Tire Pressure

WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under any circumstances is 30 psi. Equal tire pressure should be maintained at all times.

The tires on your unit may be over-inflated for shipping purposes. Reduce the tire pressure before operating the tractor. Recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 10 p.s.i for the rear tires & 14 p.s.i. for the front tires. Check sidewall of tire for maximum p.s.i.

Gas and Oil Fill-up

The gasoline tank is located under the hood and has a capacity of 1-1/2 gallons or 2 gallons based on your model of tractor. 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.

Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate Engine Operator/Owner Manual packed with your tractor. Read instructions carefully.

IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before operating. Be careful not to overfill.

Moving The Tractor Manually

Your tractor’s transmission is equipped with a hydrostatic relief valve for occasions when it is necessary to move the tractor manually. Activating this valve forces the fluid in the transmission to bypass its normal route, allowing the rear tires to “freewheel.”

To engage the hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:

1.Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the tractor. See Fig. 3-10.

Figure 3-10

2.Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then down and to the left, to lock it in place.

NOTE: The transmission will NOT engage when the hydrostatic bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to its normal position prior to operating the tractor.

IMPORTANT: Never attempt to move the tractor manually without first engaging the hydrostatic relief valve. Doing so will result in serious damage to the tractor’s transmission.

Setting the Deck Gauge Wheels

Move the tractor on a firm and level surface, preferably pavement, and proceed as follows

1.Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in the normally desired mowing height setting (any of the six different cutting height notches on the right fender).

2.Check the gauge wheels for contact or excessive clearance with the surface below. The deck gauge wheels should have between ¼-inch and ½-inch clearance above the ground as follows:

If the gauge wheels have excessive clearance or contact with the surface, adjust as follows:

a.Raise the deck lift handle to its highest setting.

b.Remove the gauge wheels by removing the lock nuts and shoulder screws which secure them to the deck. See Fig. 3-11.

Figure 3-11

c.Place the deck lift lever in the desired mowing height setting.

d.Reinsert the shoulder screw (with each gauge wheel) into the index hole that leaves approximately ½-inch between the bottom of the wheel and the pavement.

Refer to Leveling the Deck in the Maintenance section of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding various deck adjustments.

Section 2 — Assembly & Set-Up

 

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