Dixon SPEEDZTR ZTR 42 Installation manual

Model Year 2005
Residential Mowers
RAM 42
RAM 44
RAM 50
Commercial Mowers
RAM 44 MAG™
RAM 50 MAG™
Safety Instructions & Operator’s Manual
RAM SERIES

2
IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY
The Dixon® ZTR® mower is both easy and
fun to operate. However, any power mower
must be operated properly to be safe. It is
not a toy or a recreational vehicle. Before
you start to use the mower, read this
Operator’s Manual carefully. It contains
valuable information that is necessary for
the safe operation of the machine. Observe
all safety rules and become completely
familiar with the controls.
The information contained in this manual
applies to all Dixon® ZTR® RAM Series
mowers.
See your authorized Dixon® dealer for
warranty service, parts and repairs or to
answer any questions you may have about
your new Dixon® ZTR®.

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SAFETY&WARNING....................................4-15
WARRANTY...................................................16-17
SPECIFICATIONS........................................18-19
SEATADJUSTMENT.........................................20
CONTROLS..................................................21-24
OPERATIONINSTRUCTIONS....................25-35
CARE&MAINTENANCE............................36-48
STANDARDSERVICEPARTSLIST.........49-50
TROUBLESHOOTING..................................51-52
RAMSERIES
PartNumber17823-0704

SAFETY
4
Blade Contact
Tip Over
Run Over
Back Over
RIDING LAWN MOWERS,
IF IMPROPERLY OPERATED
CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
Picturedbelow arethe mostcommon causesof injuryto
theoperator orbystander. Please readandunderstand
thismanualto preventinjuries.

SAFETY
5
Safety Alert Symbol
When you see this symbol, BE ALERT
to the potential for injury.
Follow the recommended safety precautions and
safe operating practices.
DANGER
(highlightedinred)
indicatesanimminently hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, will result
in death or serious injury.
WARNING
(highlightedinorange)
indicates a potentially
hazardoussituation which, if not
avoided,couldresultindeathor
seriousinjury.
CAUTION
(highlightedinyellow)
indicates a potentially
hazardoussituationwhich,
ifnot avoided, mayresult in minor
or moderate injury. It may also
be used to alert against
unsafepractices.

WARNING
6
Failure to observe the following safety instructions
could result in serious injury or death.
GENERAL OPERATION:
Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsinthis
manualand onthemowerbeforestarting.
Onlyallowresponsibleadults,who arefamiliarwiththe
instructions,tooperatethemower.
Cleartheareaofobjects suchas rocks,toys,wire,etc.,
whichcould bepicked upand thrownby theblade.
Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing.
Stopmower ifanyone entersthe area.
Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do not
pointit atanyone. Mowerbladescanthrow rocksor other
debris.
Donot operatethe mowerwithout eitherthe entiregrass
catcherorthedeflectorin place. Thiswill decreasethe
possibilityof injuryfromobjectsbeingthrown bythe
mowerblades.
Never carrypassengers. Theymay falloff andbecome
seriouslyinjured orinterfere withsafe operationofthe
mower.
Mowing in reverse is not recommended because it is
difficultto maintaina clearvision ofthe mowingpath.
However,should itbecome necessaryto backup,
remembertolook downand behindbeforeand while
backing.

WARNING
7
GENERAL OPERATION (continued):
Neverleavearunningmowerunattended. Always turn off
blades,setparking brake,stop engineandremove key
beforedismounting.
Turnoffbladeswhennotmowing. Injurycouldoccurfrom
contactwithmovingparts.
Underno circumstancesshouldyouplacehands orfeet
underthe mowerdeck orinthechutewhilebladesor
impellerarestillrunning.
Toavoidpersonalinjuryfromaccidentalclutchengage-
ment,stop enginebeforeremovinggrasscatcheror
uncloggingchute.
Mowonly indaylight orgood artificiallight.
Donot operatethemowerwhileundertheinfluence of
alcoholor drugs.
Slowdown beforeturning toreduce therisk oftip-over.
Watch fortraffic whenoperating nearor crossingroad-
ways.
Useextra carewhen loadingorunloadingthemowerinto
atrailer ortruck. Push,donotridethemowerwhen
loadingand unloading.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions
could result in serious injury or death.

WARNING
8
Protectyour eyes.Always wearsafetygogglesorsafety
glasseswith sideshieldswhenoperatingmower.
Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
areinvolvedinalarge percentageof ridingmower-
relatedinjuries.Theseoperatorsshould evaluatetheir
abilityto operatethe ridingmowersafelyenoughto
protectthemselvesandothersfromseriousinjury.
Toprotectagainstpossibletip-over,follow the
manufacturer’srecommendationforwheelweightsand
counterweights.
Maintainor replacesafety&instructionlabelsas
needed.
GENERAL OPERATION (continued):
The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer,birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions
could result in serious injury or death.

WARNING
9
SLOPE OPERATION:
Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control
and tip-over accidents, which can result in
severe injury or death.
All slopes require extra caution. If you feel uneasy
on a slope, do not mow it!
DO
Mowacross theslope withyourDixon®ZTR®--
neverup ordown.Thiswilldecreasetheriskof
tip-over.
Removeobstaclessuchasrocks, treelimbs, wires
andother foreignobjectsthatcanbethrownby
mowerblades.
Watchforholes,ruts,rootsandbumps. Uneven
terraincouldoverturnthemower. Tallgrasscan
hidesuch obstacles.
Useslowspeed. Tires may losetraction on slopes
eventhoughthebrakesarefunctioning properly.
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose
traction,disengagethebladesandproceedslowly
downthe slope.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions
could result in serious injury or death.

WARNING
10
Keepall movementon theslopesslowand
gradual. Donotmake sudden changesin speed
ordirection.
Useextreme cautionwhenoperatingthemower
withattachments topreventtip-over orroll-over.
Iffrontwheelsliftofftheground,pullleversbackto
stabilizethe mower. Discontinuemowing the
slope!
SLOPE OPERATION (continued):
DO (continued):
Failure to observe the following safety instructions
could result in serious injury or death.