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Operator’s Manual
Hydrostatic Garden Tractor
Big Red GT54
(14AQ81TK766)
IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws
(if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices 3 Service 20 Slope Gauge 7 Off-season Storage 23 Tractor Set-up 8 Troubleshooting 24 Know Your Garden Tractor 10 Attachments & Accessories 25 Operating Your Garden Tractor 13 Parts List 26 Making Adjustments 17 Warranty Information Back Cover Maintaining Your Garden Tractor 19 FINDING MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new garden tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain t
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SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning. DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operati
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23. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a 4. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for burn. Do not touch. wheel weights or counterweights to improve 24. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving stability. under low hanging tree branches, wires, door 5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other openings etc., where the operator may be struck or attachments. These can change the stability of the pulled from the unit, which could result in serious machine. injury. 6. Ke
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e. Use extreme care when approaching blind e. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other other sources of ignition. objects that may block your vision of a child f. Never fuel machine indoors. who may run into the machine. g. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the f. To avoid back-over accidents, always engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool disengage the cutting blade(s) before at least two minutes before refueling. shifting into revers
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8. Never tamper with the safety interlock system or other replace immediately with original equipment safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this 9. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against equipment specifications may lead to improper the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any performance and compromise safe
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FOLD ON DOTTED LINE, REPRESENTING A 15° SLOPE SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST 15° WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers up
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SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP Attaching the Battery Cables Shipping Brace Removal NOTE: The positive battery terminal is marked Pos. WARNING: Make sure the engine is off, (+). The negative battery terminal is marked Neg. (–). set the parking brake and remove the ignition key before removing the shipping brace. � The positive cable (heavy red wire) is secured to the positive battery terminal (+) with a screw and � Locate the shipping brace, if present, and warning hex nut at the factory. Make cert
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Setting the Gauge Wheels and Roller Gauge Wheels Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing Lock Nut the deck lift lever in any of the six different cutting height notches on the right fender. Adjust the deck wheels so that they are between ¼-inch and ½-inch above the ground as follows. Place the tractor on a firm and level surface, preferably pavement, refer to Figure 2, and proceed as follows: � Place the tractor’s deck lift handle in the normally desired mowing height set
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SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR E B A C I J F G H D L K NOTE: Steering Wheel not shown for clarity. Figure 3 A Systems Indicator/Hour Meter H Ignition Switch B PTO (Power Take-off) Knob I Brake Pedal C Choke Control J Drive Pedal D Cup Holder K Deck Lift Lever E Throttle Control Lever L Seat Adjustment Lever F Parking Brake Button G Cruise Control Button NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s position. 10
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Throttle Control Lever Ignition Switch Module The throttle control lever is Fast WARNING: Never leave a running machine located on the right side of the Position unattended. Always disengage PTO, move tractor’s dash panel. This lever shift lever into neutral position, set parking controls the speed of the engine. brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent When set in a given position, the unintended starting. throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed. To start the engine, insert the
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Systems Indicator Monitor / Hour Meter Electric PTO / Blade Engage Knob Battery To engage the power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments, pull outward on the PTO/Blade Engage knob. Push the PTO/ Blade Engage knob inward to LCD 42.0 disengage the power to the cutting deck. PTO NOTE: The PTO/Blade Engage knob must be in the Parking Brake (Blade Engage) disengaged (OFF) position when starting the engine. Cruise Control Lever LCD Located in the center of the tracto
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SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR WARNING: Use extreme caution while WARNING operating the tractor in the REVERSE CAUTION MODE. Always look down and AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH behind before and while backing. Do not operate the tractor when children or others � GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS. are around. Stop the tractor immediately if � AVOID SUDDEN TURNS. � DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP. someone enters the area. � IF MACHINE STOPS GOING UPHILL, STOP BLA
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� Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it there Starting the Engine while gently pushing the parking brake lever downward. WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the � Hold the parking brake lever down while removing interlock system is malfunctioning. This your foot from the brake pedal. system was designed for your safety and � Once engaged, the parking brake lever and the protection. brake pedal will lock in the “down” position. NOTE: Refer to the TRACTOR SET-UP on page 8 of this To dis
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� To travel in REVERSE, check that the area behind To change the direction of travel to reverse when is clear then slowly depress the lower portion of the operating with cruise control, depress the brake pedal drive pedal with the ball of your foot (NOT your to disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to a heel) until the desired speed is achieved. See complete stop. Then slowly depress the rear portion of Figure 6. the drive pedal with the ball of your foot to travel in reverse.
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� Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a Engaging the PTO mulch kit or grass collector is installed. Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck � For best results it is recommended that the first two or other (separately available) attachments. To engage laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the the PTO, proceed as follows: center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction � Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) to throw the discharge to th
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SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS � Retighten the two lock nuts against the inner hex WARNING: Never attempt to make any nuts when proper adjustment is achieved. adjustments while the engine is running, except where specified in the operator’s Side to Side manual. If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly, a side to side adjustment can be performed. Adjust if Leveling the Deck necessary as follows: � With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, NOTE: Check the tractor’s tire pressu
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Parking Brake Adjustment WARNING: Never attempt to adjust the brakes while the engine is running. Always disengage PTO, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting. If the tractor does not come to a complete stop when Hex Nut the brake pedal is completely depressed, or if the tractor’s rear wheels can roll with the parking brake Drag Link applied, the brake is in need of adjustment. The brake disc can be found on the right side of the transmission in the rear of the tractor. Adjust
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SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR Air Cleaner WARNING: Before performing any � Service the pre-cleaner, if so equipped, and maintenance or repairs, disengage PTO, set cartridge/air cleaner element as instructed in the parking brake, stop engine and remove key engine manual. to prevent unintended starting. Spark Plugs � Clean the spark plugs and reset the gap once a Engine season. Spark plug replacement is recommended Refer to the engine manual for maintenance details. at the st
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1-5/8 inch (min.) SECTION 8: SERVICE � Place a block of wood between the center deck Tires housing baffle and the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer. See Figure 14. WARNING: Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure shown on the sidewall of the Hex Flange Nut tire. Wood Block The recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 10 psi for the rear tires and 14 psi for the front tires. Refer to the tire sidewall for exact tire manufacturer’s recommended or maximum psi. Do not overi
