Safety • Set-Up • Operation • Adjustments • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Warranty OPERATOR’S MANUAL Lawn Tractor — Model 76G IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION LES DISTRIBUTIONS RVI LIMITÉE, 2955, JEAN-BAPTISTE DESCHAMPS, LACHINE, QUEBEC H8T 1C5 MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 PRINTED IN U.S.A. 769-04781 1.16.
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new equipment. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Table of Contents Slope Gauge..........................................................................3 Safe Operation Practices......................................................4 Setting Up Your Lawn Tractor................................................8 Operating Your Lawn Tractor..................................
Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. 1 Slope Gauge Sight and hold this level with a vertical tree... 15° Fo or a fence post or a corner of a building... ot ld alo ng d ted lin e (r e p r e sents a 15 ° s l o pe) 3 WARNING 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.
2 Safe Operation Practices 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.
Slope Operation a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area. accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you c. Before and while backing, look behind and down for feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. small children.
2 Safe Operation Practices 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.
This page depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine before attempting to assemble and operate. Symbol Description READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate 2 Safe Symbols DANGER— ROTATING BLADES Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.
3 Setting Up Your Lawn Tractor The gasoline tank is located under the hood and has a capacity of 1-1/2 gallons. Do not overfill. WARNING: Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.
3 Setting Up Your Lawn Tractor Figure 3-2 Figure 3-4 Attaching the Hood Scoop If so equipped) If the hood scoop was not secured to the hood of your tractor at the factory, you will find it in a plastic bag, hanging from the throttle lever. To install: 1. Carefully pivot the tractor hood forward. 2. Remove the four screws from the underside of the hood scoop. 3. Line up the four holes in the hood scoop with the four holes visible through the tractor’s hood louvres. See Figure 3-4. 4.
3 Setting Up Your Lawn Tractor Figure 3-6 Figure 3-5 WARNING Before operating this machine, make sure the seat is engaged in the seat stop, stand behind the machine and pull back on seat until fully engaged into stop. Attaching The Seat Tire Pressure If the seat for your tractor did not come attached, refer to Figure 3-5, Figure 3-6, and Figure 3-7 to identify your tractor’s seat style and follow the applicable instructions below to attach it.
3 Identifying the Mulch Plug (if so equipped) On tractor models so equipped, a mulch plug can either be found within the cutting deck’s discharge opening or packed separately with your unit. Setting Up Your Lawn Tractor NOTE: Refer to Mulching in the Operation section of this manual for more detailed information. If you’d prefer to operate the cutting deck without mulching, simply remove the mulch plug by unthreading the plastic wing nut which fastens it to the cutting deck.
4 Know Your Lawn Tractor % Operating Your Lawn Tractor ! &† ) NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s position. For shipping reasons, seats are either fastened to the tractor seat’s pivot bracket with a plastic tie, or mounted backward to the pivot bracket.
4 Throttle Control Lever 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, on some 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. See Figure 4-2. #(/+% &!34 &!34 IMPORTANT: When operating the tractor with the cutting deck engaged, be certain that the throttle lever is always in the FAST (rabbit) position.
4 Operating Your Lawn Tractor Clutch-Brake Pedal F The clutch-brake pedal is located on the left side of the lawn tractor, along the running board. Depress the clutchbrake pedal part way down when slowing the tractor by changing speeds (Refer to Speed Control Lever). Depress the pedal all the way down to engage the disc brake and bring the tractor to a complete stop. FORWARD N NOTE: The pedal must be depressed to start the engine. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches on page 14.
WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection. 2EVERSE 0USH "UTTON )NDICATOR ,IGHT 2EVERSE #AUTION -ODE 0OSITION 3TOP 0OSITION Reverse Caution Mode (If Equipped) WARNING: Use extreme caution while operating the tractor in the REVERSE CAUTION MODE. Always look down and behind before and while backing. Do not operate the tractor when children or others are around.
4 Operating Your Lawn Tractor 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. Repair the damage before restarting and operating. Avoid sudden starts, ex-cessive speed and sudden stops. Do not leave the seat of the tractor without first placing the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position, depressing the brake pedal and engaging the parking brake.
If unit stalls with speed control in high speed, or if unit will not operate with speed control lever in a low speed position, proceed as follows: 1. Place shift lever in NEUTRAL. 2. Restart engine. 3. Place speed control lever in highest speed position. 4. Release clutch-brake pedal fully. 5. Depress clutch-brake pedal. 6. Place speed control lever in desired position. 7. Place shift lever in either FORWARD or REVERSE, and follow normal operating procedures.
4 Operating Your Lawn Tractor • Never attempt to mulch if the lawn is damp. Wet grass tends to stick to the underside of the cutting deck preventing proper mulching of the clippings. • Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the total height of the grass or approximately 1-1/2 inches. Doing so will cause the clippings to clump up beneath the deck and not be mulched effectively. • Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass clippings more time to effectively be mulched.
5 WARNING: Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running, except where specified in the operator’s manual. Leveling the Deck Adjusting Your Lawn Tractor NOTE: Check the tractor’s tire pressure before performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer to Tires on page 24 for information regarding tire pressure. Front To Rear The front of the cutting deck is supported by a stabilizer bar that can adjusted to level the deck from front to rear.
6 Lubrication WARNING: Before lubricating, repairing, or inspecting, always disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting. Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor Engine Lubricate the engine with motor oil as instructed in the Engine Owner Manual packed with your unit. Pivot Points & Linkage Lubricate all the pivot points on the drive system, parking brake and lift linkage at least once a season with light oil.
6 Deck Wash System™ (If equipped) Your tractor’s deck may be equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck wash system. Use the Deck Wash System™ (sold separately) to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals. Complete the following steps AFTER EACH MOWING: 1. Drive the tractor to a level, clear spot on your lawn, near enough to a water sillcock (spigot) for your garden hose to reach.
6 Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor 6. Repeat the above steps on the tractor’s right side. NOTE: The deck support rod on the right side of the tractor is secured using hair pin clip as opposed to a cotter pin, which you might had noticed was used on the left side. This is normal and should be reinstalled in the same manner as removed. 7. Move the deck lift lever into the top notch on the right fender to raise the deck lift arms up and out of the way. 8.
6 IMPORTANT: Never jump your tractor’s dead battery with the battery of a running vehicle. 1. Connect end of one jumper cable to the positive terminal of the good battery, then the other end to the positive terminal of the dead battery. 2. Connect the other jumper cable to the negative terminal of the good battery, then to the frame of the unit with the dead battery. Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor 3. Start the tractor as instructed in the operation section of this manual.
6 Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor IMPORTANT: Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade spindle hex flange nut to between 70 foot-pounds and 90 foot-pounds. Changing the Deck Belt 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 belt. All belt on your tractor are subject to wear and should be replaced if any signs of wear are present.
Changing the Lower Deck Belt (46” Decks) NOTE: Several components must be removed in order to change the tractor’s lower deck belt. See an authorized Service Dealer to have your lower drive belt replaced or phone Customer Support as instructed on page 2 for information on ordering a Service Manual. Changing the Transmission Drive Belt NOTE: Several components must be removed and special tools (i.e. air/impact wrench) in order to change the tractor’s drive belt.
6 Maintaining Your Tractor Maintenance Schedule Before Each Use Every 10 Hours Every 25 Hours Every 50 Hours Every 100 Hours Prior to Storing Clean Hood Louvers Check Engine Oil Level Check Air Filter for Dirty, Loose or Damaged Parts Clean and Re-oil Air Filter’s Foam Precleaner Replace Air Filter Element Change Engine Oil & Replace Oil Filter Clean Battery Terminals IMPORTANT IMPORTANT: Failure to perform the scheduled maintenance may void your warranty.
Clean and lubricate the tractor as instructed in Section 6: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR on page 19 of this manual before storing for an extended period. Follow the instructions in the Service, Storage & Specifications section of the Engine Operator/Owner Manual for proper engine care prior to storing your tractor. WARNING: Drain fuel only into an approved container outdoors, away from an open flame. Allow engine to cool.
8 Cause Problem Engine fails to start Remedy 1. PTO engaged. 1. Place PTO knob (or lever) in disengaged (OFF) position. 2. Spark plug wire(s) disconnected. 2. Connect wire(s) to spark plug(s). 3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 4. Choke not activated. 4. Pull out the CHOKE control (if so equipped) or place the throttle control in CHOKE position. 5. Faulty spark plug. 5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. 6. Blocked fuel line. 6.
THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD Products Limited with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in Canada and/or its territories and possessions (either entity respectively, “MTD”).
9 Warranty For equipment purchased in United States only. CONSUMER’S WARRANTY COLUMBIA OUTDOOR THREE YEARS- 120 Hrs. LIMITED WARRANTY For three (3) years-120 hrs. whichever come first, from the date of original purchase of COLUMBIA products, COLUMBIA 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.
10 Replacement Parts Shift-On-The-Go® Lawn Tractor Drive Belt (Mowing Deck) 38” Deck 754-04062 Drive Belt (Mowing Deck) 42” Deck 754-04060B Upper Drive Belt (Mowing Deck) 46” Deck 754-04142 Lower Drive Belt (Mowing Deck) 46” Deck 754-0349 Deck Blades (38” Deck - two each) 742-0610A Deck Blade (42” Deck) 742-0616A Deck Blade (46” Deck) Center Blade (one ea.) 742-0612A Deck Blade (46” Deck) Outer Blade (two ea.
CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS The California Air Resources Board and MTD Consumer Group Inc are pleased to explain the evaporative emission control system warranty on your 2008 lawn mower. In California, new lawn mowers must be designed, built and equipped to meet the State’s stringent anti-smog standards.
WARRANTED PARTS: The repair or replacement of any warranted part otherwise eligible for warranty coverage may be excluded from such warranty coverage if MTD Consumer Group Inc demonstrates that the lawn mower has been abused, neglected, or improperly maintained, and that such abuse, neglect, or improper maintenance was the direct cause of the need for repair or replacement of the part.
