MTD 13A277SS099 Owner's manual

perator's

I:RnFrSMRN°

LAWN TRACTOR

7 Speed, Shift-on=the=Go

42" Deck

Model No. 247.288820

• Espanol, P. 61

This product has a low emission engine which operates differently

from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and

understand this Operator's Manual.

Before using this equipment,

read this manual and follow

all safety rules and operating

instructions.

For answers to your questions about

this product, Call:

1-800=659=5917

CraftsmanTractorHelpLine

7 am =7 pm CT, Mort. =Sun.

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

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-08538

(November26,2012)

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

Safety Instructions ............................................................ 3

Slope Gauge ..................................................................... 8

Assembly ........................................................................... 9

Operation ........................................................................ 11

Service and Maintenance .............................................. 17

Off-Season Storage ........................................................ 27

Troubleshooting .............................................................. 28

Labels ............................................................................. 29

Parts List ......................................................................... 30

Espafiol ............................................................................ 61

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

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,allnon-expendablepartsofthis ridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor

workmanship.Adefectivenon-expendablepartwill receivefreein-homerepairor replacementif repairisunavailable.

BATTERYLIMITEDWARRANTY

FOR90 DAYSfromthedateofpurchase,thebattery(an expendablepart)ofthis ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor

workmanship.Anewbatterywillbesuppliedfreeof charge.Youareresponsibleforthelaborcostof batteryinstallation.

ADDITIONALLIMITEDWARRANTIES

Inthefollowingadditionalwarranties,youare responsibleforthe laborcostofpartinstallationafterthe secondyearfromthedateof purchase.

FORFIVEYEARSfromthedateof purchase,theframeofthis ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.A

newframewillbe suppliedfreeofcharge.

FORTENYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,thefrontaxleof thisridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsin materialorworkmanship.

A newfrontaxlewillbe suppliedfreeofcharge.

FORASLONGASIT ISUSEDbytheoriginalownerafterthetenthyearfromthedateofpurchase,thecastironfrontaxle(ifequipped)ofthisriding

equipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.Withproofofpurchase,a newcastironfrontaxlewillbesuppliedfreeofcharge.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailsto obtainfreerepairor replacement,call1-800-659-5917orvisitthewebsite:www.craftsman.com

Inallcasesabove,if partrepairor replacementisimpossible,theridingequipmentwillbe replacedfreeofchargewiththesameor anequivalent

model.

Alloftheabovewarrantycoverageisvoidifthisridingequipmentiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesor if rentedtoanotherperson.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.WarrantycoveragedoesNOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedto blades,spark

plugs,air cleaners,belts,andoil filters.

Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,or tune-ups.

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

• Tireorwheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationor maintenance.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityofthe

ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframe,axleassemblyorcrankshaft,or over-speedingtheengine.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper

storage,failureto usethepropergradeandamountofengineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe

ridingequipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

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

within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

• Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears BrandsManagementCorporation, HoffmanEstates,IL 60179

Model Number:

EngineOil: SAE30 Serial Number:

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline Dateof Purchase:

SparkPlug: F6RTC(951-10292) 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--Restrict theuseofthispowermachineto

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.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldtooperatethis machine.

Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadandunderstandthe

operationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthismanualandshould

betrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithoutproper

instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactora 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.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperation

andwhileperformingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.

Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe

eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbecaughtin movable

parts.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeetorsandals.

• 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.

• Disengageblade(s)beforeshiftingintoreverse.Backup slowly.

Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebackingtoavoida

back-overaccident.

3

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid

erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil

theblade(s)cometoa completestopbeforeremovinggrass

catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor

debris,or makinganyadjustments.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff

blade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeybefore

dismounting.

Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoa

trailerortruck.Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupor down

ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtipover,causingserious

personalinjury.Themachinemustbepushedmanuallyon

ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot

touch.

Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow

hangingtreebranches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe

operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthemachine,whichcould

resultinseriousinjury.

Disengageallattachmentclutchesanddepressthebrakepedal

completelybeforeattemptingtostartengine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassofa

heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually

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

leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe

mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedforthis machine

bythemachinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall

instructionsprovidedwiththeapprovedaccessoryor attachment.

Fora list ofapprovedaccessoriesandattachments,call 1-800-

659-5917.

Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries.

Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheriding

mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom

seriousinjury.

If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare

andgoodjudgment.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-over

accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryordeath.Allslopesrequire

extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeor ifyoufeeluneasyon

it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheSlopeGuideincludedaspartofthis manual

to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineona slopedor hilly

area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe Slope

Guide,do notoperatethis machineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

o

Mowupanddownslopes,notacross.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingsothat

youwillnothavetostopor shiftwhileon theslope.Tiresmay

losetractionon slopeseventhoughthe brakesarefunctioning

properly.Alwayskeepmachinein gearwhengoingdownslopes

totakeadvantageofenginebrakingaction.

• Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor

counterweightsto improvestability.

Useextracarewithgrasscatchersor otherattachments.These

canchangethestabilityofthe machine.

Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donotmake

suddenchangesinspeedordirection.Rapidengagementor

brakingcouldcausethefrontofthemachinetolift andrapidlyflip

overbackwardswhichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

• Avoidstartingorstoppingona slope.Iftireslosetraction,disen-

gagetheblade(s)andproceedslowlystraightdowntheslope.

DoNot:

• Donotturnon slopesunlessnecessary;then,turnslowlyand

graduallydownhill,ifpossible.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments.Themower

couldsuddenlyturnoverifa wheelisovertheedgeofa cliff,

ditch,or ifan edgecavesin.

• Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the

ground.

• Donotusea grasscatcheron steepslopes.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donotattempttocoastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausethe

operatortolosecontrolofthemachineresultingin seriousinjury

or death.

• Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,

lawnroller,etc.)onslopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing

downhill,theextraweighttendstopushthetractorandmay

causeyoutoloosecontrol(e.g.tractormayspeedup,brakingand

steeringabilityarereduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause

tractortooverturn).

4

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepresence

ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothemachineandthemowing

activity.Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat

childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaand inwatchfulcareofa

responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifa childentersthearea.

• Beforeandwhilebacking,lookbehindanddownforsmall

children.

Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)shutoff.Theymay

falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine

operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,

shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionofa child

whomayrunintothe machine.

Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwaysdisengagethecutting

blade(s)beforeshiftingintoReverse.Ifequipped,the"Reverse

CautionMode"(bladesoperatewhilemachineridesinreverse)

shouldnotbe usedwhenchildrenor othersarearound.

Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized

operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis machine.

Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshould

betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasahitchdesignedfortowing.Do

notattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfor

towedequipmentandtowingonslopes.

Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment.

Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof

tractionandlossofcontrol.

Alwaysuseextracautionwhentowingwitha machinecapableof

makingtightturns(e.g."zero-turn"ride-onmower). Makewide

turnstoavoidjack-knifing.

Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

Donotcoastdownhill.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare

explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled

on yourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand

changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

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.

Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors.

Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineishotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktono morethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.Move

machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany

fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlightasona waterheater,spaceheater,

furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

Allowa machineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe

blade(s)andallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark

plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended

starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocomplete

stopwithinapproximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthe

bladedisengagementcontrol.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthe

thistimeframe,yourmachineshouldbeservicedprofessionally

byaSearsorotherqualifiedservicedealer.

• Checkbrakeoperationfrequentlyasitissubjectedtowearduring

normaloperation.Adjustandserviceasrequired.

• Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent

intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s)

fordamage(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.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemor othersafety

devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe

sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly

inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore

startingandoperating.

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothemachine

whiletheengineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoverare subject

towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allow

objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck

componentsandreplaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment

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

partswhichdo notmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay

leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedthe

engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed

oftheengine.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,etc.to

protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingtothe ConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)

andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),this product

hasanAverageUsefulLifeofseven(7)years,or270hours

ofoperation.AttheendoftheAverageUsefulLife,buyanew

machineor havethemachineinspectedannuallybya Searsor

otherqualifiedservicedealerto ensurethatall mechanicaland

safetysystemsareworkingproperlyandnotwornexcessively.

Failuretodosocanresultinaccidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway.

Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand

causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting

ofenginegovernor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are

certifiedtooperateon regularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude

thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and

ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if soequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand

shouldnotbeusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,

brushcoveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust

systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor

statelaws(ifany).

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,itshouldbemaintainedin effectiveworking

orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveisrequired

bylaw(Section4442of theCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

6

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson themachine

beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

0

A

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)

Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and

operate

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident.

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can

amputate hands and feet.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS

This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS

This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

BYSTANDERS

Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation.

WARNING-- SLOPE OPERATION

Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees.

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and

muffler to cool before touching.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass

catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.

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(SeeFigure2 above).

Figure2

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-overaccidentswhich can resultin severeinjury or death. Do not operatemachine onslopes

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

Always mowup and down the face ofslopes, never mowacrossthe face of slopes.

IM PORTANT: Yourtractorisshippedwith motoroil intheengine.However,

youMUSTchecktheoillevelbeforeoperating.RefertotheService& Maintenance

sectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoillevel.

Attaching the Battery Cables

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand lead

compounds,chemicalsknown tothe StateofCaliforniato causecancerand

reproductiveharm.Washhandsafter handling.

Shipping BraceRemoval

Makesurethe ridingmower'sengineisoff, removethe ignition key,and

setthe parkingbrakebeforeremovingthe shippingbrace.Refertothe

Operatonsectonfor nstructonsonhowtosetthe parkngbrake.

Locatetheshippingbrace,if present,andaccompanyingwarningtagfound

ontherightsideofthemower,betweenthedischargechutedeflectorand

thecuttingdeck.SeeFigure2.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthe POSITIVE(Red)wire toits

terminalfirst, followed bythe NEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmentmayhavebeenleft

disconnectedfromtheterminalsatthefactory.Toconnectthe batterycables,

proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegativebattery

terminalismarkedNeg.(-).

1. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthepositivebatteryterminaland

attachtheredcabletothepositivebatteryterminal(+) with theboltand

hexnut.SeeFigure1.

2. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthenegativebatteryterminaland

attachtheblackcabletothenegativebatteryterminal(-) with theboltand

hexnut.SeeFigure1.

f

/

Figure1

3. Positionthe redrubberbootoverthepositivebatteryterminaltohelp

protectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:Ifthe batteryisput intoserviceafterthedateshownontopofbattery,

chargethe batteryasinstructedin theService& Maintenancesectionofthis

manualpriortooperatingthetractor.

J

Figure2

Placethedecklift leverin thehighestcuttingposition.RefertoSettingthe

CuttingHeightintheOperationsectionofthismanual.

Whilepushingthedischargechutedeflectortowardsthemachinewithyourleft

hand,removetheshippingbracewithyourrighthandbygraspingitbetweenyour

thumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

9

Theshippingbrace,usedforpackagingpurposesonly,mustberemovedand

discardedbeforeoperatingyourridingmower.

Themowingdeckiscapableof throwing objects.Failuretooperatethe

ridingmowerwithout the dischargecoverinthe properoperating position

coudresut nsetouspersona njury and/orproperty damage.

Attaching TheSteeringWheel

Ifthesteeringwheelforyourtractordidnotcomeattached,thehardwarefor

attachingit hasbeenpackedwithin thesteeringwheel,beneaththesteeringwheel

cap.Carefullypryoffthe steeringwheelcapandremovethehardware.

1. Withthewheelsofthetractorpointingstraightforward,placethesteering

wheeloverthesteeringshaft.

2. Placethewasher(withthecuppedsidedown)overthesteeringwheeland

securewith thehexbolt.SeeFigure3.

F

\

Figure3

3.

Placethesteeringwheelcapoverthecenterofthesteeringwheeland

pushdownwarduntilit"clicks"intoplace.

Attaching TheSeat

Iftheseatforyourtractorwasnotattachedatthefactory,refertothefollowing

steps.

NOTE:Forshippingreasons,seatsareeitherfastenedtothetractorseat'spivot

bracketwith a plastictie,ormountedbackwardtothepivotbracket.Ineithercase,

freetheseatfromitsshippingpositionandremovetheadjustmentknobfromthe

bottomofseatbeforeproceedingwith theinstructionsbelow.

1. Asalreadyinstructed,removetheseatadjustmentknobinstalledbythe

factoryin thebottomoftheseat.See"a"inFigure4.

®

Slidetheseatrearwardin theseatpivotbracket(c),liningupthecenter

rearslotinthepivotbracketwith theremainingholeintheseat'sbase.See

FigureS.

Note:Becertainthetwoseattabsengaugethepivotbracketasshownin

thebottominsetofFigure5.

Figure5

4. Selectdesiredpositionfortheseat,andsecurewith theadjustmentknob

removedearlier(dinFigure5).

5. Toadjustthepositionoftheseat,removetheadjustmentknobonthe

bottomoftheseat.Slidetheseatforwardor backwardasdesired.Reinstall

theadjustmentknob.SeeFigure5.

TirePressure

Maximumtire pressureunderanycircumstancesis30psi. Equaltire pressure

shouldbemaintainedat alltimes. Neverexceedthe maximuminflation

)ressureshownonthe sidewallofthe tire.

Therecommendedoperatingtirepressureis:

Approximately10psiforthereartires

Approximately14psiforthefronttires

IMPORTANT: Refertothetiresidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's

recommendedormaximumpsi.Donotoverinflate.Uneventire

pressurecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

2.

Figure4

Aligntheseatovertheseatpivotbracketasshownin Figure4andfit the

seatontothepivotbracketinsertingthetwotabsontheseatbottominto

theslotsonthepivotbracket.

10

H

A

c)

D

(3

F

E

Figure6

A SpeedControlLever/ ParkingBrakeLever

B Throttle/chokecontrollever

C IgnitionSwitch

D DeckLiftLever

E PTOLever(BladeEngage)

F CupHolder

G ShiftLever

H Clutch-BrakePedal

NOTE:AnyreferenceinthismanualtotheRIGHTorLEFTsideofthetractorisobservedfromoperator'sseatpositionfacingforward

towardsthefrontoftractor.

MeetsANSISafety Standards

CraftsmanTractorsconformtothesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

11

SpeedControlLever

Thespeedcontrollever,Moatedontheleftsideofthetractor's

dashconsole,allowsyoutoregulatethegroundspeedofthelawn

tractor.Touse,depressthedutch-brakepedalandmovethelever

outofthe parkingbrakenotchandforwardtoincreasethetractor's

groundspeed.Whenadesiredspeedhasbeenreached,releasethe

leverintoanappropriatenotchtomaintainthatspeed.

Toslowthetractor'sgroundspeed,depressthedutch-brakepedal

andmovethespeedcontrolleverrearwardandreleaseitintoa

notch.

ParkingBrake

Tosettheparkingbrake,fully depresstheclutch-brakepedal.Move

thespeedcontrolleverallthewaydownandintothe parkingbrake

position.Releasetheclutch-brakepedaltoallowtheparkingbrake

toengage.

7_

2-

1=

(Q)

PARK

BRAKE

Toreleasetheparkingbrake,depresstheclutch-brakepedalandmovethespeed

controlleveroutofthenotchestothedesiredposition.Releasethespeedcontrol

leverandtheclutch-brakepedal.

NOTE:Theparkingbrakemustbesetif theoperatorleavestheseatwith theengine

runningortheenginewill automaticallyshutoff.

Throttle/Choke ControlLever

Thethrottle/chokecontrolleverislocatedontherightsideofthe

tractor'sdashpanel.Thislevercontrolsthespeedoftheengine

andwhenpushedallthewayforward,thechokecontrolalso.

Whensetinagivenposition,thethrottlewill maintainauniform

enginespeed.

IMPORTANT:Whenoperatingthetractorwiththecuttingdeck

engaged,thethrottle/chokecontrollevermustalwaysbeinthe

FAST(rabbit)position.

Ignition Switch

Thekeyswitch

moduleisusedto

startandstopthe

engine.Insertkey

intothekeyswitch

moduleandturnclockwisetothe

STARTposition.Releasethekeyinto

thenormalmowingpositiononce

enginehasstarted.Theheadlightswill

beactivatedautomatically.

Tostoptheengine,turntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheSTOPposition.

IMPORTANT:Priortooperatingthetractor,refertoboththe"SafetyInterlock

System"and"StartingTheEngine"laterinthissectionofthismanualfordetailed

instructionsregardingthe IgnitionSwitchModule.

Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO(Blade

EngageLever),moveshift leverintoneutral position,setparkingbrake,

stopengineand removekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Shift Lever

Theshiftleverislocatedontheleftside

ofthefenderandhasthreepositions,

FORWARD,NEUTRALandREVERSE.The

clutch-brakepedalmustbedepressed

andthetractormustnotbein motion

whenthemovingshiftlever.

IMPORTANT:Neverforcetheshiftlever.

Doingsomayresultin

seriousdamagetothetractor's

transmission.

DeckLift Lever

Foundonyourtractor'srightfender,thedecklift leverisusedtochangetheheight

ofthecuttingdeck.Touse,movethelevertotheleft,thenplaceinthe notchbest

suitedforyourapplication.

PTO(BladeEngage)Lever

Foundonthetractor'srightfender,thePTO(bladeengage)lever

isusedtoengagepowertothecuttingdeckorother(separately

available)attachments.Tooperate,movetheleveralltheway

forward.Movingthe leverallthewayrearwardintothe PTOOFF

positiondisengagespowertothecuttingdeck/attachment.

NOTE"ThePTO(bladeengage)levermustbein thedisengaged(PTO

OFF)positionwhenstartingtheengine.

CupHolder

Thetractor'scupholderislocatedonthefendertotheleftofthe

seat.

SeatAdjustment Knob

Theseatadjustmentknobislocatedonthebottomsideoftheseat.

Usethisknobtoadjusttheseatforwardorrearwardtoa comfortable

operatingpositionbylooseningtheknob,positioningtheseatto the

desiredpreference,thenretighteningtheknob.

Clutch-BrakePedal

Thedutch-brakepedalislocatedontheleftsideofthelawntractor,alongthe

runningboard.Depressthedutch-brakepedalpartwaydownwhenslowingthe

tractorbychangingspeeds(RefertoSpeedControlLever).Depressthe pedalallthe

waydowntoengagethediscbrakeandbringthetractortoacompletestop.

NOTE:Thepedalmustbedepressedtostarttheengine.Referto SafetyInterlock

Switcheslaterin thissectionofthismanual.

12

Gasand Oil Fill-up

Oil

IMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwith motoroilin theengine.However,you

MUSTchecktheoiilevelbeforeoperating.Becarefulnottooverfill.

Forinstructionsonhowtochecktheengineoil,refertoCheckingTheEngineOilin

theServiceandMaintenancesectionofthismanual.

Gasoline

Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthehood.Donotoverfill.

Useextremecarewhen handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable

andthe vaporsareexplosive.Neverfuel machineindoorsorwhile the

engineishotor running. Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,pipes,andother

sourcesof gnt on.

NOTE:Purchasegasolinein smallquantities.Donotusegasolineleftoverfromthe

previousseason,to minimizegumdepositsinthefuelsystem.

Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonunleadedgasoline.Forbestresults,fill

thefueltankwith onlyclean,fresh,unleadedgasolinewith apumpsticker

octaneratingof87orhigher.

Gasohol(upto10%ethylalcohol,90%unleadedgasolinebyvolume)isan

approvedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblends,suchasE85,arenotapproved.

MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends(uptoa

maximumof15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels.Othergasoline/ether

blendsarenotapproved.

Fillfueltankoutdoorsorinwell-ventilatedarea.

Donotoverfillfueltank.Filltankto nomorethan1/2inchbelowbottomof

fillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhiletheengineishotor running.Allow

enginetocoolatleasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit off theengineandequipment.Movemachineto

anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingtheengine.

ToAdd Gasoline

1. Turntheengineoffandletenginecoolatleast2minutesbeforeremoving

thefuelcap.Thegasolinetankisundertherearfender,with thefuelfill cap

locatedin thecenteroftherearfender.Thefuelcapistetheredtothetractor

topreventitsloss.Donotattempttoremovethecapfromthetractor.

2. Fillthefueltankwithgasoline.

3. Reinstallthefuelcap.

Note:Thetractorisfitted with atethered,ratchetingfuelcap.STOPfilling thetank

oncethefuelisseeninsidethefillerneck.Thisensuresthataproperexpansion

volumeiscreated,otherwisethefuelcanoverflowcreatinga hazardoussituation.

DoNOTtopoffthe fueltank.SeeFigure7.

Figure7

Avoid Serious Injury or Death

Goupanddownslopes,notacross.

Avoidsuddenturns.

Donotoperatetheunitwhereit couldsliportip.

Ifmachinestopsgoinguphill,stopbladesandbackdownhillslowly.

Donotmowwhenchildrenorothersarearound.

Nevercarrychildren,evenwith bladesoff.

Lookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking.

Keepsafetydevices(guards,shields,andswitches)inplaceandworking.

Removeobjectsthat couldbethrownbytheblades.

Knowlocationandfunctionofallcontrols.

Besurebladesandenginearestoppedbeforeplacinghandsorfeetnear

blades.

Beforeleavingoperator'sposition,stoptractor,disengageblades,engage

parkingbrake,shutengineoff,andremovekey.

Read Operator's Manual

SafetyInterlock System

Thesafetyinterlocksystemisdesignedfor safeoperationofthetractor.Ifthis

systemshouldevermalfunction,donotoperatethetractor.Immediatelycontact

1-800-659-5917to havethesystemserviced.

Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromstartingunless

theparkingbrakeisengagedandthePTO(BladeEngage)leverisinthe

disengaged(OFF)position.

Thesafetyinterlocksystemwill automaticallyshutofftheengineifthe

operatorleavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

Thesafetyinterlocksystemwill automaticallyshutofftheengineifthe

operatorleavesthetractor'sseatwiththe PTO(BladeEngage)leverengaged,

regardlessofwhethertheparkingbrakeisengaged.

13

Theenginewill automaticallyshutoffif thePTO(BladeEngage)leveris

movedintotheengaged(ON)positionwith theshiftleverinReverse.

Ignition Switch

Theignitionswitchisactivatedtostarttheengine.Insertkeyintotheignition

switchandturnclockwisetotheSTARTposition.ReleasethekeyintotheON

positiononceenginehasfired.SeeFigure8.

Tostoptheengine,turntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheOFFposition.See

Figure8.

Neverleave a running machine unattended. Always disengage PTO,

move shift lever intoneutral position, set parking brake, stop engine

land remove key to prevent un ntended start ng.

IMPORTANT:Priortooperatingthetractor,refertobothSafetyInterlockSwitches

andStartingTheEngineintheOperationsectionofthismanualforfurtherdetailed

instructions.

On

Off

Start

Setting the CuttingHeight

1. Selecttheheightpositionofthecuttingdeckbyplacingthedecklift leverin

anyofthesixdifferentcuttingheightnotchesonthe rightsideofthefender.

Keephandsand feet awayfrom the dischargeopening of the cutting

deck.

Starting the Engine

Donotoperatethe tractor if the interlocksystemismalfunctioning.This

systemwasdesignedforyoursafetyandprotection.

NOTE:RefertotheGasolineand0ii fill-up instructionsearlierinthissection.

1. Insertthetractorkeyintotheignitionswitch.

2. PlacethePTO(BladeEngage)leverinthedisengaged(OFF)position.

3. Engagethetractor'sparkingbrake.

4. Activatethechokecontrolbymovingthethrottle/chokeleverallthewayup

intothechokeposition.

5. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTARTposition.Aftertheenginestarts,

releasethekey.Itwill returntotheON(orNormalMowing)position.

DoNOTholdthekeyintheSTARTpositionforlongerthanten

secondsat atime.Doingsomaycausedamagetoyourengine's

electricstarter.

6. Aftertheenginestarts,deactivatethechokecontrolandplacethethrottle

controlinthe FASTposition.

NOTE:DoNOTleavethechokecontrolonwhileoperatingthetractor.Doingsowill

resultina"rich"fuelmixtureandcausetheenginetorunpoorly.

J

Figure8

Engagingthe ParkingBrake

Toengagethe parking brake:

I. Fullydepresstheclutch-brakepedalandholditdownwithyourfoot.

2. Movethespeedcontrolleverallthewaydownandintotheparkingbrake

position.

3. Releasetheclutch-brakepedaltoallowtheparkingbraketoengage.

Toreleasethe parking brake:

I. Depresstheclutch-brakepedalandmovethespeedcontrolleveroutofthe

parkingbrakepositionandintoadesiredspeed.

14

Stoppingthe Engine

Ifyoustrikeaforeignobject,stop theengine,disconnectthe sparkplug

wire(s)andgroundagainstthe engine.Thoroughlyinspectthe machinefor

anydamage.Repairthe damagebeforerestartingandoperating

1. Ifthebladesareengaged,placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverinthe

disengaged(OFF)position.

2. TurntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheSTOPposition.

3. Removethekeyfromtheignitionswitchto preventunintendedstarting.

Driving TheTractor

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

Donotleavethe seatofthe tractorwithout first placingthe PTO(Blade

Engage)leverinthe disengaged(OFF)position,depressingthe brakepedal

andengagingthe parking brake.If leavingthetractor unattended,also

turn the ignition keyoff andremovethe key.

Alwayslookdownandbehind beforeandwhile backingupto avoidaback-

overaccident.

1. Depresstheclutch-brakepedaltoreleasetheparkingbrakeandthenlet the

pedalup.

2. Movethethrottle leverintothe FAST(rabbit)position.

3. PlacetheshiftleverineithertheFORWARDorREVERSEposition.

IMPORTANT: DoNOTusetheshiftlevertochangethedirectionoftravelwhen

thetractorisinmotion.Alwaysusetheclutch-brakepedaltobringthetractortoa

completestopbeforeshifting.

4. Releasetheparkingbrakebydepressingtheclutch-brakepedaland

positioningthespeedcontrolleverinthedesiredposition.

IMPORTANT: First-timeoperatorsshouldusespeedpositions1or2.Become

completelyfamiliarwith thetractor'soperationandcontrolsbeforeoperatingthe

tractorinhigherspeedpositions.

5. Releaseclutch-brakepedalslowlytoputunitintomotion.

6. Thelawntractorisbroughttoastopbydepressingtheclutch-brakepedal.

NOTE:Whenoperating the unit initially, therewill be little difference

between the highest two speeds until after the belts have seated

themselves into the pulleys during the break-in period.

Before leaving the operator's position for any reason, disengage the

blades, place the shift lever in neutral, engage the parking brake,

shut engine off and remove the key.

2. Engagetheparkingbrake.

3. Shutengineoffandremovethekey.Doingsowill minimizethepossibility

ofhavingyourlawn"browned"byhotexhaustfromyourtractor'srunning

engine.

Ifunitstallswithspeedcontrolinhighspeed,orifunitwill notoperatewithspeed

controlleverinalowspeedposition,proceedasfollows:

1. PlaceshiftleverinNEUTRAL

2. Restartengine.

3. Placespeedcontrolleverinhighestspeedposition.

4. Releaseclutch-brakepedalfully.

5. Depressclutch-brakepedal.

6. Placespeedcontrolleverindesiredposition.

7. PlaceshiftleverineitherFORWARDorREVERSE,andfollow normaloperating

procedures.

Driving OnSlopes

RefertotheSLOPEGAUGEin theSafetyInstructionssectionofthemanualtohelp

determineslopeswhereyoumayoperatethistractorsafely.

Donotmowoninclineswith aslopein excessof 15degrees(ariseof

approximately2-I12feetevery10feet). Thetractorcouldoverturnand

causeseriousinjury.

Mowupanddownslopes,NEVERacross.

Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.Uneventerrain

couldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

Avoidturnswhendrivingonaslope.Ifaturnmustbemade,turndownthe

slope.Turningupaslopegreatlyincreasesthechanceofarollover.

Avoidstoppingwhendrivingupa slope.Ifitisnecessarytostopwhile

drivingupa slope,startupsmoothlyandcarefullyto reducethepossibility

offlippingthetractoroverbackward.

Engagingthe Blades

Engagingthe PTO(BladeEngage)transferspowertothecuttingdeckorother

(separatelyavailable)attachments.Toengagetheblades,proceedasfollows:

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrollevertotheFAST(rabbit)position.

2. Graspthe PTO(BladeEngage)leverandpivotitallthewayforwardintothe

engaged(ON)position.

3. KeepthethrottleleverintheFAST(rabbit)positionforthemostefficientuse

ofthecuttingdeckorother(separatelyavailable)attachments.

NOTE:Theenginewill automaticallyshutoff ifthe PTO(BladeEngage)leveris

movedintotheengaged(ON)positionwiththeshiftleverinReverse.

IMPORTANT: Whenstoppingthetractorforanyreasonwhileonagrass

surface,always:

1. Placetheshiftleverin neutral.

15

Mulching

Amulchkitisavailableasanattachment.Mulchingisaprocessofredrculating

grassclippingsrepeatedlybeneaththecuttingdeck.Theultra-fineclippingsare

thenforcedbackintothe lawnwheretheyactasanaturalfertilizer.

Amulchkitcanbepurchased.Seethe ReplacementParts&Attachmentssectionof

thismanualformoreinformation.

Usingthe DeckLift Lever

Toraisethecuttingdeck,movethedeckliftlevertothe left,thenplaceitinthe

notchbestsuitedfor yourapplication.RefertoSettingTheCuttingHeightearlierin

thisOperationsection.

MOWING

Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrown objectinjury,keepbystanders,

[ helpers,childrenandpetsat least75feet from the machinewhile itisin

[ operation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthe area.

Thefollowinginformationwill behelpfulwhenusingthecuttingdeckwith your

tractor:

Planyourmowingpattern toavoiddischargeofmaterialstoward roads,

sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainst

awall orobstructionwhich maycausedischargedmaterialto ricochetback

towardthe operator.

Headlights

ThelampsareONwheneverthetractor'sengineisrunning.

Thelampsturn OFFwhentheignitionkeyismovedtotheSTOPposition.

Donotmowathighgroundspeed,especiallyifamulchkit orgrasscollector

isinstalled.

Forbestresultsitisrecommendedthatthefirsttwo lapsbecutwith the

dischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirsttwo laps,reversethe

directiontothrowthedischargetotheoutsideforthe balanceofcutting.

Thiswill givea betterappearancetothelawn.

Donotcutthegrasstooshort.Shortgrassinvitesweedgrowthandyellows

quicklyindryweather.

Mowingshouldalwaysbedonewith theengineatfull throttle.

Underheavierconditionsit maybenecessarytogobackoverthecutareaa

secondtimetogetacleancut.

DoNOTattempttomowheavybrushandweedsandextremelytallgrass.

Yourtractorisdesignedtomowlawns,NOTclearbrush.

Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.RefertoCutting

BladesintheServicesectionofthismanualforproperbladesharpening

instructions.

16

MAINTENANCESCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall controls

andstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometoacomplete

stop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainsttheengineto prevent

unintendedstarting.AlwayswearsafetyglassesduringoperationorwhUe

performinganyadjustmentsor repairs.

BeforeEachUse I. Engineoil level I.

2. Mufflerareaandcontrols 2.

3. Fingerguard 3.

Inthe FirstFiveHours I. EngineOil I.

Every10Hours I. Hood/Dashairvents I.

2. Batteryterminals 2.

3. Deckspindlesandidlerbracket 3.

Every25hours 1. Airfilter'sprecleaner* 1.

2. Airfilter* 2.

3. Midsteeringarms,pivotshafts, 3.

andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings 4.

5. Frontdeckwheels 5.

Every50hours 1. Engineoil/Oil filter 1.

2. Muffler 2.

Annually 1. Airfilter 1.

2. Airfilter'spre-cleaner 2.

3. Sparkplug 3.

4. Aircoolingsystem* 4.

5. Fuelfilter 5.

6. SteeringGears 6.

7. RearWheels 7.

BeforeStorage 1. Hood/Dashairvents 1.

2. Batteryterminals 2.

3. Midsteeringarms,pivotshafts, 3.

andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

6. Deckspindlesandidlerbracket

7. Pedalpivotpoints

*Servicemorefrequentlyunderdustyconditions.

Followthe maintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribesservice

guidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumnto keeptrackofcompleted

maintenancetasks.Tolocatethe nearest Parts&RepairServiceCenteror to

scheduleservice,simplycontact 1-800-659-5917.

Check

Clean

Change

Clean

Lubricate

Clean

Lubricate

Change/Replace

Check

Replace

Clean

Replace

Clean

Removeandgreaseaxles

Clean

Lubricate

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

6. Lubricate

7. Lubricate

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengagethe PTO(Blade

EngageLever),engagethe parkingbrake,stopthe engineandremovethe

keyto preventunintendedstarting.

Ifthe enginehasbeenrecentlyrun,theengine,muffler andsurrounding

metalsurfaceswill behot andcancauseburnsto the skin. Exercisecaution

to avoidburns.

17

Engine Maintenance

Checkingthe EngineOil

Onlyusehighqualitydetergentoilratedwith APIserviceclassificationSF,SG,

SH,or SJ.Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccordingtotheexpectedoperating

temperature.Followthechartbelow.Althoughmulti-viscosityoils(5W20,10W30,

etc.)improvestartingincoldweather,theywill resultinincreasedoilconsumption

whenusedabove32°1:.Checkyourengineoillevelmorefrequentlytoavoidpossible

enginedamagefromrunninglowonoil.

E

Colder _ 32°F _Warmer

1.

2.

3.

Oil Viscosity Chart

Tochecktheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

Ensurethatthetractorisonalevelsurface.

Cleantheoilfill areaofanydebris.

Removethedipstick,seeFigure9,andwipewith acleancloth.

Reinsertdipstickandpresscompletelydown.

F

J

Removethedipstickandchecktheoillevel.ItshouldbeattheFullmarkon

thedipstick.

Dipstick

OilDrain

Changingthe EngineOiland Filter

Ifthe enginehasbeenrecentlyrun,the engine,muffler andsurrounding

metalsurfaceswill behotandcancauseburnsto theskin.Exercisecaution

toavoidburns.

NOTE:Theoilfilter shouldbechangedateveryoilchangeinterval.

Theengineoilshouldbechangedin thefirst5hoursandthenevery50hoursor

onceaseason.Tochangetheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

1. Runtheengineforafewminutestoallowtheoilinthecrankcasetowarm

up.Warmoilwill flowmorefreelyandcarryawaymoreoftheengine

sedimentwhichmayhavesettledatthe bottomofthecrankcase.Usecareto

avoidburnsfromhotoil.

2. Openthetractor'shoodandlocatetheoildrainportontherightsideofthe

engine.SeeFigure9.

3. Disconnectsparkplugwireandkeepit awayfromsparkplug.

4. Removetheoilfill cap/dipstkkfromtheoilfill tube.SeeFigure9.

5. Turnthesteeringwheelallthewaytothe righttobetterexposethedrain

plug.

6. Cliptheoildrainsleeve(packedwith thismanual)ontotheoil drainportas

showninFigure10.Routetheoppositeendofthesleeveintoanappropriate

oilcollectioncontainerwith acapacitygreatenoughtocollectthe usedoil.

Figure9

4. Iflow,addoii slowlyintotheengineoiifill. Donotoverfill.Afteraddingoii,

waitoneminuteandthenrechecktheoillevel.

Donotoverfill. Overfillingwithoii maycausethe engineto notstart, hard

starting, orenginesmoking.Ifoverthe FULLmarkonthedipstick,drain oil

to reduceoil levelto FULLmarkondipstick.

5. Replacedipstick,andtighten.

Figure10

Removedrainpluganddrainoilintoasuitablecontainerwith a capacityof

nolessthan64oz.

8. Refilltheenginewith newmotoroil untiltheoil levelonthedipstickreads

FULL.Replacetheoilfill cap/dipstick.

9. Replacetheoilfilter,seeFigure11,byremovinganddisposingofit properly.

10. Partiallyfilltheoil filterapproximately3/4ofthewayfullwith clean,fresh

oil. Beforeyouinstallthenewoil filter,lightly lubricatetheoil filter gasket

with someoftheoilbysimplydippingyourfingerintheoilandrunningit

aroundthegasket.

18

f

Oil Filter

Figure11

11. Installtheoil filter byhanduntilthegasketcontactstheoilfilter adapter,

thentightentheoilfilter 1/2to3/4turns.

12. Refilltheenginewith newmotoroiluntiltheoillevelonthedipstickreads

FULL.Replacetheoilfill cap/dipstkk.

Usedoil isahazardouswasteproduct.Disposeof usedoil properly.Donot

discardwith householdwaste.Checkwith yourlocal authoritiesororcontact

1-800-659-5917for a listof safedisposal/recyclingfacilities.

13. Startandruntheengine.Astheenginewarmsup,checkforoilleaks.

14. Stoptheengineandchecktheoil level.It shouldbeattheFULLmarkonthe

dipstick.

FuelFilter

Gasolineanditsvaporsareextremelyflammable andexplosive.Fireor

explosioncancausesevereburnsordeath.

Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat,andother

ignitionsources.

Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor leaks.Replace

if necessary.

Beforereplacingthefuelfilter, drainthefueltankaspertheinstructions

below.

Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengineadequatetimeto

cool.Drainfuelintoanapprovedcontaineroutdoors,awayfromopenflame.

Drainanylargevolumeoffuelfromthetankbydisconnectingthefuelline

fromthe in-linefuelfilter neartheengine.

Removethefuellinefromthe In-lineside(sidetowardsthefueltank)ofthe

fuelfilter.

Replacementpartsmustbethesameandinstalledinthesamepositionas

theoriginalparts.

Iffuelspills,wait untilit evaporatesbeforestartingengine.

Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltank.Otherwise,fuelcanleak

outandcauseafire orexplosion.

ToDrainthe fuel:

Locatethefuelfilter,seeFigure12,whichisroutedontheleftsideofthe

enginebetweenthefueltankandthecarburetor,andmaybeattachedtothe

enginewithatie strap.Cutthetiestrap,if present,thenpinchthetabsonthe

in-lineclamponthefuelfilterwithapairofpliers,slidetheclampupthefuel

line.Pullthefuellinefreefromthefilterandplacetheopenendofthelineinto

anapprovedcontainertodrainthefuel.

Tochangethe fuel filter:

1. Useplierstosqueezethetabsontheotherclamp(theout-linesideofthe

fuelfilter),thenslidetheclampawayfromthefuelfilter. Twistandpullthe

fuellineoffof thefuelfilter.SeeFigure12.

Fuel Filter

\

Tab

Fuel Line

j/

Figure12

2. Checkthe fuellinesforcracksorleaks.Replaceifnecessary.

3. Replacethefuelfilter withanoriginalequipmentreplacementfilter. Call

1-800-659-5917topurchasetheoriginalequipmentreplacementfilter.

4. Securethefuellineswith theclamps.

Iffilters, orcoversarenot installedcorrectlyseriousinjuryordeathcould

resultfrom backfire.Donot attempt to startthe enginewith themremoved,

Donot usepressurizedairor solventsto cleanthe aircleanercartridge.

19

Air Cleaner

Paperfilterscannotbecleanedandshouldbereplacedevery100operatinghours;

moreoftenif usedin extremelydustyconditions.

Removethefoampre-fiIterfromaroundthepaperairfilter. SeeFigure

15.Replacepaperelementwhendirtyordamaged.Cleanfoamelementor

replacewhendamaged.

Neverusegasolineor lowflash pointsolventsfor cleaningtheair filter

element.Afire orexplosioncouldresult.

IMPORTANT:Neverruntheenginewithout theairfilter.Rapidenginewearwill

result.

1. Unscrewthethumbscrewsandremovetheairfilter cover.SeeFigure13.

Thumb

Screw

Air FHter

//

2.

Figure13

Removetheairfilter. SeeFigure14.

Figure14

Air FHter

Figure15

4. Tocleanfoamelement,washina mildliquiddetergentandwater.Squeeze

orpressthefoamelementtorinseout dirtandwater.Donottwist;this

coulddamageortearthefoamelement.Allowtodrythoroughlybefore

using.DONOToil thefoamelement.

5. Attachthenewairfilterwith foamelement,aligningtheholeintheairfilter

with theintakemanifold.SeeFigure16.

/

Manifold

Figure16

20

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MTD 13A277SS099 Owner's manual

MTD 13A277SS099 Owner's manual

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