Use and Care Manual

16 Section 4 — Product care
Note: This Operator’s Manual covers several models.
Tractor features may vary by model. Not all features
in this manual are applicable to all tractor models
and the tractor depicted may differ from yours.
Troubleshooting
Excessive vibration
1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.
• Tighten blade and spindle.
2. Damaged or bent cutting blade.
• Replace blade.
Uneven cut
1. Deck not leveled properly.
• Perform side-to-side deck
adjustment.
2. Dull blade.
• Sharpen or replace blade.
3. Uneven tire pressure.
• Check tire pressure in all four tires.
Tractor will not mulch grass (If equipped w/
mulching kit)
1. Engine speed too low.
• Place throttle in FAST (rabbit)
position.
2. Wet grass.
• Do not mulch when grass is wet.
3. Excessively high grass.
• Mow once at a high cutting height,
then mow again at desired height or
make a narrower cutting swath.
4. Dull blade.
• Sharpen or replace blade.
Maintenance
WARNING
Before performing any maintenance or repairs, disengage
the PTO, move the drive control levers fully outward in
the neutral position engaging the parking brake, stop the
engine and remove the key to prevent unintended starting.
Engine
Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual for all
engine maintenance procedures and instructions.
Changing the Engine Oil
WARNING
If the engine has been recently run, the engine, muffler
and surrounding metal surfaces will be hot and can cause
burns to the skin. Exercise caution to avoid burns.
NOTE: The oil filter should be changed at every
oil change interval. To complete an oil change,
proceed as follows:
1. Run the engine for a short time to warm
the engine oil. The oil will flow more freely
and carry away more impurities. Use care to
avoid burns from hot oil.
2. Locate the oil drain hose on the side of the
engine.
3. Place an appropriate oil collection container
with at least a 2.5 quart capacity below the
opening of the oil drain tube, to collect the
used oil. Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick
from the oil fill tube.
4. Your engine is equipped with either a twist-
and-pull oil drain (see Figure 4-1 and go to
Step 5.) or a removable oil drain hose plug
(see Figure 4-2 and go to Step 6.) Follow the
applicable instructions for your tractor.
OPENED
CLOSED
Clear Oil Drain Tube
Figure 4-1
(b)
(a)
(c)
(d)
Figure 4-2
5. Twist-and-pull oil drain (refer to Figure 4-1):
a. Pop open the protective cap on the
end of the oil drain valve to expose
the drain port.
b. Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick from
the oil fill tube.
c. Push the clear oil drain tube (packed
with this manual) onto the oil drain
port. Route the opposite end of
the tube into an appropriate oil
collection container with at least
a 2.5 quart capacity to collect the
used oil.
d. The engine is equipped with a twist-
and-pull drain port. Turn the oil drain
valve ⁄-turn counter-clockwise, then
pull outward to begin draining oil.
After the oil has finished draining,
push the end of the oil drain valve
back in and turn ⁄turn clockwise to
secure it back in place Re-cap the
end of the oil drain valve to keep
debris from entering the drain port.
e. Skip ahead to Step 7.
6. Removable oil drain hose plug (See Figure 4-2):
a. While holding the free end of the oil
drain hose (a) over the oil collection
container, unscrew the square head
hose plug (c) from the end of the oil
drain hose (a) . See Figure 4-2. Drain
the engine oil into the collection
container.
b. After draining the oil, wipe any
residual oil from the oil drain hose
(a). Thread the square head hose
plug (c) into the oil drain hose (b)
fitting and fully tighten the square
head hose plug (c).
c. Continue with Step 7.
7. Replace the oil filter, and refill the engine
with new oil as instructed in the Engine
Operator’s Manual.
NOTE: Place an absorbent towel beneath
the oil filter to keep oil off the clutch.
8. To refill the oil, re-install the plug at the
end of the tube and refer to the Engine
Operator’s Manual for refilling instructions,
oil type and amount.
NOTE : Maintenance, repair, or replacement
of the emission control devices and systems
which are being done at owner’s expense
may be performed by any engine repair
establishment or individual.
Warranty repairs
must be performed by an authorized dealer
Cleaning the Transmission Cooling Slots
Keep both sides of transmission cooling slots on the
frame between the engine and the seat box clear of
grass clippings and leaves. See Figure 4-3.
WARNING
If the engine has been recently run, the engine, muffler and
surrounding metal surfaces will be hot and can cause burns
to the skin. Exercise caution to avoid burns.
Engine/Seat Not Shown for Clarity
Figure 4-3
Lubrication
WARNING
Before lubricating, repairing, or inspecting, always
disengage PTO, set parking brake, stop engine and remove
key to prevent unintended starting.
• Using a pressure lubricating gun, lubricate
the front castor wheel axles with grease
after every 10 hours of service.
• Periodically lubricate all other pivot points
with a quality lubricating oil.