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OPERATOR’S
MANUAL
IS500Z Series
Zero-Turn Riding Mower
Model Number: Description
5900640 IS500ZBV2444, 24HP, 44” Cut Zero-Turn Riding Mower
Briggs & Stratton Yard Power Products Group
5100900
5375 North Main Street
Revision 00
Munnsville, NY 13409
Rev. Date: 1/2007
800-933-6175 TP 100-7320-00-50-F
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Thank you for purchasing this quality-built Ferris product. We’re pleased that you’ve placed your confidence in the Ferris brand. When operated and maintained according to the instructions in this manual, your Ferris product will provide many years of dependable service. This manual contains safety information to make you aware of the haz- ards and risks associated with this machine and how to avoid them. This machine is designed and intended to be used and maintained according to the manual and
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Safety Controls Operation Maintenance Troubleshooting Specifications Table of Contents Operator Safety ...................................................2 Identification Numbers ..........................................11 Safety Decals........................................................12 Safety Interlock System ........................................13 Features & Controls..........................................14 Control Functions..................................................14 Ope
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Operator Safety Operator Safety Operating Safety Congratulations on purchasing a superior-quality piece of lawn and garden equipment. Our products are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed all industry standards for safety. Do not operate this machine unless you have been trained. Reading and understanding this operator’s manual is a way to train yourself. Power equipment is only as safe as the operator. If it is misused, or not properly maintained, it can be dangerous! Remember, you are
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Safety Operator Safety Slope Operation Operation on slopes can be dangerous. Using the unit on a slope that is too steep where you do not have adequate wheel traction (and control) can cause sliding, loss of steering, control, and possible rollover. You should not operate on a slope greater than a 3.5 foot rise over a 20 foot length (10 degrees). Always mow across slopes, not up and down (to maintain traction on the wheels) and avoid sudden turns or rapid speed changes. Reduce speed and use extr
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Operator Safety Roll Bar Use Keep the roll bar in position and fasten the seat belt. Do not jump off if the mower tips (it is safer to be secured by the seat belt with the roll bar raised.) NEVER remove the roll bar. Retaining Walls, Drop- offs, and Water Retaining walls and drop-offs around steps and water are a common hazard. Give yourself a minimum of two mower widths of clearance around these hazards and hand-trim with a walk behind mower or string trimmer. Wheels dropping over retaining wal
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Safety Operator Safety Fuel and Maintenance Always disengage all drives, shutoff the engine, and remove the key before doing any cleaning, refueling, or servicing. Gasoline and its vapors are extremely flammable. Do not smoke while operating or refueling. Do not add fuel while engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool for at least 3 minutes prior to adding fuel. Do not add fuel indoors, in an enclosed trailer, garage, or any other enclosed area that is not well ventilated. Gasoline spills s
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Operator Safety Read these safety rules and follow them closely. Failure to obey these rules could result in loss of control of unit, severe personal injury or death to you, or bystanders, or damage to property or equipment. This mowing deck is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. The triangle in text signifies important cautions or warnings which must be followed. 2. Mow only in the daylight or with good artificial TRAINING light, keeping away from holes and hidden
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Safety Operator Safety 23. Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, Do Not trees or other objects that may obscure vision. 1. Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If 24. To reduce fire hazard, keep unit free of grass, tires lose traction (i.e. machine stops forward leaves & excess oil. Do not stop or park over dry motion on a slope), disengage the blade(s) (PTO) leaves, grass or combustible materials. and drive slow off the slope. 25. The engine in this unit is not factory eq
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Operator Safety mufflers, and engine to prevent fires. Clean up oil SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE or fuel spillage. To avoid personal injury or property damage, use 10. Let engine cool before storing and do not store extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is near flame. extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. 11. Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. Repair, if necessary, before restarting. Safe Handling of Gasoline 12. Park machine on level ground. Never allow 1. Exti
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Safety Operator Safety 27. Models equipped with an engine radiator: Never alter the ROLL BAR by welding anything to WARNING: Stored energy device. To prevent it or by drilling additional holes. serious bodily injury from hot coolant or steam BEFORE FIRST TIME USE - Inspect the ROLL blow-out, never attempt to remove the radiator cap BAR structure and mounting hardware for: while the engine is running. Stop the engine and 1) Check to make sure the machine GVW (Gross wait until it is cool. Even
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Operator Safety INSPECT BUCKLE WARNING & LATCH Failure to properly inspect and maintain the seat belt can cause serious injury or death. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ROLL BAR SEAT BELT The seat belt like the ROLL BAR, needs to be periodically inspected to verify that the integrity has not been compromised through normal machine use, misuse, age degradation, modifications, or a roll over. If the seat belt does INSPECT WEBBING not pass all of the following tests, it should be replaced. BE
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Safety S SA AM MP PL LE E Operator Safety IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS Identification Tag When contacting your authorized dealer for replacement parts, service, or information you MUST have these numbers. Record your part number, serial number and engine serial numbers in the space provided for easy access. These numbers can be found in the locations shown. NOTE: For location of engine identification numbers, refer to the engine owner’s manual. 11
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Operator Safety SAFETY DECALS This unit has been designed and manufactured to 1 provide you with the safety and reliability you would expect from an industry leader in outdoor power equipment manufacturing. Although reading this manual and the safety instructions it contains will provide you with the necessary basic knowledge to operate this equipment 2 safely and effectively, we have placed several safety labels on the unit to remind you of this important 3 information while you are operating y
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Safety Operator Safety SAFETY ICONS The alert symbol is used to identity safety SAFETY INTERLOCK information about hazards that can result in personal SYSTEM injury. A signal word (DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION) is used with the alert symbol to indicate This unit is equipped with safety interlock switches. the likelihood and the potential severity of the injury. These safety systems are present for your safety, do In addition, a hazard icon may be used to represent not attempt to bypass safety sw
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Features and Controls Features and Controls Figure 1. Control Locations CONTROL FUNCTIONS The information below briefly describes the function of individual controls. Starting, stopping, driving, and mowing require the combined use of several controls applied in specific sequences. To learn what combination and sequence of controls to use for various tasks see the OPERATION section. Seat Adjustment Lever Ground Speed Levers The seat can be adjusted forward and back. Move the These levers control
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Controls Features & Controls Parking Brake Fuel Tank Cap To remove the cap, turn counterclockwise. DISENGAGE Releases the parking brake. Fuel Level Gauge ENGAGE Locks the parking brake. Displays the fuel level in the tank. Pull the parking brake lever back to engage the parking brake. Move the lever fully forward to disengage the parking brake. NOTE: To start the unit the parking brake must be engaged. PTO (Power Take Off) Switch The PTO switch engages and disengages the mower. Pull UP on the s
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Operation Operation GENERAL OPERATING SAFETY CHECKS BEFORE STARTING Before first time operation: Check that crankcase is filled to full mark on dipstick. See the engine Operator’s Manual for Be sure to read all information in the Safety and instructions and oil recommendations. Operation sections before attempting to operate Make sure all nuts, bolts, screws and pins are in this tractor and mower. place and tight. Become familiar with all of the controls and how to Adjust the seat posi
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Operation Operation WARNING PUSHING THE RIDER BY HAND If you do not understand how a specific control functions, or have not yet thoroughly read the DO NOT TOW RIDER FEATURES & CONTROLS section, do so now. Towing the unit will cause hydraulic pump Do NOT attempt to operate the tractor without and wheel motor damage. Do not use first becoming familiar with the location and another vehicle to push or pull this unit. function of ALL controls. 1. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, turn the
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Operation Smooth Travel ZERO TURN DRIVING PRACTICE The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive. responsive, and learning to gain a smooth and The BEST method of efficient control of the rider’s forward, reverse, and handling the ground turning movements will take some practice. speed control levers is Spending some time going through the maneuvers in three steps — as shown and becoming familiar with how the unit shown in Figure 3. accele
