Toro 73429 User manual

Operator’s Manual
IMPORTANT: Read this manual carefully. It contains information about your
safety and the safety of others. Also become familiar with the controls and
their proper use before you operate the product.
FORM NO. 3322–107
Wheel Horse

312-8
Classic
Garden Tractor
Model No. 73429 – 9900001 & Up

The Toro Company – 1998
All Rights Reserved
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Toro product.
All of us at Toro want you to be completely satisfied
with your new product, so feel free to contact your
local Authorized Service Dealer for help with service,
genuine replacement parts, or other information you
may require.
Whenever you contact your Authorized Service
Dealer or the factory, always know the model and
serial numbers of your product. These numbers will
help the Service Dealer or Service Representative
provide exact information about your specific
product. You will find the model and serial number
plate located in a unique place on the product as
shown below .
1
1. Model and Serial Number Plate
For your convenience, write the product model and
serial numbers in the space below.
Model No:
Serial No.
Read this manual carefully to learn how to operate
and maintain your product correctly. Reading this
manual will help you and others avoid personal injury
and damage to the product. Although we design,
produce and market safe, state-of-the-art products,
you are responsible for using the product properly
and safely. You are also responsible for training
persons, who you allow to use the product, about safe
operation.
The warning system in this manual identifies
potential hazards and has special safety messages that
help you and others avoid personal injury, even death.
DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION are signal
words used to identify the level of hazard. However,
regardless of the hazard, be extremely careful.
DANGER signals an extreme hazard that will cause
serious injury or death if the recommended
precautions are not followed.
WARNING signals a hazard that may cause serious
injury or death if the recommended precautions are
not followed.
CAUTION signals a hazard that may cause minor or
moderate injury if the recommended precautions are
not followed.
Two other words are also used to highlight
information. “Important” calls attention to special
mechanical information and “Note” emphasizes
general information worthy of special attention.
The left and right side of the machine is determined
by sitting on the seat in the normal operator’s
position.
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects,
or other reproductive harm.
IMPORTANT: This engine is not equipped
with a spark arrester muffler. It is a violation
of California Public Resource Code Section
4442 to use or operate this engine on any
forest–covered, brush–covered or
grass–covered land. Other states or federal
areas may have similar laws.

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Contents
Page
Safe Operating Practices 2.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Slope Chart 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety and Instruction Decals 7 . . . . . . . . . .
Gasoline and Oil 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended Gasoline 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stabilizer/Conditioner 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling the Fuel Tank 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Engine Oil Level 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Think Safety First 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Choice Switch 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking Brake 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting and Stopping
the Engine 11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating the
Power Take Off (PTO) 12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instruments 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indicator Light 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Safety Interlock System 13 . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating–in–Reverse 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving Forward or Backward 16 . . . . . . . . . .
Selecting Ground Speeds 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stopping the Machine 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Attachment Lift Lever 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page
Adjusting Dial-A-Height 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Positioning the Seat 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lights 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing PT O Belt 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Interval Chart 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plug 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Greasing and Lubrication 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Pressure 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning Engine Cooling Systems 26 . . . . . . .
Brake 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PTO (Power Take Off) Clutch and Brake 28 .
Front Wheel Toe-In 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Fluid 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlights 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiring Diagram 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning and Storage 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warranty Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2
Safety
This machine meets or exceeds the B71.1–1996
specifications of the American National Standards
Institute, in effect at the time of production.
However, improper use or maintenance by the
operator or owner can result in injury. To reduce
the potential for injury, comply with these safety
instructions and always pay attention to the safety
alert symbol, which means CAUTION,
WARNING, or DANGER—“personal safety
instruction.” Failure to comply with the
instruction may result in personal injury or death.
Safe Operating Practices
This product is capable of amputating hands and feet
and throwing objects. Always follow all safety
instructions to avoid serious injury or death.
POTENTIAL HAZARD
•Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide,
which is an odorless, deadly poison.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
•Carbon monoxide can kill you and is also
known to the State of California to cause
birth defects.
HOW TO AV
OID THE HAZARD
•Do not run engine indoors or in an enclosed
area.
General Operation
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions in
the operator’s manual and on the machine before
starting.
2. Allow only responsible adults who are familiar
with the instructions to operate the machine.
3. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys,
wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown
by the blade.
4. Be sure the area is clear of other people before
mowing. Stop the machine if anyone enters the
area.
5. Never carry passengers.
6. Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely
necessary. Always look down and behind before
and while backing.
7. Be aware of the mower discharge direction and
do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the
mower without either the entire grass catcher or
the guard in place.
8. Slow down before turning. Sharp turns on any
terrain may cause loss of control.
9. Never leave a running machine unattended.
Always turn off blades, set parking brake, stop
engine, and remove key before dismounting.
10. Turn off blades when not mowing.
11. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away
from attachment discharge area, underside of
mower and any moving parts while engine is
running.
12. Stop the engine before removing the grass
catcher or unclogging the chute.
13. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

Safety
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14. Do not operate the machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
15. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways.
16. Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck.
17. Do not touch equipment or attachment parts
which may be hot from operation. Allow to cool
before attempting to maintain, adjust or service.
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 cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on
it, do not mow it.
DO
•Mow up and down slopes greater than 5°, not
across.
•Mow downhill only on slopes above 10°, never
mow uphill. If a steep slope must be ascended,
back up the hill, and drive forward down the hill,
keeping the machine in gear.
•Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
from the mowing area. Watch for holes, ruts or
bumps, as uneven terrain could overturn the
machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
•Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so that you
will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
•Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for
wheel weight or counterweights to improve
stability.
•Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of
the machine.
•Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or
direction.
•Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires
lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
DO NOT
•Do not operate machine on hillsides or slopes
exceeding 15 °.
•Avoid turning on slopes. If you must turn, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
•Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or
embankments. The machine could suddenly turn
over if a wheel goes over the edge of a cliff or
ditch, or if an edge caves in.
•Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction
could cause sliding.
•Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting
your foot on the ground.
•Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
Heavy grass bags could cause loss of control or
overturn the machine.