Toro 74765 User manual

FormNo.3406-643RevA
TimeCutter®SS3225,SS4200,
andMX4200RidingMower
ModelNo.74710—SerialNo.316000001andUp
ModelNo.74720—SerialNo.316000001andUp
ModelNo.74765—SerialNo.316000001andUp
Registeratwww.Toro.com.
OriginalInstructions(EN)*3406-643*A

ItisaviolationofCaliforniaPublicResourceCode
Section4442or4443touseoroperatetheengineonany
forest-covered,brush-covered,orgrass-coveredlandunless
theengineisequippedwithasparkarrester,asdenedin
Section4442,maintainedineffectiveworkingorderorthe
engineisconstructed,equipped,andmaintainedforthe
preventionofre.
ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadianICES-002
WARNING
CALIFORNIA
Proposition65Warning
Thisproductcontainsachemicalorchemicals
knowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer,
birthdefects,orreproductiveharm.
Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct
containschemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,
orotherreproductiveharm.
GrossHorsepower
Thegrossornethorsepowerofthisenginewaslaboratory
ratedbytheenginemanufacturerinaccordancewiththe
SocietyofAutomotiveEngineers(SAE)J1940.Ascongured
tomeetsafety,emission,andoperatingrequirements,
theactualenginetorqueonthisclassofmowerwillbe
signicantlylower.
Gotowww .Toro.comtoviewspecicationsonyourmower
model.
Introduction
Thismachineisaride-on,rotary-bladelawnmowerintended
tobeusedbyhomeownersinresidentialapplications.Itis
primarilydesignedforcuttinggrassonwell-maintainedlawns.
Itisnotdesignedforcuttingbrush,mowinggrassandother
growthalongsidehighways,orforagriculturaluses.
Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperateand
maintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoidinjuryand
productdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperatingthe
productproperlyandsafely.
YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww .Toro.comforproduct
safetyandoperationtrainingmaterials,accessoryinformation,
helpndingadealer,ortoregisteryourproduct.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,oradditional
information,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealerorToro
CustomerServiceandhavethemodelandserialnumbersof
yourproductready.Figure1identiesthelocationofthe
modelandserialnumbersontheproduct.Writethenumbers
inthespaceprovided.
G014523
1
Figure1
LocatedUndertheSeat
1.Modelandserial-numberplate
Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthespace
below:
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhassafety
messagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol(Figure2),
whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseseriousinjuryordeath
ifyoudonotfollowtherecommendedprecautions.
©2016—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN554202
Contactusatwww.Toro.com.
PrintedintheUSA
AllRightsReserved

Figure2
1.Safety-alertsymbol
Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanicalinformation
andNoteemphasizesgeneralinformationworthyofspecial
attention.
Important:Ifyouareusingthismachineabove1500m
(5,000ft)foracontinuousperiod,ensurethattheHigh
AltitudeKithasbeeninstalledsothattheenginemeets
CARB/EPAemissionregulations.TheHighAltitude
Kitincreasesengineperformancewhilepreventing
spark-plugfouling,hardstarting,andincreased
emissions.Onceyouhaveinstalledthekit,attach
thehigh-altitudelabelnexttotheserialdecalonthe
machine.ContactanyAuthorizedToroServiceDealer
toobtaintheproperHighAltitudeKitandhigh-altitude
labelforyourmachine.Tolocateadealerconvenientto
you,accessourwebsiteatwww.Toro.comorcontactour
ToroCustomerCareDepartmentatthenumber(s)listed
inyourEmissionControlWarrantyStatement.
Removethekitfromtheengineandrestoretheengine
toitsoriginalfactorycongurationwhenrunningthe
engineunder1500m(5,000ft).Donotoperateanengine
thathasbeenconvertedforhigh-altitudeuseatlower
altitudes;otherwise,youcouldoverheatanddamage
theengine.
Ifyouareunsurewhetherornotyourmachinehasbeen
convertedforhigh-altitudeuse,lookforthefollowing
label(Figure3).
Figure3
Contents
Safety...........................................................................4
SafeOperatingPractices...........................................4
ToroRidingMowerSafety........................................6
SlopeIndicator.......................................................7
SafetyandInstructionalDecals.................................8
ProductOverview.........................................................12
Controls...............................................................12
Operation....................................................................14
AddingFuel...........................................................14
CheckingtheEngine-OilLevel.................................15
BreakinginaNewMachine......................................15
ThinkSafetyFirst...................................................15
UnderstandingtheSafety-InterlockSystem................16
TestingtheSafety-InterlockSystem...........................16
StartingtheEngine.................................................17
OperatingtheBlades...............................................17
ShuttingOfftheEngine..........................................17
DrivingtheMachine...............................................18
StoppingtheMachine.............................................20
AdjustingtheHeightofCut.....................................20
PositioningtheSeat................................................20
AdjustingtheMotion-ControlLevers........................20
PushingtheMachinebyHand..................................21
AdjustingtheAnti-ScalpRollers...............................22
TransportingtheMachine........................................22
LoadingtheMachine..............................................22
OperatingTips......................................................24
Maintenance.................................................................25
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)......................25
PremaintenanceProcedures........................................26
RaisingtheSeat......................................................26
Lubrication...............................................................26
GreasingtheBearings.............................................26
EngineMaintenance..................................................27
ServicingtheAirCleaner.........................................27
ServicingtheEngineOil..........................................28
ServicingtheSparkPlug..........................................30
FuelSystemMaintenance...........................................31
ReplacingtheIn-LineFuelFilter...............................31
ElectricalSystemMaintenance....................................32
ChargingtheBattery...............................................32
ServicingtheFuses.................................................34
DriveSystemMaintenance.........................................34
CheckingtheTirePressure......................................34
ReleasingtheElectricBrake.....................................35
CoolingSystemMaintenance......................................35
CleaningtheEngineScreen......................................35
CleaningtheEngine-CoolingFinsand
Shrouds.............................................................35
MaintainingMower....................................................36
ServicingtheCuttingBlades.....................................36
LevelingtheMowerDeck........................................38
RemovingtheMower..............................................40
InstallingtheMower...............................................41
ReplacingtheGrassDeector..................................41
MaintainingtheMowerBelt(s).....................................42
ServicingtheMowerBelt(s).....................................42
Cleaning...................................................................44
WashingtheUndersideoftheMower........................44
Storage........................................................................45
CleaningandStoringtheMachine.............................45
Troubleshooting...........................................................46
Schematics...................................................................48
3

Safety
ThismachinehasbeendesignedinaccordancewithANSI
standardB71.1-2012.
Toreducethepotentialforinjury,complywiththesesafety
instructionsandalwayspayattentiontothesafetyalert
symbol,whichmeansCaution,Warning,orDanger—personal
safetyinstruction.Failuretocomplywiththeinstructionmay
resultinpersonalinjuryordeath.
SafeOperatingPractices
Thisproductiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeetand
throwingobjects.Alwaysfollowallsafetyinstructionsto
avoidseriousinjuryordeath.
GeneralOperation
•Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsinthe
Operator'sManualandonthemachinebeforestarting.
•Donotplaceyourhandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor
underthemachine.Keepclearofthedischargeopening
atalltimes.
•Allowonlyresponsibleadultswhoarefamiliarwiththe
instructionstooperatethemachine.
•Cleartheareaofobjectssuchasrocks,toys,wire,etc.,
whichcouldbepickedupandthrownbytheblade.
•Besuretheareaisclearofotherpeoplebeforemowing.
Stopthemachineifanyoneentersthearea.
•Nevercarrypassengers.
•Donotmowinreverseunlessabsolutelynecessary.
Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking
up.
•Beawareofthemowerdischargedirectionanddonot
pointitatanyone.Avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta
wallorobstruction.Materialmayricochetbacktoward
you.Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggravelsurfaces.
•Donotoperatethemachinewithoutdeector,discharge
coverorentiregrasscollectionsysteminplaceand
working.
•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhenmakingturns.
Lookbehindandtothesidebeforechangingdirections.
•Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.Alwaysturn
offtheblades,settheparkingbrake,shutofftheengine,
andremovethekeyfromtheignitionswitchbefore
dismountingthemachine.
•Turnoffthebladeswhennotmowing.Shutoffthe
engine,waitforallpartstocometoacompletestopand
removethekeyfromtheignitionswitchbeforecleaning
themachine,removingthegrasscatcherorunclogging
thedischargechute.
•Operatethemachineonlyindaylightorgoodarticial
light.
•Donotoperatethemachinewhileill,tired,orunderthe
inuenceofalcoholordrugs.
•Watchfortrafcwhenoperatingnearorcrossing
roadways.
•Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachine
intoatrailerortruck.
•Wearappropriateclothingincludingeyeprotection,
hearingprotection,andsubstantial,slip-resistantshoes.
Tiebacklonghair.Donotwearjewelry.
•Alwaysfollowtherecommendationsforanyapplication
ofcounterweights.
•Lightningcancausesevereinjuryordeath.Iflightning
isseenorthunderisheardinthearea,donotoperate
themachine;seekshelter.
SlopeOperation
Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedtolossofcontroland
tip-overaccidents,whichcanresultinsevereinjuryordeath.
Operationonallslopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyoucannot
backuptheslopeorifyoufeeluneasyonit,donotmowit.
•Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degrees.
•Watchforditches,holes,rocks,dips,andrisesthatchange
theoperatingangle,asroughterraincouldoverturnthe
machine.
•Choosealowgroundspeedsothatyouwillnothaveto
stopwhileoperatingonaslope.
•Donotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.Slippery
conditionsreducetractionandcouldcauseslidingand
lossofcontrol.
•Alwayskeepthedrivewheelsengagedwhengoingdown
slopes.
•Reducespeedanduseextremecautiononslopes.
•Donotmakesuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.
•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,treelimbs,etc.
fromthemowingarea.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
•Avoidsuddenstartswhenmowinguphillbecausethe
mowermaytipbackwards.
•Beawarethatlossoftractionmayoccurgoingdownhill.
Weighttransfertothefrontwheelsmaycausedrive
wheelstoslipandcauselossofbrakingandsteering.
•Alwaysavoidsuddenstartingorstoppingonaslope.If
thetireslosetraction,stopthemachine,disengagethe
bladesandproceedslowlyoffdowntheslope.
•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersorotherattachments.
Thesecanchangethestabilityofthemachineandcause
lossofcontrol.
•Donottrytostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfoot
ontheground.
•Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditches,steepbanksor
water.Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancauserollovers,
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,deathordrowning.
•Useawalkbehindmowerand/orahandtrimmernear
drop-offs,ditches,steepbanksorwater.
4

Children
Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothe
presenceofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothe
machineandthemowingactivity.Neverassumethatchildren
willremainwhereyoulastsawthem.
•Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderthe
watchfulcareofanotherresponsibleadult,notthe
operator.
•Bealertandturnthemachineoffifchildrenenterthe
area.
•Beforeandwhilebackingorchangingdirection,look
behind,down,andside-to-sideforsmallchildren.
•Nevercarrychildrenonthemachine,evenwiththe
bladesoff.Childrenmayfalloffandbeseriouslyinjured
orinterferewithsafeoperationofthemachine.
•Childrenwhohavebeengivenridesinthepastmay
suddenlyappearinthemowingareaforanotherrideand
berunoverorbackedoverbythemower.
•Neverallowchildrentooperatethemachine.
•Useextracarewhenapproachingblindcorners,shrubs,
trees,theendofafenceorotherobjectsthatmayobscure
vision.
TowingSafety
•Donotattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.
•Followtheattachmentmanufacturer'srecommendation
forweightlimitsfortowedequipmentandtowingon
slopes.Towedweightmustnotexceedtheweightof
themachine,operator,andballast.Usecounterweights
orwheelweightsasdescribedintheattachment,orin
towingthemachineOperator’sManual.
•Neverallowchildrenorothersinorontowedequipment.
•Onslopes,theweightofthetowedequipmentmaycause
lossoftraction,increasedriskofrollover,andlossof
control.Reducethetowedweightandslowdown.
•Thestoppingdistanceincreaseswiththeweightofthe
towedload.Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.
•Makewideturnstokeeptheattachmentclearofthe
machine.
SafeHandlingofGasoline
Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamage,useextracare
whenhandlinggasolineandotherfuels.Theyareammable
andthevaporsareexplosive.
•Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources
ofignition.
•Useonlyanapprovedcontainer.
•Neverremovethefuelcaporaddfuelwhentheengineis
running.Allowtheenginetocoolbeforerefueling.
•Neverrefuelthemachineindoors.
•Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewhere
thereisanopename,suchasnearawaterheateror
furnace.
•Neverllcontainersinsideavehicleoronatruckor
trailerwithaplasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforelling.
•Removefuel-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailer
andrefuelitontheground.Ifthisisnotpossible,then
refuelsuchequipmentwithaportablecontainer,rather
thanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.
•Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltank
orcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilthefuelingis
complete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.
•Ifyouspillfuelonclothing,changeyourclothing
immediately.
•Neveroverllthefueltank.Replacethefuelcapand
tightenitsecurely.
5

GeneralService
•Neveroperateamachineinsideaclosedarea.Engine
exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,whichisanodorless,
deadlypoisonthatcankillyou.
•Keepnutsandboltstight,especiallythebladeattachment
bolts.Keepequipmentingoodcondition.
•Neverinterferewiththeintendedfunctionofasafety
deviceortoreducetheprotectionprovidedbyasafety
device.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.
•Keepthemachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris
buildup.Cleanupoilorfuelspillsandfuel-soakeddebris.
Allowthemachinetocoolbeforestoring.
•Stopandinspecttheequipmentifyoustrikeanobject.
Repair,ifnecessary,beforerestarting.
•Nevermakeanyadjustmentsorrepairswiththeengine
running.
•Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,damage
anddeterioration,whichcouldexposemovingpartsor
allowobjectstobethrown.Frequentlycheckcomponents
andreplacewithmanufacturers'recommendedparts,
whennecessary.
•Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wraptheblade(s)or
wearthickly-paddedgloves,anduseextracautionwhen
servicingthem.
•Checkforproperbrakeoperationfrequently.Adjustand
serviceasrequired.
•Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructiondecalsas
necessary.
•UseonlygenuineTororeplacementpartstoensurethat
originalstandardsaremaintained.
ToroRidingMowerSafety
ThefollowinglistcontainssafetyinformationspecictoToro
productsorothersafetyinformationthatyoumustknowthat
maynotbeincludedintheANSIstandards.
•Shutofftheengine,movethemotion-controlleversto
NEUTRALandoutwardtothePARKposition,disengage
theblade-controlswitch,removethekeyfromthe
ignitionswitch,anddisconnectthespark-plugwire(s)
beforeperforminganyservice,repairs,maintenance,or
adjustments.
•Keephands,feet,hair,andlooseclothingawayfrom
attachmentdischargearea,undersideofmowerandany
movingpartswhileengineisrunning.
•Donottouchequipmentorattachmentpartswhichmay
behotfromoperation.Allowtocoolbeforeattempting
tomaintain,adjustorservice.
•Batteryacidispoisonousandcancauseburns.Avoid
contactwithskin,eyes,andclothing.Protectyourface,
eyes,andclothingwhenworkingwithabattery.
•Batterygasescanexplode.Keepcigarettes,sparks,and
amesawayfromthebattery.
•Ifloadingthemachineontoatrailerortruck,useasingle,
full-widthramponly.Therampangleshouldnotexceed
15degrees.
•Removingstandardoriginalequipmentpartsand
accessoriesmayalterthewarranty,traction,andsafety
ofthemachine.FailuretouseoriginalToropartscould
causeseriousinjuryordeath.Makingunauthorized
changestotheengine,fuelorventingsystem,mayviolate
EPAandCARBregulations.
•Replaceallpartsincluding,butnotlimitedto,tires,belts,
blades,andfuelsystemcomponentswithoriginalToro
parts.
6

SlopeIndicator
G01 1841
Figure4
Thispagemaybecopiedforpersonaluse.
1.Themaximumslopeyoucansafelyoperatethemachineonis15degrees.Usetheslopecharttodeterminethedegreeofslope
ofhillsbeforeoperating.Donotoperatethismachineonaslopegreaterthan15degrees.Foldalongtheappropriateline
tomatchtherecommendedslope.
2.Alignthisedgewithaverticalsurface,atree,building,fencepole,etc.
3.Exampleofhowtocompareslopewithfoldededge.
7

SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Safetydecalsandinstructionsareeasilyvisibletotheoperatorandarelocatednearanyareaofpotential
danger.Replaceanydecalthatisdamagedorlost.
93-7009
1.Warning—don'toperatethemowerwiththedeectorupor
removed;keepthedeectorinplace.
2.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—stayawayfrommovingparts.
105-7015
106-8717
1.Readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperforming
maintenance.
2.Checktirepressureevery25operatinghours.
3.Greaseevery25operatinghours.
4.Engine
Manufacturer'sMark
1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.
119-8814
1.Parkingposition4.Neutral
2.Fast5.Reverse
3.Slow
119-8815
1.Parkingposition4.Neutral
2.Fast5.Reverse
3.Slow
8

119-8871
1.Heightofcut5.76mm(3inches)
2.115mm(4.5inches)6.63mm(2.5inches)
3.101mm(4inches)7.50mm(2inches)
4.88mm(3.5inches)8.38mm(1.5inches)
121-2989
1.Bypassleverpositionfor
pushingthemachine
2.Bypassleverpositionfor
operatingthemachine
131-4036
1.Maximumdrawbarpull36kg(80lb)
2.ReadtheOperator'sManual.
132-0872
1.Thrownobject
hazard—keepbystanders
awayfromthemachine.
3.Severinghazardofhand
orfoot—keepawayfrom
movingparts.
2.Thrownobjecthazard,
raisedbafe—donot
operatethemachinewith
anopendeck;usea
baggerorabafe.
4.Entanglement
hazard—keepaway
frommovingparts;keep
allguardsandshieldsin
place.
BatterySymbols
Someorallofthesesymbolsareonyourbattery
1.Explosionhazard6.Keepbystandersasafe
distancefromthebattery.
2.Nore,opename,or
smoking
7.Weareyeprotection;
explosivegasescan
causeblindnessandother
injuries.
3.Causticliquid/chemical
burnhazard
8.Batteryacidcancause
blindnessorsevereburns.
4.Weareyeprotection.9.Flusheyesimmediately
withwaterandgetmedical
helpfast
5.ReadtheOperator's
Manual.
10.Containslead;donot
discard
9

121-0771
1.Choke4.Slow
2.Fast5.Powertake-off(PTO),blade-controlswitch
3.Continuousvariablesetting
131–3947
1.Trim—slow3.Mow—fast
2.Tow—medium
10

132-0869
1.Warning—readthe
Operator'sManual.
3.Cuttinghazardofhand,
mowerblade;pinching
hazardofhand,belt—keep
handsandfeetawayfrom
movingparts;keepall
guardsandshieldsinplace.
5.Ramptipping
hazard—whenloading
ontoatrailer,donotuse
dualramps;onlyusea
singlerampwideenough
forthemachineandthat
hasaninclinelessthan
15degrees;backupthe
ramp(inreverse)anddrive
forwardofftheramp.
7.Tippinghazardon
slopes—donotuseon
slopesnearopenwater;do
notuseonslopesgreater
than15degrees.
2.Warning—beforeservicing,
engagetheparkingbrake,
removethekeyfromthe
ignitionswitchandthe
sparkplugconnection.
4.Thrownobject
hazard—keepbystanders
awayfromthemachine;
removedebrisfromthe
areabeforemowing;keep
thedeectorshielddown.
6.Bodilyharmhazard—no
riders;lookbehindyou
whenmowinginreverse.
11

ProductOverview
Figure5
Modelwith81cm(32-inch)DeckShown
1.Footrest8.Engine
2.Deector9.Fuel-tankcap
3.Height-of-cutlever10.Reardrivewheel
4.Motion-controllever11.Washouttting
5.Smart-speedlever12.Mowerdeck
6.Controlpanel13.Frontcasterwheels
7.Operatorseat
Controls
BecomefamiliarwithallofthecontrolsinFigure5and
Figure6beforeyoustarttheengineandoperatethemachine.
Figure6
ControlPanel
1.Throttle/Choke3.Blade-controlswitch
(powertakeoff)
2.Ignitionswitch
IgnitionSwitch
Theignitionswitchhas3positions:OFF,RUN,andSTART.
ThekeyturnstoSTARTandmovesbacktoRUNupon
release.TurningthekeytotheOFFpositionshutsoffthe
engine;however,alwaysremovethekeyfromtheignition
switchwhenleavingthemachinetopreventsomeonefrom
accidentallystartingtheengine(Figure6).
Throttle/ChokeControl
Thethrottleandchokearecombinedinto1control
lever.Thethrottlecontrolstheenginespeedandhasa
continuous-variablesettingfromtheSLOWpositiontothe
FASTposition.Engagethechokebymovingtheleverpast
theFASTsettinguntilitstops(Figure6).
Itmaybenecessarytoholdtheleveragainstthestop,inthe
chokeposition,whiletryingtostarttheengine.
Note:Awarmorhotenginemaynotrequirechoking.
Blade-ControlSwitch(PowerTakeoff)
Theblade-controlswitch,representedbyapowertakeoff
(PTO)symbol,engagesanddisengagespowertothemower
blades(Figure6).
Motion-ControlLeversandPark
Position
Themotion-controlleversarespeed-sensitivecontrolsof
independent-wheelmotors.Movingaleverforwardor
backwardturnsthewheelonthesamesideforwardorin
reverse;wheelspeedisproportionaltotheamountthelever
12

ismoved.Movethecontrolleversoutwardfromthecenter
tothePARKpositionwhenexitingthemachine(Figure14).
Alwayspositionthemotion-controlleversintothePARK
positionwhenyoustopthemachineorleaveitunattended.
SmartSpeed™ControlSystemLever
TheSmartSpeed™Control-Systemlever,locatedbelowthe
operatingposition,givestheoperatorachoicetodrivethe
machineat3speedranges—trim,tow,andmow(Figure17).
Fuel-PresenceWindow
hefuelwindowlocatedontheleft-handsideofthemachine,
canbeusedtoverifythepresenceofgasolineinthetank
(Figure7).
G014521
1
Figure7
1.Fuel-presencewindow
Height-of-CutLever
Theheight-of-cutleverallowsyoutoraiseandlowerthe
deckfromtheseatedposition.Movingtheleverup(toward
you)raisesthedeck;movingtheleverdown(awayfromyou)
lowersthedeck.Donotadjusttheheight-of-cutwhilethe
machineismoving(Figure5).
13

Operation
Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthemachine
fromthenormaloperatingposition.
AddingFuel
•Forbestresults,useonlyclean,fresh(lessthan30days
old),unleadedgasolinewithanoctaneratingof87or
higher((R+M)/2ratingmethod).
•Ethanol:Gasolinewithupto10%ethanol(gasohol)
or15%MTBE(methyltertiarybutylether)byvolume
isacceptable.EthanolandMTBEarenotthesame.
Gasolinewith15%ethanol(E15)byvolumeisnot
approvedforuse.Neverusegasolinethatcontains
morethan10%ethanolbyvolume,suchasE15
(contains15%ethanol),E20(contains20%ethanol),or
E85(containsupto85%ethanol).Usingunapproved
gasolinemaycauseperformanceproblemsand/orengine
damagewhichmaynotbecoveredunderwarranty.
•Donotusegasolinecontainingmethanol.
•Donotstorefueleitherinthefueltankorfuelcontainers
overthewinterunlessyouuseafuelstabilizer.
•Donotaddoiltogasoline.
DANGER
Incertainconditions,gasolineisextremely
ammableandhighlyexplosive.Areorexplosion
fromgasolinecanburnyouandothersandcan
damageproperty.
•Fillthefueltankoutdoors,inanopenarea,
whentheengineiscold.Wipeupanygasoline
thatspills.
•Neverllthefueltankinsideanenclosedtrailer.
•Donotllthefueltankcompletelyfull.Add
gasolinetothefueltankuntilthelevelis6to13
mm(1/4to1/2inch)belowthebottomofthe
llerneck.Thisemptyspaceinthetankallows
gasolinetoexpand.
•Neversmokewhenhandlinggasoline,andstay
awayfromanopenameorwheregasoline
fumesmaybeignitedbyaspark.
•Storegasolineinanapprovedcontainerand
keepitoutofthereachofchildren.Neverbuy
morethana30-daysupplyofgasoline.
•Donotoperatewithoutentireexhaustsystemin
placeandinproperworkingcondition.
DANGER
Incertainconditionsduringfueling,static
electricitycanbereleasedcausingasparkwhich
canignitethegasolinevapors.Areorexplosion
fromgasolinecanburnyouandothersandcan
damageproperty.
•Alwaysplacegasolinecontainersontheground
awayfromyourvehiclebeforelling.
•Donotllgasolinecontainersinsideavehicleor
onatruckortrailerbedbecauseinteriorcarpets
orplastictruckbedlinersmayinsulatethe
containerandslowthelossofanystaticcharge.
•Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipment
fromthetruckortrailerandrefueltheequipment
withitswheelsontheground.
•Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatruckortrailerfromaportable
containerratherthanfromagasolinedispenser
nozzle.
•Ifyoumustuseafueldispensernozzle,keepthe
nozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltank
orcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilfuelingis
complete.
WARNING
Gasolineisharmfulorfatalifswallowed.Long-term
exposuretovaporscancauseseriousinjuryand
illness.
•Avoidprolongedbreathingofvapors.
•Keepfaceawayfromnozzleandgastankor
conditionerbottleopening.
•Avoidcontactwithskin;washoffspillswith
soapandwater.
UsingStabilizer/Conditioner
Useafuelstabilizer/conditionerinthemachinetoprovide
thefollowingbenets:
•Keepsgasolinefreshduringstorageof90daysorless.
Forlongerstorageitisrecommendedthatthefueltank
bedrained.
•Cleanstheenginewhileitruns
•Eliminatesgum-likevarnishbuildupinthefuelsystem,
whichcauseshardstarting
Important:Donotusefueladditivescontaining
methanolorethanol.
Addthecorrectamountoffuelstabilizer/conditioner
tothegasoline.
Note:Afuelstabilizer/conditionerismosteffective
whenmixedwithfreshgasoline.Tominimizethechance
14

ofvarnishdepositsinthefuelsystem,usefuelstabilizer
atalltimes.
FillingtheFuelTank
Note:Ensurethattheengineisshutoffandthemotion
controlsareintheparkedposition.
Note:Youcanusethefuelwindowtoverifythepresenceof
gasolinebeforellingthetank(Figure8).
Important:Donotoverllfueltank.Fillthefueltank
tothebottomofthellerneck.Theemptyspaceinthe
tankallowsthefueltoexpand.Overllingmayresultin
fuelleakage,damagetotheengine,ordamagetothe
emissionssystem.
g027243
AB
E
D
C
Figure8
CheckingtheEngine-OilLevel
Beforeyoustarttheengineandusethemachine,check
theoillevelintheenginecrankcase;refertoCheckingthe
Engine-OilLevel(page28).
BreakinginaNewMachine
Newenginestaketimetodevelopfullpower.Mowerdecks
anddrivesystemshavehigherfrictionwhennew,placing
additionalloadontheengine.Allow40to50hoursof
break-intimefornewmachinestodevelopfullpowerand
bestperformance.
ThinkSafetyFirst
Pleasereadallsafetyinstructionsandsymbolsinthesafety
section.Knowingthisinformationcouldhelpyouor
bystandersavoidinjury.
DANGER
Operatingthemachineonwetgrassorsteepslopes
cancauseslidingandlossofcontrol.
•Donotoperateonslopesgreaterthan15degrees.
•Reducespeedanduseextremecautionon
slopes.
•Donotoperatethemachinenearwater.
DANGER
Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancauserollovers,
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,death,or
drowning.
Donotoperatethemachineneardrop-offs.
Figure9
1.Safezone—usethe
machinehere.
3.Water
2.Useawalk-behindmower
and/orhandtrimmernear
drop-offsandwater.
15

CAUTION
Thismachineproducessoundlevelsinexcessof
85dBAattheoperator’searandcancausehearing
lossthroughextendedperiodsofexposure.
Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.
Useingprotectiveequipmentforeyes,ears,hands,feet,and
headisrecommended.
G009027
12
Figure10
1.Weareyeprotection.2.Wearhearingprotection.
Understandingthe
Safety-InterlockSystem
WARNING
Ifthesafety-interlockswitchesaredisconnectedor
damaged,themachinecouldoperateunexpectedly,
causingpersonalinjury.
•Donottamperwiththeinterlockswitches.
•Checktheoperationoftheinterlockswitches
dailyandreplaceanydamagedswitchesbefore
operatingthemachine.
Thesafety-interlocksystemisdesignedtopreventtheengine
fromstartingunless:
•Thebladesaredisengaged.
•Themotion-controlleversareinthePARKposition.
Thesafety-interlocksystemalsoisdesignedtoshutoffthe
enginewheneverthecontrolleversareoutofthePARK
positionandyourisefromtheseat.
TestingtheSafety-Interlock
System
Testthesafety-interlocksystembeforeyouusethemachine
eachtime.Ifthesafetysystemdoesnotoperateasdescribed
below,haveanAuthorizedServiceDealerrepairthesafety
systemimmediately.
1.Whilesittingontheseat,withthecontrolleversinthe
PARKposition,andmovetheblade-controlswitchto
theONposition.Trystartingtheengine;theengine
shouldnotstart.
2.Whilesittingontheseat,movetheblade-controlswitch
totheOFFposition.Moveeithermotioncontrol
levertothecenter,unlockedposition.Trystartingthe
engine;theengineshouldnotstart.Repeatwiththe
othermotion-controllever.
3.Whilesittingontheseat,movethebladecontrolswitch
totheOFFposition,andlockthemotion-controllevers
inthePARKposition.Starttheengine.Whilethe
engineisrunning,engagetheblade-controlswitch,and
riseslightlyfromtheseat;theengineshouldshutoff.
4.Whilesittingontheseat,movetheblade-controlswitch
totheOFFposition,andlockthemotion-controllevers
inthePARKposition.Starttheengine.Whilethe
engineisrunning,movethemotion-controlleversto
thecenter,unlockedposition,engagetheblade-control
switch,andriseslightlyfromtheseat;theengine
shouldshutoff.
16

StartingtheEngine
Important:Donotengagethestarterformorethan
5secondsatatime.Engagingthestartermotorfor
morethan5secondscandamagethestartermotor.If
theenginefailstostart,wait10secondsbeforeoperating
theenginestarteragain.
Note:Itmaybenecessarytoholdtheleveragainstthe
stop,intheCHOKEposition,whiletryingtostarttheengine
(Figure11).
g027535
B
CD
E
A
G
F
Figure11
OperatingtheBlades
Theblade-controlswitchengagesanddisengagespower
tothemowerblades.Thisswitchcontrolspowertoany
attachmentsthatdrawpowerfromtheengine,includingthe
mowerdeckandcuttingblades.
EngagingtheBlades
Important:Donotengagethebladeswhenparkedin
tallgrass;beltorclutchdamagecanoccur.
Note:Alwaysengagethebladeswiththethrottleinthe
FASTposition.
Figure12
DisengagingtheBlades
g027247
Figure13
1.Controlpanel2.Blade-controlswitch—Off
ShuttingOfftheEngine
1.Disengagethebladesbymovingtheblade-control
switchtotheOFFposition(Figure13).
2.MovethethrottlelevertotheFASTposition.
3.TurnthekeytotheOFFpositionandremovethekey
fromtheignitionswitch.
17

DrivingtheMachine
Drivingthemachinebenetsfromanunderstandingof
whatzero-turn-radiusmowermeans.Thedrivewheelsturn
independently,poweredbyhydraulicmotorsoneachaxle;
hence1sidecanturninreversewhiletheotherturnsforward,
causingthemachinetospinratherthanturn.Thisvastly
improvesthemachinemaneuverabilitybutmayrequiresome
adjustmentifyouareunfamiliar.
WARNING
Themachinecanspinveryrapidly.Youmaylose
controlofthemachineandcausepersonalinjuryor
damagetothemachine.
•Usecautionwhenmakingturns.
•Slowthemachinedownbeforemakingsharp
turns.
Thethrottlecontrolregulatestheenginespeedasmeasured
inrpm(revolutionsperminute).Placingthethrottlecontrol
intheFASTpositioncanbebestforperformance.Formost
applications,operatethemachineinthefull-throttleposition.
Figure14
1.PARKposition4.Backward
2.Center,unlockposition5.Frontofthemachine
3.Forward
DrivingForward
Note:Alwaysusecautionwhenbackingupandturning.
1.Movetheleverstothecenter,unlockedposition.
2.Togoforward,slowlypushthemotion-controllevers
forward(Figure15).
G008952
Figure15
Togostraight,applyequalpressuretoboth
motion-controllevers(Figure15).
Toturn,releasepressureonthemotion-controllever
towardthedirectionyouwanttoturn(Figure15).
Thefartheryoumovethemotion-controlleversin
eitherdirection,thefasterthemachinemovesinthat
direction.
Tostopthemachine,pullthemotion-controllevers
totheNEUTRALposition.
18

DrivingBackward
Note:Alwaysusecautionwhenbackingupandturning.
1.Movetheleverstothecenter,unlockedposition.
2.Togobackward,lookbehindyouanddown,asyou
slowlypullthemotion-controlleversrearward(Figure
16).
G008953
Figure16
Togostraight,applyequalpressuretoboth
motion-controllevers(Figure16).
Toturn,releasethepressureonthemotion-control
levertowardthedirectionyouwanttoturn.
Tostopthemachine,pushthemotion-controllevers
totheNEUTRALposition.
UsingtheSmartSpeedTMControl
System
TheSmartSpeedTMControl-Systemlever,locatedbelowthe
operatingposition(Figure17),givestheoperatorachoice
todrivethemachineat3groundspeedranges—trim,tow,
andmow.
Figure17
1.Smart-speedlever
Tochangespeeds,dothefollowing:
1.Movethemotion-controlleverstotheNEUTRAL
positionandoutwardtothePARKposition.
2.Disengagetheblade-controlswitch.
3.Adjustthelevertothedesiredposition.
Thefollowingareonlyrecommendationsforuse.
Adjustmentsvarybygrasstype,moisturecontent,andthe
heightofthegrass.
Suggested
uses:
TrimTowMow
ParkingX
Heavy,wet
grass
X
TrainingX
BaggingX
MulchingX
Normal
mowing
X
TransportX
Trim
Thisisthelowestspeed.Thesuggestedusesforthisspeed
areasfollows:
•Parking
•Heavy,wetgrassmowingconditions
•Training
Tow
Thisisthemediumspeed.Thesuggestedusesforthisspeed
areasfollows:
•Bagging
•Mulching
Mow
Thisisthefastestspeed.Thesuggestedusesforthisspeed
areasfollows:
•Normalmowing
•Transportingthemachine
19

StoppingtheMachine
Tostopthemachine,movethemotion-controlleversto
theNEUTRALpositionandoutwardtothePARKposition,
disengagetheblade-controlswitch,ensurethethrottleis
betweenhalfandfullthrottle,andturntheignitionkeytothe
OFFposition.Removethekeyfromtheignitionswitch.
WARNING
Childrenorbystandersmaybeinjuredifthey
moveorattempttooperatethemowerwhileitis
unattended.
Alwaysremovetheignitionkeyandmovethe
motion-controlleversoutwardtothePARKposition
whenleavingthemachineunattended,evenifjust
forafewminutes.
AdjustingtheHeightofCut
Note:Thetransportpositionisthehighestheight-of-cut
positionorcuttingheight115mm(4.5inches)asshownin
Figure18.
Heightofcutiscontrolledbytheleverlocatedtotherightof
theoperatingposition(Figure18).
Figure18
PositioningtheSeat
MovetheseatforwardorbackwardasshowninFigure19.
g027249
B
C
A
Figure19
AdjustingtheMotion-Control
Levers
AdjustingtheHeight
Youcanadjustthemotion-controllevershigherorlowerfor
maximumcomfort(Figure20).
g027252
B
A
Figure20
20