Scag Power Equipment SW User manual

MODEL SW
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
THIS MANUALCONTAINS THE OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY INFORMA-
TION FOR YOUR SCAG MOWER. READING
THIS MANUAL CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH
ASSISTANCE IN MAINTENANCE AND AD-
JUSTMENT PROCEDURES TO KEEP YOUR
MOWER PERFORMING TO MAXIMUM EFFI-
CIENCY. THE SPECIFIC MODELS THATTHIS
BOOK COVERS ARE CONTAINED ON THE
INSIDECOVER. BEFORE OPERATINGYOUR
MACHINE, PLEASE READ ALL THE INFOR-
MATION ENCLOSED.
PART NO. 03130
PRINTED7/03
PRINTED IN USA
©2003
SCAGPOWEREQUIPMENT
DIVISION OF METALCRAFT OF MAYVILLE, INC.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES
MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
* Keep all shields in place, especially the grass discharge chute.
* Before performing any maintenance or service, stop the machine and
remove the spark plug wire and ignition key.
* If a mechanism becomes clogged, stop the engine before cleaning.
* Keep hands, feet and clothing away from power-driven parts.
* Read this manual completely as well as other manuals that came
with your mower.
* Keep others off the tractor (only one person at a time)
This manual covers the operating instructions
and illustrated parts list for:
SW32-13KH with a serial number of 8910001 to 8919999
SW36A-13KH with a serial number of 8920001 to 8929999
SW36A-15KA with a serial number of 8930001 to 8939999
SW36A-15KH with a serial number of 8940001 to 8949999
SW48A-15KA with a serial number of 8950001 to 8959999
SW48A-15KH with a serial number of 8960001 to 8969999
SW48A-17KA with a serial number of 8980001 to 8989999
SW48A-18HN with a serial number of 9610001 to 9619999
SW52A-17KA with a serial number of 8990001 to 8999999
SW52A-18HN with a serial number of 9000001 to 9009999
SW52A-18KH with a serial number of 9010001 to 9019999
Alwaysusetheentireserialnumber listed on the serial number
tag when referring to this product.
WARNING:
REMEMBER -YOUR MOWER IS ONLY AS SAFE AS THE OPERATOR!
Hazard control and accident prevention are dependent upon the awareness,
concern, prudence, and proper training of the personnel involved in the
operation, transport, maintenance, and storage of the equipment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
MODEL SW
SUBJECT PAGE
Introduction.................................................................................................. 1
General Safety Instructions ......................................................................... 1
SignalWords................................................................................................ 1
Symbols ....................................................................................................... 2-3
BeforeOperating.......................................................................................... 4
While Operating........................................................................................... 4
MaintenanceandStorage............................................................................. 5
Initial Run-In Procedures............................................................................. 6
Mower Operation ......................................................................................... 6
Cutter Deck Belt Adjustments ...................................................................... 7
Transmission Drive Belt ............................................................................... 8
Drive Control Adjustments .......................................................................... 8
Cutter Deck Adjustments ............................................................................. 8
Blade Height Adjustments ........................................................................... 9
Cutter Blades............................................................................................... 9
Custom-Cut Baffle Adjustment..................................................................... 10
Lubrication and Maintenance Chart ............................................................ 11
Troubleshooting Cutting Conditions ............................................................ 12-14
Technical Specifications.............................................................................. 15-16
I
WE SUPPORT OPE
TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION

II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
SUBJECT PAGE
Illustrated Parts List
SWM-32",36"CutterDecks...................................................................... 18-19
SWM-48",52"CutterDecks......................................................................20-21
Notes...................................................................................................................22
CasterAssembly................................................................................................23
EngineDeck-13KH,15KH, 15KA, 17KA, 18HN...................................24-25
EngineDeck-18KH...................................................................................26-27
HandleAssembly........................................................................................ 28-29
InstrumentPanel................................................................................................30
PeerlessTransmission......................................................................................31
EngineDeckWireHarness..............................................................................32
HandleWireHarness........................................................................................32
WireHarnessAdapter-Kawasaki(15HP&17HP).......................................33
ReplacementDecals..................................................................................34-35
WarrantyStatement..............................................................InsideBackCover
WireHarnessAdapter-Honda(18HP)...........................................................33
Notes...................................................................................................................17

1
SIGNAL WORDS
Thissymbolmeans“Attention!BecomeAlert!Your
SafetyisInvolved!". Thesymbolisusedwiththe
followingsignalwordstoattractyourattentiontosafety
messagesfoundonthedecalsandthroughoutthis
manual. Themessagethatfollowsthesymbolcontains
importantinformationaboutsafety. Toavoidinjuryand
possibledeath,carefullyreadthemessage! Besureto
fullyunderstandthecausesofpossibleinjuryordeath.
SignalWord:
Itisadistinctivewordonsafetydecalsandthroughout
thismanualthatalertstheviewertotheexistenceand
relativedegreeofthehazard.
Thesignalword“DANGER”denotesthatanextremely
hazardoussituationexistsonornearthemachinethat
couldresultinhighprobabilityofdeathorirrepairable
injuryifproperprecautionsarenottaken.
Thesignalword“WARNING”denotesthatahazard
existsonornearthemachinethatcanresultininjuryor
deathifproperprecautionsarenottaken.
Thesignalword“CAUTION”isareminderofsafety
practicesonornearthemachinethatcouldresultin
personalinjuryifproperprecautionsarenottaken.
INTRODUCTION
Yourmowerwasbuilttothehigheststandardsinthe
industry. However,theprolongedlifeandmaximum
efficiencyofyourmowerdependsonyoufollowingthe
operating,maintenanceandadjustmentinstructionsin
thismanual.
Weencourageyoutocontactyourdealerforrepairs.
AllScagdealersareinformedofthelatestmethodsto
servicethisequipmentandprovidepromptandefficient
serviceinthefieldorattheirserviceshop. Theycarrya
fulllineofScagserviceparts.
AreplacementOperator'sManualisavailablefromyour
ScagServicingDealerorbycontactingScagPower
Equipment,ServiceDepartmentatP.O.Box152,
Mayville,WI 53050. Youmayalsocontactusthrough
ourwebsiteatwww.scag.com.Pleaseindicatethe
completemodelandserialnumberofyourScag
product.
USEOFOTHERTHANORIGINALSCAG
REPLACEMENTPARTSWILLVOIDTHE
WARRANTY.
The “Right” and “Left”, “Front” and “Rear” of the
machinearereferencedfromtheoperator’s perspec-
tive when in the normal operating position and facing
theforwardtraveldirection.
GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
READTHISOPERATOR'SMANUALand
instructionsfurnishedwithattachments.
Performonlythosemaintenanceproceduresdescribed
in this manual. If major repairs are ever needed or
assistanceis desired,contact anAuthorized Scag
Dealer. To ensure optimum performance and safety,
always purchase genuine SCAG replacement parts
andaccessories.
Your safety and the safety of others depends
significantlyupon yourknowledge andunderstanding
ofallcorrectoperatingpracticesandproceduresofthis
machine.
WARNING:
CAUTION:

2
CE Mark
TransmissionChoke
On/Start Spring Tension on Idler
Oil
Off/Stop
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
ISO Symbols
SpinningBlade
48071S
Parking Brake
WARNING
FALLING HAZARD
USE ONLY SCAG APPROVED
RIDING ATTACHMENTS
SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL
481109
FallingHazard

3
SlowFast
Cutting element - Engage
Cutting element - Basic symbol
Cutting element - Disengage
Continuously variable - Linear
Read operator's manual
Keep bystanders away
Pinch Point
481039S
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
Hourmeter/elapsed operating hours

4
BEFORE OPERATING
1. Knowthecontrolsandhowtostopquickly.
2. Donotallowchildrentooperatethemachine. Do
notallowadultstooperatethemachinewithout
properinstruction.
3. Iftheoperator(s)ormechanic(s)cannotread
Englishitistheowner'sresponsibilitytoexplainthis
materialtothem.
4. Removealldebrisorotherobjectsthatmightbe
pickedupandthrownbythecutterblades. Keepall
bystandersawayfromthemowingarea.
5. Keepallshields,safetydevices,anddecalsinplace.
Ifashield,safetydeviceordecalisdefectiveor
damaged,repairorreplaceitbeforeoperating.
Also,checkallnuts,boltsandscrewsforproper
tightness,toassurethemachineisinsafeoperating
condition.
6. Donotoperatethemachinewhilewearingsandals,
tennisshoes,sneakersorshorts. Also,donotwear
loosefittingclothingwhichcouldgetcaughtin
movingparts. Alwayswearlongpantsandsubstan-
tialshoes. Wearingsafetyglassesandsafetyshoes
isadvisableandrequiredbysomelocalordinances
andinsuranceregulations.
7. Theowner/usercanpreventandisresponsiblefor
accidentsorinjuriesoccuringtothemselves,other
peopleorproperty.
8. Fillthefueltankwithclean,freshgasoline,witha
minimumoctaneratingof87. Avoidspillinggaso-
line. Gasolineishighlyflammable,handleitcarefully.
A. Useanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
B. Donotfillthetankwhiletheengineishotor
running.
C. Donotsmokewhilehandlinggasoline.
D. Fillthefueltankoutdoorsanduptoapproxi-
mately1"(25mm)belowthebottomofthefiller
neck.
E. Wipeupanyspilledgasoline.
9. Beforeattemptingtostarttheengine,shiftthe
transmissionintoneutral,movethebladeengage-
mentswitchtotheOFFposition,andmovethe
neutrallatchestoneutral.
WHILE OPERATING
1. Donotoperatethemachineundertheinfluenceof
alcoholordrugs.
2. Starttheenginewhentheneutrallatchesareinthe
neutrallockposition,thecutterbladesaredisen-
gaged,andthetransmissionisinneutral.
3. Donotruntheengineinaconfinedareawithout
adequateventilation. Exhaustfumesarehazardous
andcouldpossiblybedeadly.
4. Usingthemachinedemandsattention. To
preventlossofcontrol:
A. Mowonlyindaylightorwhenthereisgood
artificiallight.
B. Watchforholesorotherhiddenhazards.
C. Donotdriveclosetoadrop-off,ditch,creek
bank,orotherhazard.
D. Reducespeedwhenmakingsharpturnsand
whenturningonhillsides.
E. Alwaysbesureofyourfooting. Keepafirm
holdonthehandlesandwalk---neverrun.
F. Donotoperatewhereconditionsareslippery.
5. Thedischargechutemustalwaysbeinstalledandin
thedownpositiononthesidedischargecutterdeck
exceptwhentheScagoptionalgrasscatcheror
mulchingplateareproperlyinstalled. Ifthedis-
chargeareashouldplug,shuttheengineoffandwait
forallmovementtostopbeforeremovingthe
obstruction.
6. Disengagethebladesandwaitforthemtostop
beforecrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.
7. Shuttheengineoffandwaituntilthebladescometo
acompletestopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcher
container.
8. Neverraisethecutterdeckwhilethebladesare
rotating.

5
14. Donotpassorstandonthegrassdischargesideof
anymowerwiththeenginerunning. Stopoperation
whenanotherpersonapproaches.
9. Alwaysparkthemowerand/orstarttheengineona
levelsurface.
10. Ifthecuttingbladesshouldstrikeasolidobjector
theequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,
stoptheengine,disconnectthesparkplugwire,and
checkimmediatelyforthecause. Vibrationis
generallyawarningoftrouble.Checkthemachine
fordamagedordefectiveparts. Repairanydamage
beforestartingtheengineoroperatingthecutter
deck. Besurethebladesareingoodconditionand
thebladeboltsaretight.
11. Reducespeedandexerciseextremecautionon
slopesandinsharpturnstopreventtippingorloss
ofcontrol. Beespeciallycautiouswhenchanging
directionsonslopes.
DO NOT operate on steep slopes. To check a
slope, attempt to back up it (with the cutter deck
down). If the machine can back up the slope
without the wheels slipping, reduce speed and
useextremecaution. ALWAYS FOLLOWOSHA
APPROVEDOPERATION.
12. Donottouchtheengineormufflerwhiletheengine
isrunningorsoonafteritisstopped.Theseareas
couldbehotenoughtocauseaburn.
13. Beforeleavingtheoperator’spositionorleavingthe
mowerunattended,shiftthetransmissioninto
neutral,placetheneutrallatchesintheneutrallock
position,andmovethebladeengagementswitchto
OFF. ShuttheengineOFFandremovethekey.
15. UseonlyScagapprovedattachmentsandaccessories.
ScagApprovedAttachments:
GC-F4
GC-4D
ScagApprovedAccessories:
MulchMaster
HourMeter
TurboBaffle
CupHolder
Usingunapprovedattachments,(especially"stand-up"
ridingattachments)maybehazardous.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
1. Allowonlytrainedpersonneltoservicethemachine.
1. Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug
topreventaccidentalstartingoftheenginewhen
servicing,adjustingorstoringthemachine.
2. Ifthemowermustbetippedtoperformmainte-
nanceoradjustment,removethebattery,drainthe
gasolinefromthefueltankandtheoilfromthe
crankcase.
3. Toreducepotentialfirehazard,keeptheenginefree
ofexcessivegrease,grass,leavesandaccumulations
ofdirt.
4. Besurethemachineisinsafeoperatingconditionby
keepingnuts,bolts,andscrewstight. Checkthe
blademountingboltsandnutsfrequentlytobesure
theyaretight.
5. Iftheenginemustberunningtoperformamainte-
nanceadjustment,keephands,feet,clothingand
otherpartsofthebodyawayfromthecutterdeck
bladesandothermovingparts.
6. Donotoverspeedtheenginebychanginggovernor
settings. Tobesureofsafetyandaccuracy,havean
authorizeddealercheckmaximumenginespeedwith
atachometer.
7. Theenginemustbeshutoffbeforecheckingtheoil
oraddingoiltothecrankcase.
WARNING
FALLING HAZARD
USE ONLY SCAG APPROVED
RIDING ATTACHMENTS
SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL 481109
WARNING:

6
8. Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringthemowerin
anyenclosuresuchasagarageorstorageshed.
Makesurethefueltankisemptyifthemachineisto
bestoredin excessof30days.Do not storethe
mowernearanyopenflameorwheregasolinefumes
maybeignitedbyaspark.
9. Alwaysstoregasolineinasafety-approved,red
container.
10. Be careful when servicing the battery as it con-
tains acid, which is corrosive and could cause
burnstoskinandclothing.
11. Batteriesreleaseexplosivegaseswhenbeing
chargedordischarged. Keepbatteriesawayfrom
anysourceofsparksand/orflame.
INITIAL RUN-IN PROCEDURES
(FIRST DAY OF USE OR APPROXI-
MATELY 10 HOURS)
1. Check the belts for proper tension at 2, 4 and 8
hours. Adjust as needed.
2. Check the steering control rods for neutral
adjustment. (SeeAdjustments,page8)
3. Checkthetiresforproperpressure.
CasterWheels 25psi.
DriveWheels 12psi.
4. Checkforloosehardware. Tightenasneeded.
5. Checkthesafetyswitchesforproperadjustment:
* Theenginewillcrank,butnotstartifthe
machineisnotinneutral.
* Onelectricstartmachines,theenginewillnot
crankifthePTOswitchison.
* Theengineshouldcrankandstartifthe
machineisinneutralandthePTOengagement
switchisOFF.
6. Applylubricanttoallthegreasefittings.
Lubricantwasappliedatthefactory. Thisis
justaprecautionarychecktomakesurethat
allthefittingshavebeenlubricated.
1. Readandunderstandthesafetyinstructions
before attempting to operate this machine.
2. Before starting the engine:
* Check the oil level in the engine.
* Fillthefueltankwithclean,fresh,lead-free
gasoline.
*Openthefuelvalveonthebottomofthefuel
tank.
MOWER OPERATION
-NOTE-
Use gasoline with an octane rating no less than
87.
* The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
* The blade clutch switch must be in the OFF
position.
* The operator's presence levers must be
released.
* The neutral latches must be in the neutral
lock position.
* The key switch must be on.
3. Start the engine:
* Choke as required. If the engine is cold, pull
the choke knob out. When the engine starts,
slowly push the choke in. If the engine stalls,
repeat the above operation. When the engine
is warm, choking may not be necessary.
4. Engagethecutterbladesbydepressingtheoperator
presenceleversandpullingthebladeclutchswitch
intotheONposition. PushtheswitchtotheOFF
positiontodisengagethecutterblades.
390S0138
PULL UP TO ENGAGE
PUSH DOWN TO DISENGAGE