SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROW ING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • Do not operate machine without the entire grass catcher, discharge guard, or other safety devices in place and WARNING: In order to prevent ac ci- working.
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SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers III. CHILDREN GENERAL SERVICE • Never operate machine in a closed are. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to •...
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES • Read and observe the safety rules. Gasoline Capacity 1.25 Gallons and Type: Unleaded Regular • Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your tractor. Oil Type (API-SG-SL): SAE 10W30 (above 32°F) SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F) •...
ASSEMBLY Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness.
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ASSEMBLY NOTE: You may now roll or drive your tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate instruction below to remove the SEAT SHOULDER tractor from the skid. BOLT TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Op- eration section for location and func tion of controls) SEAT PAN •...
ASSEMBLY CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ✓ CHECKLIST The tires on your tractor were overinfl ated at the factory BEFORE YOU OPERATE YOUR NEW TRAC TOR, WE for shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST PER- for best cutting performance.
OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their mean- ing. FAST SLOW REVERSE HIGH NEUTRAL CHOKE IGNITION SWITCH ENGINE START REVERSE ENGINE ON PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE ENGINE OFF OPERATION LOCKED...
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OPERATION KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and ad justments. Save this manual for future reference. ATTACHMENT ROS "ON"...
OPERATION The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye dam age. Always wear safety glass es or eye shields while operating your tractor or perform ing any adjustments or repairs. We rec ommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or stan dard safety glasses.
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OPERATION TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 6) ROS "ON" POSITION ENGINE "ON" POSITION (NORMAL OPERATING) Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain conditions.
OPERATION TO OPERATE ON HILLS ADD GASOLINE • Fill fuel tank to bottom of fi ller neck. Do not overfi ll. WARNING: Do not drive up or down Use fresh, clean, regular un leaded gasoline with a hills with slopes great er than 15° and minimum of 87 octane.
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OPERATION COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below) • When engine starts, allow engine to run with the throttle control in the choke ( ) position until the engine runs roughly, then move throttle control to fast position. This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the tem- per ature.
MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE SERVICE DATES Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence and ROS Systems Check for Loose Fasteners Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades Lubrication Chart Check Battery Level Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transaxle Cooling Check V-Belts Check Engine Oil Level...
MAINTENANCE TRACTOR BLADE CARE For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re place Always observe safety rules when per form ing any main- bent or damaged blades. tenance. BRAKE OPERATION CAUTION: Use only a replacement blade approved by the manufacturer of your If tractor requires more than fi...
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MAINTENANCE • Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of the steel bolt SAE VISCOSITY GRADES or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the ground. If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal 10W30 position. If either end of the blade moves downward, 5W-30 sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.
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MAINTENANCE CLEAN AIR SCREEN IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 13) Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent The fuel fi lter should be replaced once each season. If fuel engine dam age from overheating. Clean with a wire brush fi...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SE RIOUS IN JURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUST- MENTS: • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • When distance “D” is 1/8" to 1/2" lower at front than TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING rear, tighten nuts “F” against trunnion on both front Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground links. or driveway. Make sure tires are properly infl ated (See •...
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT IDLER PULLEYS (See Fig. 21) Park the tractor on level surface. En gage parking brake. For as sistance, there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom side of left footrest. BELT REMOVAL - •...
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TRANSAXLE GEAR SHIFT LEVER NEU TRAL- ADJUSTMENT (See Fig. 22) WASH ERS RETAIN ING The transaxle should be in neutral when the gear shift RING lever is in neutral (N) (lock gate) position. The adjustment is preset at the factory; however, if adjustment is needed, AXLE proceed as follows: COVER...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE FUSE REPLACING BATTERY (See Figs. 25 and 26) Replace with 20 amp automotive-type plug-in fuse. The WARNING: Do not short battery fuse holder is located behind the dash. terminals by allowing a wrench or any TO REMOVE HOOD AND GRILL ASSEMBLY other object to contact both terminals at the same time.
STORAGE Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end ENGINE of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or more. FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT: IT IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM DEPOSITS WARNING: Never store the trac tor with FROM FORMING IN ES SENTIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH gasoline in the tank inside a building AS CARBURETOR, FUEL FIL TER, FUEL HOSE, OR TANK...
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Will not start Out of fuel. Fill fuel tank. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. See “TO START ENGINE” in Operation section. Engine fl ooded. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. Bad spark plug. Replace spark plug. Dirty air fi...
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TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Engine dies when 1. Reverse operation system 1. Turn ignition key to tractor is shifted (ROS) is not "ON" while ROS "ON" position. into reverse mower or other attachment See Operation section. is engaged. Engine continues to run Faulty operator-safety presence control system.
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TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER LT18542 (96013000400), PRODUCT NO. 960 13 00-04 SCHEMATIC BLACK BATTERY FUSE STARTER AMMETER (OPTIONAL) BLACK WHITE SOLENOID CLUTCH / BRAKE (PEDAL UP) WHITE SEAT SWITCH IGNITION (NOT OCCUPIED) SWITCH WHITE BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK ATT'MENT CLUTCH...