Zoom XL ® Owner/Operator Manual Manuel Du Propriétaire/Utilisateur Models 915145 – Zoom XL 42 915147 – Zoom XL 48 915149 – Zoom XL 54 ENGLISH FRANÇAIS ENGLISH 04040800 10/09 Printed in USA
TABLE OF CONTENTS SAFETY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 CONTROLS AND FEATURES . . . . . . . 11 SERVICE PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ACCESSORIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE . . . . . . . . 16 SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . .
• • Record Unit Model and Serial numbers here. Record Engine Model and Serial numbers here. PRODUCT REGISTRATION The Ariens dealer must register the product at the time of purchase. Registering the product will help the company process warranty claims or contact you with the latest service information. All claims meeting requirements during the limited warranty period will be honored, whether or not the product registration card is returned. Keep a proof of purchase if you do not register your unit.
SAFETY WARNING: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the safety instructions in the manuals and on decals could result in serious injury or death. Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-over accidents. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
1 7 2 3 6 077541 8 5 4 TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH POUR EVITER LES BLESSURES GRAVES OU LA MORT PARA EVITAR DANOS SERIOS O LA MUERTE Read the operator’s manual. Keep children and others away from unit while operating. Never direct discharge toward other people. Thrown objects can cause injury. Look down and behind before and while backing. Never carry children. Go up and Down slopes, not across. If machine stops going uphill, stop blade and back down slowly. Avoid sudden turns.
5. Danger! To Avoid Serious Injury or Death 6. Hot Surfaces! Read the operator’s manual. OL1801 OL1801 DO NOT touch parts which are hot from operation. ALWAYS allow parts to cool. 7. Caution! Keep children and others away from unit while operating. OL1802 No smoking. OL1803 Never direct discharge toward other people. Thrown objects can cause injury. Fill fuel tanks to 2-1/2 in. (6.35 cm) below bottom of filler neck. Look down and behind before and while backing.
Only the user can prevent and is responsible for accidents or injuries occurring to themselves, other people or property. Read, understand, and follow all safety practices in Owner/Operator Manual before assembling, using or working on this mower. ALWAYS remove key from ignition and wire from spark plug before assembly, or working on this unit. Inspect unit before each use for: missing or damaged decals and shields, correctly operating safety interlock system, and deterioration of grass catchers.
ALWAYS keep protective structures, guards and panels in good repair, in place and securely fastened. Do not operate without either entire grass catcher or the discharge guard in place. DO NOT operate in reverse unless absolutely necessary. ALWAYS look down and behind before and while backing; especially for children. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability when using attachments. NEVER carry passengers–especially children–even with blades off.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. ALWAYS keep batteries out of reach of children. Reverse connections may result in sparks which can cause serious injury. Always connect positive (+) lead of charger to positive (+) terminal, and negative (-) lead to negative (-) terminal. ALWAYS disconnect negative (-) cable FIRST and positive (+) cable SECOND.
ASSEMBLY WARNING: AVOID INJURY. Read and understand the entire Safety section before proceeding. Place Discharge Chute in Operating Position WARNING: Do not operate mower unless the discharge chute is in the operating position. Tools Required • Adjustable wrench • 9/16" wrench • Petroleum jelly or dielectric grease. Unpack Unit Remove unit and all other components from the shipping container. Engage transmission bypass lever (see MOVING UNIT MANUALLY on page 14).
Check Engine Oil Level Check Tire Pressure 1. Refer to Engine Manual. CAUTION: Avoid injury! Explosive separation of tire and rim parts is possible when they are serviced incorrectly: • Do not attempt to mount a tire without the proper equipment and experience to perform the job. • Do not inflate the tires above the recommended pressure. • Do not weld or heat a wheel and tire assembly. Heat can cause an increase in air pressure resulting in an explosion.
OPERATION Throttle Lever WARNING: AVOID INJURY. Read and understand the entire Safety section before proceeding. 1 Fast (1) – Increases engine speed. CONTROLS AND FEATURES See figure 5 for all controls and features locations. Safety Interlock System WARNING: Safety interlock failure and improper operation of unit can result in death or serious injury. Check system before each use to make sure it is functioning properly.
• Reverse (1) – Pull both steering levers backward. • Forward (2) – Push both steering levers forward. • Left (3) – Pull left steering lever back or push right steering lever forward or a combination of both. • Right (4) – Pull right steering lever back or push left steering lever forward or a combination of both. 1 2 3 4 Press mower lift pedal and install adjustment pin in the desired adjustment hole.
GASOLINE STOPPING IN AN EMERGENCY IMPORTANT: ALWAYS use gasoline that meets the following guidelines: • Clean, fresh gasoline. • A minimum of 87 octane/87 AKI (91 RON). High altitude use may require a different octane. Consult your engine manual. • Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is acceptable. • Use of any gasoline other than those approved above may void the engine warranty.
STARTING AND SHUTTING OFF ENGINE TRANSPORTING UNIT Starting the Engine NOTE: Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, and place the steering levers in neutral prior to starting the engine. 1. If the engine is cold, push the choke control away from operator position to start. If the engine is warm or hot, do not use choke. 2. Move the throttle to 1/3 Fast position. See Engine Manual for detailed instructions. IMPORTANT: DO NOT operate starter for more than 15 seconds per minute as damage can occur. 3.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WARNING: AVOID INJURY. Read and understand the entire Safety section before proceeding. NOTE: To have full access to the engine, the seat must be tipped forward (see TIPPING SEAT FORWARD on page 17) and the hood opened (see OPENING AND CLOSING HOOD on page 18). IMPORTANT: Proper maintenance can prolong the life of unit. The following chart shows the recommended service schedule. Refer to the maintenance instructions in the Engine Manual for additional information.
Interval Task Follow Engine Manual MaintenEach Use ance Schedule Action Perform scheduled engine maintenance. Refer to Engine Manual for detailed instructions. NOTE: To drain the oil, use the oil drain hose (1) supplied with unit, not the drain plug that is shown in the Engine Manual. 1 Check Battery Keep battery and battery terminals clean (see Cleaning Battery and Battery Cables on page 21).
OPENING AND CLOSING HOOD REPLACING MOWER BLADE To open, pull up on the back of the hood until hood hits the hood stop and push down on back of hood to close (figure 10). Remove (Figure 12) CAUTION: Mower blades are sharp and can cut you. Wrap the blades or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them. Hood tipped open. 1. Block mower blades to prevent rotation. 2. Remove mounting hardware and mower blades from mower deck. Install (Figure 12) 1.
LEVELLING AND ADJUSTING PITCH OF MOWER DECK The Forward Pitch Of The Mower Blades (Figure 14): NOTE: Adjust on a level surface, with the tires inflated to the correct air pressure (see SPECIFICATIONS on page 29). There are three measurements required to level and adjust the pitch of the mower deck. 1. The distance from the mower blades to the ground. 2. The forward pitch of the mower blades. 3. The pitch of the mower blades from side-to-side. • Should be 0.0 in. (0.0 mm) to 1/4 in. (6.
Adjusting The Mower Deck To Adjust Mower Blade Height And Pitch (Figure 17): NOTE: Adjusting the mower deck will adjust the height and pitch of the mower blades. 1. Adjust the trunnions first and re-take the three measurements required to level and adjust the pitch of the mower deck. These measurements are: a. The distance from the mower blades to the ground. 1 b. The forward pitch of the mower blades. 2 c. The pitch of the mower blades from side-to-side. 2.
SERVICING BATTERY Install (Figure 19) 1. Install battery on the unit with battery hold-down bracket. 2. Connect positive (+) cable first, then negative (–) cable. 3. Apply petroleum jelly or dielectric grease to battery cable ends and terminals. 4. Tip seat back (see TIPPING SEAT FORWARD on page 17). NOTE: Unit comes equipped with a maintenance-free battery that requires no regular maintenance except cleaning the terminals and periodic charging.
Charging the Battery ADJUSTING STEERING LEVERS (Figure 19) Adjusting Steering Lever Height (Figure 20) WARNING: FROZEN BATTERIES CAN EXPLODE and result in death or serious injury. DO NOT charge a frozen battery. Let the battery thaw before charging. Follow First Aid directions for contact with battery fluid. • External Contact: Flush with water. • NOTE: Perform steps 1 and 2 for both steering levers. 1.
REPLACING PTO BELT Forward and Reverse Speed Adjustment Remove (Figure 22) (Figure 21) 1. Lower mower deck to the ground. IMPORTANT: The unit should track within 2 feet (0.61 m) of a straight line for 30 feet (9.14 m). The travel of the steering levers may need adjustment if: • The unit turns to the right or left when both steering levers are pushed as far forward as possible. 2. Remove belt covers from mower deck. • CAUTION: Use care when releasing idler spring tension.
REPLACING HYDROSTATIC BELT Remove (Figure 23) To Add Hydraulic Fluid: (Figure 24) 1. Remove the cap from the expansion tank. 2. Fill the expansion tank with 20W-50 engine oil with an SL API classification until oil level reaches the cold fill line on the tank. 3. Install the expansion tank cap and then purge the system. See “Purging the Hydraulic System” on page 25. 1. Remove PTO belt (see REPLACING PTO BELT on page 23). 2. Disconnect electric clutch connector. 3. Remove clutch stop.
6. Install the filter guards removed in step 2. Tighten the mounting screws to 65 lbf-in (7.3 N•m). 7. Fill with 20W-50 engine oil with an SL API classification until oil appears at the bottom of the drain plug (about 2 quarts per transaxle). Install the drain plug and tighten it to 180 lbf-in (20.3 N•m). 8. Repeat steps 1–7 for the other transaxle. 9. Follow the instructions in “To Add Hydraulic Fluid:” on page 24. 1 Purging the Hydraulic System WARNING: This adjustment requires operating the engine.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM Engine will not crank/start. Engine runs rough. Unit does not move with engine running when using steering levers. PROBABLE CAUSE CORRECTION 1. Safety interlock system is not engaged or is faulty. 1. Check safety interlock system (see Safety Interlock System on page 12). 2. Fuel tanks empty. 2. Fill fuel tanks (see FILLING FUEL TANKS on page 13). 3. Discharged battery. 3. Charge battery (see Charging the Battery on page 22). 4.
PROBLEM PROBABLE CAUSE PTO or mower blades do not engage or shuts off. 1. Operator presence switch not depressed. 1. Depress operator presence switch by sitting on seat. 2. Faulty operator presence switch. 2. Contact your Ariens Dealer. 3. Electric clutch connector is loose or disconnected. 3. Connect the electric clutch connector. See REPLACING HYDROSTATIC BELT on page 24 for the electric clutch connector location. 4. Faulty PTO belt. 4. Replace PTO belt (see REPLACING PTO BELT on page 23). 5.
PROBLEM PROBABLE CAUSE CORRECTION Poor cutting quality. 1. Mower deck not level or mower pitch is incorrect. 1. Level and adjust pitch of mower deck (see The Distance From The Mower Blades To The Ground (Figure 13): on page 19). 2. Dull or faulty mower blades. 2. Sharpen mower blades or replace mower blades (see REPLACING MOWER BLADE on page 18). SERVICE PARTS ACCESSORIES Be sure to always use genuine Ariens parts to keep your unit running like new.
SPECIFICATIONS Model Number Model 915145 Zoom XL 42 Engine 915147 915149 Zoom XL 48 Zoom XL 54 Kawasaki FR651 Displacement - in.3 (cc) 45.5 (746) Max Governed RPM (May be different from maximum RPM) 3600 + 0 3600 – 50 Speed Forward Max. - m.p.h (km/h) 6.5 (10.46) Reverse Max. - m.p.h (km/h) 3 (3.
Two-Year Limited Lawn and Garden Consumer Ride-On Warranty Ariens Company (Ariens) warrants to the original purchaser that Ariens and Gravely brand consumer products manufactured and sold by Ariens will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two years after the date of purchase.
To find an Ariens or Gravely authorized service representative, contact Ariens at: 655 W. Ryan Street Brillion, WI 54110 (920) 756 - 2141 www.ariens.com www.gravely.com Exceptions and Limitations • Batteries are warranted only for a period of 12 months after date of purchase, on a prorated basis. For the first 90 days of the warranty period, a defective battery will be replaced free of charge.
Ariens Company 655 West Ryan Street Brillion, WI 54110-1072 920-756-2141 Fax 920-756-2407 www.ariens.
