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 5 - SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE:
5 e. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may block your vision of a child who may run into the machine. f. To avoid back-over accidents, always disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting into reverse. The “Reverse Caution Mode” should no...
Page 6 - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
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; DO
7 SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE 15° SIGHT AND HO L D THI S LEVEL WITH A VER T ICAL TRE E A POWE R POLE A CORNER OF A BUIL D ING OR A FENC E P O ST F O L D O N DO T T E D L INE , R E P RE S E NT ING A 1 5 ° S L O P E Do no t m o w on inclin e s with a slo p e in exc e s s of 1 5 de gr ees (a r ise o f a p p...
Page 8 - Attaching the Battery Cables; Figure 1; Tire Pressure; MUST; Rubber Boot
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 screw and hex nut at the factory. Make certa...
Page 9 - Setting the Gauge Wheels and Roller; Gauge Wheels; Figure 2; Roller; Leveling the Deck
9 Setting the Gauge Wheels and Roller Gauge Wheels Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the six different cutting height notches on the right fender. Adjust the deck wheels so that they are between ¼-inch and ½-inch above the ground as follows. Plac...
Page 10 - SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR; Figure 3; G H
10 SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR Figure 3 NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s position. A Systems Indicator/Hour Meter H Ignition Switch B PTO (Power Take-off) Knob I Brake Pedal C Choke Control J Drive Pedal D Cup Holder K De...
Page 11 - Seat Adjustment
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. IMPORTANT: When operating the tractor with the cutting deck eng...
Page 12 - Systems Indicator Monitor / Hour Meter; LCD; MAINTENANCE; Brake; Battery; cranking
12 Systems Indicator Monitor / Hour Meter LCD Located in the center of the tractor’s console, the systems indicator monitor records, and displays on its LCD, hours of tractor operation whenever the ignition key is rotated out of the STOP position. The Indicator Monitor will also remind the operator ...
Page 13 - OPERATING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR; Safety Interlock Switches; AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH; READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL; WARNING
13 SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR Safety Interlock Switches This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of the operator. If the interlock system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor. Contact your dealer. • The safety interlock system prevents t...
Page 14 - Starting the Engine; NORMAL MOWING; Stopping the Engine; Driving The Tractor; Figure 6
14 Starting the Engine WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. Thissystem was designed for your safety andprotection. NOTE: Refer to the TRACTOR SET-UP on page 8 of this manual for Gasoline and Oil fill-up instructions. • Insert the tractor key into the ignitio...
Page 15 - complete; Driving On Slopes; SLOPE GAUGE; Setting The Cruise Control; Using the Deck Lift Lever; Setting The Cutting Height; Operating the Headlights; Figure 7
15 • To travel in REVERSE, check that the area behind is clear then slowly depress the lower portion of the drive pedal with the ball of your foot (NOT your heel) until the desired speed is achieved. See Figure 6. IMPORTANT: Do NOT attempt to change the direction of travel when the tractor is in mot...
Page 16 - Engaging the PTO; Safety Interlock; Mowing; Cutting Blades; ON; Front View
16 Engaging the PTO Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments. To engage the PTO, proceed as follows: • Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position. • Pull the PTO/Blade Engage knob outward into the engaged (ON) position. See F...
Page 17 - SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS; Tires; Front To Rear; Figure 9; Side to Side
17 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 on page 20 for informa...
Page 18 - Parking Brake Adjustment; Steering Adjustment
18 Parking Brake Adjustment WARNING: Never attempt to adjust the brakes while the engine is running. Alwaysdisengage PTO, stop engine and remove keyto prevent unintended starting. If the tractor does not come to a complete stop whenthe brake pedal is completely depressed, or if thetractor’s rear whe...
Page 19 - SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR; Engine; oil filter; Cleaning the Engine and Deck
19 SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR Engine Refer to the engine manual for maintenance details. • Check engine oil level before each use as instructed in the engine manual. Figure 13 Changing Engine Oil NOTE: Depending on the engine model found on yourtractor, it may be necessary to remove ...
Page 20 - Cutting Deck Removal
20 SECTION 8: SERVICE Tires WARNING: Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure shown on the sidewall of thetire. The recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 10 psi for the rear tires and 14 psi for the front tires. Refer to the tire sidewall for exact tire manufacturer’s recommended o...
Page 21 - Jump Starting; Changing the Deck Belt
21 balanced blade will cause excessive vibration and may cause damage to the tractor and result in personal injury. IMPORTANT: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade marked ‘‘Bottom’’ (or with a part number stamped in it) facing the ground when the mower is...
Page 22 - carefully remove the; Changing The Transmission Drive Belt; Hydrostatic Transmission
22 • Gently slide the cutting deck toward the front of the tractor allowing the hooks on the deck to release themselves from the deck stabilizer rod. • Gently slide the cutting deck (from the right side) out from underneath the tractor. Changing the Deck Belt WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off,...
Page 23 - MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR; Changing the Engine OIl
23 Figure 18 SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE Clean and lubricate the tractor as instructed in Section 7: MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR on page 19 of this manual before storing for an extended period. Engine If the engine will be out of service for two months or more, use the following storage proced...
Page 24 - SECTION 10: TROUBLESHOOTING; Trouble
24 SECTION 10: TROUBLESHOOTING Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start PTO/Blade Engage 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 f...
Page 25 - ATTACHMENTS; SLEEVE HITCH ATTACHMENTS
25 SECTION 11: ATTACHMENTS & ACCESSORIES See your dealer or the retailer from which you purchased your tractor for information regarding price and availability. ATTACHMENTS OEM-190-964 Rear Tire Chain Set OEM-190-823 42-inch Two-stage Snow Thrower OEM-190-833 46-inch Front Dozer Blade OEM-190-84...
Page 26 - SECTION 12: PARTS LIST FOR MODEL GT54
26 35 6 33 34 32 A A A 13 9 31 44 43 46 47 26 6 3 45 22 20 42 23 27 10 15 8 7 14 12 17 37 36 6 16 4 11 21 25 29 19 24 1 3 5 38 39 5 28 30 2 9 7 18 7 41 40 SECTION 12: PARTS LIST FOR MODEL GT54