SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers DANGER: 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 securely. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to GENERAL the presence of children. Children are often attracted to • NEVER OPERATE MACHINE IN A the ma chine and the mowing activity. Never assume that CLOSED AREA.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES • Read and observe the safety rules. Gasoline Capacity 1.5 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) • Follow the instructions under “Maintenace”...
ASSEMBLY Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. When right or left hand is mentioned in this man ual, it means when you are in the operating po si tion (seated be hind the INSERT steer ing wheel).
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ASSEMBLY INSTALL SEAT (See Figs. 3 and 4) NOTE: You may now roll or drive your tractor off the skid. Follow the ap pro pri ate instruction below to remove the • Remove bolt and flat washer se cur ing seat to cardboard tractor from the skid.
ASSEMBLY ATTACH HOOD SCOOP (See Fig. 5) CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL BELTS See the Fig. ures that are shown for replacing motion and mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments sec tion of this manual. Verify that the belts are routed cor rect ly.
OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. HIGH FAST SLOW REVERSE NEUTRAL CHOKE IGNITION SWITCH ENGINE START ENGINE ON PARKING BRAKE MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT ENGINE OFF REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS)
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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 just ments. Save this manual for future reference. Fig.
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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 per form ing any adjustments or repairs. We rec om mend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or stan dard safety glasses.
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OPERATION TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD The cutting height range is ap prox i mate ly 1" to 4". The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip with (See Fig. 10) the engine not running. These heights are approximate and The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass motion control lever.
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OPERATION TO OPERATE ON HILLS TO STOP MOWER BLADES - • disengage at tach ment clutch con trol. CAUTION: Do not drive up or down hills with slopes greater than 15° and do not drive across any slope. CAUTION: Do not operate the mower without either the en tire grass catcher, on mowers so equipped, or the deflector •...
OPERATION BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE TO START ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the fac- fuel from the tank to the engine.
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OPERATION MOWING TIPS PURGE TRANSMISSION • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing CAUTION: Never engage or disengage per for mance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in freewheel lever while the engine is the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. run ning.
MAINTENANCE BEFORE EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY BEFORE MAINTENANCE EACH SEASON STORAGE SCHEDULE HOURS HOURS HOURS HOURS Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence & ROS Systems Check for Loose Fasteners Check/Replace Mower Blades Lubrication Chart Check Battery Level Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transaxle Cooling Check Mower Levelness...
MAINTENANCE TRACTOR CAUTION: Use only a replacement blade Always observe safety rules when per form ing any main- approved by the manufacturer of your te nance. tractor. Using a blade not approved by the manufacturer of your tractor is BRAKE OPERATION hazardous, could damage your tractor If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to stop at highest and void your warranty.
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MAINTENANCE TRANSAXLE COOLING V-BELTS Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which and replace if necessary. The belts are not adjustable. can restrict cooling. Re place belts if they begin to slip from wear. ENGINE CLEAN AIR SCREEN LUBRICATION...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SE RI OUS IN JU RY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: • Depress brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place motion control lever in neutral position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • Insert end of link (E) into hole in front mower bracket • ATTACH MOWER SIDE SUSPENSION ARMS (A) TO and secure with washer and retainer spring (J). CHASSIS - Position hole in arm over pin (B) on outside of tractor chassis and secure with retainer spring.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO LEVEL MOWER • If adjustment is necessary, see steps in Visual Adjust- ment instructions above. Make sure tires are properly inflated to the PSI shown on • Recheck measurements, adjust if necessary until both tires. If tires are over or under inflated, it may affect the sides are equal.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT (See Fig. 32) (See Fig. 33) The mower blade drive belt may be replaced without tools. Park the tractor on level surface. En gage parking brake. Park the tractor on level surface.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TRANSAXLE MOTION CONTROL LEVER • Repair tire and reassemble. • On rear wheels only: align grooves in rear wheel hub NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT (See Fig. 34) and axle. Insert square key. The motion control lever has been pre set at the factory •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS INTERLOCKS AND RELAYS REPLACING BATTERY (See Fig. 37) Loose or damaged wiring may cause your tractor to run WARNING: Do not short battery ter mi - poorly, stop running, or prevent it from starting. nals by allowing a wrench or any other •...
STORAGE ENGINE Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end 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 SEN TIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH gas o line 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 flooded. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. Bad spark plug. Replace spark plug. Dirty air filter.
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Engine dies when Reverse operation system 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 LTH1538 (96043003802), PRODUCT NO. 960 43 00-38 SCHEMATIC SCH11 BATTERY SOLENOID STARTER FUSE AMMETER BLACK (OPTIONAL) WHITE WHITE ATTACHMENT CLUTCH (CLUTCH OFF) BLACK CLUTCH/BRAKE GRAY (PEDAL UP) REVERSE SWITCH BLACK (NOT IN REVERSE) BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK SEAT SWITCH...
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TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER LTH1538 (96043003802), PRODUCT NO. 960 43 00-38 ELECTRICAL T02S With 12V Outlet Option With Service Minder Option...