OPERATOR’S MANUAL Models Z-185L Z-205 Z-225 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
SECTION 1: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new Z-Series. It will help you prepare, operate and maintain your mower. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start to prepare your mower for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information from it in this Operator’s Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your dealer. See Figure 1. • Every mower has a model plate.
SECTION 3: 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 YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS WARNING.
2. SLOPE OPERATION • Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of an adult other than the operator. • Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. • Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area. • Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. Use all guards as instructed in this manual. • Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are dangerous. • After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower. • Observe proper disposal laws and regulations.
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY. SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST DOT TED LINE , REP RES ENT ING A 15 ° SL OPE 6 Slope Gauge FOL D ON 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: CONTROLS Right Control Panel Lift Handle PTO Switch Ignition/Light Switch Hour/RPM Meter Front Figure 3 HOUR/RPM METER The hour/RPM meter is an LCD (liquid crystal display) display that is located on the right control panel. The meter’s display stays on continuously. (See Figure 3) • HOUR METER: The meter functions as an hour meter. The hour value is the number of hours of engine operation. Use the hour value to determine when maintenance is required and to cost jobs.
LIFT HANDLE Button 7 6 5 4 3 Height Positions 1 through 7 and L (lock) 2 1 L Figure 5 The lift handle is located on the right fender. It raises and lowers the cutting height of the mower deck used by the Z-series. (See Figure 3) & (See Figure 5) • 1 through 7 (1 - lowest height, 7 - highest height) • L is the lock out position. The lock position is used when removing the mower deck.
POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) SWITCH Top View Pull Up ON Push Down OFF Figure 7 The PTO switch is located on the right control panel. (See Figure 7) It controls the engagement of the cutting blades. When the switch is: • UP: The cutting blades are engaged (blades are turning). • DOWN: The cutting blades are disengaged (not turning). Note: Be sure lift lever is not in the L position when the PTO is engaged. The operator must remain seated at all times.
DRIVE HANDLES The drive handles (left and right) are located at the top of the control tower. (See Figure 8) The drive handles are used to move, steer, and stop the Z-series. The drive handles will return toward the neutral position when released; however, the driver should place the drive handles in the neutral position so the unit will not move. If the drive handles are not placed in the neutral position, the Z-Series may creep.
INDICATOR PANEL Temperature Low Engine Oil Battery Figure 10 The indicator panel is located at the top of the control tower. There are two or three indicator lights on the panel. (See Figure 10) When the corresponding light is illuminated it indicates: • LOW ENGINE OIL: Stop the tractor immediately and check the engine oil level. Continuing to operate with low engine oil can severely damage the engine. • BATTERY: There is a problem with the charging system or battery.
SECTION 5: OPERATION BEFORE OPERATING 1. Study this manual carefully. It has been provided to help you safely operate and maintain this unit. 2. Familiarize yourself with all instruments and controls. 3. Fill the fuel tank according to the MAINTENTANCE section. 4. Check the engine oil level as instructed in the separate engine manual. 5. Check the hydraulic oil level as instructed in the MAINTENANCE section. 6. Clean the air filter, if necessary, as instructed in the separate engine manual. 7.
1. Sit in the seat of the tractor facing forward with your feet straddling the control tower. 2. Push the choke lever to the full choke position (all the way toward the front of the tractor). 3. Push the throttle lever to the fast (rabbit) position (all the way toward the front of the tractor). Note: Less choking may be required due to engine temperature variance. If the engine is warm, choking may not be necessary. 4. Push the power take-off (PTO) switch to OFF. 5. Fully depress the brake pedal. 6.
QUICK REFERENCE CHART The Z-series can turn with a zero radius. The Z-series uses the rear tires to turn. When turning with a zero radius, the rear tires are used as the pivot point. A conventional tractor can make a circle but it needs a turning radius, usually based on the distance between the front and rear wheels. With a shorter overall length and a zero turn radius, the Z-series has excellent maneuverability.
MOWING For best results, consider the following recommendations: • Mow the first two laps with the discharge pointing toward the center. • Mow the next two laps with the discharge pointing outside (away from center) for a balanced cut and improved appearance. • Do not cut grass too short. The mower tends to "scalp" the grass. Shorter grass invites weeds and will yellow quickly in dry conditions. During some conditions, the mower may leave streaks of uncut material.
WARNING: The hydraulic relief levers are near to engine parts that can be HOT. To avoid injury, wait until engine parts have cooled before disengaging. 1. Position the Z-series on a flat and level surface. 2. Engage the parking brake. 3. Remove the hydraulic relief levers from the lock position. There is a lever for the right and left hydraulic pump. 4. Slide the levers into the slots to relieve the hydraulic pumps. (See Figure 13) 5. Disengage parking brake. 6. Push unit.
ADJUSTING BRAKE FORCE Brake Rod Frame Measure Gap Brake Arm Figure 14 1. Place the Z-series on level surface without the brake engaged and place blocks behind the wheels. 2. Turn the engine OFF and remove the key from the ignition. 3. From underneath the Z-series directly behind the caster wheel pivot bar, locate the brake rods. There are two, one on the right and one on the left. (See Figure 14) 4. The factory sets a 1/16” gap minimum between the brake arm and frame of the Z-Series.
7. Pull up on the control tower cover and slide up and over the control tower. 8. Remove both safety switches from their respective holders by squeezing together on the retaining clips while gently pushing upward until the switches clear the brackets. 9. Remove bolts (A) that secure linkage to upper control handles and lower control arms. The shock absorbers should remain connected to linkage. 10.
16. Remove quarter inch by seven inch pins from top and bottom holes. 17. Set parking brake and start the engine (set throttle at full speed). Make sure that the PTO is off. 18. Rotate rods (lengthen or shorten) to bring each hydrostat to neutral. NOTE: The control linkage going to the hydrostatic pump has left-hand threads at the pump and right-hand threads at the tower. 19. Tighten the jam nuts earlier loosened. 20. Reassemble safety switches. 21. Reassemble body panels. 22.
GREASE POINT LOCATIONS Pivot Bar Grease Fitting Caster Wheel Spindle Grease Fitting Control Tower Grease Fittings Caster Wheel Grease Fitting Deck Lift Pivot Grease Fittings Lift Handle Grease Fitting 48” & 54” Mower Deck Grease Fitting 20
SECTION 8: MAINTENANCE ENGINE COMPARTMENT The engine is located behind the operator seat. FUEL TANK The fuel tank filler cap is located on the left-rear fender panel. Take the fuel cap off by unscrewing. Fill the gas tank from this point. The fuel tank has approximately a 4.0 gallon capacity. WARNING: Never fill the fuel tank indoors, with engine running or while engine is hot. Do not smoke when filling fuel tank.
ADDING HYDRAULIC OIL WARNING: Never overfill the hydraulic units. Damage can result if the oil level is not within the operating range. Note: When adding hydraulic oil, do so in small quantities and recheck the oil level before adding more. It is important that you do not over fill the reservoir. (See Figure 16) 1. Place the Z-series on a level surface and engage the parking brake. 2. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch. 3. Clean the area around the hydraulic oil dipstick. 4.
REPLACING THE HEAD LAMP BULB 1. Remove the ignition key from ignition switch. 2. Detach the bottom of the rubber boot cover on the drive handles. 3. Slide the boot cover all the way up (toward the drive handles) to access the drive handle bolts. 4. Remove both bolts securing the drive handles. 5. Remove the drive handles and the rubber boot. 6. Remove the four bolts securing the retaining plate to the control tower cover. 7. Pull up on the control tower cover and slide up and over the control tower. 8.
Warning: When removing the cables from the battery follow order of the steps to avoid a short between the wrench and the frame. REMOVING THE BATTERY 1. Remove the negative (black) cable. 2. Remove the positive (red) cable. 3. Unscrew the two wing nuts from the battery rods. 4. Remove the battery. INSTALLING THE BATTERY 1. Attach the positive (red) cable. 2. Attach the negative (black) cable. 3. Secure the two wing nuts to the battery rods.
SECTION 9: MOWER DECKS The mower deck must be level horizontally (side-to-side and front-to-back) for even cutting. CHECKING THE LEVEL OF THE MOWER DECK - Side to side - Front to Back Blade Measurement Figure 19 1. Check the rear tires pressure for proper inflation and tracking. 2. Position the Z-series on a hard and level surface. 3. Place the PTO switch in the OFF position. 4. Engage the parking brake. 5. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and remove the key. 6.
Hanger Links J Pin Hanger Bracket A Bracket Figure 21 3. Remove the left belt cover by removing the wing nut. 4. Release the belt tension spring by releasing the belt tension bar. 5. Remove the belt from clutch below the engine in the rear of the unit. 6. Push the deck assembly forward to disconnect the retaining arms from the deck. 7. Disconnect each clevis pin at the end of each retaining arms to remove from tractor to check length and adjust if necessary.
2. Turn the threaded link the appropriate distance down. • Every 1/2 turn =1/32” (.03125”) • Example: If the front measurement is 4.625” the threaded link should be turned 2 full turns (1/8” or 0.125”) down. 3. Reconnect the hanger links to the hanger brackets and the retaining arms to the tractor. 4. Connect deck to tractor in the above reverse order. REMOVING THE MOWER DECK WARNING: The cutting blades of the mower deck are sharp and can cause injury. 1. Position the Z-series on a hard, flat surface. 2.
12. Turn the pulley counterclockwise until the belt is completely off of the pulley. 13. Locate the clutch pulley. It is located in the rear of the tractor, below the muffler. (See Figure 25) 14. Remove the belt from the clutch pulley. Belt Clutch Pulley Figure 25 WARNING: Exhaust and surrounding engine parts are very hot and can cause severe burns when touched. 15. From the front of the Z-series, pull the mower deck towards you. This will release the retaining arms from the mower deck.
MOWER DECK BELT ROUTING 48” & 54” Mower Deck To Electric Clutch Figure 27 INSTALLING THE MOWER DECK Before installing the mower deck on the tractor, route the mower deck belt as shown in MOWER DECK BELT ROUTING. 1. Slide the mower deck under the Z-series. WARNING: Do not touch the muffler cover. The muffler and cover are extremely hot and can cause severe burns if contacted by the skin. 2. Remove belt covers. 3.
10. Repeat Step 7 and Step 8 for the other side of the mower deck. 11. From the rear, attach the belt around the clutch pulley. 12. Engage tension arm by moving it into the bracket to maintain belt tension. 13. Replace belt covers. CUTTING BLADE CARE WARNING: The cutting blades are sharp and can cause severe injury. Wrap the cutting surface of the blade with a rag to avoid injury.
4. Roll the drive belt down off of the left drive pulley. Now, role the drive belt down off of the right drive pulley. 5. Remove the drive belt from the engine pulley. 6. Now that the belt is slack, carefully pull the belt up and over the right hydrostatic cooling fan. Now carefully pull the belt up and over the left hydrostatic cooling fan. 7. Pull the drive belt out of the unit.
SECTION 11: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start PTO switch engaged. Brake pedal not engaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Throttle control lever not in correct starting position. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Disengage PTO switch. Engage brake pedal. Connect wire to spark plug. Move throttle lever to FAST or START position. Fill tank with clean, fresh (not over 30 days) gasoline. Clean fuel line. Clean, adjust gap or replace.
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by White Outdoor Products Co. with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. White Outdoor Products Co. warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in material or workmanship.