Page 3 - SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES; GENERAL OPERATION
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 7 - SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE; DANGER
7 SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn tractor on such slopes. 15° SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEV EL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORN ER OF A BU ILDING OR A FENC E POST F O L D O N D O T T E D L IN E , R E P R...
Page 8 - Attaching the Battery Cables; Shipping Brace Removal
8 SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP NOTE: This owner’s manual covers various models of lawn tractors. The units illustrated may vary slightlyfrom your unit. Follow only those instructions whichpertain to your model lawn tractor. Attaching the Battery Cables NOTE: The positive battery terminal is marked Pos....
Page 9 - Attaching the Steering Wheel; Attaching the Seat; Quick Adjustment Seat; Knob Adjustment Seat
9 WARNING: The mowing deck is capable of throwing objects. Failure to operate the ridingmower without the discharge cover in theproper operating position could result inserious personal injury and/or propertydamage. Attaching the Steering Wheel WARNING: Do NOT operate the tractor without first attac...
Page 10 - SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR; Throttle Control Lever; Choke Control; Brake Pedal; WARNING
10 Figure 5 SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR 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 and, on some models, when pushed all the way forward, the choke control also. When set in a given posi...
Page 12 - Ignition Switch Module; Drive Pedal
12 Ignition Switch Module WARNING: Never leave a running machine unattended. Always disengage PTO, moveshift lever into neutral position, set parkingbrake, stop engine and remove key to preventunintended starting. To start the engine, insert the key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the...
Page 13 - Seat Adjustment Lever; Deck Lift Lever; Cruise Control Button; MARCHE; PTO; OFF
13 for the proper battery charging procedureor have the charging system checked byan authorized dealer. On units so equipped, the ammeter (if so equipped) measures the electrical output of the engine’s chargingsystem. Under normal operating conditions, with theengine at full throttle, the ammeter’s ...
Page 14 - Shift Lever; SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR; Safety Interlock Switches
14 Shift Lever The shift lever is located on the left side of the fender and has three positions, FORWARD, NEUTRAL and REVERSE. The brake pedal must be depressed and the tractor must not be in motion when the moving shift lever. See Figure 10. IMPORTANT: Never force the shift lever. Doing so may res...
Page 15 - Starting the Engine
15 3. Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON (Orange, Triangular Button) at the top, right corner of the key switch module. The red indicator light at the top, left corner of the key switch module will be ON while activated. See Figure 11. 4. Once activated (indicator light ON ), the tractor can be driven ...
Page 16 - Stopping the Engine; Driving the Tractor; Setting the Cruise Control; Engaging the Blades
16 Stopping the Engine WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plugwire(s) and ground against the engine.Thoroughly inspect the machine for anydamage. Repair the damage before restartingand operating • If the blades are engaged, place the PTO (Blade Engage) kno...
Page 17 - Using the Deck Lift Lever; Mowing; Mulching; Headlights; ON; Front View
17 Models with Manual PTO • Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (ON) position. Models with Electric PTO • Pull the PTO (Blade Engage) knob outward into the engaged (ON) position. See Figure 12. Figure 12 • Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) ...
Page 18 - SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS; Front To Rear; Parking Brake Adjustment
18 SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running,except where specified in the operator’smanual. Leveling the Deck NOTE: Check the tractor’s tire pressure before performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer to Tires section for informatio...
Page 19 - Steering Adjustment
19 If the tractor does not come to a complete stop when the brake pedal is completely depressed, or if the tractor’s rear wheels can roll with the parking brake applied, the brake is in need of adjustment. The brake disc can be found on the right side of the transmission in the rear of the tractor. ...
Page 20 - SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR; Lubrication
20 SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR WARNING: Before performing any maintenance or repairs, disengage PTO,move shift lever into neutral position, setparking brake, stop engine and remove key toprevent unintended starting. Engine Refer to the separate engine manual for engine maintenance instr...
Page 21 - Cutting Deck Removal; Battery
21 Deck Wash System™ (Optional) A hex plug can be found on your tractor’s deck surface. This plug can be replaced with a water port to be used as part of a separately-available deck wash system.Use the Deck Wash System to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside and prevent build-up of corros...
Page 22 - Charging; Jump Starting; Cleaning
22 • 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 the rubber boot positioned over the positive terminal to prevent shorting. IMPORTANT: I...
Page 23 - 2-inch and 46-inch Decks with Manual PTO
23 IMPORTANT: If the cutting edge of the blade has already been sharpened to within 5/8" of the wind wing radius, or if any metal separation is present, replace the blades with new ones. See Figure 20. Figure 20 It is important that each cutting blade edge be ground equally to maintain proper bl...
Page 24 - Changing the Transmission Drive Belts
24 Changing the Transmission Drive Belts NOTE: Several components must be removed and special tools (i.e. air/impact wrench) in order to change the tractor’s drive belts. See an authorized dealer to have your drive belts replaced. Figure 21 ,EFT(AND3PINDLE0ULLEY )DLER0ULLEYS 2IGHT(AND3PINDLE0ULLEY %...
Page 26 - SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING
26 SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start PTO engaged. Parking brake not engaged.Spark plug wire(s) disconnected.Throttle control lever not in correct starting position.Choke not activated Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel.Blocked fuel line.Faulty ...
Page 27 - SECTION 12: MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY
27 SECTION 12: MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States and/or its territories and possessions, and by MTD Products Limited with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in Ca...