Summary of the content on the page No. 1
MODEL NO. PO18H42STA
18.0 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
184523 02.03.03 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. DO NOT: I. GENERAL OPERATION Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible. manual and on the machine before starting. Do not
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop WARNING: In order to prevent ac- machine if anyone enters the area. ci den tal starting when setting up, Never carry passengers or children even with the blades trans porting, ad just ing or making re- off. pairs, alwa ys dis con nect spark plug Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Al ways wire and place wire where it can not look down an
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 GASOLINE CAPACITY 1.25 GALLONS you the best possible dependability and performance. AND TYPE: UNLEADED REGULAR Should you experience any problem you cannot easily rem- OIL TYPE (API-SF-SJ): SAE 30 (above 32°F) edy, please contact your nearest authorized service center/ SAE 5
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
UNASSEMBLED PARTS Steering Wheel Seat (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge Steering Boot (1) Lock Washer 1/2 Steering Steering Wheel Extension Insert (1) Bolt Shaft Steering Wheel Key Adapter (1) Large Flat Washer (1) Locknut 1/2-20 (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 wrench sizes are listed. 1/2 LOCK WASHER (1) 3/4" wrench Pliers LARGE FLAT (2) 7/16" wren
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
ASSEMBLY Get off seat without moving its adjusted position. TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Op- Raise seat and tighten adjustment bolt securely. er a tion section for location and function of con trols) Press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever SEAT to its highest po si tion. Release parking brake by de press ing clutch/brake ped al. Place freewheel control in "trans mis sion dis en gaged position" (See “TO TRANS PORT” in the Op era tion SEAT PAN sec
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
ASSEMBLY ✓CHE CKLIST CHECK TIRE PRESSURE BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW TRAC- The tires on your tractor were overinfl ated at the factory TOR, WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE for shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important BEST PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM THIS for best cutting performance. QUALITY PRODUCT. Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in “PRODUCT PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST: SPEC I FI CATIONS” section of this manual. ✓ All assembly inst
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. FAST IGNITION REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW SLOW CHOKE P LIGHTS ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE ENGINE OFF ENGINE ON PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UNLOCKED OIL PRESSURE BATTERY REVERSE OVER TEMP FUEL FORWARD MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT LIGHT 15 15 15 ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT SLOPE HAZARDS CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED DANGER, KEEP HANDS KEEP AREA CLEAR AND FEET AWAY
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. AT TACHMENT LIGHT CLUTCH LEVER IGNITION SWITCH SWITCH POSITION LIFT LEVER PLUNGER THROTTLE/CHOKE ATTACHMENT CONTROL LIFT LEVER CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL PARKING BRAKE MOTION FREE WHEEL CONTROL CONTROL LEVER FIG. 4 Our tractors confo
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 forming an y 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 en gine exhaust gases may cause “browning” o
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
OPERATION NOTE:Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a fl at level TO OPERATE ON HILLS surface. Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See “TO AD- WARNING: Do not drive up or down JUST MOWER CUT TING HEIGHT” in the Operation hills with slopes greater than 15° and sec tion of this manual). do not drive across any slope. With mower in desired height of cut po si tion, gauge Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down wheels should be assembled so they are slightly off
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
OPERATION TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTA CH MENTS TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 4) Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and When starting the engine for the fi rst time or if the engine comply with specifi cations of the manufacturer of your trac- has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move tor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, fuel from the tank to the engine. while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with Be sure freewheel control
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
OPERATION PURGE TRANSMISSION MOWING TIPS Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per- CAUTION: Never engage or disengage formance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the freewheel lever while the engine is run- Service and Adjustments section of this manual. ning. The left hand side of mower should be used for trim- ming. To ensure proper operation and performance, it is rec om - mend ed that the transmission be purged before operating Drive so that clippings are dis
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
MAINTENANCE TRACTOR TRAILING EDGE UP MANDREL BLADE Always observe safety rules when performing any main- ASSEMBLY CEN TER te nance. HOLE BRAKE OPERATION FLAT WASHER If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance LOCK WASHER at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See “TO ADJUST BRAKE” in the Service and Ad just ments STAR section of this manual). BLADE BOLT (GRADE 8)* TIRES *A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
MAINTENANCE TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause year. the battery to “leak” power. Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst then RED bat- tery cable and remove battery from tractor. and after each eight (8) hours of operation. Tighten oil fi ll cap/dipstick sec
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
MAINTENANCE ENGINE COOLING FINS (See Fig. 14) HAN DLE Remove any dust, dirt or oil from engine cooling fi ns to prevent engine damage from overheating. Remove oil fi ll cap/dipstick. Remove hex bolts from blower housing and lift housing off engine. COVER Cover oil fi ll opening to prevent entry of dirt. Use compressed air or stiff bristle brush to thoroughly clean engine cooling fi ns. CARTRIDGE To reassemble, reverse above procedure. PRE-CLEANER HEX BLOWER HOUSING HEX
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SER VICE OR AD JUST - MENTS: Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. Place motion control 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
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS SIDE-TO-SIDE ADJUSTMENT (See Figs. 18 and 19) Raise mower to its highest position. MANDREL At the midpoint of both sides of mower, measure height from bot tom edge of mower to ground. Distance “A” on both sides of mower should be the same or within "D" "D" 1/4" of each other. If adjustment is necessary, make adjustment on one FIG. 20 side of mower only. To raise one side of mower, tighten lift link ad just ment BOTH FRONT LINKS MUST BE EQUAL IN
