Husqvarna WHF4215ETS User manual

Operators Manual Models:
MANUAL NO. 539106502 REV. 01 (01/30/02)
968999127 / WHF4215ETS
968999129 / WHF4818ETS
968999130 / WHF5218ETS
Please read these instructions carefully and make
sure you understand them before using the machine.

2
WARNING
Continuousdedicationtoimproveourproductsrequirethatspecificationsanddesignaresub-
jecttochangewithoutnotice.
THE ENGINE EXHAUST FROM
THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS
CHEMICALS KNOWN TO THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE
CANCER, BIRTH DEFECTS OR
OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HARM.
!
Congratulations onthepurchase of yourHusqvarnamower.Thismanual has beenprepared
forthe owners and operators ofthewalk-behindhydro commercial mowers. Read,understand
andfollow thesafetyand operating instructions.
! WARNING
Failureto follow cautiousoperatingpractices can resultinserious injury totheoperatoror other
persons. Theownermustunderstandtheseinstructions,andmustallowonly trained persons
who understand these instructions to operate the mower. Each person operating the mower
mustbe of sound mind and body andmustnotbeunder the influence of any mind alteringsub-
stance.
! CAUTION
1.Keepallshields, guards and safety devices in place and in proper working condition.
2.Stop engine andremove spark plugwires or remove key before adjusting, servicing,or per-
formingmaintenance.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
If you have any questions pertaining to your mower contact your dealer. To locate the nearest
dealerplease call 1-800-HUSKY-62.
Fortechnical assistanceplease write: Husqvarna,7349 StatesvilleRoad, Charlotte,NC, 28269
orcall: 1-800-HUSKY-MD.
!
Thank you for buying anHUSQVARNA! Before operating your new mower, read, understand
andfollow the important safety instructions andtheotherinstructions contained in this manual.
Lawnmowersandallpowerequipment,canbepotentiallydangerousifusedimproperly. SAFETY
REQUIRES GOOD JUDGEMENT, CAREFUL USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUC-
TIONS AND COMMON SENSE.

3
Table of Contents
SAFETY....................................................................................................................4
EQUIPMENTSETUPANDADJUSTMENTS.............................................................5
CUTTINGHEIGHT.....................................................................................................5
MOWER DECK LEVELING ......................................................................................5
MOTIONCONTROLADJUSTMENT..........................................................................6
BELTADJUSTMENTS..............................................................................................7
INTERLOCKSAFETYSYSTEM ...............................................................................7
OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS...................................................................................8
MAINTENANCEINSTRUCTIONS .............................................................................9
TROUBLESHOOTING............................................................................................. 11

4
SAFETY
TRAINING:
1.Read this manualcarefullyand question yourdealerif something is notclear.
2.Be thoroughly familiarwiththe controls andproperuse of theequipment.
3. Never allow children, teenagers, or people unfamiliar with these instructions to use the
mower.
4.Do not mow while people,particularlychildren, or pets arenearby.
PREPARATION:
1.The use of personalprotectiveequipmentsuch as (but notlimitedto)protection for the eyes,
ears,feetandheadisrecommended.
2.Neveroperatethemowerwithoutproperguards,covers,safetyswitchesanddevicesinplace
andproperlyfunctioning. Inspecttheseitems dailyfor theircondition andproperoperation.Ifthe
conditionor operationofany ofthese devicesisquestionable theymustbe replacedorrepaired
beforeusing themower.
3.Thoroughlyinspectthe areato bemowedandremoveall stones,sticks, wireandotherdebris
thatmaybe thrownbythemower. Alsonoteormarkotherobstaclessuchasholes, stumps,etc..
4. Do not operate the mower when barefoot or wearing open shoes. Always wear substantial
footwearand long pants.
5.Fill gastankbeforestartingmower. DONOTSMOKEneargasolinecontainers.Donotfill gas
tankindoors or when engine ishotorrunning.Clean off any spilled gasolinebeforestartingthe
mower.
OPERATION:
1. Mowonly in daylight or good artificial light.
2. Do not operate the mower in wet grass if possible.
3. Mowacross slopes. Useextremecaution when mowingorturning onslopes.Alwaysturnto
the downhill side. Do not mow excessively steep slopes ( mower may tip over and cause
injury or death ).
4. Usecaution when backing up.
5. Stop the blades when crossing surfaces other than grass; or when traveling to and from the
area to be mowed.
6. Neveroperate themowerwith defective, brokenorexcessively worn parts. Keepallguards,
shields,andsafetydevicesinplaceandinproperworkingorder.
7. Donot changetheengine governorsettingsor over speedtheengine. Operating theengine
atexcessive speeds will increasethehazard of injury andcanseverely damage your machine.
8. Keephands, feet and clothing awayfromrotating partswhenoperatingmower.
9. Stop the blades and engine before leaving the operators position for any reason.
10. Nevermake adjustments tothemower while engine and/orbladesare running.
11. Afterstriking a foreignobject,stopmower and removekey. Inspectthemower for any dam-
ageandrepairitimmediately before continuing to mow.
12. Neveroperate this equipment in an enclosedorconfinedarea without proper ventilation of
theengineexhaust.
13. Donotallowanypassengerstorideonthemower. Keepothersawayfromthemower when
inoperation.

5
SAFETY
TRANSPORTATION:
Turn offfuel valve andstrapmower totrailer.
MAINTENANCE:
1. Keepallnuts,boltsandscrewstighttokeepmower in safe operating condition.
2. Enginemaintenanceshould complywithenginemanufacturesspecifications. See theengine
manualfor specifications.
3. Neverstore the mowerwithgas in the tankinsidea building wherefumescanreach an open
flameorspark.
4. To reduce the risk of fire, keep the mower free of grass, leaves and excessive grease or oil.
5. Haveyourmowerinspectedandservicedeachyearbyan authorizedHusqvarnadealer.
6. Use only authentic Husqvarna replacement parts to insure the safety and quality of your
mowerismaintained.
7. Safety decals should be replaced if they are missing or illegible. Decals can be purchased
from yourHusqvarna dealer.
8. Thehydraulicsystemincludingallhosesandfittingsshouldbecheckedfrequently forwear or
leaks. Never check for leaks with your hands, use a piece of cardboard or wood. Hydraulic oil
under pressure could be injected into your body and must be surgically removed within a few
hours. EQUIPMENT SETUP AND ADJUSTMENTS
1. Uncratemower
2. Liftup on handles untilmowerislevel.
3. Using the hardware provided in the literature package, insert 3 bolts per side into the frame
sidewhere thefrontframe connectstothe reardeck.(See FIG1)Aprybar canbeused to align
theholes.
4. Lineup the back edgeofthefront frame with thefronedge of the wheel motormountso they
areparallel andtightenthe hardware.
5. Remove the hood from the frame and install the deck belt. Be sure the belt is still wrapped
aroundthe clutchpulley undertherear deck.(SeeFIG3)
6. With the hood off, mount the muffler on the engine using the provided hardware. Reinstall
hood.
7. Cuttheplastic wire ties holding the operator presence levers down.
8. Checktirepressureinallfourtires. (rear tires 15 PSI, front tires 20-25 PSI)
9. Check engine oil with dipstick.Add if needed per engine manufactures specifications. (See
enginemanual)
10. Checkhydraulic oil level. Should bean1.0”belowthe bottom of the filltube.
11. Mount thedischargechuteto the front deck usingthefastenersprovided on the deck.
FIGURE 1

6
CUTTING HEIGHT:
1. Stop the mower and disengage the blades.
2. Raisethedeck height lever to the transport position.
3. Removethe height adjustmentpinandplace it inthedesired cutting height hole. Movedeck
heightlever downontothepin andmow.NOTE: anti-scalprollersmust be intheproper position
formaximum deck floatation. See the decalonthefront deck.
MOWER DECK LEVELING:
1. Positionmoweronaflatsurface and stop engine.
2. Checkthetire pressure of all four tires. Inflation should be 15 psi.
3. Place two 2x4’s on edge under the cutting deck from front to rear and lower the deck down
ontothe 2x4’s.
4. Adjustthe four upper chain bolts“H” to the center of the slotin the deck liftarms(SeeFig2).
NOTE:makesure deck lift blocks are tightly bolted to the frame .
5. Checkchains for equaltension. Ifunequal,adjust upper chainboltin slot.
6. Place deck in the 5" cutting height and measure from the cutting edge of the blade to a flat
surfaceto check deckcuttingheight.
MOTION CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS
1.ThisAdjustmentmustbemade with the drive wheels rotating. Raiserear of the unitand
blockit up so the wheels are freetorotate. CAUTION:Keephands, feet and clothing away
fromrotating tires.
2.With the groundspeedlever in the neutralposition,start the engine.
3.Lift the neutralbailinto theneutralslotsin thedrivelevers.
4.Adjustthe drive linkagesbylooseningor tightening the nutonthe bottom of thedrivelinkage
untilthewheelsstop.
5.With 2 9/16” wrenches, adjust thereversedetent springs on the pumparmssothat the
headoftheboltisapproximately 1/16” from the top of the rear deck.
6.Push the ground speed lever forward to fullspeedandpullbackto neutral position to be
surethat the wheelsstop. Thisshould be done severaltimesand any readjustmentsmade
thatare required.

7
ADJUSTMENTS
FRONT DECK BELT ROUTING:
PUMP BELT
1. Beforeperformingadjustmentsonpumpbelt,turnthemoweroffanddisconnectsparkplug
wireor wires.
2.Check tension on the belt. If it feelslooseadjustmentwillneed to be made.
3.Loosen the nutonthe bottomofthe idler pulley.
4.Slide the idler pulleyagainstthe belt, retighten thenutwhile applying pressure totheidler
pulley.(see fig. 6)
INTERLOCK SAFETY SYSTEM
Theinterlockmodules function is to prevent the engine form starting if the blade and/orground
speedlever are engaged. It alsocausesengineshutdownif the operator falls from,orattempts
to leave the operator position while the blades or ground speed lever are engaged. After the
enginestarts,theoperator must hold eithertheleft or right O.P.lever downbeforeengaging the
bladesor movingtheground speedlever.If neitherO.P.leveris heldtheengine willstop.Check
thefunction of thesafetyelectrical system on aregularbasis.
1.Engine must kill if blades are engaged withoutatleastoneO.P.leverhelddown.
2.Engine mustkillif groundspeed leveristaken outofneutral withoutholdingdown atleastone
O.P.lever.
3.Engine must not start unless bladesareoffand ground speed lever isintheneutralposition.
4. Do not operate the mower if the interlock safety system allows operation or starting in any
unsafecondition.
FIGURE 3

8
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
CONTROLS:
1.Bethoroughlyfamiliarwith allcontrols theirfunction andhowtooperatethembeforeoperating
themower.
2.Drive levers:Locatedon eachsideof the handlecontroldirection of movement. Theleftlever
controlstheflowofoilfromthe lefthydropumptotheleftwheelmotor.Therightlevercontrolsthe
flowof oil fromtheright hydro pumptothe right wheel motor.
3.Ground speed lever:Located in the center of theconsole.Controls the forward speed of the
mower.Pushtheleverforwardifyou wanttogofaster,pullitbacktogosloweror pullitalltheway
backtotheneutral or stop position.
NOTE:Tobegin motiontheoperatormustmovetheground speed lever forward before disen-
gagingtheneutralbail.Afteryourelease theneutral bailallow thedriveleverstomoveforwardat
thesame time. The mower will move inastraightline in that direction.
Movementoftherightdriveleverforward will cause the right wheel to rotate in a forward direc-
tion.Movement ofthe leftdrivelever forwardwill causetheleft wheelto rotateina forwarddirec-
tion.Tostopforward travel pull leversbackinto the neutralposition.
Toturn rightwhile movingina forwarddirection pulltheright drivelever backtowardstheneutral
position,this will slow therightwheel and cause themowertoturn in thatdirection.
To turn left while moving in forward direction pull the left drive lever back towards the neutral
position,this will slowtheleftwheel and causethemowerto turn inthatdirection.
4.Blade engagement switch:Locatedonthe leftsideof the console. Toengagetheblades pull
upon the switch. pushdownonthe switch to disengagetheblades.
5.Chokeandthrottlecontrol: Locatedonthe rightside oftheconsole.Pushthethrottlecontrolall
thewayforwardforchoke.Use whenstartingcoldenginedonotrunchokewhenengineis warm.
Usethe throttletocontrol theengineRPM.
6.Trackingknob: Locatedonthefrontsideof theground speedlever.Ifthemowerwill nottravel
ina straight line onasmooth surface, turn thetrackingknobthe proper directionuntilitstraight-
ensout.
7.Key switch: Located on the console. The key switch must be turned on, blades disengaged,
andground speed leverinneutralbefore starting.
8.Fuelshutoff valve: Locatedunder thefueltank.
9.Pump release valves: Located at the backsideofthepumps.Usedtorelease the system so
unitmay bemovedby hand whennotrunning. NOTE: Only rotateabouta 1/4to1/2 of aturnto
releasesystem.
10.Operatorpresencelevers:Locatedonthehandle.Oneorbothleversmustbepressedagainst
thehandle for the mowertoremain running, when thebladesare engaged or thegroundspeed
leveris not intheneutral position.

9
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
STARTINGANDOPERATION:
1.Makingsurethebladesaredisengaged,groundspeedleverinneutral,theneutralbaillocked,
andthefuelvalveon.
2.Adjustthrottle to choke(ifneeded)turn key to onposition.
3.Pull starttheengine. Oncethe engineisrunning adjustthethrottle.
4. Holding down at least one of the operator presence levers, engage blades and set RPM to
maximum, but not choked. NOTE: Be sure all persons are clear of area before engaging the
blades.To prolongspindlebearing and belt lifeengageand disengage blades atapproximately
1\2throttle.
5.Set the ground speed lever to the desired position.
6.Release the neutralbail.
MAINTENANCE
1.Engine oil level: Check daily with engine coldandonaflatsurface.Removethe dipstick and
wipe clean. Reinsert the dipstick all the way, but do not screw down. Remove the dipstick and
checkoil level. If oil level is low addoil.Useenginemanufacturers specs for type of oil.
2.Pump drive belt: Stopengineandremovekey.Check the tension on thebelt.
3.Mowerblades:Stopengineandremovekey.Inspectbladesandsharpenorreplaceasneeded.
Check daily or more often if needed. The machine requires more power with dull blades and
gives a poor cut. If blades get bent, replace them. Blades shouldn’t have any notches from
hittingobjects. Theairfoil ontopoftheblade shouldbe sufficienttoraise thegrass forcutting. If
bladesare ingood condition,sharpenat anangleof 22to 28degreesabout 2-1/2inchesinfrom
the tips. Note: Aftersharpening,checkbladesfor proper balance, if needed correct balance to
preventexcessive vibration.
4.Safety interlock system: Check daily and never operate the mower if this system is not func-
tioningproperly.

10
MAINTENANCE
5.Hardware: Stopengineand removekeythoroughlyinspect theentiremachine foranymissing
orloose hardware. Check daily.
6.Aircleaner: Stop engineand removekey. Removeplastic coverand loosenwingnut ontheair
cleaner. Remove the foam pre-cleaner and wash or replace if needed. Inspect paper filter and
replace if dirty. Check every 25 hours, daily if in very dirty conditions. Fuel efficiency, engine
RPM, and available power goes down rapidly if the air filter is dirty. Prolonged effects could
damagethe engine.
7.Engineoil:Changeoil tomanufacturers specifications. Stopengineand removekey.Drainoil
when engine is warm. Thoroughly clean around cap before removing. Remove oil drain
capfrom the right side ofengineblockand replace drain cap. Removeoilfilterand replace. Put
alight coat ofcleanoil on thefiltergasket before installing.Fillengine withoilusingmanufactur-
ersspecs,seeKawasaki owner’s manual. Startengine and idle slowly to allow the oil to recoat
theinterior of the engineandtheninspect for leaks.
8.Hydraulic oil: Check daily.Thoroughly clean around cap. Remove cap.Oillevelshouldbe
1”below the bottom of thefilltube.If not, add oil. NOTE:Useonlysynthetic 15W - 50 Mobil1.
9.Tire pressure: Check every 25 to 50 hours. Rear tires require 15 psi and caster tires 20 psi
10.Belts:Check every 25 hours.Stop engine and remove key. Checktheconditionof all belts.
12.Lubrication(every25hours): Castertiresandfrontcaster pivots
(Cleangrease zerk thoroughlybeforegreasing)
13.Fuel filter: Replaceannuallyor asneeded.
14. Hydraulic filter and oil: Change every 500 hours or yearly. Stop engine and remove key.
Clean around the filter and the drain plug on the bottom side of the tank. Remove the filter and
allowanyoiltodrainfromthefilterhead.Then replace with new filter. Use onlyHusqvarna p/n
102606,filterwhich hasabypassvalveandthecorrectmicronfilter.Removeoneofthehydraulic
linesfrom the bottom of the tank and allow thetanktodrain,reinstallthe hydraulic line. Fill tank
with synthetic 15W - 50 Mobil 1. 1” below the fill tube and replace cap. Block up the rear of unit
untilwheels willrotatefreely and startengineat aslowidle, move thecontrollevers forwardand
runforseveralminutes.Stopengineandrecheckoillevel. Ifwheelsdon’tresponsean air lock
hasoccurred withinthe hydraulicsystem. Bleedair fromlines, orletstand overnightto allowthe
airtime todissipateout of theoil. Retryresponses &checkthe oillevel. Note: Seriousdamage
tothe pumps and wheel motors can occur ifthesystemis ran with an air lock.

11
TROUBLE SHOOTING
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSES
Engine won’t start
Mower will notmove
or movesslowlyorwith
difficulty
1.Bladeleverengaged.
2.Ground speedlevernot inneutral.
3.Fuel valveclosed.
4.No fuel.
5.Sparkplug wires off.
6. Bad spark plugs.
7.Badmodule.
1.Pump bypass valvesopen.
2.Pumpdrivebeltlooseoroff.
4.Hydraulicsystemfailure.
5.Airin thehydraulicsystem.
Blades won’t engage
Unevencut
Cut is ragged
Mowermoveswhen
in neutral position
Mower pullsleftorright
When a problem occurs, do not overlook the simple causes.
1.Tirepressureuneven.
2.Motion controllinkageadjustment.
3.Soft terrain.
4. Slope too steep.
5.Trackingnotadjusted.
1.Motion controllinkageout of adjustment.
2.Pump arms loose or outofadjustment.
1.Blades dull.
2.Groundspeed too fast.
3.Grass accumulation underdeck.
1.Tirepressureuneven.
2. Blades bent (check tip to tip one blade thickness)
3. Air foil of blade worn or bent.
1.Blade belt off ofpulleys.
2.Linkage unhooked or notadjusted.