOULDER _,, _\ \¢'T"T_ \ '\\ \
____. FLAT WASHER
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
The tires onyour tractor were ovednflatedat thefactory for
shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important for
best cutting performance.
° Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in "PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 ofthis manual.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM
After you learn how to operate your tractor, check to see
that the brake is properly adjusted. See 'q"O ADJUST
BRAKE" in the Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
ASSEMBLE GAUGE WHEELS AND BRACK-
ETS TO MOWER DECK (See Fig. 4)
The gauge wheels are designed to keep the mower deck in
proper position when operating mower. Be sure they are
propedy adjusted to ensure optimum mower performance°
-Attach front gauge wheel brackets marked front left
(FL), front right (FR) to mower deck using (3) carriage
bolts and (3) locknuts. For ease of installation do not
tighten Iocknuts until all carriage bolts have been
installed°
° Attach rear gauge wheel brackets marked rear left (R
L), rear right (RR) to mower deck using (3) carriage
bolts and (3) locknuts,For ease of installation do not
tighten Iocknuts until all carriage bolts have been
installed.
o Slide gauge wheet bar down into bracket channel, Be
sure that gauge wheel bar aligning holes are on top.
Assemble gauge wheels as shown using shoulder
bolts, 3/8 washers and 3/8-16 center tocknuts and
tighten securely.
= Adjust gauge wheels to highest position for ease of
mower deck assembly.
° Adjust gaugewheels before operating mower as shown
in the operation section of this manual.
RETAINDER
plm SPRING,\ _CROWNLOCK
"_ NUT
GAUGE .,]Uo ;(
WHEEL /_'_ ]
MOUNTING _o ,_ I._
BRACKET
SHOULDER _P_/rl _
BOLT ADJUSTING _t!_\._. /
il'i "
GAUGE (;_
WHEEL ./ _ _._, _-_CARRIAGE
3/8 WASHER _BOLTS
3/8-16 CENTER
LOCKNUT
FIG. 4
FIG, 3 8

LY
INSTALL MOWER AND DRIVE BELT = Place the suspension arms on inward pointing deck
(See Figs. 5 and 7) pins. If necessary, rock and raise front of mower to
align deck pins with the holes in suspension arms.
Be sure tractor is on level surface and mower suspension Retain with double loop retainer springs with loops
arms are raised with attachment lift control, Engage park- down as shown.
ingbrake. °
o Cut and remove ties securing anti-sway bar and belts
Swing antFsway bar to leftside of mower deck. °
- Slide mower undertractorwith discharge guardto right
side of tractor, o
=
IMPORTANT: CHECK BELT FOR PROPER ROUTING iN
ALL MOWER PULLEY GROOVES. INSTALL BELT INTO
ELECTRIC CLUTCH PULLEY GROOVE°
°Install one front linkintop holeofthe L.H. front mower
bracket and LH,,front suspension bracket. Retainwith
two single loop retainer springs as shown.
-installsecondfrontlinkin R.Hofrontsuspensionbracket
only and retain with single loop retainer spring as
shown.
o Slide right side of mower back and installlink intop hole
of RoHofront mower bracket. Retain with single loop
retainer spring as shown,
° Turn height adjustment knob counterclockwise until it
stops.
° Lower mower linkage with attachment lift control,
DOUBLE LOOP
RETAINER
CHASSIS SPRING (inward
BRACKET pointingdeckpins}
Connect anti-sway bar to chassis bracket under left
footrest and retain with double loop retainer spring,
Turn height adjustment knob clockwise to remove
slack from mower suspension.
Raise deck to highest position.
Adjust gauge wheels before operating mower as shown
in the Operation section of this manual,
CHECK MOWER LEVELNESS
Forbest cuttingresults,mower should be properlyleveled.
See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and
Adjustments section ofthis manual.
CHECK FOR PROPER POSiTiON OF ALL
BELTS
See the figures thatare shown for replacing motion, mower
drive, and mower blade drive belts in the Service and
Adjustments section ofthis manual Verify that the belts are
routed correctly.
SUSPENSION
ARMS
FRONT
SUSPENSION
BRACKETS
FRONT
MOWER
BRACKETFRONT
ELECTRIC
CLUTCH
PULLEY
SINGLE LOOP
RETAINER
SPRINGS
GAUGE
WHEEL /
DOUBLE
LOOP
RETAINER
SPRING
ANTI-SWAY
BAR
/
IDLER
PULLEY
DISCHARGE
GUARD
FIG. 5
9

ASS
,/'CHECKLIST
BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW
TRACTOR, WE WISH TOASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE
THE BEST PERFORMANCEAND SATISFACTION FROM
THIS QUALITY PRODUCT.
PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST:
v" All assembly instructions have been completed°
/No remaining loose parts in carton°
,/ Battery is properly prepared and charged. (Minimum
t hour at 6 amps)_
JSeat is adjusted comfortably and tightened securely°
,/" All tires are properly inflated. (For shipping purposes,
the tires were overinflatedat the factory)°
,/ Be sure mower deck is properly leveled side4o-side/
front40-rear for best cutting results. (Tires must be
properly inflated for leveling)°
,z Check mower and drive belts. Be sure they are routed
properly around pulleys and inside all belt keepers.
,/ Check wiring. See that all connections are still secure
and wires are properly clamped.
J" Before driving tractor, be sure freewheel control is in
drive position._
WHILE LEARNING HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR, PAY
EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT
ITEMS:
J' Engine oil is at proper level.
,i Fuel tank is filled with fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline.
•/" Become familiar with all controls - their location and
function. Operate them before you start the engine°
J Be sure brake system is in safe operating condition°
#" tt is important to purge the transmission before operat-
ingyour tractor for the first time. Follow proper starting
and transmissionpurging instructions(See,%..OSTART
ENGINE" and PURGE TRANSMISSION in the Op-
eration section of this manual),
LY
10

OATION
These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product, Learn and understand their meaning.
BATTERY
ENGINE ON
REVERSECAUTION OR FORWARD SLOW
WARNING
ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE CLUTCH OVER TEMP
LIGHT
FAST
LIGHTS ON
FUEL CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED
LOCK LOCKED
MOWER LIFT
REVERSE NEUTRAL
ATTACHMENT
CLUTCH ENGAGED
HIGH L
LOW PARKING BRAKE
ATTACHMENT
CLUTCH DISENGAGED IGNITION
DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY HYDROSTATIC FREE WHEEL
(Hydro Models only)
11

OPEBATION
KNOW YOUR TRACTOR
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR.
Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save
this manual for future reference.
CHOKE CONTROL
THROTTLE CONTROL
CLUTCH/BRAKE
PEDAL
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
FREEWHEEL CONTROL
AMMETER ATTACHMENT LIGHT SWITCH
...... CLUTCH SWITCH
SPEEDS:
3 MPH
LIFT LEVER
PLUNGER
LtFT LEVER
HOUR
METER
IGNITION SWITCH
PARING BRAKE
LEVER
MOTION
CONTROL
LEVER
FIG. 6
Our tractors conformtothe safety standards of the American National Standards Institute.
AI"rACHMENT CLUTCH SWITCH- Used toengage mower
blades or other attachments mountedto your tractor.
LIFT LEVER- Usedtoraiseand lowermowerdeck orother
attachments mounted toyour tractor,
CLUTCH!BRAKE PEDAL - Used for declutching and
braking the tractorand starting the engine,
MOTION CONTROL -Selectsthe speed and direction of
tractor,
CHOKE CONTROL - Used when starting a cold engine°
LIGHT SWITCH - Turns the headlightson and off,
THROI_LE CONTROL -Used tocontrolengine speed, 12
FREEWHEEL CONTROL -Disengages transmission for
pushingor slowly towing the tractor withthe engine off.
IGNITION SWITCH -Used to start and stopthe engine.
AMMETER _Indicates battery charging (+) or discharging
PARKING BRAKE LEVER _Locksclutch/brakepedal into
the brake position°
HEIGHTADJUSTMENT KNOB- Usedtoadjust the mower
height.
HOURMETER - Indicates hours of operation.

OPERATION
The operation ofany tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result I
in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your tractor !
or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a ,,vide vision safety mask over the |
....... spectacles or standard safety g!asses. ................. i
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 7)
Yourtractorisequippedwithan operatorpresencesensing
switch. When engine is running, any attempt by the
operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking
brake wiilshut offthe engine.
= Depress clutch/brake pedal intofult"BRAKE" position
and holdo
-Place parking brake lever in"ENGAGED" positionand
release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hold tractor secure,
PUSH IN TO ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
THROTTLE "DISENGAGE" SWITCH PULL OUT TO
CONTROL LEVER
CLUTCH/BRAKE
PEDAL "BRAKE"
POSITION _'_
IGNITION
MOTION
CONTROL
LEVER
HEIGHT
"DRIVE" ADJUSTMENT PARKING
POSITION KNOB BRAKE
"DISENGAGED .... ENGAGED"
POSITION POSITION
FIG. 7
STOPPING (See Fig. 7)
MOWER BLADES -
-Move attachment clutch switch to "DISENGAGED"
position.
GROUND DRIVE
° Depress clutch/brake pedal into full"BRAKE" position.
.Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position.
IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES
NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE
CLUTCHIBRAKE PEDAL iS DEPRESSED,,
ENGINE -
oMove throttle control to slow position.
NOTE= Failure to move throttle control to slow position and
allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine
to "backfire".
° Turn ignition key to "OFF' position and remove key.
Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent
unauthorized use°
° Never use choke to stop engine,,
NOTE: Under certain conditions when unit is standing idle
with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause "browning" of grass,, To eliminate this possibility,
always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.
CAUTION: Always Stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leav-
ing the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 7)
Usechokecontrolwhenever youare starting a coldengine.
Do not use to start a warm engine
°To engage choke control, pull knob out_ Slowly push
knobin to disengage°
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 7)
Always operate engine at full throttle_
=Operatingengine at lessthan full throttlereduces the
battery charging rate.
• Full throttleoffersthe best mower performance.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
(See Fig. 7)
The direction and speed of movement iscontrolledby the
motion control lever_
o Start tractor with motion control lever in neutral (N)
position°
° Release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal
-Slowly move motion control lever to desired position.
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 7)
The cutting height iscontrolled by tuming the height adjust_
merit knob in desired direction.
=Turn knob clocl_wise (('_) to raise cutting height,
•Turn knob counterclockwise (F"_) to lower cutting
height.
The cutting height range is approximately 1-1/4" to 4-1/2"o
The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip
with the engine not running. These heights are approxi-
mate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height
of grass and types of grass being mowed°
°The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1/2
inches during the coot season and to over 3 inches
during hot months. For healthier and better looking
lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.
° For best cutting performance, grass over 6"ihches in
height should be mowed twice., Make the first cut
relatively high; the second to desired height.
13

OPERATION
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 8A)
Gauge wheels are properlyadjusted whenthey are slightly
offthe groundwhen mower is atthe desiredcuttingheight
in operatingposition.Gauge wheels then keep thedeck in
proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain
conditions.
• Be sure tractor is on aflat Ievel surface_
o Lower mower and adjust mower to desired cutting
height.
° Remove retainer spring and clevis pin which secure
each gauge wheel bar,,
• Lower gauge wheels to ground,, Raise gauge wheels
slightly to align holes in bracket and gauge wheel bar
and insert clevis pin° Gauge wheels should be slightly
off the ground°
o Replace retainer spring into clevis pin°
IMPORTANT; BE SURETO READJUST GAUGE WHEELS
IF YOUCHANGE THE CUTTING HEIGHT OFTHE MOWER
DECK.
FIG. 8A
CLEVIS PIN
RETAINER
SPRING
TO OPERATE MOWER (See Figs. 6 and 7)
Yourtractor isequipped with an operatorpresence sens-
ing switch° Any attempt by the operatorto leave the seat
withtheengine runningandtheattachmentclutchengaged
willshut offthe engine.
=Select desired height ofcut.
.Lower mower with attachment lift control.
=Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch
contro!.
° TO STOP MOWER BLADES -disengage attachment
clutch control.
CAU_ON: 0o not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the dis-
charge guard in place.
......... i IIIII IIII1' II ....
__"'_ R,H.
RUNNER
O,SC.ARGE
GUARD
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
I A ....CAu o.:00notdrlveupo,downI
hills with slopes greater than 15°and |
do not drive across any slope
L ...... . ....... ........: .... !
oChoose the slowest speed before starting up ordown
hitts,,
o Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills,,
°Ifslowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to
slower position.
= if stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake
pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking
brake.
o Move motion control lever to neutral IN) position.,
IMPORTANT; THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES
NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL IN) POSITION WHEN THE
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.,
• To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
clutch/brake pedal°
° Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting,
o Make all tums slowly.
TO TRANSPORT (See Figs. 6 and 9)
When pushingortowingyourtractor, be sure to disengage
transmissionby placingfreewheel control infreewheeling
position. Free wheel controlis located at the rear drawbar
oftractor.
°Raise attachment liftto highest position with attach-
ment liftcontrol.
•Remove retainer spring from freewheel control rod°
•Push control rod in to disengage transmission and
reinsert retainer spring into control rod hole now on
back side of the bracket.
•Do not pushor towtractor at more than two (2) MPH.
°To reengage transmission,reverse above procedure,,
NOTE: To protecthood from damage when transporting
yourtractor onatruck oratrailer,besure hoodisclosedand
secured totractor. Use anappropriate means oftying hood
to tractor (rope, cord, etc,,)o
FIG. 9
FIG. 8B 14

OPERATION
..................................................................... illl,
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 10)
oThe engine inyour tractor has been shipped, fromthe
factory, already filled with summer weight oilo
• Check engine oilwith tractoron level ground°
°Unthread and remove oilfill cap/dipstick;wipe oil off°
Reinsertthe dipstickintothe tube and rest oilfill capon
thetube° Do notthreadthecap ontothetube. Remove
and read oil level° If necessary',add oiluntil "FULL"
mark on dipstickis reached° Do not overfill,
•For coldweather operation you should change oil for
easier starting(See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the
Customer Responsibilitiessection ofthis manual).
°To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili-
ties section in this manual.
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP/DIPST|CK
FIG. 10
ADD GASOLINE
oFill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasolinewith a minimum of87 octane° (Use of leaded
gasolinewillincrease carbon and lead oxidedeposits
and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchasefuel in quantitiesthatcan be usedwithin30
days to assure fuel freshness,
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING,,
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of
acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage_ To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be emptied before stor-
age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and letit run until the fuel lines and carburetorare
empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instruc-
tions for additional tnformation. Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
'Iq ii m q,l,,,llll,l,, I I
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame,
15
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)
When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine
has run out of fuel, itwill take extra cranking time to move
fuel from the tank to the engine_
• Be sure freewheel control is in the transmission en-
gaged position.
• Sit on seat in operating position,depress clutch/brake
pedal and set parking brake°
°Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
° Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position,.
°Move throttle control to fast position
°Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt,,
For a warm enginestart attempt the choke control may
not be needed,
Note: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
procedures below.
° Insert keyinto ignitionand turn key clockwise to"START"
position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter continuously for more than fifteen sec-
onds per minute° If the engine does not start after
several attempts, push choke control in, wait a few
minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, pull
the choke control out and retry_
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50°F and above)
°When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until
the enginebegins to run smoothly, if the engine starts
to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a
few seconds and then continue to push the control in
slowly.
.The attachments and ground drive can now be used° If
the enginedoes not accept the load, restart the engine
and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50°F and below)
°When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push
the choke control in small steps allowing the engine to
accept small changes in speed and toad, until the
choke control is fully ino If the engine starts to run
roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few
seconds and then continue to .push the control in
slowly. This may require an engine warm-up period
from several seconds to several minutes, depending
on the temperature°
HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
• Before driving the unit in cold weather, the transmis-
sion should be warmed up as follows:
°Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
°Place the motion control lever in neutral.
Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake
slowly return to operating position,,
°Allow one minute for transmission to warm up.
This can be done dudng the engine warm up
period.
°The attachments can be used during the engine warm-
up period after the transmission has been warmed up
and may require thechoke control be pulled out slightly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32 F) thecarburetor fuel mixture may
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.

OPERATRON
PURGE TRANSMISSION
cAUTiON: Never engage 9r disengage I
freewheel lever while t_l_eengine is r'un-
.........................ning,.................... .................._ .......... _..... .... I
To ensure proper operation and performance, itisrecom-
mended that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first time. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have devel-
oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION REQUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT
SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION
BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR.
oPlacetractorsafely on levelsurface withengineoffand
parking brake set,.
°Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See "TO TRANSPORT _ in
this section of manual).
-Sitting in thetractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal
. Move motion control lever to full forward position and
hold for five (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for five (5) seconds. Repeat this
procedurethree (3) times.
NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement of
drivewheels. The air isbeing removed from hydraulic drive
system.
°Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut-
off engine and set parking brake.
°Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
driving position (See "TOTRANSPORT" in this section
of manual).
°Sittingtnthetractor seat, startengine. Aftertheengine
is running, move throttle contro/to half (1/2) speed.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal°
o Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the
tractor moves approximately five (5) feet, slowly move
motion control lever to reverse position° After the
tractor moves a,pproximately five(5) feet return the
motion control tever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat
this procedure with the motion control lever three (3)
times.
• Your tractor is now purged and now ready for normal
operation,.
MOWING TIPS
° Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is
attached to tractor°
o Mower should be properly leveled for best mowin.g
performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual°
° Use the runner on the right hand side of mower as a
guide. The blade cuts approximately an inch outside
the runner (See Fig° 8).
° The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-
ming.
° Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
tractor. This will result in a more even distribution of
clippings and more uniformcutting.
°When mowinglarge areas, startby turningtothe right
so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs,
fences, driveways, etcoAfter one ortwo rounds, mow
in the opposite direction making left hand turns until
finished (See Fig. 1t).
=If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twiceto
reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make first cut relativelyhigh; the second tothe
desired height.
°Do not mow grass when it iswet Wet grass will plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
• Always operate engine at full throttlewhen mowingto
assure better mowing performance and proper dis-
charge of material. Regulate ground speed by select-
ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting
performance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used,
FIG. 11
16

T
Check Brake Operation _/ _ I
Check Tire Press";e _ _#1
Check f0; Loose Fastener's ...... _ ................. _/7 ........ _P' ......
R Sho,pe_Rep,acoMowe,B,ades i '¢," ......." ' ".......
C Lubrication Chart ................. 1 _ _#'
T Check Battery LeveVRecharge _ ..................
0Clean Battery and Terminals ...... _/ ............. _#_
R Check Transaxte Cooling _ .............
,Ad!u_tBladem,lt(_)Ter,sio° ..................... V'0............
Adjust Motion D_e Belt(s) Tension , , _=#'6
Check Engine 011Level if _#'
Chang;"Engin'e'"'O,.... _,_ V' ......
Clean Air Filter Vt_z
Clean Air Screen _1'2 =_=
or ..........i . ,, i[i,,,..........
IReplace Oil Biter (if equipped) _,2
NE _;_;,_;_gi,e€'0oii'n'_F_ns.................. v'_ ....
=Re;iacespar"Pl_g .... J _ ......
Replace Ai;FilterPape;' Ca'ltddge _#'2 ................. ....
Replace'Fuel Fiffer ............ I5- I!equippedwitha_usteblesystem..
6- Notrequiredi_equippedwithmaintenance-freebattery..
7- Tightenfrontaxlepivotboltto 35tt-tbs maximum..
Donotovertlghten
1 - Change more often when operatingunder a heavy load or in highambient temperatures,
2 - Setvlce more o{tenwhen opera[leg ]n dirty ordusty condt!lans
3-t!equipped with oll _{ter, changeolt every 50 hours.
4- Replace blades mere often when mowing in sar_dysolt,
GENERAL RECOMMENDATaONS
The warrantyon this tractor does not cover itemsthat have
been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To
receive full value from the warranty, operator mbst maintain
tractor as instructedin this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to
properly maintain your tractor°
All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of
thismanual should be checked at least once each season.
= Once a year you should replace the spark plug, clean
or replace air filter, and check blades and belts for
wear. A new spark plug and clean air filter assure
proper air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better
andlast longer.
BEFORE EACH USE
.Check engine oil level,
o Check brake operation,
° Check tire pressure.
=Check for loosefasteners.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OiL OR GREASE THE PIVOT POINTS
WHICH HAVE SPECIAL NYLON BEARINGS° VISCOUS LUBRI-
CANTS WILL ATTRACT DUST AND DIRT THAT WiLL SHORTEN
THE LIFE OF THE SELF-LUBRICATING BEARtNGS, IF YOU
FEEL THEY MUST BE LUBRICATED, USE ONLY ADRY, POW-
DERED GRAPHITE TYPE LUBRICANT SPARINGLY,
LUBRICATION CHART
(_TIE ROD BALL JOINTS SPINDLE ZERK (_)
(_) FRONT WHEEL_
BEARING ZERK
(_ STEERING ---'-----'-'_
E)
BEARING ZERK
ENGINE (_)
13_)SPRAY SILICONE LUBRICANT (MOVE BOOTS TO LUBRICATE)
(_) GENERAL PURPOSE GREASE
(E) REFER TO CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES "ENGINE" SECTION
17

TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance.
BRAKE OPERATION
If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance
at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted°
(See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual).
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi-
cals which can harm rubber.
°Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and
other hazards that may cause tire damage,
NOTE: To seal tire punctures and prevent flat tires due to
slow leaks, tire sealant may be purchased from your local
parts dealer. Tire sealant also prevents tire dry rot and
corrosion.
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 13)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An
unbalancedblade willcauseexcessive vibrationand even-
tual damage to mower and engine_
The bladecan be sharpened witha fileor on a grinding
wheel, Do not attemptto sharpen whileon the mower°
°To checkblade balance, you will need a 5/8" diameter
steelbolt,pin,or acone balancer,, (When usinga cone
batancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal-
ancer).
°Slide b_adeontoanunthreaded portion of thesteel bolt
or pin and holdthe bolt or pinparallelwith the ground.
If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal
position. If eitherend of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end untilthe blade is balanced.
NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing blade. The lobes of
the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re-
place bent or damaged blades°
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 12)
°Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades°
°Remove hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer securing
blade.
= Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown.
• Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in
exact order as shown.
°Tighten bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs. torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADEBOLTtSGRADE8 HEATTREATEDo
NOTE: We donot recommend sharpening blade -butifyou
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
MANDREL
BLADE ASSEMBLY'
TRAILING
EDGE UP
FLAT _,= /
WAS
HEX BOLT (GRADE 8)*
•A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIRED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD,
FIG. 13
BATrERY
Your tractor has abatter;/charging system which is suffi-
cient for normal use. However, periodic charging of the
battery with an automotivecharger will extend itslifeo
-Keep battery and terminals clean.
=Keep batter'),bolts tight.
oKeep small vent holesopen.
°Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosionand dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
•Remove terminal guard,
°DisconnectBLACK battery cable first then RED bat-,
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
°Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
°Clean terminalsand batterycable endswithwire brush
until bright.
° Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
= Reinstal_batterY (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual)°
FIG. 12
_18

CUSTOMER R
_;,,;,,....... 1,;....... :........ i iiH,, i, i,,
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The fan and cooling fins of transmission should be kept
clean to assure proper cooling..
BILITIES
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs, 14 and I5)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF, SG or SH.
Do not attempt toclean fan or transmission while engineis
running or while the transmission is hot. To prevent
possible damage to seals, no not use high pressure water
or steam to clean transaxle_
, Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and
clean_
° Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clippings and other
materials° To prevent damage to seals, do not use
compressed air or high pressure sprayer..
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factor.7and fluid mainte_
nance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should
the transaxte ever leak or require servicing, contact your
nearest authorized service centeddepartment,
V-BELTS
CheckV-belts for deteriorationand wear after 100 hours of
operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not
adjustable. Replace belts ifthey begin to slip from wear°
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classification SF, SG or SHo Select the oil's SAE viscosity
grade according to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSFI'Y GRADES
....
_F ,, "2D'_ O° "' 30;"" 32 °40 =60 ° BB' '" 10_;'"
°€ ._o. ._. ._o o_ lo" ,;o" 3_ ,'0o
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED'BEFORE N_ OLLCHANGE
FIG. 14
Change the oi!after every 50 hours of operation or at least
once ayear ifthe tractor is not usedfor 50 hours inone year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each eight (8) hours of operation. Tighten oil fill
cap/dipsticksecurely each time you check the oil level.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
. Oil will drain more freely when warm,
. Catch oil in a suitable container.
°Remove oitfill cap!dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oit,
• Remove drain plug.
. After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely
. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfill For approximate capacity see
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 of this
manual.
, Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Be
sure dipstick is in,all the way for accurate reading.
Keep oil at FULL line on dipstick.
AIR SCREEN OIL DRAIN PLUG
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP/DIPSTICK
FIG. 15
CLEAN AIR SCREEN (See Fig. 15)
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent
engine damage from overheating, Clean with a wire brush
or compressed air to remove dirtand stubborn dried gum
fibers.
19

CUSTOMER
' " :::: = :: :: .....;
CLEAN AIR INTAKF_-JCOOLING AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen,
cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are
kept clean at all times.
Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely
dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing and
other cooling shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and external
surfaces as necessary° Make sure the cooling shrouds are
reinstalled.
NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen,
dirb] or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds re-
moved willcause engine damage due to overheating,.
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 16)
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty,air filter.
Clean the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of opera-
tion or every season. Service paper cartridge every 100
hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
,Loosen knob and remove cover..
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
° Slide foam pre-cleaner off cartridge.
° Wash it in liquid detergent and water.
=Squeeze it dr,] in a clean cloth.. Allow it to dry.
*Saturate it in engine oil,. Wrap it in clean, absorbent
cloth and squeeze to remove excess oil
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
° Replace a dirty, bent, or damaged cartridge.
NOTE: Do notwash the paper cartridge or usepressurized
air, as this will damage the cartridge.
, Remove nut and cartridge plate.
=Reinstallthe pre-cleaner (cleaned and oiled) over the
paper cartridge.
o Check rubber seal for damage and proper position
around stud. Replace if necessary.
o Reassemble air cleaner, cartridge plate, and nut.
° Reinstall air cleaner cover and secure by tightening
knob.
LITllES
ENGINE OIL FILTER
Replace the engineoilfilter everyseason or everyotheroil
change ifthe tractor is used more than 100 hours in one
year.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replacecorroded muffler and spark arrester (if
equipped)as itcouldcreate a fire hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUGS
Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing
season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever
occursfirst. Spark plugtype and gap settingare shown in
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual.
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 17)
The fuel filter should be replaced onceeach season° Iffuel
fitter becomes clogged,obstructingfuel flow to carburetor,
replacement is required,
° With engine coot, remove filter and plug fuel line
sections.
Place new fuel filter in positionin fuel line with arrow
pointing towards carburetor_
Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are
properlypositioned.
Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline°
CLAMP
CARTRIDGE
FOAM
PRE_;LEANER
\
CAR'[RIDGE
PLATE
NUT
CLAM| FUEL RLTER
RUBBER
SEAL
FIG. 17
CLEANING
= Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etCoof all foreign
matter.
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline,
oil, etc.
°Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax.
We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean your
tractor unless the electrical system, muffler, air filter and
carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine
can result in a shortened engine life.
FIG. 16
20