Troy Bilt Lawn Mower 13A 344 563 User Guide

Operator’s Manual  
Riding Mower  
Internal Bagging System  
Model  
13A-344-563  
LR927  
IMPORTANT:  
Read safety rules and  
instructions carefully  
before operating equipment.  
60 OTTAWA STREET, KITCHENER, ONTARIO N2G 3S7  
OGRM-4004  
PRINTED IN CANADA  
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THREE (3) YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY  
For three (3) years from the date of original purchase of our products, we will either repair or replace, at its  
option, free of charge, F.O.B. Factory or authorized service firm, any part found to be DEFECTIVE IN  
MATERIAL and WORKMANSHIP for the original purchaser. all transportation charges on parts submitted  
for replacement under this warranty must be paid by the purchaser unless return is requested by the  
manufacturer.  
This warranty DOES NOT apply to any part which has become inoperative through misuse, excessive use,  
accident, neglect, improper maintenance or alterations by unauthorized persons.  
The limited warranty does not extend to the replacement of parts which are not defective, but where regular  
usage has exhausted the life of the part.  
ENGINES, ELECTRIC START KITS, PEERLESS TRANSMISSIONS AND PEERLESS TRANSAXLES ARE  
WARRANTED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURER. ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THESE COMPONENTS  
MUST BE HANDLED THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURER’S SERVICE DEALERS.  
Belts, light bulbs, clutch parts (friction wheels), grass bags, tires, seats, rider deck wheels and cutting  
blades are covered by a 60 day limited warranty.  
Batteries are covered by a 90 day limited warranty.  
Fuses, shear bolts and blade adapters are considered consumable items and as such are not warranted.  
NOTE: Regular maintenance replacement parts and related inspections and adjustments are excluded  
from coverage when made as part of normal maintenance service.  
TRACTOR ATTACHMENT WARRANTY  
Mower decks included with your product, or sold separately, as an attachment for your garden tractors  
will be warranted according to the above terms of the manufacturer three (3) year limited consumer  
warranty.  
ALL OTHER ATTACHMENTS will be sold under the same condition as above except the warranty will be  
ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE.  
PERSONAL USE  
THE FOREGOING PARAGRAPHS CONSTITUTE THE MANUFACTURER’S ENTIRE WARRANTY WITH  
RESPECT TO ANY PRODUCT PURCHASED AND USED FOR PERSONAL FAMILY,  
HOUSEHOLD/RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, AS DISTINGUISHED FROM COMMERCIAL USAGE.  
COMMERCIAL USE  
ALL APPLICATIONS OTHER THAN PERSONAL USE AS OUTLINED ABOVE, ARE CONSIDERED  
COMMERCIAL USAGE.  
New products purchased for commercial usage are warranted in the same manner and to the same extend  
EXCEPT the term of warranty will be 60 DAYS from date of purchase.  
WARRANTY SERVICE CAN ONLY BE PERFORMED BY AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER. ANY  
NON-ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PART USED ON OR IN A PRODUCT UNDER WARRANTY  
WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THAT WARRANTY COVERAGE, AS WILL BE ANY RELATED DAMAGED  
COMPONENTS RESULTING FROM THE INSTALLATION OF A REPLACEMENT PART FROM ANOTHER  
SOURCE OTHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER.  
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SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES  
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 manual  
before attempting to operate your rider mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in  
personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.  
Your rider mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type  
of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. If you violate any  
of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.  
Do not operate the machine while under the  
influence of alcohol or drugs.Watch for traffic when  
operating near or crossing roadways.  
Use extra care when loading or unloading the  
machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not  
be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck  
under power, because the unit could tip over,  
causing serious personal injury. The unit must be  
pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload  
properly.  
Never make cutting height adjustment while engine  
is running, if operator must dismount to do so.  
Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-  
fitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting  
clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving  
parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or  
sneakers.  
Check overhead clearance carefully before driving  
under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging  
tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings,  
or in any other situation where the operator may be  
struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in  
serious injury.  
General Operation  
Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the  
manual and on the machine before starting. Keep  
this manual in a safe place for future and regular  
reference and for ordering replacement parts.  
Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the  
instructions to operate the machine. Know controls  
and how to stop the machine quickly.  
Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near  
rotating parts.  
Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire,  
etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the  
blade. A small object may have been overlooked  
and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in  
any direction and cause injury to you or a  
bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury,  
keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75  
feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always  
wear safety glasses or safety goggles during  
operation or while performing an adjustment or  
repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects. Stop  
the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or  
roads.  
Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly  
depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral  
before attempting to start engine.  
Your mower is designed to cut normal residential  
grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt  
to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g.,  
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up  
on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust  
presenting a potential fire hazard.  
Be sure the area is clear of other people before  
mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.  
Never carry passengers.  
Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and  
backing up. Always look down and behind before  
and while backing.  
Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge  
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not  
operate the mower without either the entire grass  
catcher or the chute guard in place.  
Slope Operation  
Slow down before turning. Operate the machine  
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive  
speed.  
Never leave a running machine unattended.  
Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in  
neutral, set park brake, stop engine and remove  
key before dismounting.  
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control  
and tip-over accidents which can result in severe  
injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If  
you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy  
on it, do not mow it.  
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as  
part of this manual to measure slopes before  
operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the  
slope is greater than 15° as shown on the slope  
gauge, do not operate this unit in that area or  
serious injury could result.  
Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.  
Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a  
complete stop before (a) removing grass catcher or  
unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs,  
adjusting or removing any grass or debris.  
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.  
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Use extra care when approaching blind corners,  
shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure  
your vision of a child or other hazard.  
Remove key when machine is unattended to  
prevent unauthorized operation.  
Do:  
Mow up and down slopes, not across.  
Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.  
Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain  
could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide  
obstacles.  
Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that  
you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.  
Always keep machine in gear when going down  
slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.  
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for  
wheel weights or counterweights to improve  
stability.  
Use extra care with grass catchers or other  
attachments. These can change the stability of the  
machine.  
Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.  
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.  
Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front  
of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards  
which could cause serious injury.  
Service  
Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other  
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the  
vapors are explosive.  
a. Use only an approved container.  
b. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the  
engine running. Allow engine to cool at least  
two minutes before refueling.  
c. Replace fuel cap securely and wipe off any  
spilled fuel before starting the engine as it may  
cause a fire or explosion.  
d. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and  
other sources of ignition.  
e. Never refuel the machine indoors because fuel  
vapors will accumulate in the area.  
f. Never store the fuel container or machine  
inside where there is an open flame or spark,  
such as a gas hot water heater, space heater  
or furnace.  
Never run a machine inside a closed area.  
To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free of  
grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil  
or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool at least 5  
minutes before storing.  
Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make  
certain the blade and all moving parts have  
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep  
the wire away from the spark plug to prevent  
accidental starting.  
Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at  
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,  
visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., excessive  
wear, bent, cracked). Replace with blade which  
meets original equipment specifications.  
Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the  
equipment is in safe working condition.  
Never tamper with safety devices. Check their  
proper operation regularly. Use all guards as  
instructed in this manual.  
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose  
traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly  
straight down the slope.  
Do Not:  
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn  
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.  
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or  
embankments.The mower could suddenly turn over  
if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an  
edge caves in.  
Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could  
cause sliding.  
Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your  
foot on the ground.  
Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.  
Children  
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not  
alert to the presence of children. Children are often  
attracted to the machine and the mowing activity.  
Never assume that children will remain where you  
last saw them.  
Keep children out of the mowing area and in  
watchful care of an adult other than the operator.  
Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the  
area.  
Before and when backing, look behind and down  
for small children.  
Never carry children. They may fall off and be  
seriously injured or interfere with the safe machine  
operation.  
Never allow children under 14 years old to operate  
the machine. Children 14 years and over should  
only operate machine under close parental  
supervision and proper instruction.  
After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,  
remove the wire from the spark plug and thoroughly  
inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the  
damage before restarting and operating the mower.  
Grass catcher components are subject to wear,  
damage and deterioration, which could expose  
moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For your  
safety protection, frequently check components  
and replace with manufacturer’s recommended  
parts when necessary.  
Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the  
blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when  
servicing blade(s).  
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Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and  
service as required.  
Muffler, engine and belt guards become hot during  
operation and can cause a burn. Allow to cool down  
before touching.  
Do not change the engine governor settings or  
overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds  
are dangerous.  
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations.  
Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm  
the environment and the ecology.  
a. Prior to disposal, determine the proper method  
to dispose of waste from your local office of  
Environmental Protection Agency. Recycling  
centers are established to properly dispose of  
materials in an environmentally safe fashion.  
b. Use proper containers when draining fluids. Do  
not use food or beverage containers that may  
mislead someone into drinking from them.  
Properly dispose of the containers immediately  
following the draining of fluids.  
c. DO NOT pour oil or other fluids into the ground,  
down a drain or into a stream, pond, lake or  
other body of water. Observe Environmental  
Protection Agency regulations when disposing  
of oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, filters, batteries,  
tires and other harmful waste.  
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SECTION 2: SLOPE GUAGE  
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT  
OPERATE RIDER MOWER SAFELY:  
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SECTION 3: UNPACKING & ASSEMBLING YOUR RIDER MOWER  
Remove all screws and staples from crate.  
Holding the sides of the crate firmly, lift the top of  
the crate up and keep it aside. Avoid tire punctures.  
Remove and discard plastic bag covering the unit.  
Lift the rear of the mower and clear the bottom of  
the crate. Repeat for the front.  
Move the battery cover to its original position. Make  
sure to tuck away the battery cables completely  
under the battery cover. Check to ensure that the  
cables pass easily through the slots in the cover.  
Vent  
Opening  
Be sure parking brake is disengaged; roll unit out of  
the crate’s way.  
Loose Parts  
Remove loose parts from the grass catcher ,  
literature bag and/or the crate very carefully. Refer  
to Figure 1.  
1. Mulching plug & side-discharge chute  
2. Oil drain sleeve  
3. Bumper (optional)  
Hood Assembly  
Figure 2  
4. Hitch Plate (optional)  
5. Ignition keys (not shown)  
6. Operator’s manual (not shown)  
Reinstall wing nut on the front battery hold-down  
rod and tighten.  
Place your right hand on the left side of the seat and  
slowly lower the hood assembly until it is fully closed.  
Side-Discharge  
Chute  
Oil Drain  
Sleeve  
WARNING: Keep battery cables away from  
the engine exhaust system.  
Hitch Plate  
Bumper  
CAUTION: Do not place your hand around the bottom  
edge of the hood assembly; it may get pinched between  
the hood assembly and grass catcher or the frame rail.  
Mulching  
Plug  
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and  
related accessories contain lead and lead  
compounds. Wash hands after handling.  
Figure 1  
NOTE: Reference to RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor  
in this manual is observed from operator’s position.  
Wing Nut  
Attaching Battery Cables  
The battery is located under the hood assembly above  
the left rear wheel. Refer to Figure 3 .  
Cover  
To access the battery, lift the hood assembly from  
the left side of the hood only. Stand on the right side  
of the unit and pivot the hood assembly towards  
you until fully opened. See Figure 2 .  
Screw  
Hold-Down  
Rod  
CAUTION: Do not lift the hood assembly by the two  
vent openings located behind the seat.  
Remove both wing nuts securing the battery and  
cover to the battery hold-down rods. See Figure 3 .  
Slide the battery cover towards the rear to access  
the front (negative) terminal.  
Remove the screw and nut from the negative  
terminal with a wrench.  
Attach the black battery cable to this negative  
terminal on the battery and tighten securely. See  
Figure 3 .  
Cable  
Figure 3  
Attaching Side-Discharge Chute  
Your riding mower is shipped to you with the grass  
catcher fully assembled on the unit. A side-discharge  
chute and a mulching plug are included as loose parts.  
Follow the instructions below to attach the side-  
discharge chute.  
WARNING: Be careful not to contact any  
adjacent metal part or short across posts.  
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WARNING: Do not operate the mower if any  
one of the grass catcher, discharge chute or  
mulching plug is not firmly installed on the  
mower.  
Side Discharge Chute  
Wing Nut  
Pivot the hood assembly up and lower the cutting  
height adjustment lever to the lowest position.  
Remove the two wing nuts (A and B in Figure 4 )  
from two ends of the grasscatcher chute.  
B
A
Speed  
Nut  
Mulching  
Plug  
Grass Catcher  
Chute  
Longer Hex Bolt  
Figure 5  
Align the two holes on the bumper tube with the  
corresponding holes on the rider frame (from where  
you removed the hardware). See Figure 6.  
Re-insert the two hex bolts through the bumper and  
the rider frame and secure with the two lock nuts.  
See Figure 6 .  
Side-  
Discharge  
Chute  
Wing  
Nut B  
Wing  
Nut D  
Lock  
Nut  
Bumper  
Rider Frame  
Rail  
Wing  
Nut A  
Figure 4  
Loosen the wing nut (D in Figure 4 ) in front at the  
middle of the chute. Do not remove. All three wing  
nuts hold the chute to the deck frame.  
Slide the grasscatcher chute to the right and out of  
the deck frame. Slide the side-discharge chute in  
and place it on the deck so that the three wing nut  
positions align with those on the deck.  
Hex Bolt  
Figure 6  
Attaching Hitch Plate (Optional)  
Reinsert wing nuts A and B. Tighten to secure.  
Tighten the wing nut D.  
The hitch plate, if equipped, can be located with the  
loose parts. See Figure 1 .  
Attaching Mulch Plug  
Remove the hex nuts, lock washers and the hex  
bolt “B” from the rear frame. Do not remove the  
hex bolt “A” and speed nut.  
While operating your rider mower, you have three  
options: (i) to collect grass clippings in the grass  
catcher, (ii) to discharge grass clippings on the side, or  
(iii) to mulch grass and recirculate clippings back to the  
lawn. For the third option, attach the mulching plug to  
the side-discharge chute and then to the deck.  
Hex Nut  
Hitch Plate  
Lock  
Washer  
Emboss Rib  
Rear Frame  
Put two hex bolts through the mulching plug at the  
respective openings. See Figure 5 .  
Place speed nuts over the hex bolts.  
Speed Nut  
Hex Bolt “A”  
Hex Bolt “B”  
Insert the plug into the side-discharge chute  
aligning the two slots on two sides of the side-  
discharge chute with those on the mulching plug.  
To attach the mulching plug now to the unit, follow  
instructions on previous page to attach side-  
discharge chute to the deck.  
Place wing nut on each of the hex bolts and thread  
a few turns. See Figure 5 . Check that the mulch  
plug is aligned correctly within the discharge  
chute.Tighten both wing nuts  
Figure 7  
Position the hitch plate so that the two smaller  
holes will fit over the hex bolts with the emboss rib  
on top of plate.  
Place the hitch plate over the hex bolt “A”.  
Pivot hitch plate, align the hole on the hitch plate  
with the right hand hole on rear frame and insert  
hex bolt “B”. See Figure 7 .  
Secure the hitch plate with the lock washers and  
hex nuts previously removed. Tighten both hex nuts  
securely.  
Attaching Bumper (Optional)  
Remove bumper from the grass catcher.  
Loosen and remove the two hex bolts and lock nuts  
from the front rail on the rider mower. See Figure 6 .  
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SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR RIDER MOWER  
Compare the illustrations in Figure 8 with your rider mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various  
controls and adjustments. The operation of any rider mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the  
operator’s eyes, causing severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses before operating the mower, or while  
performing any adjustments or repairs on it.  
Steering Wheel  
Throttle/Choke  
Seat  
Control  
Shift Lever  
Grass Fill Level  
Indicator  
Cutting Height  
Adjustment Lever  
Blade Engagement  
Pedal  
Ignition  
Switch  
Side Discharge  
“Go”  
Chute  
Pedal  
Brake  
Pedal  
Cutting  
Deck  
Hood  
Assembly  
Grass  
Catcher  
Parking  
Brake  
Engine  
Blade  
Engagement  
Pedal  
Blade  
Lock  
Battery  
Figure 8  
Parking Brake  
Throttle/Choke Control  
Use to regulate the engine speed and to start the engine.  
Use to stop the mower from moving while parked.  
“Go” Pedal  
Blade Engagement Pedal  
Use to engage or disengage the blade.  
Use to regulate the ground speed of the rider mower.  
Ignition Switch  
Use to turn the engine ON or OFF.  
Blade Lock  
Use to lock blade at the engaged position.  
Shift Lever  
Cutting Height Adjustment Lever  
Use to change direction of the mower.  
Use to raise and lower the cutting deck which determines  
the cutting height.  
Grass Fill Level Indicator  
Use to determine the level of grass clipping in the bag and  
when to stop and empty it.  
Brake Pedal  
Use to stop the mower’s forward or reverse motion.  
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Stopping Mower  
Release blade engagement pedal all the way.  
Release the "Go" Pedal and depress the brake  
pedal.  
When the mower comes to a complete stop, set the  
parking brake.  
Depress the brake pedal, pull up the parking brake  
knob and release the brake pedal. The knob should  
stay in the raised position.  
Turn the ignition key to OFF position and remove  
the key.  
CHOKE  
Safety Interlock  
This unit is equipped with a safety interlock system for  
your protection. The interlock safety switches are  
connected to the brake pedal, the blade engagement  
pedal, the shift lever, and the seat.  
Cutting  
Height  
The purpose of the safety interlock system is threefold:  
Shift  
Lever  
a. to prevent the engine from starting unless the  
brake pedal is depressed and the blade  
engagement pedal is disengaged;  
b. to shut off the engine if the blade pedal is not  
disengaged when the shift lever is put into  
reverse; and  
c. to shut the engine off when the operator leaves  
the seat without engaging the parking brake.  
Figure 9  
NOTE: Look at the rear and make sure the path is free  
of obstacles before positioning the shift lever to the  
reverse.  
WARNING: To avoid the risk of serious  
injury, do not operate the rider mower if the  
interlock system is malfunctioning.  
Do not force the shift lever. If it does not shift,  
release the brake pedal. Step on the “GO” pedal  
lightly to line up the shifting collar in the  
transmission, then apply the brake and try to move  
the shift lever. DO NOT SHIFT WITH FOOT ON  
THE “GO” PEDAL.  
Slowly release the brake pedal and take your foot  
off the pedal. Always make sure that there is no one  
in the way when you run the mower.  
Remove objects that could be thrown by the  
blade(s).  
Know location and function of all controls.  
Be sure blade(s) and engine are stopped before  
placing hands or feet near blade(s).  
Before leaving operator's position, disengage  
blade(s), place the shift lever in neutral, engage  
parking brake, shut engine off and remove key.  
Grass Fill Level Indicator  
This indicator was designed  
to add convenience to your  
riding mower. While the  
mower is running, air will flow  
through the discharge chute  
and into the grass catcher. If  
the grass catcher is empty,  
air flows through easily  
pushing the ball up. If the  
grass catcher is full, air does  
Using Shift Lever  
The shift lever is used to regulate the direction of your  
rider mower. It can be set at forward, neutral, or reverse  
settings. These settings, marked as F, N, and R  
respectively, are located next to the shift lever on the  
unit. See Figure 9. This unit is designed not to mow  
when the shift lever is in R position.  
Grass Fill Level  
Indicator  
Before you move the shift lever to any of the  
positions, depress the brake pedal and stop the  
unit. Keep your foot on the brake pedal.  
Move the lever outwards (left) to remove the  
locking pin from the lever and slide the lever to the  
position desired.  
not flow through it allowing the ball to fall. So if you see  
the ball in the grass catcher fill level indicator falling  
down, you should stop the mower and empty the bag.  
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SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR RIDER MOWER  
The battery is located under the hood assembly above  
the left rear wheel. Refer to Figure 3 .  
Using Throttle/Choke Control  
The throttle/choke control is used to increase or  
decrease the speed of the engine.The FAST and the  
SLOW positions are marked with illustrations of a rabbit  
and a turtle respectively. See Figure 9.  
Starting Engine  
Attach the wire to the spark plug.  
Depress the brake pedal with your right foot.  
Set throttle/choke control in the CHOKE position (all  
the way forward).  
For normal operation and when using a grass  
catcher, move the throttle/choke control to the  
FAST position.  
For maximum charging of the battery and also for a  
cooler engine while running, move the throttle/  
choke control to the FAST position.  
For transport and to tow pull-behind attachments,  
move the throttle/choke control to the SLOW  
position.  
Place the shift lever in the NEUTRAL position.  
Turn the ignition key to the START position. As  
soon as the engine starts, let the key return to the  
ON position.  
Move throttle/choke control out of CHOKE position  
and into FAST throttle position.  
NOTE: If engine floods, set choke to OPEN/RUN  
position, place throttle in FAST and crank until engine  
starts.  
NOTE: Do not adjust the governor to increase or  
decrease the engine speed. The governor is set at the  
factory for maximum engine performance, and should  
not be altered.  
Starting Mower  
Depress the brake pedal so that the parking brake  
is disengaged.  
Using Parking Brake  
To engage parking brake  
Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit)  
position. Keep the throttle in the FAST position for  
optimal use of the riding mower and blade  
engagement.  
Completely push the brake pedal down and stop the  
unit.  
With your right foot on the brake pedal, move the  
shift lever to the neutral position.  
Continuing to hold down the brake pedal with your  
right foot, pull up the parking brake knob. Make sure  
the parking brake holds the unit.  
Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or the  
REVERSE position as you desire. Look to the rear  
and check before backing up.  
Release the brake pedal.  
Depress the "Go" Pedal.  
To stop, release the "Go" Pedal and depress the  
brake pedal.  
Release the brake pedal. Stop the engine and  
remove the ignition key. Now your rider mower is  
parked.  
Press the blade engagement pedal downward until  
the blade is turning.The blade can be engaged  
either while the mower is in motion or while it is  
standing.  
To release the parking brake  
Depress the brake pedal. The parking brake will be  
automatically disengaged.  
Before Starting  
NOTE: Your rider mower is equipped with a blade lock  
to keep the blade engaged without the operator having  
to depress the blade pedal continuously. See Figure 8.  
Service the engine with oil and gasoline as described in  
the engine manual. Check the oil level.  
To engage the blade lock: While pressing down  
on the blade pedal, push the blade lock down with  
your heel. It should click into the “blade engaged”  
position. To disengage the blade lock, simply push  
down on the blade pedal and the lock will release  
itself.  
WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, or  
when engine is running or hot. Do not  
smoke while filling up the gasoline tank.  
Battery  
Ordinarily the battery is charged and ready for use; so  
you will not have to charge it before starting. However, if  
the battery is put into service for the first time after the  
date shown on the side of the battery, you will have to  
charge it for a minimum of one hour at 4-6 amps. Refer  
to the battery supplement sheet for instructions on  
charging the battery.  
WARNING: When the blades are engaged,  
keep feet and hands away from the discharge  
opening, the blades or any part of the deck.  
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Stopping Mower  
Using The Mower  
Release blade engagement pedal all the way.  
Release the "Go" Pedal and depress the brake  
pedal.  
Observe safety rules listed on pages 3-5 of this manual  
for safe operation of your mower.  
Before mowing, make sure that the cutting deck is  
leveled. For deck adjustment, refer to page 16.  
You can engage the blade by pressing on the blade  
engagement pedal with your left foot while sitting  
on the operator’s seat.  
When the mower comes to a complete stop, place  
the shift lever in neutral.  
Engage the parking brake by pulling up on the  
parking brake knob.  
Turn ignition key to OFF position and remove key.  
When mowing an area for the first time, watch out  
for objects lying on the grass. If you strike a foreign  
object, stop the engine. Remove wire from spark  
plug and thoroughly inspect the mower for any  
damage. Repair the damage before operating it  
again.  
NOTE: Do not leave the key in the ON position when  
you are not operating the mower. Such action will drain  
the battery dead.  
To Empty Grass Catcher  
Avoid scalping the lawn by adjusting the cutting  
height upwards and/or sharpening the blades.  
Mow at full throttle. Learn the terrain on which you  
are mowing. For best mowing results, mow only  
when the grass is dry.  
Stop the mower completely, pull up on the  
parking brake knob and take the ignition key out.  
Get off the operator’s seat.  
Pivot the hood assembly up. Pull up the  
grasscatcher bag by the handle and take it to the  
proper disposal site. See Figure 10 .  
Hold the bag away from your body. Push down  
on the bag lever and let the bottom section of  
the bag fall downwards. The grass clippings  
will be disposed of from the bottom. See Figure  
10 .  
The recommended mowing pattern is given below:  
Tap the bag on the ground so that the three legs  
of the bag press against the ground. The bag  
lever should snap close while you push the bag  
downwards.  
Replace the bag on to the mower making sure  
the bag is placed on the flange on top of the  
discharge chute. Pivot the hood assembly down.  
Mow grass often and in regular intervals so that you  
can cut only 1/3 of the grass blade in one mowing.  
To empty grass bag, stop the mower completely,  
engage the parking brake, and turn the ignition off.  
This will prevent the hot engine exhaust gas from  
browning the grass.  
Bag Handle  
Mulching  
Many communities no longer haul grass clippings  
Grass Catcher  
Bag  
to landfills. Composting the clippings from your  
grass catcher is a viable solution. For this you will  
have to empty the grass catcher at the designated  
composting site.  
Push  
here  
Your rider mower is equipped with a mulching plug  
to mulch the grass and recycle into the lawn instead  
of collecting in the grasscatcher bag.  
Mulch only when the grass is dry. Mulching wet  
grass may damage the underside of the deck  
because wet grass tends to stick to it. Clean deck  
thoroughly if you mulch wet grass.  
Hood  
Assembly  
For effective mulching, overlap mowing paths so  
that the clippings are distributed evenly.  
Figure 10  
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SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS  
WARNING: Do not at any time make any  
adjustment to riding mower without first  
stopping engine and disconnecting spark plug  
wire.  
Cutting Height  
The deck cutting height adjustment lever is located on  
the hood assembly. For a representation of the cutting  
height positions, refer to Figure 9 .  
Pull the lever out of the slot and slide it upward or  
downward to the desired cutting height.  
Lower the cutting height to mow close to the  
ground.  
Raise the deck height to the highest position when  
you ride on a sidewalk or a road.  
To mow tall or thick grass, move the cutting height  
adjustment lever to the highest position and cut.  
Then move the lever to a lower position and cut  
again.  
Brake Adjustment  
During normal operation of the rider mower, the brake  
is subject to wear. Check the brake periodically by  
carrying out the following test:  
Release the parking brake and place the rider  
mower in neutral. Depress the brake pedal and try  
to roll the rider mower. The tractor should not move.  
If the tractor moves, adjust the brake.  
WARNING: Do not adjust the brake while the  
engine is running. Be sure to block the  
wheels of the rider mower before making any  
adjustments on the brake cable.  
Seat Position  
The seat position on the rider mower can be adjusted to  
maximize the operator’s convenience.  
Adjust if necessary as follows:  
Stop the mower completely and engage the parking  
brake. Turn ignition off.  
Pivot the hood assembly up.  
Loosen the four self-tapping screws on the bottom  
of the seat.  
• Looking at the transmission from the left side of  
the tractor, locate the compression spring and  
brake disc. See Figure 11.  
Hex Nut  
Slide the seat forward or backward in the slot, and  
position it as desired. Retighten the four screws.  
Blade Brake/PTO  
The blade engagement pedal should be adjusted so  
that if you depress it about 3/4” from the front of the slot,  
it should start engaging the deck belt. The PTO (power  
take off) switch is located in the blade brake slot on the  
left side of the upper frame. See Figure 12 . The brake  
engagement pedal needs to make contact with the PTO  
switch for the engine to start.  
Set Gap  
at .011"  
Brake Disc  
Compression  
Under normal operation, the blade engagement pedal  
should not require frequent adjustment. However,  
perform the following test periodically and make sure  
that it is in fine working condition.  
Spring  
Transmission  
NOTE: View shown from beneath tractor.  
Figure 11  
Pivot the hood assembly up and check if there is  
enough slack on the deck engagement cable.  
Depress the blade engagement pedal (about 3/4  
inch) and check if the belt is engaging.  
If the cable is tight or too loose or the belt is not  
engaging, adjust the deck engagement cable.  
• Loosen, but do NOT remove, the hex nut found  
on the right side of the brake assembly. See  
Figure 12.  
• Using a feeler gauge, set the gap between the  
brake disc and the brake puck at .011".  
• Re-tighten the hex nut loosened earlier.  
NOTE: The deck engagement cable will be correctly  
adjusted when the cable moves approximately 1/2” off  
center line in both directions.  
Adjustment to the blade brake will have to be made at  
the cable end. See Figure 12.  
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Replace the ball joint into the steering segment,  
and replace the 3/8’’ hex nut.  
Hex  
Nut  
Deck  
Engagement  
Cable  
Adjusting the Deck  
There are three tests for checking deck levelling on the  
riding mower. The results of each test will determine  
what kind of levelling, if at all, the equipment needs.  
IMPORTANT: Perform adjustments to the deck on a flat,  
level surface. Before continuing with deck adjustment,  
check air pressure in all four tires. Recommended air  
pressure is 12 psi. Please note that the valve stems on  
this riding mower are on the inside of the front wheels  
and on the outside of the rear wheels.  
Blade Engagement  
Pedal  
PTO  
Test 1: Checking Rear Deck Height Adjustment  
Switch  
Lift the hood assembly and remove grass catcher  
from the riding mower. Place the deck in the highest  
position.  
Inspect rear of deck. If the deck is contacting the  
cable bracket on the front of the transmission, you  
will have to adjust the rear deck height.  
Figure 12  
If the belt is slipping when you depress the blade  
engagement pedal about 3/4”, loosen the two hex  
nuts on the cable. See Figure 12.  
If the belt is engaging sooner than when the blade  
engagement pedal is 3/4” from the PTO switch,  
tighten both hex nuts on the cable. See Figure 12.  
Repeat the blade engagement test and readjust if  
necessary.  
Test 2: Checking Front to Rear Levelling  
Place the deck in the highest position.  
Wearing a pair of heavy work gloves to prevent  
injury, rotate the cutting blade so that it is pointed  
front to back and parallel to the rider. Depress and  
lock the deck engagement pedal.  
Measure the distance from the front and the rear  
tips of the blade to the ground.The front should be  
approximately 1/4” to 3/8” lower than the rear.  
If the distance is higher, level the deck front to rear.  
Pivot the hood assembly back.  
Wheel Alignment  
Test 3: Checking Side to Side Levelling  
The front wheels should toe-in 0 - 1/16 inch. To adjust  
toe-in, follow these steps:  
Place the deck in the highest position.  
Wearing a pair of heavy work gloves to prevent  
injury, rotate the cutting blade so that it is pointed  
side to side and perpendicular to the rider. Depress  
and lock the deck engagement pedal.  
Measure the distance from the tips of the blade to  
the ground. If the two distances are unequal, level  
the deck side to side.  
Remove the 3/8’’ hex nut which holds the ball joint  
to the steering segment. See Figure 13.  
Hex Nut  
Adjusting Rear Deck Height  
Completely loosen, but do not remove, the top hex  
nut out of the three hex nuts that hold the hex bolt  
and the ferrule on the deck hanger link assembly.  
See Figure 14 .  
Lock  
Washer  
Steering  
Segment  
A
IMPORTANT: Do not try to loosen or tighten bottom nut.  
Tie  
Rod  
Thread the middle nut as far down as possible.  
Locate the lower links at the rear of the deck.  
Working on one side at a time, disconnect the  
helper springs from them.  
front  
Ball  
Joint  
B
0 - 1/16’’ less than A  
Remove each lower link by removing both hair pin  
clip and washers.  
Reattach lower links as shown in Figure 14 inset.  
Figure 13  
Adjust the ball joint in or out until the wheels toe-in  
approximately 0 - 1/16" (Dimension ‘‘B’’ should be  
approximately 0-1/16" less than dimension ‘‘A’’).  
See Figure 13.  
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Helper  
Spring  
Loosen hex nuts  
to adjust  
Do not adjust hex nut  
Remove Hairpin Clips  
and Washers  
Lower  
Link  
Deck  
Height  
Lever  
Ferrule  
Hanger  
Link  
Figure 14  
Thread the middle nut up against the base of the  
ferrule. See Figure 14 .  
Tighten the upper nut against the top of the ferrule  
to lock adjustment.  
Front to Rear Levelling  
Place the deck in the highest position.  
Wearing a pair of heavy work gloves to prevent  
injury, rotate the cutting blade so that it is pointed  
front to back and parallel to the rider. Depress and  
lock the deck engagement pedal.  
Side to Side Levelling  
Place the deck in the highest position.  
Completely loosen, but do not remove, the top hex  
nut out of the three hex nuts that hold the hex bolt  
and the ferrule on the deck hanger link assembly.  
See Figure 14 .  
Wearing heavy work gloves to prevent injury, rotate  
the cutting blade so that it is pointed side to side  
and perpendicular to the rider. Depress and lock  
the deck engagement pedal.  
Loosen the middle hex nut.  
IMPORTANT: Do not try to loosen/ tighten bottom nut.  
Thread the top hex nut up or down in order to set  
both tips of the blade at an equal height from the  
ground. Remember to thread the nut down to raise  
the deck, and thread up to lower the deck.  
Once the deck is level, thread the middle hex nut to  
tighten against the ferrule. Make sure the cut is  
even and the lift lever moves to all cutting heights.  
Thread the middle nut as far down as possible.  
Keeping an equal number of threads above each of  
the nuts, thread the upper nut down until the front  
tip of the blade is 1/4” to 3/8” lower than the rear tip  
of the blade. Note that threading this nut down will  
raise the front of the deck.  
SECTION 7: SERVICING YOUR RIDER MOWER  
Belt Replacement  
Deck Belt  
There are two drive belts and one deck belt in your rider  
mower; follow the description below to identify the belts.  
Engage the parking brake and turn the ignition off.  
Pivot the seat frame up and remove the  
grasscatcher. Remove the spark plug wire.  
Put the deck at the lowest cutting height by  
adjusting the cutting height adjustment lever to the  
lowest position.  
1. The lower drive belt goes from the variable speed  
pulley to the transmission pulley.  
2. The upper drive belt goes from the variable speed  
pulley to the upper sheave of engine pulley.  
3. The deck belt goes from the deck pulley to the  
lower sheave in engine pulley.  
Using a 9/16” wrench, loosen the hex nut on the  
idler pulley. See Figure 15.  
Using a 1/2” socket wrench, remove two self-  
tapping screws, lock washer and hex nut that hold  
the deck belt cover to the deck. See Figure 15 . For  
this, you will have to work from the top left side of  
the mower. Remove the cover.  
Periodically check to see if these belts are too loose  
or damaged through wear and tear. If so, replace  
with new belt.  
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Remove belt from around deck pulley, idler pulley,  
and the engine pulley.  
Lower Variable Speed Belt  
Remove the rear deck belt guard following first five  
steps for deck belt removal. Remove belt from the  
engine pulley.  
Place the new belt around the deck pulley and the  
engine pulley making sure that the belt is routed  
inside the belt keepers. There are two belt keepers  
under the grasscatcher, one on the idler and the  
other under the deck belt cover. See Figure 15 .  
Reinstall the deck belt cover and secure with the  
two self-tapping screws and the lock washer and  
hex nut. Make certain the belt keeper “B” is outside  
of the belt.  
Push the spring loaded idler, located on the left side  
of the transmission, to the right. Remove belt from  
around the idler and then the transmission pulley.  
See Figure 15 .  
Using a 9/16” socket, remove bolt, spacer and the  
flat washer from the variable speed pulley. See  
Figure 16 .  
NOTE: Belt keeper “A” must be mounted on the inside  
of the belt. There should be a 1/8” clearance between  
the belt and the belt keeper.  
Drop the pulley down and remove the belt.  
Replace new belt and reassemble following above  
instructions in reverse order.  
Make sure that the belt is routed inside of belt  
keeper.  
Make sure to align the belt keeper in line with the  
frame. See Figure 15 .  
Again working from under the rear of the mower,  
reinstall the rear deck belt guard.  
Replace the grasscatcher and pivot the seat frame  
back.  
Variable Speed Pulley  
Spring  
Loaded  
Idler  
Spring  
Loaded  
Idler  
NOTE: An imaginary line between the belt keeper and  
idler pulley should be parallel to frame.  
Imaginary  
Line  
Belt  
Keeper “B”  
Belt  
Keeper “A”  
Deck Belt  
Cover  
Hex  
Nut  
Transmission  
Pulley  
Engine Pulley  
Deck Belt  
LockWasher  
& Hex Nut  
Figure 16  
Upper Variable Speed Belt  
Remove the engine pulley using a 9/16” socket  
wrench with a 6” extension. The engine pulley is  
located in front of the transmission.  
Drop the engine pulley down and remove the belt  
from around it.  
Push the idler bracket to the right and remove the  
belt. See Figure 16 .  
Self-Tapping  
Screw  
Replace belt and reassemble in reverse order.  
Fuse Replacement  
Idler  
Pulley  
The fuse is located on the left frame support bracket.  
Fuses seldom fail without a reason. If the fuse blows,  
the source problem must be corrected or the new fuse  
will blow again.  
Deck  
Pulley  
Figure 15  
Check for loose connections in the fuse holder and  
replace holder if necessary. A dead short may be in  
the cranking or charging circuit where insulation  
may have rubbed through and exposed bare wire.  
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Replace the wire or repair with electrician’s tape if  
the wire strands have not been damaged. Also look  
for a wire pinched between body panels, burned by  
the exhaust pipe or muffler, or rubbed against a  
moving part.  
Pivot the hood assembly up. Disconnect the spark  
plug wire and ground it.  
Pull the fuse out of the lead wire.  
Replace with new automotive fuse.  
Make sure to reconnect the spark plug wire before  
pivoting the hood assembly back.  
Stop the rider mower and engage the parking  
brake. Remove ignition key.  
SECTION 8: MAINTAINING YOUR RIDER MOWER  
General Recommendations  
Deck  
Always observe safety rules when performing any  
maintenance.  
The warranty on this rider mower does not cover  
items that have been subjected to operator abuse  
or negligence. To receive full value from the  
warranty, operator must maintain the rider mower  
as instructed in this manual.  
We do not recommend the use of pressure washers  
or garden hose to clean your unit. These may  
cause damage to electrical components, spindles,  
pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use of water  
may shorten life of your rider mower and reduce its  
serviceability.  
Spindle  
Blade  
WARNING: Always stop engine and  
disconnect spark plug wire before any  
maintenance or adjustments.  
Flange Nut  
Figure 17  
When replacing the blade, be sure to install the  
blade with the side of the blade marked “Bottom” (or  
with part number) facing the ground when the  
mower is in the operating position.  
Blade Mounting Torque: 70/90 foot-pounds  
maximum.  
Cutting Blade  
Removal  
WARNING: Protect your hands by wearing  
heavy gloves or using a rag to grasp the  
cutting blade.  
NOTE: To ensure safe operation, all nuts and bolts  
Remove the 5/8’’ hex flange nut which holds the  
blade to the blade spindle.  
Remove blade from the spindle. See Figure 17.  
must be checked periodically for correct tightness.  
Sharpening  
When sharpening the blade, follow the original  
angle of grind as a guide. It is extremely important  
that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of  
grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade. An  
unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration  
when rotating at high speeds, may cause damage  
to the mower and/or cause personal injury.  
Oil Drain  
Sleeve  
The blade can be tested for balance by balancing it  
on a round shaft screwdriver. Remove metal from  
the heavy side until it balances evenly.  
Figure 18  
Reassembly  
Oil Drain Sleeve  
Before reassembling the blade to the unit, lubricate  
Your rider mower has a plastic oil drain sleeve, packed  
with the loose parts, for draining oil from the crankcase.  
the spindle with light oil (or engine oil).  
Be sure to properly align “star” fitting on blade with  
“star” on spindle.  
To drain the oil, snap small end of the oil drain  
sleeve onto oil sump. See Figure 18.  
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Remove drain plug and drain oil into a suitable  
container.  
Using a brush or cloth, remove grass, chaff or  
debris from the finger guard on the engine daily to  
prevent overheating of the engine. Do not clean  
with a forceful spray of water since water  
contaminates the fuel system.  
Engine  
Refer to the separate engine manual for engine  
maintenance instructions.  
Keep the governor linkage, springs and controls  
free of debris.  
Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate  
engine manual packed with your unit. Read and  
follow instructions carefully.  
If engine muffler is equipped with spark arrester  
screen, remove and clean the screen regularly.  
Replace if damaged or plugged with debris.Clean  
muffler area and remove any grass or other debris  
before operating the unit.  
Poor engine performance and flooding usually  
indicates that the air cleaner should be serviced.  
Service air cleaner as per the engine manual.  
Clean frequently under extremely dusty conditions.  
The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap  
reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is  
recommended at the start of each mowing season.  
Check engine manual for correct plug type and gap  
specifications.  
Your unit is equipped with a replaceable in-line fuel  
filter. Replace filter whenever contamination or  
discoloration is noticed. Order replacement filter  
through your engine authorized service dealer.  
Lube  
NOTE: Your rider engine is equipped with a resistor  
spark plug, When replacing plug, make sure to use  
resistor type.  
Lubrication  
See Figure 19 for an illustration of the lube points  
described below.  
Blade Assembly  
Lubricate blade assembly and deck spindle only  
while reassembling the blade either after  
sharpening or replacement.  
Lube  
Pivot Points  
Lubricate all pivot points with light oil at least once a  
season.  
Lube  
Steering Shaft and Gear  
Lube  
Lubricate steering shaft and spline at least once a  
season with light oil.  
Lubricate teeth of the external steering gears with  
automotive multi-purpose grease every 25 hours of  
operation or once a season.  
Lube  
Linkage  
Lubricate all deck linkage and height adjustment  
linkage with a light oil.  
Front Wheels  
Lubricate at least once a season with automotive  
multi-purpose grease.  
Engine  
Maintain the engine as recommended in the  
separate engine manual.  
Cleaning Engine  
Lube  
(before  
reassembly)  
Promptly wipe off any fuel or oil spilled on the  
machine with clean cloth.  
Clean the underside of the blade housing after  
each mowing. Do not let clippings or debris  
accumulate around the blade which may cause rust  
on the deck.  
Viewed from the bottom  
Figure 19  
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SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE  
If the machine is to be inoperative for a period longer  
than 30 days, prepare for storage as follows.  
Battery  
Charge battery fully. The battery loses some of its  
charge each day when the unit is not used.  
NEVER store battery without a full charge.  
Recharge battery before returning to service or  
every two months, whichever occurs first.  
When storing unit for extended periods,  
disconnect battery cables and remove the battery  
from the unit.  
Clean dirt and chaff from cylinder, cylinder head  
fins, blower housing, rotating screen and muffler  
area.  
Rider Mower  
Clean the engine and the entire unit thoroughly.  
Lubricate all pivot points. Wipe the entire  
machine with an oiled rag to protect the surfaces.  
Store unit in a clean, dry area. Do not store next  
to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.  
When storing any type of power equipment in an  
unventilated or metal storage shed, care should  
be taken to rustproof the equipment. Using a light  
oil or silicone, coat the equipment, especially any  
chains, springs, bearings and cables.  
Engine  
Refer to the engine manual for storage  
instructions. Make sure to store the engine  
properly so that your equipment can work  
smoothly afterwards.  
SECTION 10: TROUBLE-SHOOTING  
Trouble  
Possible Cause  
Remedial Action  
Excessive vibration  
1. Bent or damaged blade  
1. Stop engine immediately. Check all  
pulleys, blade adapters, keys and bolts for  
tightness and spindle damage. Tighten or  
replace any damaged parts.  
2. Bent blade.  
2. Stop engine immediately. Replace  
damaged blade. Only use original  
equipment blades.  
Mower will not  
discharge grass or  
leaves uncut strips  
1. Engine speed low.  
2. Speed selection.  
1. Throttle must be set at full throttle.  
2. Use lower ground speed. Slower the  
ground speed, better the quality of cut.  
3. Raise the deck.  
4. Sharpen or replace blades (uncut strip  
problem only).  
3. Cutting height set too low.  
4. Blades short or dull.  
Broken Belt  
1. Sudden stop or shock load to belt  
1. Inspect rider for cause such as foreign  
objects stuck in between deck and frame or  
belt path. Remove obstruction and check  
for damage. Replace belt if needed.  
2. Replace with proper belt. Check Parts list  
in this manual for correct part number.  
3. Engage belt slowly by depressing the  
blade engagement pedal slowly.  
2. Incorrect belt used  
3. Belt engaged abruptly  
4. Defective or damaged belt  
4. Replace with proper belt. Follow  
instructions in chapter “Servicing Your  
Riding Mower”.  
Belt comes off  
1. Belt too loose; stretched  
1. Readjust belt. Replace if needed. Follow  
instructions for belt replacement in chapter  
“ Servicing Your Riding Mower”.  
2. Broken or weak idler spring  
2. Replace. Order with correct part  
number from Parts List in this manual.  
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Trouble  
Belt shreds  
Possible Cause  
Remedial Action  
1. Belt guides or guards incorrectly adjusted  
1. Adjust belt guides and guards so that these  
are approximately 1/16 to 1/8 inch from belt  
when engaged.  
2. Pulleys not aligned  
2. Realign pulleys to be within approximately  
1/16 inch of each other. Check with straight  
edge. Make sure fastening hardware is  
tight.  
3. Pulley rusted or in otherwise bad condition;  
frozen bearing  
3. Replace pulleys. Order with correct part  
number from the Parts List in this manual.  
Adjust new pulleys to 1/16 inch.  
Engine will not crank  
1. Safety switch button not depressed  
2. Battery installed incorrectly  
3. Battery dead or weak.  
1. There are two switches in the starting  
circuit of your unit. Make sure that the  
actuator is fully depressing both switch  
buttons. Brake pedal must be depressed  
and blade engagement pedal disengaged.  
2. Install the battery with negative terminal  
attached to the black ground wire. Attach  
the positive terminal to the red wire which  
goes to the solenoid. Charge the battery  
fully before installation.  
3. Check fluid level in battery. If fluid level is  
low, fill to just below split rings with water.  
Charge with 6 Amp. charger until fully  
charged. If this does not work, replace  
battery.  
4. Blown fuse or circuit breaker  
5. Engine ground wire loose.  
4. Replace fuse following instructions on  
page 17.  
5. Make sure the black ground wire runs from  
engine to frame or mounting bolt.  
Engine cranks but will 1. Throttle/choke not in starting position.  
not start  
1. Check owner's guide for correct position  
for throttle control/choke for starting.  
2. Gasoline tank empty. Fill with gasoline.  
3. Remove and clean fuel line. Replace filter if  
necessary.  
2. No fuel to the carburetor  
3. Fuel line or in-line fuel filter plugged  
4. No spark to spark plug  
4. Spark plug lead disconnected. Connect  
lead. Hold spark plug lead away from  
engine block about 1/8". Crank engine.  
There should be a spark. If not, have  
engine repaired at authorized engine  
service dealer.  
5. Faulty spark plug  
6. Dirty air cleaner  
5. To test, remove spark plug. Attach spark  
plug lead to spark plug. Ground the spark  
plug body against the engine block. Crank  
the engine. The spark plug should fire at  
the electrode. Replace if it does not.  
6. If the air cleaner is dirty, the engine may  
not start. Clean or replace as per engine  
manufacturer.  
Engine smokes  
1. Engine oil has been overfilled  
2. Dipstick not seated or broken  
3. Engine loses crankcase vacuum  
1. Check oil level.  
2. Replace defective part.  
3. Engine breather defective. Replace.  
21  
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