Page 2 - TABLE OF CONTENTS; FINDING MODEL NUMBER; ENGINE INFORMATION
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge...................................................................................................... 7 Tractor Set-up ..................................
Page 3 - SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES; California Proposition 65 Warning:
3 SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manualbefore attempting to operate this machine. F...
Page 6 - WARNING; READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL
6 8. Never tamper with the safety interlock system or other safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. 9. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage b...
Page 7 - SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE; IN
7 SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE 15° SIG H T A N D HO LD TH IS LEV E L W ITH A VER TI C A L TRE E A PO WE R PO L E A CO R N ER OF A BU IL DING O R A F E N C E PO ST F O L D O N D O T T E D L IN E , R E P R E S E N T IN G A 1 5 ° S L O P E Do n o t mo w on i n c lin es with a s lope i n exc e s s of 15 degre...
Page 8 - Attaching the Battery Cables; Shipping Brace Removal
8 SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP Attaching the Battery Cables NOTE: The positive battery terminal is marked Pos. (+). The negative battery terminal is marked Neg. (–). • The positive cable (heavy red wire) is secured to the positive battery terminal (+) with a hex bolt and hex nut at the factory. Make ce...
Page 9 - Attaching The Cutting Deck
9 Attaching The Cutting Deck (Model R809K) Figure 3 WARNING: Before attaching the cutting deck, engage the parking brake, turn the ignition key to the OFF position and remove the key from the switch to avoid accidental starting. • Raise the deck lift arms up and out of the way by placing the lift le...
Page 10 - SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR
10 SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR Figure 4 NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s position. A PTO (Power Take-off) Knob H Ignition Switch B Choke Control I Brake Pedal C Parking Brake Button J Drive Pedal D Shift Lever K Cruise Co...
Page 11 - Throttle Control Lever; Choke Control; Brake Pedal; Ignition Switch; Drive Pedal
11 Throttle Control Lever The throttle control lever is located on the right side of the tractor’s dash panel. This lever controls the speed of the engine. When set in a given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed. See Figure 5. Figure 5 IMPORTANT: When operating the tractor wi...
Page 12 - Systems Indicator Monitor / Hour Meter; Cup Holder; Shift Lever
12 Systems Indicator Monitor / Hour Meter Your tractor is equipped with four indicator lights and an hour meter located on the left side of the dash panel. See Figure 7. Figure 7 If the Brake light or PTO light illuminates when attempting to start the unit, proceed as follows: Brake — Engage the par...
Page 13 - Cruise Control Button; SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR; Safety Interlock Switches
13 Deck Lift Lever Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use, move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best suited for your application. Parking Brake Button To set the parking brake, fully depress the brake pedal an...
Page 14 - Starting the Engine; Stopping the Engine; Driving The Tractor
14 WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cuttingdeck. NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight ofthe cutting deck. Refer to Leveling the Deck on page 17 of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding...
Page 15 - Setting The Cruise Control; Using the Deck Lift Lever; Engaging the PTO; Mowing; ON
15 • Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. • Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly increases the chance of a roll over. • Avoid sto...
Page 16 - Operating The Headlights; SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS; Parking Brake Adjustment
16 • Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer to Cutting Blades on page 23 of this manual for proper blade sharpening instructions. Operating The Headlights To turn the tractor’s headlights on: • Start the engine following the instructions earlier in this section. • Turn the key...
Page 17 - Front To Rear
17 • Replace hex nut and lock washer and retighten the jam nut after proper adjustment is achieved. NOTE: Threading the ball joints too far onto the drag links will cause the front tires to "toe-in" too far. Propertoe-in is between 1/16" and 5/16". Front tire toe-in can be measured a...
Page 18 - Deck Roller Height Adjustment; SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR; Engine; Changing Engine Oil
18 Deck Roller Height Adjustment (Units with 54-inch Deck) To adjust the height of the rollers on the rear of the mowing deck, proceed as follows: • Place the deck lift lever in the bottom notch (lowest position). • Remove the clevis pins and hairpin clips from the deck roller brackets on the left a...
Page 19 - Air Cleaner; Spark Plugs; Cleaning the Engine And Deck; Cutting Deck Removal
19 Air Cleaner Service the pre-cleaner, if so equipped, and cartridge/air cleaner element as instructed in the Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual packed with your unit. Spark Plugs The spark plugs should be cleaned and the gap reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at th...
Page 21 - Changing the Transmission Drive Belt; Upper Drive Belt
21 Figure 17 Changing the Transmission Drive Belt WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the sparkplug wire(s) and ground against the engine toprevent unintended starting before removingthe belt(s) All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and should be replaced...
Page 23 - Fuses
23 Cutting Blades WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the sparkplug wire(s) and ground against the engine toprevent unintended starting before removingthe cutting blade(s) for sharpening orreplacement. Protect your hands by usingheavy gloves or a rag to grasp the...
Page 24 - Charging
24 Battery The battery is sealed and is maintenance-free. Acid levels cannot be checked. • Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosive build-up. • After cleaning the battery and terminals, apply a light coat of petroleum jelly or grease to both terminals • Always keep th...
Page 25 - SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING
25 SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start PTO knob engaged.Parking brake not engaged.Spark plug wire(s) disconnected.Throttle control lever not in correct starting position.Choke not activatedFuel tank empty, or stale fuel.Blocked fuel line.Faul...
Page 44 - MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR:
44 MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by Troy-Bilt LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. Troy-Bilt LLC warrants this product against defects for a period of two (2) years commencin...