Simplicity 4200 Series User manual

Optidnai
Accessories
TIRE CHAINS for traction.
HOURMETER to record operating
time.
HEADLIGHTS- t o improve visibility.
SEAT SPRING KIT for operator
comfort.
FRONT WEIGHT to improve steer¬
ing and stability with rear mounted
attachment.
REAR WHEEL WEIGHTS to im¬
prove traction and stability.
DUMP CART for vacuum collector
and hauling chores.
ROVING NOZZLE used with vacuum
collector to collect leaves in hard-
to-reach places.
NOTE; Some attachments require
accessories. See your dealer or the
attachment operator's manuals.

Contents
SAFETY RULES . 2
DECALS . 4
MOWER INSTALLATION & REMOVAL . 5
OPERATION . 7
CONTROLS . 7
STARTING THE ENGINE . 8
SELECTING GEARS & ENGINE SPEED . 8
STARTING & STOPPING . 8
BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR'S POSITION .... 9
MOWING PATTERN & TIPS . 9
NORMAL CARE . 10
DETERMINING OPERATION TIME. 10
NORMAL CARE SCHEDULE. 10
RAISING HOOD & SEAT DECK/
ADJUSTING SEAT . 10
CHECKING/ADDING GASOLINE . 11
LUBRICATING THE TRACTOR . 11
CHECKING THE FUEL FILTER . 11
CHECKING BATTERY FLUID . 12
CLEANING THE BATTERY & CABLES .12
CHECKING TIRE PRESSURES . 12
TRACTOR NORMAL STORAGE . 12
TRACTOR OFF-SEASON STORAGE .13
STARTING AFTER STORAGE . 13
LUBRICATING THE MOWER . 14
SHARPENING & BALANCING THE BLADES .... 14
MOWER OFF-SEASON STORAGE .15
TROUBLESHOOTING & REPAIR. 16
CONTENT OF SECTION . 16
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES.16
BATTERY REPLACEMENT . 18
JUMP STARTING . 18
TRACTOR DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT .20
MOWER BELT REPLACEMENT .21
ADJUSTMENTS. 2 2
TRACTOR ADJUSTMENTS . . ... . 2 2
MOWER ADJUSTMENTS . 1 . . . . 23
MOWER DRIVE BELT TENSION .'..... 23
ARBOR BELT STOPS . 24
IDLER PULLEY BELT GUIDE .24
PTO PULLEY BELT STOPS .24
LEVELLING MOWER . '..... 25
LIFT LEVER . 26
SPECIFICATIONS .*.28
COMMON REPLACEMENT PARTS . 29
PARTS MANUAL AVAILABLE. 31
NOTE
In this manual, “left” and “right” are referred to as
seen from operating position.
1

Safety Rules
A Read these safety rules and follow them closely. Failure to obey these rules
could result In loss of control of vehicle, severe personal Injury to yourself
or bystanders, or damage to property or equipment. The triangle ^ In
the text signifies Important cautions or warnings which must be followed.
• Know the controls and how to stop
quickly. READ THIS OPERATOR’S
MANUAL and instructions furnished
with attachments.
• Do not allow children to operate the
machine. Do not allow adults to operate
It without-proper instruction.
• Do not carry passengers. Do not mow
when chiidren and others are around.
• Clear tjie work area of objects (wire,
rocks, etc.) that might be picked up and
thrown. '
• Disengage all attachment clutches
and shift into neutrai before attempting
to start the engine (motor).
• Disengage power to attachments and
stop the engine (motor) before leaving
the operator’s position.
• Disengage power to attachments and
stop the engine (motor) before making
any repairs or adjustments.
2
• Disengage power to attachments
when transporting or not in use.
• Take all possible precautions when
leaving the vehicle unattended, such as
disengaging the power-take-off, lower¬
ing the attachments, setting the parking
brake, stopping the engine, and
removing the key.
• Do not stop or start suddenly when
going uphill or downhill. Mow up and
down the face of steep slopes; never
across the face.
• Reduce speed and exercise extreme
caution on slopes and in sharp turns to
prevent tipping or loss of control. Be
especially cautious when changing
direction on slopes.
• Stay alert for holes, rocks, and roots in
the terrain and other hidden hazards.
Keep away from drop-offs.
• Use care when pulling loads or using
heavy equipment.
a. Use only approved drawbar hitch
points.
b. Limit loads to those you can safely
control.
c. Do not turn sharply. Use care when
backing.
d. Use counterweights or wheel
weights when suggested in this
operator’s manual.
• Watch out for traffic when crossing or
near roadways.
• When using any attachments, never
direct discharge of materiai toward
bystanders or ailow anyone near the
vehicle while in operation.
• Handle gasoline with care — it is
highiy flammable.
a. Use approved gasoline container.
b. Never remove the fuel cap of, or add
gasoline to, a running or hot engine
or an engine that has not been
allowed to cool for several minutes
after running. Never fill the tank
indoors and always clean up spilled
gasoline.
c. Open doors if the engine is run in
the garage — exhaust fumes are
dangerous. Do not run the engine
indoors.

Safety Rules
• Keep the vehicle and attachments in
good operating condition, and keep
safety devices in place and in working
condition.
• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight
to be sure the equipment is in safe
working condition.
• Never store the equipment with
gasoline in the tank inside a building
where fumes may reach an open flame
or spark. Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any enclosure.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine
free of grass, leaves, or excessive
grease.
• The vehicle and attachments should
be stopped and inspected for damage
after striking a foreign object, and the
damage should be repaired before
restarting and operating the equipment.
• Do not change the engine governor
settings or overspeed the engine.
• When using the vehicle with mower,
proceed as follows;
a. Mow only in daylight or in good
artificial light.
b. Never make a cutting height ad¬
justment while the engine (motor) is
running if the operator must
dismount to do so.
c. Shut the engine (motor) off when
removing the grass catcher or
unclogging chute.
d. Check the blade mounting bolts for
proper tightness at frequent in¬
tervals.
• Under normal usage, the grass
catcher bag material is subject to
deterioration and wear. Check bag
frequently for deterioration and wear
and replace worn bags. Check that
replacement bags comply with the
original manufacturer's recommen¬
dations or specifications.
• Disengage power to mower before
backing up. Do not mow in reverse
unless absolutely necessary and then
only after observation of the entire area
behind the mower.

Decals
ALL WARNING, CAUTION, and instruc¬
tional messages on your tractor and
mower should be carefully read and
obeyed. Personal bodily injury can re¬
sult when these instructions are not fol¬
lowed. The information is for your safe¬
ty and it is important. The safety mes¬
sages on.this page are on your tractor
and mower.
ROTATING CUTTING BLADE
• Do not put hands or feet under mower deck
or Into discharge chute.
• Do not operate mower without discharge
chute or entire grass catcher in place.
Objects may be thrown from mower.
• Clear lawn ol debris and objects.
• Do not mow with bystanders in area.
fSNOW THROWER &
engage \
MOWER PTO
K
L ^DISENGAGE
_ ^
^ &
SHIFT PATTERN
R
ACAUTION
• Before operating, read safety
and operating Instructions
in Operator's Manual.
• Keep all shields in place.
• Keep hands, feet and clothing
away from power driven parts.
• Keep people and pets a safe
distance from machine.
• Never carry riders.
• Do not operate where machine
can slip or tip.
• Look behind machine before
backing up.
• To start engine operator must;
be in seat, set pailiing brake,
shift transmission into neutral
and disengage PTO.
Before leaving operator’s position:
• Set parking brake.
• Disengage PTO clutch.
• Shut off engine and remove key.
• Wait for all movement to stop
before placing hands or feet near
A DANGER
ROTATING CUTTING BLADE
• Do not put hands or feet under or info any
part of this mower deck while blade is
rotating.
4

Mower Installation &
Removal
^^W ARNING
Engage the parking brake, disengage
the PTO, stop the engine and remove
the key before attempting to install or
remove the mower.
A. Lift Chain
B. Lift Arm
C. Hitch Arms
Figure 1. Installing 36" Mower
NOTE
The lift chain (A, figure I) should be
connected to the rear hole in lift arm
(B) unless optional large lift lever (B,
figure 8) is used to raise mower. With
large lift lever, connect chain in for¬
ward hole.
1. Place your tractor and mower on a hard
level surface, such as concrete, with the
mower on the right side of the tractor.
2. Turn the front wheels of the tractor as
far as they go to the left.
3. Place the mower in the lowest cutting
A. Hitch C. Safety Clips
B. Pins 0. Drive Belt
Figure 2. Mower Hitch Attached
position and slide it under the tractor
(see figure I). Align arms (C, figure I) in
tractor hitch (A, figure 2).
4. Insert the link (A, figure 3) into lift arm
(B) then pivot back and down. Secure
chain (C) to clevis (D) with pin (E) and
clip (F). (Early models are equipped
with a simple hook instead of clevis
assembly shown in figure 3.) Use on
three links of chain. '
I
5. Lift up front of mower and insert pins
(B, figure 2) to attach mower hitch arms
to tractor hitch (A). (You can insert a
pry bar under front edge of deck to
raise.) Connect the clips (C) into the
pins.
Figure 3. Lift Assembly
5

Mower Installation & Removal
B. V-Pulley, Left Arbor
C. Engine PTO Pulley
D. Flat Idler Pulley
Figure 4. Mower Belt Pattern - 36"
I
6. Slip the mower drive belt onto the PTO
pulley. Loosen belt stops as necessary.
The left-hand belt stop is item A in
figure 5. The right-hand belt stop is item
A in figure 6.
7. Make sure the belt is properly installed
on the mower pulleys. The belt pattern
is shown in figure 4.
8. Insert one end of the PTO rod (B, figure
7) in the mower PTO arm (A) and the
A. Belt Stop D. Mower Hitch Arm
B. Belt E. Tractor Hitch
C. PTO Pulley F. Spring Clip
Figure 5. Left-Hand Belt Stop
other end in the tractor PTO arm (C) in
hole marked “MOW”. The rod must be
inserted into the holes from the right-
hand side as shown. Refer to figure 7
to make sure you connected correct end
of rod to front. Install the spring clips
(D).
9. I f installing mower for the first time, or
if a new belt was installed, perform the
mower adjustments in the Adjustments
section.
6
EARLY MODELS
A. Belt Stop B. PTO Pulley C. Belt
Figure 6. Right-Hand Belt Stop
A. Mower PTO Arm C. Tractor PTO Arm
B. PTO Rod D. Spring Clip
Figure 7. Installing PTO Rod
10. Reverse the procedure to remove the
mower.

Operation
CONTROLS
Refer to figure 8 for an explanation of
tractor and mower controls.
INTERLOCK SWITCHES
Mfg. No. 1691027 and higher are equipped with a seat
switch which will stop the engine if operator leaves seat
when PTO is engaged and/or transmission is in gear.
Also, switch will prevent starting if operator is not in seat.
The other models are not equipped with this switch. On
all models, the PTO must be disengaged and trans¬
mission in NEUTRAL to start engine.
00
ITEM NAME
FUNCTION
A
Clutch-Brake Disengages tractor clutch when pressed down at least
halfway. Applies brake when fully depressed. Engages
parking brake when latched over footrest.
B Lift Lever
Lifts and holds attachments in transport position (only
required with attachment other than mower). (Optional)
C
Ignition
Switch
Operates with key to start, run, or stop engine.
t
D
Light Switch
1.
Switches headlights on or off (if equipped), t
E
Lift Lever Lifts and holds mower in transport position.
F
Mower Height
Control Lever
Adjusts mower cutting height.
G
PTO (Power
Take Off)
Lever
Engages and disengages power to attachment. Pull
back to disengage.
H Gear Shift
Lever
Shifts transmission gears to control ground speed. Five
speeds forward, one speed reverse.
1
Engine Speed
Control
Position from SLOW to FAST to control engine speed.
Also position for engine CHOKE.
J Gas Gauge/
Cap
Shows amount of gasoline in the tank and serves as
tank cap.
K
Seat Deck
Latch
Press button on each side to tilt the seat deck back.
7

Operation
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Seat yourself on tractor seat, in oper¬
ating position. Set the parking brake.
2. Set engine speed control to CHOKE. A
warm engine may not require choking.
3. Lift PTO lever as far as it will go to the
rear to disengage the attachment.
4. Set gear shift lever in NEUTRAL.
5. Insert the key into the ignition switch
and turn it to START. When engine
starts, release the key.
6. Move the engine speed control to
SLOW. Warm up the engine by run¬
ning it for at least a minute before
engaging the PTO lever or driving the
tractor.
SELECTING GEARS & ENGINE SPEED
Most mowing is done in third or fourth gear
with engine speed between 3/4 and full
speed. If the terrain is rough, hilly, or sloping
use first or second gear. If the grass is wet or
over three inches (76 mm) high, use full
engine speed (with low gear) so the mower
will have enough power to cut the grass.
Shift gears only with tractor stopped and
clutch-brake pedal fully depressed.
^^ WARNINC.
Slope Operation
Never operate on slopes greater than
30 percent (16.7°) which is a rise of
three feet vertically in 10 feet hori¬
zontally. When operating on slopes
that are greater than 15 percent (8.5°)
but less than 30 percent use rear wheel
weights (see your dealer). Select slow
ground speed before driving onto
slope. Mow UP and DOWN the slope,
never across the face, use caution
when changing directions and DO
NOT START OR STOP.
STARTING & STOPPING
1. Refer to Normal Care Chart and per¬
form any needed care.
2. Clear the work area of any objects
which may be caught in or thrown by
mower.
3. Position the front wheels straight a-
head. If possible, the first motion
should be straight forward or back¬
ward.
4. Start the engine.
5. Set engine control for 1 /3 to 1/2 speed.
Select the gear best suited for condi¬
tions.
6. Release the parking brake by unlatch¬
ing clutch-brake pedal from the foot
rest.
7. Make sure the path in desired direction
of movement is clear.
8. If you are ready to mow, engage the
mower PTO with moderately fast mo¬
tion. Engaging PTO too slowly may
cause belt wear.
9. Slowly release the clutch-brake pedal to
engage clutch and start tractor into
motion.
10. Adjust engine speed control to desired
speed. Between 3/4 and full speed is
recommended for mowing.
11. For a gradual stop, press the pedal
down only far enough to disengage the
clutch. For a more rapid stop, press
pedal down farther to apply the brake.
See “Before Leaving Operator's Posi¬
tion” (next page).
8