Operator’s Manual Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor Models: LT-542KH LT-946KH IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY P. O. BOX 1386, 97 KENT AVE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Finding Your Model Number Calling Customer Support Important Safe Operation Practices Safety Labels Found On Your Unit Attachments and Accessories Slope Gauge Tractor Set-Up Controls Operation Page 2 2 3 6 7 8 9 12 15 Content Adjustments Maintenance Lubrication Service Off-Season Storage Troubleshooting Warranty Parts List/Pièces détachées Page 19 22 23 23 26 28 29 30 FINDING MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor.
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.
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. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope. 25. Disengage all attachment clutches, depress the brake pedal completely and shift into neutral before attempting to start engine. 26.
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. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine. k. To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris. l.
nal 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. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment. 10. Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the machine while the engine is running. 11.
SECTION 2: ATTACHMENTS & ACCESSORIES.
SECTION 3: SLOPE GAUGE D R EPR E S ENT ING A 1 5 ° SL OPE OR A FENCE POST A CORNER OF A BUILDING A POWER POLE SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY. FOL D ON O T T ED L INE, 15° 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.
SECTION 4: TRACTOR SET-UP NOTE: Reference to RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor in this manual is observed from operator’s position. ATTACHING THE STEERING WHEEL In the event your tractor was crated with the steering wheel and the seat removed for shipping reasons, use the following instructions to properly assemble the parts. ATTACHING THE BATTERY CABLES NOTE: The battery cables may or may not be WARNING: Do NOT operate the tractor attached on your unit.
ATTACHING THE SEAT Knob Adjustment Seat styles vary by tractor model and there are two different styles available: • • Knobs Quick Adjustment Knob Adjustment Shoulder Screws Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 to identify your tractor’s seat style and follow applicable instructions. Opening in Slot NOTE: 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.
IDENTIFYING THE MULCH PLUG (if so equipped) On tractor models with 42-inch and 46-inch decks so equipped, a mulch plug can be found within the cutting deck’s discharge opening. NOTE: Refer to '”Mulching“ on page 18 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. This will allow the clippings to discharge out of the discharge opening during operation.
SECTION 5: CONTROLS A* E B F A* G H + 1/10 P P I J C K L D NOTE: Steering Wheel not shown for clarity.
IGNITION SWITCH 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 7. Choke Position WARNING: Never leave a running machine unattended. Always disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
Systems Indicator Monitor checked by a authorized dealer. On units so equipped, the ammeter measures the electrical output of the engine’s charging system. Under normal operating conditions, with the engine at full throttle, the ammeter’s needle should measure a positive charge. LCD Located in the center of the tractor’s console, the systems indicator monitor records, and displays on its LCD, hours of tractor operation whenever the ignition key is rotated out of the STOP position.
CUP HOLDER tractor’s fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed. The tractor’s cup holder is located on the fender to the left of the seat, just to the rear of the parking brake lever. PARKING BRAKE BUTTON CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON P To set the parking brake, fully depress the brake pedal and push the parking brake button in. Hold the button in while taking your foot off the brake pedal.
Reverse Caution Mode The REVERSE CAUTION MODE position of the key switch module allows the tractor to be operated in reverse with the blades (PTO) engaged. Reverse Push Button Indicator Light Reverse Caution Mode Position IMPORTANT: Mowing in reverse is not recommended. Stop Position 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.
STOPPING THE ENGINE 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 • • • • Reverse Brake Pedal Drive Pedal If the blades are engaged, place the PTO/Blade Engage knob (or lever) in the disengaged (OFF) position. Place the throttle control near the FAST position. Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the STOP position.
NOTE: Cruise control cannot be engaged at the tractor’s fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed. Front View Pull Out ON Disengage the cruise control using one of the following methods: Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and stop the tractor. • Lightly depress the drive pedal.
• • • • • • • Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed. For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the lawn. Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• The front of the deck should be between 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch lower than the rear of the deck. Adjust if necessary as follows: • • • • • With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, place the deck lift lever in the top notch (highest position) and rotate the blade nearest the discharge chute so that it is parallel with the tractor. Measure the distance from the front of the blade tip to the ground and the rear of the blade tip to the ground.
Crown Nut Seat Brake Disc Seat Adjustment Lever Figure 16 Hydrostatic Transmission Brake Rod NOTE: View shown from beneath tractor. Knobs Figure 18 STEERING ADJUSTMENT If the tractor turns tighter in one direction than the other, or if the ball joints are being replaced due to damage or wear, the steering drag links may need to be adjusted.
• Front tire toe-in can be measured as follows: • • Place the steering wheel in position for straight ahead travel. In front of the axle, measure the distance horizontally from the inside of the left rim to the inside of the right rim. Note the distance. • • Behind the axle, measure the distance horizontally from the inside of the left rim to the inside of the right rim. Note the distance.
Changing Engine Oil • • • • • dusty condition. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine manual packed with your unit. Unscrew oil fill cap and remove dipstick from the oil fill tube. See SECTION 9:. Pop open the protective cap on the end of the oil drain valve to expose the oil drain port. See SECTION 9:. Push oil drain hose (packed with unit) onto the oil drain port.
WARNING: Periodically inspect the blade adapter and/or spindle for cracks or damage, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace immediately if damaged. BATTERY The battery is sealed and is maintenance-free. Acid levels cannot be checked. WARNING: Shield eyes (e.g. goggles, face The blades may be removed as follows. • • • shield) and protect skin and clothing when handling battery acid or a battery containing acid.
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. GOOD JUMP STARTING One can be found under the hood mounted behind the top of the dash panel on the support bar. The other can be found under the seat mounted to the inside of the tractor frame next to the battery tray.
• • • Gently slide the cutting deck toward the front of the tractor allowing the hooks on the deck to release themselves from the deck stabilizer rod. Gently slide the cutting deck (from the right side) out from underneath the tractor. • • CHANGING THE DECK BELT & PTO 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(s).
v $ECK ,EFT (AND 3PINDLE 0ULLEY %NGINE 0ULLEY MANUAL 04/ SHOWN 2IGHT (AND 3PINDLE 0ULLEY )DLER 0ULLEYS %NGINE 0ULLEY v $ECK MANUAL 04/ SHOWN 04/ "ELT 4OP $ECK )DLER 0ULLEY 04/ )DLER "RACKET $ECK "ELT "OTTOM Figure 28 SECTION 11: OFF-SEASON STORAGE WARNING: Use a fuel stabilizer additive or If the machine is to be inoperative for a period longer than 30 days, prepare for storage as follows. drain the fuel into an approved container outdoors, away from an open flame.
• • • • Clean the engine and the entire unit thoroughly. Lubricate all lubrication points. Wipe the entire machine with an oiled rag to protect the painted metal surfaces. Refer to the engine manual for correct engine storage instructions. The engine must be completely drained of fuel to prevent gum deposits from forming on essential carburetor parts, fuel lines and fuel tanks. It is not necessary to remove the battery from the tractor for storage.
SECTION 13: MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States and/or its territories and possessions, and by MTD Products Limited with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in Canada and/or its territories and possessions (either entity respectively, “MTD”).
