Craftsman 247250030 Owner's manual

per'ator's nual

I:RRFrSMRN°

ZERO=TURN RIDER

27 HP, 48" MOWER DECK

Model No. 247,25003

CAUTION: Before using this product,

read this manual and follow all safety

rules and operating instructions,

, SAFETY

ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

PARTS LIST

o ESPANOL

Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com

FormNo.769-07656

(February22,2012)

Warranty Statement .................................. Page 2

Safe Operation Practices .......................... Pages 3-8

Assembly .................................................. Pages 9-11

Operation .................................................. Pages 12-21

Service and Maintenance ......................... Pages 22-33

Off-Season Storage .................................. Page 34

Troubleshooting ........................................ Page 35-36

Parts List ..................................................... Pages 38-61

Engine Parts List ....................................... Pages 62-75

Labels ....................................................... Page 76

Repair Protection Agreement ................... Page 79

Espafiol ..................................................... Page 84

Service Numbers ...................................... Back Cover

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTHREEYEARSfromthedateof purchase,all non-expendabbpartsofthis ridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterial

orworkmanship.Adefectivenon-expendablepartwillreceivefreein-homerepairor replacementif repairis impossible.

FOR90 DAYSfromthedateofpurchase,thebattery(anexpendablepart)ofthis ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor

workmanship(ourtestingprovesthat itwillnotholda charge).A defectivebatterywillreceivefreein-homereplacement.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainfree repairor replacement,call1-800-659-5917or visitthewebsite:www.craftsman.com

Inallcasesabove,if partrepairor replacementis impossible,theridingequipmentwillbe replacedfreeofchargewiththesameor anequivalent

model.

Alloftheabovewarrantycoverageisvoidifthisridingequipmentiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesor if rentedtoanotherperson.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.WarrantycoveragedoesNOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,spark

plugs,air cleaners,belts,andoilfilters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,or tune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,or glass.

Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,or improperoperationor maintenance.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityofthe

ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframe,axleassemblyor crankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper

storage,failureto usethepropergradeand amountofengineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe

ridingequipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedin theoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedor oxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused

within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

o

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,and youmayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears BrandsManagementCorporation, Hoffman Estates,IL 60179

EngineOil: 15W-40

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: RC12YC

Engine: KohlerSV840-3021

ModelNumber

Serial Number

Dateof Purchase

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not

followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof

yourselfandothers.Readandfollowall instructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle

componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateofCalifornia

tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera-

tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment,

carelessnessorerroron thepartoftheoperatorcanresultin serious

injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes

andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety

instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

Your Responsibility--Restricttheuseofthispowermachineto

personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandon themachine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

Keepthis manualina safeplaceforfutureand regularreference

andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhow

tostopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis

machine.Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon

themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithoutproper

instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keep

bystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthe

machinewhileitisin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used.

Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign

objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownbytheblade(s).

Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtoward

roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarg-

ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause

dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation

andwhileperforminganadjustmentor repairtoprotectyoureyes.

Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe

eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbecaughtin movable

parts.Neveroperatethis machinein barefeetor sandals.

• Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand

do notpointitatanyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthe

dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherin its properplace.

• Donotputhandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwiththeblade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet.

• A missingor damageddischargecovercancausebladecontact

or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,or roads

andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineisnotintendedforuseonanypublicroadway.

• Donotoperatethemachinewhileundertheinfluenceofalcohol

or drugs.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

• Nevercarrypassengers.

• Backup slowly.Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile

backingtoavoida back-overaccident.Beawareand payatten-

tiontothesafetysystemfunctionthatstopspowertothe blades

whendrivingin reverse.If notfunctioningproperly,contactan

authorizeddealerforsafetysysteminspectionand repair.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid

erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

• Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil

theblade(s)cometo acompletestopbeforeremovinggrass

catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor

debris,or makinganyadjustments.

• Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff

blade(s),placedrivecontrollevers fullyoutwardtoeachsidein

neutral,set parkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeybefore

dismounting.

3

• Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoa

trailerortruck.Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupor down

ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtipover,causingserious

personalinjury.Themachinemustbe pushedmanuallyon

ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.

• Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot

touch.

• Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow

hangingtreebranches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe

operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthemachine,whichcould

resultinseriousinjury.

• Disengageallattachmentclutches,settheparkingbraketothe

'on'positionandmovethe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversfully

outwardto eachsidetotheneutralpositionbeforeattemptingto

starttheengine.

• Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassofa

heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually

tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpilesofdryleaves.Drygrassor

leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe

mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

• Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedforthis machine

bythemachinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall

instructionsprovidedwiththeapprovedaccessoryor attachment.

• Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries.

Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheriding

mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom

seriousinjury.

• If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare

andgoodjudgment.ContacttheCraftsmanHelpLineat1-800-

659-5917forassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-over

accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire

extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeor ifyoufeeluneasyon

it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartofthismanual

to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineona slopedor hilly

area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe slope

gauge,donotoperatethis machineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

o

Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsothatyouwillnot

havetostopwhileon theslope.Avoidstartingor stoppingon a

slope.Ifthetiresareunableto maintaintraction,disengagethe

bladesandproceedslowlyandcarefullystraightdowntheslope.

Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor

counterweightsto improvestability.

Useextracarewithgrasscatchersor otherattachments.These

canchangethestabilityofthe machine.

• Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donot

makesuddenchangesin speedor direction.Rapidacceleration

or decelerationcouldcausethefrontofthemachinetolift and

rapidlyflipoverbackwards,whichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

DoNot:

• Donotturnon slopesunlessnecessary;thenturnslowlyuphill

and useextracarewhileturning.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments.Themower

couldsuddenlyturnoverifa wheelisovertheedgeofa cliff,

ditch,or ifan edgecavesin.

• Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the

ground.

• Donotusea grasscatcheron steepslopes.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,

lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing

downhill,theextraweighttendstopushtheridingmowerand

maycauseyoutoloosecontrol(e.g.ridingmowermayspeed

up,brakingandsteeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmay

jack-knifeandcauseridingmowertooverturn).

4

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepresence

ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothemachineandthemowing

activity.Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat

childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaand inwatchfulcareofa

responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifa childentersthearea.

• Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwayslookbehindanddownfor

smallchildren.

• Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)shutoff.Theymay

falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine

operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,

shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionofa child

whomayrunintothe pathofthemachine.

• Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized

operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis machine.

Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshould

betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

• Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfortowing.Do

notattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

• Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfor

towedequipmentandtowingonslopes.

• Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment.

• Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof

tractionandlossofcontrol.

• Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

• Donotshifttoneutralandcoastdownhill.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare

explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled

on yourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand

changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesofignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors.

• Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineishotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

• Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktono morethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineandequipment.Move

machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingtheengine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany

fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstoreor re-fuelthemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewhere

thereisanopenflame,sparkor pilotlightason a waterheater,

spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryerorothergasappliances.

• Allowa machineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

• AvoidStaticDischarge.

• Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron a truckortrailerbed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway

fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck

or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltankor

containeropeningatall timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuse

a nozzlelock-opendevice.

GeneralService

• Neverrunan engineindoorsorina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe

blade(s)andall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark

plugwireandgroundagainsttheengineto preventunintended

starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocompletestop

withinapproximately(5) fivesecondsafteroperatingtheblade

disengagementcontrol,ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthethis

timeframe,aveyourmachineservicedprofessionallybySearsor

anotherqualifieddealer.

• Regularlycheckthesafetyinterlocksystemforproperfunction,as

describedlaterinthis manual.Ifthesafetyinterlocksystemdoes

notfunctionproperly,haveyourmachineservicedprofessionally

bySearsoranotherqualifieddealer.

• Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent

intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s)for

damage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked).Replacethe

blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.)

blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonot

meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper

performanceandcompromisesafety!

Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse

extracautionwhenservicingthem.

Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis

insafeworkingcondition.

Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafety

devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe

sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly

inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore

startingandoperating.

Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsorrepairstothemachine

whiletheengineisrunning.

Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoveraresubject

towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsorallow

objectstobethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck

componentsandreplaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment

manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthismanual.Useof

partswhichdonotmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay

leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedthe

engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed

oftheengine.

Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,etc.to

protecttheenvironment.

AccordingtotheConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)

andtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct

hasanAverageUsefulLifeofseven(7)years,or270hoursof

operation.AttheendoftheAverageUsefulLifehavethemachine

inspectedannuallybySearsoranotherqualifieddealertoensure

thatallmechanicalandsafetysystemsareworkingproperlyand

notwornexcessively.Failuretodosocanresultinaccidents,

injuriesordeath.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway.

Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand

causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting

ofenginegovernor.

Notice RegardingEmissions

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are

certifiedtooperateon regularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude

thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and

ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if soequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand

shouldnotbeusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,

brush-coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust

systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor

statelaws(ifany).

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,itshouldbe maintainedin effectiveworking

orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveis required

bylaw(Section4442of theCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthemufflerisavailableforpurchasebycallingSear

Parts& Repairat 1-800-469-4663.

6

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson themachine

beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

sJ / _

®

READTHEOPERATOR'SMANUAL(S)

Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsinthemanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleand

operate

WARNING--ROTATINGBLADES

Donotputhandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecuttingdeck.Contactwiththeblade(s)can

amputatehandsandfeet.

WARNING--THROWNOBJECTS

Thismachinemaypickupandthrowandobjectswhichcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

WARNING--THROWNOBJECTS

Thismachinemaypickupandthrowandobjectswhichcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

BYSTANDERS

Keepbystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachinewhileitis inoperation.

WARNING--SLOPEOPERATION

Donotoperatethismachineona slopegreaterthan15degrees.

DANGER-- ROTATINGBLADES

Toreducetheriskofinjury,keephandsandfeetaway.Donotoperateunlessdischargecoveror grass

catcherisin itsproperplace.Ifdamaged,replaceimmediately.

7

(OK)

15° Slope

X

(TOO STEEP)

15° Slope

'_. _ Figure1

USETHISSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

IFA SLOPEISTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfoldalongthedashedline.

2. Locatea verticalobject onor behindtheslope(e.g.a pole,building,fence, tree,etc.)

3. Align eithersideoftheslopegaugewith theobject(SeeFigure1 and Figure2 ).

4. Adjust gaugeupor downuntilthe left cornertouchestheslope(SeeFigure1and Figure2).

5.

15°

dashedline

If thereisagap belowthegauge,theslopeistoo steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2above).

Figure2

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-overaccidentswhichcan resultin severe injury or death. Do not operatemachineonslopes

in excessof 15degrees.All slopes requireextracaution. Ifyou cannot backup the slope orifyou feeluneasyon it, do not mowit.

Always mowacross thefaceof slopes, never mowupand downthe face of slopes.

RiDiNG MOWER PREPARATION

Removethe uppercratingmaterialfromtheshippingpallet,andcut

anybandsor tiestrapssecuringtheridingmowertothepallet.

1. Usethelift handleto raisethedeckto itshighestposition.

1. Fromjustin frontofthetwo reartires,locatethetransmission

bypassrods.Referto Figure1.

RH Transmission

BypassRod

Figure1

2. Pullonerodtowardthefrontofthe ridingmoweruntiltheflange

ontherod isforwardofthe keyholeslotin theframeassembly.

3. Lowerthebypassrodintothekeyholeslotandreleasesotherod

flangeisagainstthefrontoftheframebracket.

4. Repeattheaboveproceduretoengagetheotherbypassrodon

theothersideofthe ridingmower.

5. Withthe bypassrodsengagedandwiththeaidofanassistant,

carefullypushtheridingmoweroff oftheshippingpallet.

6. Aftermovingthe ridingmower,disengagebothbypassrods.Lift

therodandguidetheflangeoftherod backthroughthelarger

circularopeningof thekeyhole,thenreleasetherod.

NOTE:Theridingmowerwillnotdrivewiththebypassrodsinthe

engageposition.

7. Removethedeckwashsystemnozzleadapterandoildraintube

fromthemanualbagandstoreforfutureuse.

install Operator's Seat

Toinstalltheseatproceedasfollows:

NOTE:Theseatisshippedwiththeseatswitchandseatpanattached.

8. Cutanystrapssecuringtheseatassemblyand thedrivecontrol

leverstotheridingmower.Removeanypackingmaterial.

NOTE:Becarefulnottocut thewiringharnessconnectingtheseat

andtheseatswitch.

9. Removethetwoshoulderboltsandlocknutsin theseatpanas

showninFigure2.

Figure2

Rotatetheseatintopositionandsecuretheseatintoplacewiththe

previouslyremovedshoulderboltsandlocknuts.Becarefulnottocrimp

or damagethewireharnesswhileinstallingtheseat.SeeFigure3.

Figure 3

9

10. Installlanyardusingexistingself-tappingscrew.SeeFigure4. 2. Fromtheoutside,inserttheboltsthroughthehourglassspacers

andtheholesofthepivotbracket.Securewith theflangelock

nuts.SeeFigure6.

Figure4

NOTE:Insertself-tappingscrewthroughholeinlanyardanddowninto

thesameholethatitwas removedfrom.

Position Drive Control levers

Thedrivecontrolleversof theridingmowerareloweredforshipping

purposes.Usingthehardwarefoundin themanualbag,thecontrol

leversmustbe repositionedtooperatethe ridingmower.Toreposition

thecontrolleversforoperation,proceedasfollows:

1. Liftand swingthecontrolleversupintotheoperatingposition.

SeeFig.5.

r

Control Lever Moved

inward and in Neutral

Figure6

3. Referto"AdjustingtheDriveControlLevers"intheServiceandMainte-

nancesectionforinstructionsonthefinaladjustmentofthelevers.

Connecting the Battery Cables

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateofCaliforniatocause

cancerand reproductiveharm.Washhandsafter handling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)

wireto itsterminalfirst,followedbytheNEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycableson yourequipmentmay

havebeenleftdisconnectedfromtheterminalsatthefactory.To

connectthebatterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative

batteryterminalismarkedNeg.(-).

NOTE:If thepositivebatterycableisalreadyattached,skipaheadto

step2.

Figure5

J

10

Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe positivebattery

terminaland attachthe redcableto thepositivebatteryterminal

(+)withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure7.

Figure7

2. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe negativebattery

terminaland attachtheblackcane tothenegativebattery

terminal(-) withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure7.

3. Positionthe redrubberbootoverthepositivebatteryterminalto

helpprotectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:Ifthebatteryisputintoserviceafterthedateshownontoporside

ofbattery,chargethebatteryasinstructedintheServiceandMaintenance

sectionyourOperator'sManualpriortooperatingtheridingmower.

Adjusting the Seat

Toadjustthepositionoftheseat,pullup andholdtheseatadjustment

lever.Slidetheseatforwardor rearwardtothedesiredposition;then

releasetheadjustmentlever.Makesureseatislockedintoposition

beforeoperatingtheridingmower.SeeFigure8.

Checking and adding oil

NOTE:Yourridingmowerisshippedwithoil intheengine.However,

youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.

1. Placetheridingmoweron a flat,levelsurface.

2. Removetheoilfillercap/dipstickandwipethedipstickclean.See

Figure9.

Figure9

3. Insertthecap/dipstickintotheoil fillerneck,butdonotscrewit in.

4. Removetheoilfillercap/dipstick.If thelevelislow,slowlyaddoil

untiloil levelregistersbetweenfull(F)andlow(L),Figure9.

NOTE:Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoilmaycausesmoking,hard

starting,or sparkplugfouling.

5. Replaceandtightencap/dipstickfirmlybeforestartingengine.

NOTE:DONOTallowoil levelto fallbelowthe"L"markonthe

dipstick.Doingsomayresultinequipmentmalfunctionsor damage.

NOTE:Tochangetheoil inyourengine,seethe Serviceand

Maintenancesectionof thismanual.

Figure8 1 1

Storage Tray

Cup Holder

FuelShut=Off Valve

LHDrive

Control Lever

RH Drive

Control Lever Deck Lift

PTOSwitch

!

HourMeter ignitionSwitch

Deck Height

index

Figure10

Nowthat youhavesetup yourridingmower,it'simportanttobecome

acquaintedwith itscontrolsandfeatures.RefertoFigure10.

NOTE:Referencesto LEFT,RIGHT,FRONT,and REARindicatethat

positionontheridingmowerwhenfacingforwardwhileseatedinthe

operator'sseat.

DECK HEIGHT INDEX

DECK LiFT PEDAL

Thedecklift pedalislocatedon therightfrontcornerofthefoot

platform,andisusedto raiseand lowerthemowerdeck.

Toraisethemowingdecktothetransportposition,pushtheupperpartof

thepedalallthewayforwardandplacetheclevispininfurthestholefrom

youandsecurewiththecotterpin.Tolowerthedeck,removetheclevispin

andreinsertitinthedesiredcuttingheightandsecurewithcotterpin.

RH AND LH DRIVE CONTROL LEVERS

Thedeckheightindexconsistsofseveralholeslocatedonthefront!rightof

thefootplatform.Eachholecorrespondstoa 1/4"changeinthedeckheight

positionrangingfrom1"atthelowestnotchto4"atthehighestnotch.

CUP HOLDER

Thecupholderis locatedtowardtherearoftheLHconsoleto theright

oftheoperator'sseat.

STORAGE TRAY

ThestoragetrayislocatedattherearoftheLHconsole.

TheRHandLHcontrolleversarelocatedon eachsideoftheopera-

tor'sseat.Thesehingedleverspivotoutwardtoopenspacetopermit

theoperatortoeither sitin theridingmowerseat,orto dismountthe

ridingmower.Theleversmustbefullyopenedoutand intheneutral

positionto starttheridingmowerengine.

Eachlevercontrolsthe respectiveRHorLHtransmission.Conse-

quently,theseleverscontrolallofthemovementsoftheridingmower.

Drivingand steeringutilizingthesecontrolleversisquitedifferentfrom

conventionalridingmowers,andwilltakesomepracticetomaster.

RefertotheDrivingthe RidingMowerforinstructionson usingthe

controllevers.

Meets ANSI Safety Standards

CraftsmanTillersconformtothesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI)

12

iGNiTiON SWITCH

Theignitionswitchis locatedon

theRHconsoleto therightofthe

operator'sseat.Theignitionswitch

hasthreepositionsasfollows:

STOP_ -- Theengineandelectri-

calsystemisturnedoff.

RUN_-- Theridingmowerelectricalsystemisenergized.

START_ -- Thestartermotorwillturnovertheengine.Releasethe

keyimmediatelywhentheenginestarts

NOTE:Topreventaccidentalstartingand/orbatterydischarge,remove

thekeyfromtheignitionswitchwhentheridingmowerisnotinuse.

POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) SWITCH

ThePTOswitchislocatedontheRHconsoletotherightoftheopera-

tot'sseatnexttotheignitionswitch.

ThePTOswitchoperatestheelectricPTOclutchmountedonthebot-

tomoftheenginecrankshaft.Pullthe switchknobupwardtoengage

thePTOclutch,or pushthe knobdownwardtodisengagetheclutch.

ThePTOswitchmustbein theDISENGAGEDpositionwhenstarting

theengine.

HOO.O.T.. '11

Thehourmeter/indicatorpanelislocatedon

theRHconsoleto therightoftheoperator's 1234.5

seat.Thehourmeterrecordsthehoursthat

theridingmowerhasbeenoperatedin the

digitaldisplay.

Thehourmeteris activatedwhenevertheignitionswitchisturnedto

theRUN_ position.Keepa recordoftheactualhoursofoperation

toassureall maintenanceproceduresarecompletedaccordingto the

instructionsin thismanualandtheenginemanual.

THROTTLE CONTROL

Thethrottlecontrolis locatedon theLHconsoletotheleftof the

operator'sseat.Whensetina givenposition,a uniformenginespeed

willbemaintained.

Pushthethrottlecontrolhandleforwardtoincreasetheenginespeed.The

ridingmowerisdesignedtooperatewiththethrottlecontrolintheFAST

_;? position(fullthrottle)whentheridingmowerisbeingdrivenandthe

mowerdeckisengaged.

Pullthethrottlecontrolhandlerearwardto decreasetheenginespeed.

CHOKE KNOB

Thechokeknobislocatedontheleft sideofthemower

nexttotheoperator'sseat.Thechokeknobcontrolsthe

positionoftheenginechoke.Pulltheknoboutto

chokeI'_,1theengine;pushtheknobintoopen

thechokeIJtI.

PARKING BRAKE ENGAGEMENT LEVER

(®=< ,{@) =,, >

Theparkingbrakeengagementleverislocatedon theLHconsoleto

theleftof theoperator'sseat,andwhenpulledto therear,ENGAGES

theparkingbrake.

NOTE:if theLHand RHdrivecontrolleversarenotfullyopened

outwardtoeachsideinthe neutralpositionwhenengagingtheparking

brake,theenginewillstop.Theparkingbrakemustbeplacedin the

ENGAGEDpositionwhenstartingtheridingmowerengine.

FUEL TANK

Thefueltankis locatedto therightoftheoperator'sseat.Turnthefill

capapproximately1/4turnandpullupwardto remove.

Pushthecapdownwardon thefueltankfillneckandturnapproxi-

mately1/4turnclockwisetotightenAlwaysre-instalthefuelcaptightly

ontothefueltankafterremoving.

Neverfillthefueltankwhentheengineisrunning,iftheengineis

hotfromrecentlyrunning,allowtocoolforseveralminutesbefore

refueling.Highlyflammablegasolinesplashingontotheenginecould

_causea f re.

Fuel Shut=Off Valve

Thefuelshut-offvalveislocatedontopofthefueltank.Whenturned

ina clockwisedirectionuntilitstops,itwillshutofftheflowoffuelto

theengine.Whenturnedinacounterclockwisedirectionitwillopen

andallowfueltoflowtotheengine.SeeFigure11.

CLOSE

OPEN

Figure11

NOTE:Afterstoppingoperation,ifyouwillnotresumeoperationwithin

30 minutes,closethisvalveto preventfloodingtheengineonyournext

attemptedstart-up.

13

SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER (NOT SHOWN)

Theseatadjustmentleverislocatedbelowthefront/leftof theseat.

Theleverallowsforadjustmentoftheforetoaft positionofthe

operator'sseat.RefertotheServiceandMaintenancesectionfor

instructionsonadjustingtheseatposition.

TRANSMISSION BYPASS RODS (NOT SHOWN)

Thetransmissionbypassrods(oneforeachtheRHandLHtransmis-

sion)are locatedbeneaththeframeplatform,just insideeachrear

wheel.SeeFigure1on page9.

Whenengaged,thetwo rodsopena bypasswithinthe hydrostatic

transmissions,whichallowstheridingmowertobe pushedshort

distancesbyhand.RefertotheAssembly sectionforinstructionson

usingthebypassfeature.

Nevertowyourridingmower.Towingtheridingmowerwiththerear

wheelsonthegroundmaycauseseveredamagetothetransmissions.

TRANSMISSION OIL EXPANSION RESERVOIR

(NOT SHOWN)

Thetransmissionoil expansionreservoirisconnectedbyhosesto

theRHandLHtransmissionassemblies,and islocatedbeneaththe

seatbox.Thefunctionofthe reservoiristoholdthenaturalexpansion

oftransmissionoilthatoccursasthetransmissionwarmsup during

operation.DONOTFILLTHE RESERVOIR.

Undernormaloperatingconditions,nooil shouldbeaddedtothe

reservoir.TheCOLDoil levelshouldbe nohigherthanapproximately

1/4"(the"FullCold"mark)abovethebottomofthe reservoir.See

Figure12.

General Safety

• RECEIVEINSTRUCTION-- Entirelyreadthisoperator'smanual.

Learnto operatethismachineSAFELY.DonotriskINJURYor

DEATH.Allowonlythosewhohavebecomecompetentin its

usagetooperatethis ridingmower.

• Beforestartingtheengineor beginningoperation,be familiarwith

thecontrols.Theoperatorshouldbein theoperator'sseat.The

PTOswitchmustbein theDISENGAGEDposition,theparking

brakeENGAGED,andthe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversmoved

totheneutralposition.

• Keepallshieldsin place.Keepawayfrommovingparts.

• NORIDERS!Keepall peopleandpetsa safedistanceaway.

Lookbehindand downtobothsidesoftheridingmowerbefore

andwhilebackingup.

• DONOTdirectthemowerdischargeatpeople.Neverwalkor

standonthedischargesideofthemowerwhentheengineis

running.DISENGAGEthePTOifanotherpersonapproaches

whileyouareoperatingthemower.

• Avoidslopeswherepossible.Neveroperateonslopesgreaterthan

15°.Slopeswitha greaterinclinepresentdangerousoperating

conditions.Ridingmowerscanberolledover.Alwaysmowacross

slopes,neverupanddowntheslope.Avoidturningdownhillif pos-

sible,startatthebottomandworkuptothetop.Useextracareand

go slowlywhenturningdownhill.Controlthespeedanddirectionof

thezeroturnmachine"primarily"withthespeed/directionalcontrol

(lapbar)ofthedownhillsideofthemachine,i.e.,maintaintheuphill

sidelapbar"essentially"in afixedposition.

• Beforeleavingtheoperator'sseat:DISENGAGEthePTO,move

the RHand LHdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardin theneutral

position,engagetheparkingbrake0, shutoff theengineand

removetheignitionkey.Waitforall movementto stopbefore

servicingor cleaning.

• Whenoperatingthismower,intheforwarddirection,do notallow

thesteeringleverstoreturntoneutralon theirown.Operatethe

drivecontrolleverssmoothlyandavoidanysuddenmovements

oftheleverswhenstartingandstopping.Keepa firmgripon the

controllevers.

' • ..... • 3 ..... f

ColdOilFull Mark

Figure12

NOTE:Priortotheinitialoperationoftheridingmower,theoil level

inthe reservoirmaybeslightlyhigherthanthemaximumduetoair in

theoil lines.Operationofthe ridingmowerwilleventuallypurgetheair

fromthelinesandtheoil levelwillsettletothemaximum.

• Becarefulwhenoperatingneargravelpathsandroadways.Stop

thebladesandridingmowermotionandwaitforvehiclesto pass

beforeoperatingalongtheroad.

• Donotoperatetheridingmowerwiththemowerdeckremoved.

Removalofthedeckwillchangethebalanced theridingmower,

andcouldcontributetoa ridingmowerrollover.

Avoidoperationontractionsurfacesthatare unstable;use

extremecautionifthesurfaceis slippery.Alwaysremovedebris

andotherobjectsfromtheareato bemowed- debrisandloose

grasswillreducetraction.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

• Watchforholes,sprinklerheads,andotherhiddenhazards.

• Avoiddrivingtooclosetotrees,creeks,ditches,sandtraps,and

otherobstacles.

14

• Slowdownbeforeturningandcometoa completestopbefore

anyzeroturnmaneuver.

• If youhita solidobjectwhilemowing,DISENGAGEthePTO,

placethesteeringleversintheneutral,opened-outposition,

movethethrottleto slowq?::>,settheparkingbrake8, shutoff

theengine,andtakethekeyfromtheignitionswitch.Inspectfor

damage.Repairthedamage.Makesurethebladesarein good

conditionandthatthebladeboltsare tightbeforerestartingthe

engine.

• Donotstoptheridingmoweror parktheridingmowerover

combustiblematerialssuchasdrygrass,leaves,debris,etc.

• Keepthemowerandespeciallytheengineandhydrauliccompo-

nentscleanandfreeofgrease,grass,and leavesto reducethe

chanceoffireandpermitpropercooling.

• Donotfillthefueltankwhentheengineisrunningorwhilethe

engineishot.Allowtheengineseveralminutestocoolbefore

refueling.Tightenthefuelcapsecurely.

BEFORE OPERATING YOUR RIDING MOWER

1. Beforeyouoperatetheridingmower,studythismanualcarefully

tofamiliarizeyourselfwiththeoperationofalltheinstrumentsand

controls.Ithasbeenpreparedtohelpyouoperateand maintain

yourridingmowerefficiently.

2. Fillthefueltankwithonlyclean,fresh,unleadedgasolinewitha

pumpstickeroctaneratingof87or higher.Whenthefuelreaches

oneinchfromthetopofthetank,stop.DONOTOVERFILL.

Spacemustbeleftforexpansion.

3. Checktheengineoil level.Pullouttheoildipstick,wipeitoff and

reinsertit. Pullitoutagainand readtheoillevel.Ifit isbelowthe

operatingrange,addoil throughthefilltubeusinga funnelto

bringituptothetopoftheoperatingrange.

4. Checkthetireinflationpressures-8-10psiforthereartires,

20-25psifronttires.

NOTE:Newtiresareoverinflatedinordertoproperlyseatthebeadto

therim.

5. Checkthatall nuts,boltsandscrewsaretight.

6. Checkthetensionofthedeckdrivebeltsasinstructedin the

ServiceandMaintenancesection.

7. Checkifdeckislevel.Whencorrectlyadjustedthemowerdeck

shouldbelevelsidetoside,andthefrontofthedeckshouldbe

approximately1/4"lowerthantherearofdeck.If deckneedstobe

leveled,refertotheServiceand Maintenancesection.

8. Lubricateall pivotpointslistedin theServiceandMaintenance

section.

9. Adjusttheseatforoperator'smaximumcomfort,visibilityandfor

maintainingcompletecontrolofthe ridingmower.

SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEM

• This ridingmowerisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystemfor

theprotectionoftheoperator.Iftheinterlocksystemshouldever

malfunction,do notoperatetheridingmower.Call1-800-659-

5917toscheduleservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromcranking

or startingunlessthe RHandLHdrivecontrolleversaremoved

fullyoutwardtoeachsideintheneutralposition,theparking

brakeis ENGAGED,andthe PTOis DISENGAGED.

• Toavoidsuddenmovementwhendisengagingtheparkingbrake,

thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoff theengineifthe RHand/

or LHdrivecontrolleversaremovedtoa positionotherthan

thefullyoutinthe neutralpositionwhentheparkingbrakeis

engaged.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoff theengineiftheoperator

leavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoff theengineiftheoperator

leavestheseatwiththePTOengaged,regardlessofwhetherthe

parkingbrakeisengaged.

NOTE:ThePTOswitchmustbemovedtotheDISENGAGEDposition

to restarttheengine.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoff thePTOandthemower

bladeswillstopifbothdrivecontrolleversaremovedintothe

reverseposition.ThePTOwill re-engagewhenoneorbothof the

leversare movedbacktoeithertheneutralor forwardposition.

15

STARTING THE ENGINE

Thisridingmowerisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystem

designedfortheprotectionoftheoperator.Donotoperatetheriding

mowerifanypartoftheinterlocksystemis malfunctioning.Periodi-

_cay checkthefunctonsofthe nterocksystemforproperoperaton.

Forpersonalsafety,theoperatormustbe sittinginthe ridingmower

seatwhenstartingtheengine.

.

2.

Openthefuelshut-offvalve.

Operatormustbesittingin thetractorseatwith bothdrivecontrol

leversfullyoutwardto eachsideintheneutral/startposition.See

Figure13.

LHControlLever

Outin !eutral

CHOKE Position

Parking Break

Engaged

RHControl Lever

Out in Neutral

J

Figure13

3. EngagetheparkingbrakeO.

4. MakecertainthePTOswitchisintheDISENGAGED(down)

position.

5. Pullthechokeknobup intotheCHOKE!'_.1position.

NOTE:Iftheengineiswarmedup,itmaynotbe necessarytochoke

theengine.

6. Pushthethrottlecontroltothe FAST_ (fullthrottle)position.

7. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTART_ positionand

releaseitassoonastheenginestarts;however,do notcrankthe

enginecontinuouslyformorethan 10secondsata time.Ifthe

enginedoesnotstartwithinthis time,turnthekeytoSTOP

andwaitatleast30 secondstoallowtheengine'sstartermotor

tocool.Tryagainafterwaiting.Ifaftera fewattemptstheengine

failsto start,do notkeeptryingto startitwiththechokeclosedas

this willcausefloodingandmakestartingmoredifficult.

8. Oncetheenginewarmsup,pushthechokeknobdownintothe

OFFI{ !position.

Cold Weather Starting

Whenstartingtheengineattemperaturesnearor belowfreezing,

ensurethecorrectviscositymotoroil isusedintheengineandthe

batteryisfullycharged.Starttheengineasfollows:

1. Besurethebatteryisingoodcondition.Also,a warmbatteryhas

muchmorestartingcapacitythana coldbattery.

2. Usefreshwintergradefuel.Wintergradegasolinehashigher

volatilitytoimprovestarting.Donotusegasolineleftoverfrom

summer.

3. Followthepreviousinstructionfor Startingthe Engine.

Using Jumper Cables To Start Engine

Batteriescontainsulfuricacidandproduceexplosivegasses.Make

certaintheareaiswellventilated,wearglovesandeyeprotection,

land avod sparksorfamesnearthebattery.

Ifthebatterychargeisnotsufficientto cranktheengine,rechargethe

battery.If a batterychargeris unavailableandtheridingmowermust

be started,theaidofa boosterbatterywillbe necessary.Connectthe

boosterbatteryasfollows:

1. Connecttheendofone cabletothedisabledridingmowerbat-

tery'spositiveterminal;thenconnecttheotherendof thatcableto

theboosterbattery'spositiveterminal.

2. Connectoneendof theothercabletotheboosterbattery's

negativeterminal;thenconnecttheotherendofthatcableto

the frameofthedisabledridingmower,asfarfromthebatteryas

possible.

3. Startthedisabledridingmowerfollowingthenormalstarting

instructionspreviouslyprovided;thendisconnectthejumper

cablesintheexactreverseorderoftheirconnection.

4. Havetheridingmower'selectricalsystemcheckedandrepaired

assoonas possibletoeliminatethe needforjumpstarting.

16

Stopping the Engine

1. PushthePTOswitchdownintotheDISENGAGEDposition.

2. MovetheRHandLHdrivecontrolleversoutwardtotheneutral

position.

3. EngagetheparkingbrakeO.

4. MovethethrottlecontroltomidwaybetweentheSLOW_ and

FAST_ positions.

5. Turntheignitionkeyto theSTOP6 positionand removethekey

fromtheignitionswitch.

NOTE:Alwaysremovethekeyfromtheignitionswitchtopreventacci-

dentalstartingor batterydischargeiftheequipmentis Idt unattended.

PRACTICE OPERATION (INITIAL USE)

Operatinga zero-turnridingmowerisnotlikeoperatinga conventional

typeridingmower.Becausea zeroturnridingmowerismoremaneuver-

able,gettingusedtooperatingthecontrolleverstakessomepractice.

Westronglyrecommendthatyoulocatea reasonablylarge,leveland

open"practicearea"wheretherearenoobstructions,pedestrians,or

animals.Youshouldpracticeoperatingtheridingmowerfora minimum

of30 minutes.

Carefullymove-- or haveanexperiencedusermove-- theriding

mowertothepracticearea.Whenperformingthepracticesession,

thePTOshouldnotbeengaged.Whilepracticing,operatethe riding

moweratapproximately1/2to3/4throttleandatlessthanfullspeedin

bothforwardandreverse.

Useprotectiveequipmentforeyes,hands,hearing,feet,legs,head

andotherareasofthebodyif needed-- safetyeyeglasses,gloves,

earplugs,boots,hats,etc.

HearingProtectionisrequiredforalloperatorexposureexceeding

two(2) hours.

Carefullypracticemaneuveringtheridingmowerusingtheinstructions

in thefollowingsection"DrivingtheRidingmower."Practiceuntilyou

areconfidentthatyoucansafelyoperatetheridingmower.

DRIVING THE RIDING MOWER

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedand suddenstops.

1. Adjusttheoperator'sseattothemostcomfortablepositionthat

allowsyoutooperatethecontrols.Seeseatadjustmentinthe

Assemblysection.

2. ReleasetheparkingbrakeO.

3. Movethe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversinwardin theneutral

position.RefertoFigure14.

ControlLeverMoved

inwardand in Neutral

o

/

Figure14

NOTE:If thecontrolleversarenotevenin theneutralposition,refer

to Serviceand Maintenanceforinstructionstoadjusttheleverssothat

theyareeven.

4. MovethethrottlecontrolleverforwardtotheFAST_ (full

throttle)position.

NOTE:Althoughtheridingmower'sengineisdesignedto runatfull

throttle,whenperforminga practicesessiontheridingmowermustbe

operatedatlessthanfullthrottle.Thisonlyappliestopractice.

usingyourhands.

Todrivetheridingmower,firmlygrasptherespectivedrivecontrol

leverswithyourrightandleft handsand proceedtodriveas

describedinthefollowingDrivingtheTractorForwardsection.

17

Driving the Riding Mower Forward

Keepall movementofthedrivecontrolleversslowandsmooth.

Abruptmovementofthecontrolleverscanaffectthestabilityofthe

ridingmowerandcouldcausethe ridingmowertoflipover,which

mayresultin seriousinjuryordeathtotheoperator.

1. Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrivecontrolleversforward.The

ridingmowerwillstarttomoveforward.SeeFigure15.

J/A

Driving Forward

¢

o

_. ,A A _'-_/

_,t ,,L A t,,II I

t A ,,, h

\ Neutral ) 1

/.o?,.,i°i ,

- Faster -

S, w:r

.

Figure15

Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherforwardthespeedofthe

ridingmowerwillincrease.

Toslowtheridingmowermovethecontrolleversrearwardto

attainthedesiredspeed,ormovethecontrolleverstothe neutral

positiontostoptheridingmower.

Alwaysmaintainyourgraspon thedrivecontrollevers.Donot

releasetheleverstoslowtheridingmowerorto returnto neutral.

Turning the Riding mower While Driving Forward

Whenreversingthedirectionoftravel,werecommendperforming

gradual'U turnswherepossible.Sharperturnsincreasethepossibil-

ity ofturfdefacement,andcouldaffectcontrolofthe ridingmower.

IALWAYSsow therd ngmowerbeforemakng sharpturns.

Toturntheridingmowerwhiledrivingforward,movethecontrollevers

asnecessarysothatone leverisrearwardoftheother.The riding

mowerwillturninthedirectionof therearwardcontrollever.

1. Toturntotheleft,movetheleftdrivecontrolleverrearwardofthe

rightlever.SeeFigure16.

Forward Left Turn

o

.

Figure16

Toturntotheright,movetherightdrivecontrolleverrearwardof

theleft lever.See Figure17.

Forward Right Tur_

0 '

J

_ J

Figure17

18

NOTE:Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthetwolevers,the

sharpertheridingmowerwillturn.

3. Toexecutea "zeroturn,"movetheturnsidedrivecontrolleverto

theneutralposition,whilemovingtheothercontrolleverforward.

NOTE:Makinga "zeroturn"on grasswillgreatlyincreasethepotential

fordefacementoftheturf.

Driving the Riding mower in Reverse

Alwayslookbehindanddownonbothsidesoftheridingmowerbefore

backingup.Alwayslookbehindwhiletravelinginthereversedirection.

1. Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrivecontrolleversrearward.The

ridingmowerwillstartto movein thereversedirection.SeeFigure

18.

o

inward

Neutral

_ Position o_

Slower

Faster

Turning While Driving Rearward

Toturntheridingmowerwhiledrivingrearward,movethecontrol

leversas necessarysothatoneleverisforwardoftheother.Theriding

mowerwillturninthedirectionoftheforwardcontrollever.

1. Toturntotheleftwhiletravelingin reverse,movetheleftdrive

controlleverforwardoftherightlever.See Figure19.

RearwardLeftTurn

o

Figure19

2. Toturntotherightwhiletravelingin reverse,movetherightdrive

controlleverforwardoftheleft lever.See Figure20.

.

Figure18

Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherrearwardthespeedofthe

ridingmowerwillincrease.

Toslowtheridingmowermovethecontrolsleverforwardtoattain

thedesiredspeed,or movetheleverstotheneutralpositionto

stoptheridingmower.

m

II ,.-,'qII

J

Figure20

3. Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthetwolevers,the

sharpertheridingmowerwillturn.

4. Toexecutea "pivotturn,"movetheturnsidedrivecontrolleverto

theneutralposition,whilemovingtheothercontrolleverrearward.

NOTE:Makinga"pivotturn"on grasswillgreatlyincreasethepotential

fordefacementof theturf.

19

Executing a Zero Turn

Whenexecutinga zeroturn,theridingmowerMUSTBESTOPPED.

Executinga zeroturnwhiletheridingmowerismovingcansignifi-

Icantlyreduceyourcontroloftheridingmowerandwillcausesevere

[turfdefacementto occur.

1. Stoptheforwardor reversemotionoftheridingmowerbymoving

thetwo drivecontrolleverstoneutral.

2. Toturnclockwise,movetheleftcontrolleverforwardwhile

simultaneouslymovingtherightcontrolleverrearward.See

Figure21.

Clockwise Zero Turn

.

Figure21

Toturncounterclockwise,movethe rightcontrolleverforward

whilesimultaneouslymovingtheleftcontrolleverrearward.See

Figure22.

Executing a "Y" Manuever

Forlowtractionconditions,followtheseproceduresforzeroturns(the

"Y-manuever"):

Toturnclockwise(frontofmachinemovestowardRIGHT)when

travelingFORWARD:

1. Cometoa stop,

2. Thenslowlymovebothcontrolleversrearward(nomorethan1/2

maximumreversespeed)toinitiateREVERSEtravel,

3. Thenslowlymovethe LEFTcontrolleverforwardwhilemaintain-

ingtheRIGHTcontrolleverintherearwardtravelposition.

4. Tostoptheturnand reinitiateFORWARDtravel,slowlymove

the RIGHTcontrolleverfromtheREVERSEtravelpositiontoa

FORWARDtravelpositionequaltothatofthe LEFTcontrollever.

5. Forcounterclockwiseturns,reversetheaboveprocedure.

STOPPING THE RIDING MOWER

1. Movebothdrivecontrolleverstotheneutralpositionto stopthe

motionofthe ridingmower.

2. PushthePTOswitchdownwardtotheDISENGAGEDposition.

3. Usethedecklift pedalto raisethedecktoitshighestposition.

4. Ifdismountingtheridingmower,movethedrivecontrollevers

fullyoutwardin theneutralposition,engagetheparkingbrake,

movethethrottlecontrollevertotheFAST_ position,turnthe

ignitionswitchtoSTOP_ and removethekeyfromtheswitch.

Donotleavetheseatoftheridingmowerwithoutdisengagingthe

PTO, movingdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardintheneutralposition,

land engagingthe parkingbrake.Ifleavingtheridingmowerunat-

ltended,turnthe ignitionkeyoffand removekey.

DRIVING ON SLOPES

RefertotheslopegaugeintheSafeOperationSectiontohelp

determineslopeswhereyoumaynotoperatesafely.

_uL

I 1 _'-III

/

Counterclockwise

Zero Turn

o

((¢))-@

Donotoperateoninclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a

riseofapproximately2-1/2feetevery 10feet).Theridingmower

couldoverturnandcauseseriousinjury.

1. Alwaysdriveacrossslopes,neverup anddown.Controlthe

speedanddirectionoftheridingmowerusingprimarilythecontrol

leveron thedownhillsideoftheridingmower,withtheuphill

controlleverremainingessentiallyina fixedposition.

2. Avoidturningdownhillifpossible.Startatthebottomofa slope

andworkupward.Alwaysslowdownbeforeturning.

3. Useextracareandgo slowlywhenturningdownhill.

Figure22

2O

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Craftsman 247250030 Owner's manual

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