Page 2 - I. GENERAL OPERATION; SAFETY RULES; Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
2 I. GENERAL OPERATION • Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual before starting. • Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the machine. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times. • Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the i...
Page 4 - PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS; CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES; TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Gasoline Capacity 1.25 Gallons and type: Unleaded Regular Oil Type SAE 30 (above 32°F) (API-SG-SL): SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F) Oil Capacity: 3 Pints Spark Plug: Champion RC12YC (Gap: .030") Ground Speed (MPH): Forward: 1st 1.1 2nd 1.4 3rd 2.2 4th 3.3 5th 4.4 6th 4.9 Reverse:...
Page 5 - UNASSEMBLED PARTS; Steering Wheel
5 UNASSEMBLED PARTS Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert Steering Boot Steering Wheel Adapter (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge Seat (2) Keys Slope Sheet Keys Steering Extension Shaft (1) Large Flat Washer (1) Oil Drain TubeFor Future Use (1) Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x 1-1/4 (1) Locknut 1/4-28 (1) Locknut...
Page 6 - ASSEMBLY; TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY; UNPACK CARTON
6 0259 7 ASSEMBLY TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Stan dard wrench sizes are listed. (2) 1/2" wrenches Pliers (1) 9/16" wrench Tire pressure gauge Utility knife When right or left hand is mentioned in this man ual, it means when you are in the opera...
Page 8 - CHE CKLIST; CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
8 ASSEMBLY ✓ CHE CKLIST BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW TRAC- TOR, WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RE CEIVE THE BEST PER FORM ANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM THIS QUAL ITY PRODUCT. PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST: ✓ All assembly instructions have been completed. ✓ No remaining loose parts in carto...
Page 9 - OPERATION
9 OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY FREE WHEEL (Automatic Models only) OVER TEMP LIGHT KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS 15 15 (SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION) BATTERY REVERSE FORW...
Page 10 - KNOW YOUR TRACTOR
10 OPERATION KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and ad just ments. Save this manual for future reference. Our tractors conform to the safe...
Page 11 - HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
11 OPERATION 00155 The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye dam age. Always wear safety glass es or eye shields while operating your tractor or per form ing any adjustments or repairs. We rec om mend a wide vision safety mask ove...
Page 12 - BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
12 OPERATION TO OPERATE ON HILLS WARNING: Do not drive up or down hills with slopes great er than 15° and do not drive across any slope. • Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down hills. • Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.• If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to ...
Page 13 - MOWING TIPS
13 OPERATION MOWING TIPS • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per- for mance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. • The left hand side of mower should be used for trim- ming. • Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has...
Page 14 - MAINTENANCE; MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE; GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS; BEFORE EACH USE
14 MAINTENANCE BEFORE EACH USE T R A C T 0 R Inspect Muffler/Spark Arrester Lubrication Chart Check Brake Operation Clean Air Filter Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge Replace Spark Plug Check Battery Level Check Tire Pressure Clean Battery and Terminals FILL IN D...
Page 15 - TRACTOR; BRAKE OPERATION
15 MAINTENANCE BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 9) • Raise mower to highest position to allow access to blades. • Remove blade bolt, lock washer and fl at washer se cur ing blade. • Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up towards deck as shown. IMPORTANT: TO ENSURE PROPER ASSEMBLY, CENTER HOLE...
Page 16 - TRANSAXLE COOLING; LUBRICATION; CLEAN AIR SCREEN; AIR FILTER
16 MAINTENANCE V-BELTS Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours of operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not ad just able. Re place belts if they begin to slip from wear. TRANSAXLE COOLING Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which can restrict cooling. ENG...
Page 17 - CLEANING; CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
17 MUFFLER Inspect and replace corroded muffl er and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could create a fi re hazard and/or dam-age. SPARK PLUGS Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs fi rst. Spark plug type and gap setting a...
Page 18 - SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS
18 38 42 02695 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SE RI OUS IN JU RY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUST- MENTS: • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. • Turn ignition ...
Page 19 - TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING
19 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 00598 TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground or driveway. Make sure tires are properly infl ated (See “PROD UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual). If tires are over or underinfl ated, you will not properly adjust your mower. S...
Page 22 - STORAGE; BATTERY; FUEL SYSTEM; ENGINE OIL; OTHER
22 STORAGE Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or more. WARNING: Never store the trac tor with gas o line in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open fl ame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before stor...
Page 23 - TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS
23 TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS Will not start 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank. 2. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. 2. See “TO START ENGINE” in Operation section. 3. Engine fl ooded. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. 4. Bad spark plug. 4. Replace spark plug. 5. Dirty air fi lter. 5. Clean...
Page 25 - SCHEMATIC
25 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 SCHEMATIC BATTERY FUSE IGNITION SWITCH RED RED RED BLACK IGNITION UNIT HEADLIGHTS REMOVABLE CONNECTIONS BLACK BLACK BLACK WHITE WHITE WHITE RED BLACK ORANGE BLACK BROWN BLACK BLACK BLACK STARTER M SEAT SWITCH (NOT OCCUPIED) G...
Page 26 - REPAIR PARTS; ELECTRICAL
26 179720 28 29 26 24 42 43 27 27 25 41 27 27 40 33 30 8 2 1 27 48 16 16 22 21 REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 ELECTRICAL 52 90
Page 28 - CHASSIS
28 REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 CHASSIS 1 209 142 209 142 209 2 35 35 209 26 35 209 26 33 10 34 208 11 208 13 24 26 25 26 25 209 31 24 30 9 209 209 5 5 145 37 37 18 206 205 205 38 38 17 28 278 39 Chassis-Elite_Basic_6 29 212 64 208 207 159
Page 30 - DRIVE
30 REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 DRIVE 66 29 28 112 14 41 38 39 57 120 74 75 78 76 77 1 25 26 19 24 2 53 35 34 37 36 35 62 36 64 65 59 56 212 55 63 116 70 77 61 22 27 26 85 52 30 32 32 30 52 11 85 80 4 3 13 84 15 16 89 81 82 21 8 10 156 165 168 ...
Page 32 - STEERING
32 REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 STEERING 44 51 54 5 9 5 7 7 9 4 3 32 43 95 43 8 10 40 11 8 6 9 46 46 8 6 9 2 47 47 26 30 28 1 41 42 37 36 37 38 12 39 68 67 67 67 13 65 68 15 15 15 29 29 82 88 71 17 29 43 91 steering_pl.lt_42
Page 35 - SEAT
35 REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 SEAT 1 24 16 15 12 13 17 4 3 8 9 7 8 9 7 11 2 6 22 21 5 10 5 14 seat_lt.knob_9 1 532 18 87-04 Seat 2 532 18 01-66 Bracket Pivot3 871 11 06-16 Bolt Fin Hex 3/8-16 unc x 14 819 13 16-10 Washer 13/32 x 1 x 10 Ga.5 5...
Page 36 - DECALS
36 REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 DECALS WHEELS & TIRES 8 13 3 9 12 3 2 KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION 1 532 19 40-77 Decal Side Panel2 532 14 50-05 Decal Bat Dan/Poi P/L Symbols3 532 19 32-03 Decal Hood 4 532 13 68-32 Decal Schematic5 532 18 4...
Page 37 - MOWER LIFT
37 REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 MOWER LIFT 15 20 16 17 18 20 20 15 20 4 5 6 2 3 1 6 5 4 7 8 12 11 3132 3132 19 19 13 13 13 13 lift-rh.1piece_3 KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION 1 532 15 94-61 Wire Asm Inner W/Plunger2 532 15 94-76 Shaft Asm Lift 3 5...
Page 38 - MOWER DECK
38 REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER MC1538ST (MC1538STA), PRODUCT NO. 964 77 28-03 MOWER DECK 19 86 38 42 2 15 14 13 11 10 98 1 21 2 96 97 29 27 23 26 28 25 24 21 87 88 21 146 31 40 150 45 32 33 45 55 56 36 36 89 123 113 53 30 109 89 122 40 89 108 107 68 4 3 5 6 2 21 149 16 21 2 110 54 148 38_d...
Page 40 - SERVICE NOTES
Page 42 - SERVICE; POLICY; WARRANTY; LIMITED WARRANTIES
42 ® Issued January 1980Revised January 1991 ® SERVICE POLICY WARRANTY LIMITED WARRANTIES FOR NEW PEERLESS GEAR POWER TRAIN COMPONENTS A. Products Warranted Peerless Gear and Machine Division of Tecumseh Products Company (“Tecumseh”), subject to the limitations contained below, will, at its option, ...
Page 43 - SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION
43 15 DEGREES MAX. FOLD A LONG DOTT ED LIN E THIS IS A 15 D EGREE SLOP E ONLY RIDE UP AND DOWN HILL,NOT ACROSS HILL SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION WARNING: To avoid serious injury, operate your tractor up and down the face of slopes, never across the face. Do not mowslopes gr...
