Snapper 285Z Series User manual

285Z Series
Form No. 7104440
Rev. ‘-’, 6/10/2010
Briggs & Stratton Yard Power Products Group
Copyright © 2010 Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Milwaukee, WI USA. All Rights Reserved
Dealer Setup Instructions
Model. No. Description
7800632 Snapper 285Z Model RZT26520, 26HP w/ 52” Mower
7800578 Snapper 285Z Model RZT27460, 27HP w/ 46” Mower
!
Not for
Reproduction

285Z Series
2
Quick Setup List
Page Setup Procedure Steps to Perform
3Uncrating oRemove crate & banding.
oLocate literature pack and identify contents.
o Remove unit from bottom skid.
o Make sure roll release rods are in DRIVE position.
4Battery Activation &oCharge the battery (Note: proceed with other setup steps
Installation while battery is charging).
oInstall & secure battery.
5Mower Assembly o Torque the mower blade hardware.
6Check Fluid Levels oFill & check Engine oil level.
oReduce & check tire pressures
(Front tires 25 psi, rear tires 15 psi).
7Lubrication oLubricate all grease & oil points.
8Burnish PTO Clutch oBurnish PTO clutch (run for 15 seconds, repeat 10 times) .
8Final Adjustments oPerform any final adjustments as outlined in the
Operator’s Manual.
8SAFETY CHECKS oPerform SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEM CHECK.
o Perform MOWER BLADE STOPPING CHECK.
(Blade must stop within 5 seconds!)
WARNING
Grass Catcher bags used on this product are made of
woven fabric, and are subject to deterioration and wear
during normal usage. Check condition of bags before
each use. Immediately replace worn or damaged
catcher bags with only bags recommended by the
manufacturer. The Grass Catcher is optional equipment
on some models. WARNING
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer or other
reproductive harm.
Not for
Reproduction

3
Uncrating
1. Using a reciprocating utility saw or equivalent, cut
crate away from bottom skid. Remove crate. Remove
plastic wrap.
2. Cut any banding securing the unit.
3. Locate literature pack, and identify contents:
• Operator’s Manuals and associated literature
• Set of Keys (in ‘Kids and Mowers Don’t Mix’
Blister Pak)
• Washout Port Connector (Note: On some units,
this may be attached to the washout port,
located on the left side of the mower deck.)
4. Using a hoist or similar lifting method, lift the machine,
remove the bottom skid from under it, and lower the
machine onto the ground.
IMPORTANT: To avoid damage, be sure to lift the
machine by the frame.
5. Set the ground speed control levers to START/PARK,
and engage the parking brake.
6. Make sure that the roll release rods (Figure 1),
located on either side of the engine, are pushed
down into the DRIVE position.
NOTICE
When cutting crate from bottom skid, use caution
around tires and mower rollers.
NOTICE
Do not tow rider. Towing the unit will cause transmission
damage. Do not use another vehicle to push or pull this
unit. Do not use this unit to push or pull another vehicle
or object.
285Z Series
Figure 1. Roll release rods
Not for
Reproduction

4
WARNING
Corrosion hazard.
Batteries contain acid. Always keep the
battery upright and do not spill the
electrolyte. Avoid contact with skin and
eyes.
Explosion hazard.
Changing the battery produces explosive
hydrogen gas. Only charge the battery in a
well ventilated area, away from any ignition
source such as a water heater, electric
motor, or a lit cigarette.
Wear Protective Equipment
Always wear gloves and safety glasses
when handling the battery and battery
cables.
Battery Activation &
Installation
Charge Battery
1. Tip the seat forward to access the battery.
2. Remove the battery from the battery compartment,
and place the battery on a level, non-concrete sur-
face.
Note: When removing the battery cables from the bat-
tery, always remove the negative (-) cable first.
3. To charge the battery, follow the instructions provided
by the battery charger manufacturer as well as all
warnings included in the safety rules section of this
document. Charge the battery at 6-10 amps for 1
hour. Do not charge at a rate higher than 10 amps.
See Figure 2.
Figure 2. Charging the battery
Figure 4. Installing the battery cables
Install Battery
1. Install and secure the battery in the battery compart-
ment (Figure 3).
2. Connect the red positive battery cable (A, Figure 4) to
the positive battery terminal, then cover the positive
battery terminal with the terminal cover.
3. Connect the black negative battery cable (B) to the
negative battery terminal.
Figure 3. Installing the battery
A
B
285Z Series
Not for
Reproduction

5
285Z Series
Torque Mower
Blade Hardware
1. Check to see that the blade and hardware are
installed according to the diagram shown (A,
Figure 5).
2. Torque the blade hardware to the noted
torque (B):
Note: Use a wooden block to prevent blade
rotation.
50-60 ft. lbs.
68-81 N.m.
A
B
Figure 5. Torquing the mower blade hardware (46” & 52” decks)
Not for
Reproduction

6
Size PSI bar
Rear 15 1,03
Front 25 1,72
Check
Fluid Levels
Fill & Check Engine Oil
Raising the engine cover to gain access to the
engine (Figure 6, inset), use the dipstick to check
the engine oil level. If necessary add engine oil.
Check engine manufacturer’s owner’s manual for
oil recommendations.
Figure 6. Checking the fluid levels
Figure 7. Checking the tire pressure
Reduce & Check Tire
Pressures
The tires are over-inflated for shipping purposes. Inflate
to the pressures shown (Figure 7). Note that these pres-
sures may differ slightly from the “Max Inflation” stamped
on the side-wall of the tires. The pressures shown pro-
vide proper traction, improve cut quality, and extend tire
life.
285Z Series
Not for
Reproduction

7
285Z Series
Figure 8. Lubrication Points (Grease)
Lubrication
Lubricate the unit at the following lubrication points as
well as those shown in Figure 8.
Grease:
• front caster wheel axles
• front caster spindle bosses
• front axle center pivot
• mower blade spindles
• mower deck idler arm
• mower deck lift motor screw (located up under
right fender)
Oil:
• ground speed control lever pivot points
• discharge chute hinge
• deck lift pivot points
Generally, all moving metal parts should be oiled where
contact is made with other parts. Keep oil and grease off
belts and pulleys. Remember to wipe fittings and sur-
faces clean both before and after lubrication. Use grease
fittings when present. Disassemble parts to apply grease
to moving parts when grease fittings are not installed.
Not all greases are compatible. Use automotive-type
lithium grease.
* Some blade spindles have grease fittings above the
mower deck, while others have grease fittings below
the deck.
2x
2x
Not for
Reproduction

8
CHECK RIDER SAFETY
SYSTEM
This unit is equipped with safety interlock switches.
These safety systems are present for your safety. Do
not attempt to bypass safety switches, and never
tamper with safety devices. Check their operation
regularly.
Operational SAFETY Checks
TEST 1 — ENGINE SHOULD NOT CRANK IF:
• Mower blades switch is ON, OR
• Ground speed control levers are not in their
START/PARK positions, OR
• Parking brake lever is in DISENGAGE position.
TEST 2 — ENGINE SHOULD CRANK IF:
• Mower blade switch is OFF, AND
• Ground speed control levers are in their
START/PARK positions, AND
• Parking brake lever is in ENGAGE position.
TEST 3 — ENGINE SHOULD SHUT OFF IF:
• Operator rises off seat with the mower blade switch
ON, OR
• Operator rises off seat with the ground speed levers
in DRIVE positions, OR
• Operator rises off seat with the parking brake in
DISENGAGE position, OR
• Operator moves the left and/or right ground speed
control lever out of its START/PARK position with
the parking brake lever in ENGAGE position.
TEST 4 — BLADE BRAKE CHECK
The mower blades and mower drive belt should come
to a complete stop within five seconds after the mower
blade switch is turned OFF. If mower drive belt does
not stop within five seconds, contact your local autho-
rized dealer.
NOTE: Once the engine has stopped, the mower blade
switch must be turned OFF, the ground speed control
levers must be locked in their START/PARK positions,
and the parking brake lever must be in the ENGAGE
position in order to start the engine.
Burnish PTO Clutch
1. Follow fueling and starting procedures as outlined in
the Operator’s Manual.
2. Move the ground speed control levers into their
START/PARK positions, engage the parking brake,
and set engine speed to FAST.
3. Engage the PTO switch for fifteen seconds, then
disengage it and wait for the mower blades to stop.
4. Repeat Step 3 ten times, taking note of mower blade
stopping time. (Stopping time must be five seconds or
less.) If the unit fails this test, perform the PTO clutch
adjustment found in the “Regular Maintenance”
section of the Operator’s Manual, or replace the
clutch.
285Z Series
Final Adjustments
Perform any necessary adjustments to the unit as
outlined in the Operator’s Manual.
WARNING
If the unit does not pass a safety test, do not
operate it. See your local authorized dealer.
Under no circumstance should you attempt to
defeat the purpose of the safety interlock system.
Not for
Reproduction