Operator’s Manual Lawn Tractor Model: CLT-538 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. 60 Ottawa Street South, KITCHENER, ONTARIO CANADA N2G 3S7 PRINTED IN U.S.A.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Customer Support Important Safe Operation Practices Slope Gauge Tractor Set-Up Know Your Lawn Tractor Operating Your Lawn Tractor Making Adjustments Content Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor Service Off Season Storage Attachments & Accessories Troubleshooting Warranty Page 2 3 7 8 10 13 16 Page 18 19 23 23 24 25 FINDING MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new garden tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance.
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.
. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability. 5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine. 6. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards which could cause serious injury. 7. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope.
lock-open device. e. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. f. Never fuel machine indoors. g. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling. h. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion. i. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely. j. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment.
For safety protection, frequently check components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!” 12. Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine. 13. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary. 14.
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your equipment on such slopes. FOL D ON D OT TED L INE, RE 15° N T I N GA 15 ° SL OPE OR A FENCE POST A CORNER OF A BUILDING A POWER POLE SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE PR E SE DANGER Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury.
SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE. Check oil before starting engine. Do not overfill. After assembly, service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit. NOTE: This owner’s manual covers various models of 3. Select desired position for the seat, and secure with the two hex screws/knobs removed. Do not overtighten. See Figure 2. lawn tractors. The units illustrated may vary slightly from your unit.
Tire Pressure Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your tractor. Read instructions carefully. WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under any circumstances is 30 psi. Equal tire pressure should be maintained at all times. IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before operating. Be careful not to overfill. The tires on your unit may be over-inflated for shipping purposes.
SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR D E A CHOKE FAST 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 SLOW P PARK BRAKE B C F G Figure 5 A B C D Speed Control Lever / Parking Brake Clutch-brake Pedal Shift Lever Throttle Control Lever E F G Ignition Switch Module Deck Lift Lever PTO (Blade Engage) Lever NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s position.
Throttle Control The throttle control lever is located on the right side of the tractor’s dash panel. This lever controls the speed of the engine and, and on certain models when pushed all the way forward, the choke control also. When set in a given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed. NOTE: The pedal must be depressed to start the engine. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches on page 13. CHOKE FAST Parking Brake To set the parking brake, fully depress the clutch-brake pedal.
Deck Lift Lever Ignition Switch Module PTO ON Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use, move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best suited for your application. PTO (Blade Engage) Lever NOTE: The PTO (blade engage) PTO / BLADE ENGAGE Found on the tractor’s right fender, the PTO (blade engage) lever is used to engage power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments.
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR Safety Interlock Switches 3. Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON (Orange, Triangular Button) at the top, right corner of the key switch module. The red indicator light at the top, left corner of the key switch module will be ON while activated. See Figure 8. 4. Once activated (indicator light ON), the tractor can be driven in reverse with the cutting blades (PTO) engaged. 5. Always look down and behind before and while backing to make sure no children are around. 6.
Stopping the Engine NOTE: The parking brake must be set if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off. WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage.
NOTE: When operating the unit initially, there will be little difference between the highest two speeds until after the belts have seated themselves into the pulleys during the break-in period. To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place it in the notch best suited for your application. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this section.
• • Headlights Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush. Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer to Cutting Blades on page 20 of this manual for proper blade sharpening instructions. On some models, the lamps are ON whenever the tractor’s engine is running. On other models, the lamps are ON whenever the ignition key is moved out of the STOP position.
• • Loosen, but do NOT remove, the hex screw on the left deck hanger bracket. See Figure 10. Looking at the transmission from the right side of the tractor, locate the compression spring and brake disc. See Figure 11. Hex Nut Compression Spring Hex Screw Adjustment Gear Brake Puck Transmission Brake Disc Figure 10 • • • Figure 11 Balance the deck by using a wrench to turn the adjustment gear (found immediately behind the hex cap screw just loosened) clockwise/up or counterclockwise/down.
SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR WARNING: • Service the oil filter (if so equipped) as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit. Perform the above steps in the opposite order after oil has finished draining. Before performing any maintenance or repairs, disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting. • Refill the engine with new motor oil.
Cleaning the Engine and Deck Any fuel or oil spilled on the machine should be wiped off promptly. Do NOT allow debris to accumulate around the cooling fins of the engine or on any other part of the machine. IMPORTANT: The use of a pressure washer to clean your tractor is NOT recommended. It may cause damage to electrical components, spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine. Deck Wash System™ A hex plug can be found on your tractor’s deck surface. See Figure 14.
Charging If the tractor has not been put into use for an extended period of time, charge the battery with an automotivetype 12-volt charger for a minimum of one hour at six amps. Idler Bracket WARNING: Batteries give off an explosive gas while charging. Charge battery in a well ventilated area and keep away from an open flame or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
WARNING: Always use a fuse with the same amperage capacity for replacement. Blade Separation Cutting Blades WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the cutting blade(s) for sharpening or replacement. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves or a rag to grasp the cutting blade.
All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and should be replaced if any signs of wear are present. Belt Guard IMPORTANT:The V-belts found on your tractor are Idler Bracket specially designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (non-OEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely. For a proper working machine, use factory approved belts.
SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE Clean and lubricate the tractor as instructed in Section 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR on page 18 of this manual before storing for an extended period. Follow the instructions in the Service, Storage & Specifications section of the separate engine manual for proper engine care prior to storing your tractor. WARNING: WARNING: Never store the machine or Drain fuel only into an approved container outdoors, away from an open flame. Allow engine to cool.
SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start PTO engaged. Parking brake not engaged. Spark plug wire(s) disconnected. Throttle control lever not in correct starting position. Choke not activated. Place PTO lever in disengaged (OFF) position. Engage parking brake. Connect wire(s) to spark plug(s). Place throttle control in CHOKE position. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Blocked fuel line. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded.
SECTION 12: THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY For three (3) years from the date of original purchase of our products, we will either repair or replace, at its option, free of charge, F.O.B. Factory or authorized service firm, any part found to be DEFECTIVE IN MATERIAL and WORKMANSHIP for the original purchaser. all transportation charges on parts submitted for replacement under this warranty must be paid by the purchaser unless return is requested by the manufacturer.
