Summary of the content on the page No. 1
MODEL NO. MC17542ST (MC17542STA)
17.5 HP 42 Inch
Lawn Tractor
For Parts and Service, contact our authorized distributor: call 1-800-849-1297
For Technical Assistance: call 1-800-829-5886
193190 Rev. 1 09.21.04 MH/TR
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
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. Disengage blades when not mowing. Shut off engine and wait for all parts to come to a complete stop before WARNING: In order to prevent ac- cleaning the machine, removing the grass catcher, or ci den tal starting when setting up, unclogging
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers III. CHILDREN GENERAL SERVICE Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to Never operate machine in a closed are. Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the equipment the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the ma chine and the mowing activity. Never assume that is in safe working condition. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper children will remain where you last saw the
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tractor. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS It has been designed, engineered and manu factured to giv e you the best possible dependability and performance. GASOLINE CAPACITY 2.0 GALLONS AND TYPE: UNLEADED REGULAR Should you experience any problem you cannot easily rem- edy, please contact your nearest authorized service center/ OIL TYPE (API-SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F) department. We have com pe tent, well-trained tech
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK Steering Wheel Seat Steering Boot (1) Washer Steering Wheel 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge Insert Steering Extension (1) Knob Shaft Steering Wheel Key Adapter (1) Large Flat (1) Locknut 1/2-20 Washer (2) Keys (1) Oil Drain Tube Slope Sheet (1) Locknut 1/4-28 (1) Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x 1-1/4 5
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
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. INSERT TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Stan dard 1/2 HEX NUT wrench sizes are listed. LARGE FLAT (2) 7/16" wrenches Utility knife WASHER (2)
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
ASSEMBLY SEAT SEAT PAN LABEL SEAT PAN SHOULDER BOLTS 02617 02602 FIG. 4 FLAT WASHER NOTE: You may now roll or drive your tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate instruction below to remove the tractor from the skid. ADJUSTMENT KNOB 02615 TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Op- er a tion section for location and func tion of FIG. 2 con trols) Press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever CONNECT BATTERY (See Figs. 3 and 4) to its highest po si tion. Release parking bra
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
01233 ASSEMBLY CHECK TIRE PRESSURE INSTALL MULCHER PLATE (See Fig. 5) The tires on your tractor were overinfl ated at the factory (If previously removed) for shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important Raise and hold defl ector shield in up right po si tion. for best cutting performance. Place front of mulcher plate over front of mower deck Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in “PRODUCT open ing and slide into place, as shown. SPEC I FI CA TIONS” section of this manual
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their mean- ing. IGNITION REVERSE HIGH LOW FAST SLOW NEUTRAL CHOKE P LIGHTSON ENGINEON ENGINESTART PARKINGBRAKE PARKINGBRAKE PARKINGBRAKE ENGINEOFF LOCKED UNLOCKED FUEL OILPRESSURE BATTERY REVERSE FORWARD OVERTEMP MOWERHEIGHT MOWERLIFT LIGHT 15 15 ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT SLOPEHAZARDS CLUTCHENGAGED CLUTCHDISENGAGED DANGER,KEEPHANDS KEEPAREACLEAR ANDFEETAWAY (SEESAFETYRULESSECTION) DA
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
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. IGNITION LIGHT SWITCH SWITCH ATTACHMENT POSITION CLUTCH LEVER AMMETER LIFT LEVER THROTTLE/ PLUNGER CHOKE CONTROL ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER HEIGHT CLUTCH/ ADJUSTMENT BRAKE INDICATOR PEDAL PARKING BRAKE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FIG. 6 Our t
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
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. NOTE: Under certain conditions when tractor is standing HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR idle with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may cause “browning” o
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
01423 OPERATION TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 8) "ENGAGED" POSITION Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly ATTACHMENT off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height LIFT LEVER HIGH PO SI TION in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain conditions. LOW NOTE:Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a fl at level POSITION surface. Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See “TO AD- AT TACHM
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
OPERATION Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to “START” BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do not run starter continuously for more than fi fteen CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL sec onds per minute. If the engine does not start after The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the several attempts, move throttle control to fast position, factory, already fi lled with sum mer weight oil. wait a few minutes and try again. If engi
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
OPERATION MULCHING MOWING TIPS MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per- HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN fo r mance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the AFTER EACH USE. Service and Adjustments section of this manual. The spe cial mulch ing blade will recut the grass clip- The left hand side of mower should be used for trim- pings many times and reduce them in size so that as ming. they fal
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE SERVICE DATES Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence and Interlock Systems T R Check for Loose Fasteners 5 A Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades 3 C Lubrication Chart T Check Battery Level 4 0 Clean Battery and Terminals R Check Transaxle Cooling Check V-Belts Check Engine Oil Level Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) 1,2 Change Engine Oil (without oil filter) 1,2 E Clean Air Filter N 2 G Clean Air
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
01202 MAINTENANCE TRACTOR TRAILING MANDREL EDGE UP ASSEMBLY BLADE Always observe safety rules when performing any main- te nance. CENTER HOLE BRAKE OPERATION FLAT WASHER If tractor requires more than fi ve (5) feet to stop at highest LOCK WASHER speed in highest gear on a level, dry concrete or paved STAR surface, then brake must be checked and adjusted. TIRES BLADE BOLT Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See “PROD UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this man ual). FIG. 12 Keep
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
MAINTENANCE Rinse the battery with plain water and dry. OIL DRAIN VALVE Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright. Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly. Reinstall battery (See “CONNECT BATTERY” in the CLOSED Assembly sec tion of this manual). AND LOCKED V-BELTS POSITION Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours and replace if necessary. The belts are not adjustable. Re place belts if they begin to slip from wear. DRAIN
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
MAINTENANCE CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 16) To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, The fuel fi lter should be replaced once each season. If fuel cooling fi ns, and other external surfaces of the engine are fi lter becomes clogged, ob struct ing fuel fl ow to car bure tor, kept clean at all times. re place ment is re quired. With engine cool, remove fi lter and plug fuel line sec- Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely tions
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SE RI OUS IN JU RY, 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. Turn ignition key to “STOP” and remove key. Make sure the blades and all moving parts have completely stopped. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug. IMPORTAN
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
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 To raise front of mower, loosen nut “F” from trunnion on “PROD UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual). If both front links. Tighten nut “E” on both front links an tires are over or underinfl ated, you