Summary of the content on the page No. 1
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Models
Z-185L
Z-205
Z-225
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 operator.
In the State of C
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
SECTION 1: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new Z-Series. It will help you prepare, operate and maintain your mower. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start to prepare your mower for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information from it in this Operator’s Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your dealer. See Figure 1. • Every mower has a model plate. You can locate
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
SECTION 3: 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 YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS WARNING. WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the Stat
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
• Keep children out of the mowing area and in watch- 2. SLOPE OPERATION ful care of an adult other than the operator. • Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control • Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the and tip-over accidents which can result in severe area. injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy • Before and when backing, look behind and down on it, do not mow it. for small children. • For your safety, use
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper • Do not change the engine governor settings or over- operation regularly. Use all guards as instructed in speed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are dan- this manual. gerous. • After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, • Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. remove the wire from the spark plug and thoroughly Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the dam- the environmen
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
FOLD ON DOTTED LINE, REPRESENTING A 15° SLOPE USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY. 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 foo
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
SECTION 4: CONTROLS Right Control Lift Handle Panel PTO Switch Ignition/Light Switch Hour/RPM Meter Front Figure 3 HOUR/RPM METER The hour/RPM meter is an LCD (liquid crystal display) display that is located on the right control panel. The meter’s display stays on continuously. (See Figure 3) • HOUR METER: The meter functions as an hour meter. The hour value is the number of hours of engine operation. Use the hour value to determine when maintenance is required and to cost jobs. • RPM METER: Whe
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
1 2 L 3 5 4 7 6 LIFT HANDLE Button Height Positions 1 through 7 and L (lock) Figure 5 The lift handle is located on the right fender. It raises and lowers the cutting height of the mower deck used by the Z-series. (See Figure 3) & (See Figure 5) • 1 through 7 (1 - lowest height, 7 - highest height) • L is the lock out position. The lock position is used when removing the mower deck. THROTTLE LEVER AND CHOKE LEVER FRONT ON Throttle Lever Choke Lever Fast Left Control OFF Panel Figure 6 CHOKE LEVE
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) SWITCH Pull Up Top View Push Down ON OFF Figure 7 The PTO switch is located on the right control panel. (See Figure 7) It controls the engagement of the cutting blades. When the switch is: • UP: The cutting blades are engaged (blades are turning). • DOWN: The cutting blades are disengaged (not turning). Note: Be sure lift lever is not in the L position when the PTO is engaged. The operator must remain seated at all times. If the operator leaves the seat without turning off t
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
DRIVE HANDLES The drive handles (left and right) are located at the top of the control tower. (See Figure 8) The drive handles are used to move, steer, and stop the Z-series. The drive handles will return toward the neutral position when released; however, the driver should place the drive handles in the neutral position so the unit will not move. If the drive handles are not placed in the neutral position, the Z-Series may creep. When the engine is running, the unit will move in accordance with
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
INDICATOR PANEL Temperature Low Engine Oil Battery Figure 10 The indicator panel is located at the top of the control tower. There are two or three indicator lights on the panel. (See Figure 10) When the corresponding light is illuminated it indicates: • LOWENGINEOIL: Stop the tractor immediately and check the engine oil level. Continuing to operate with low engine oil can severely damage the engine. • BATTERY: There is a problem with the charging system or battery. Stop the Z-series and contact
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
SECTION 5: OPERATION BEFORE OPERATING 1. Study this manual carefully. It has been provided to help you safely operate and maintain this unit. 2. Familiarize yourself with all instruments and controls. 3. Fill the fuel tank according to the MAINTENTANCE section. 4. Check the engine oil level as instructed in the separate engine manual. 5. Check the hydraulic oil level as instructed in the MAINTENANCE section. 6. Clean the air filter, if necessary, as instructed in the separate engine manual. 7. C
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
1. Sit in the seat of the tractor facing forward with your feet straddling the control tower. 2. Push the choke lever to the full choke position (all the way toward the front of the tractor). 3. Push the throttle lever to the fast (rabbit) position (all the way toward the front of the tractor). Note: Less choking may be required due to engine temperature variance. If the engine is warm, choking may not be necessary. 4. Push the power take-off (PTO) switch to OFF. 5. Fully depress the brake pedal
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
QUICK REFERENCE CHART The Z-series can turn with a zero radius. The Z-series uses the rear tires to turn. When turning with a zero radius, the rear tires are used as the pivot point. A conventional tractor can make a circle but it needs a turning radius, usually based on the distance between the front and rear wheels. With a shorter overall length and a zero turn radius, the Z-series has excellent maneuverability. The Z-series does not have a steering wheel, instead drive handles are used to ste
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
MOWING For best results, consider the following recommendations: • Mow the first two laps with the discharge pointing toward the center. • Mow the next two laps with the discharge pointing outside (away from center) for a balanced cut and improved appearance. • Do not cut grass too short. The mower tends to "scalp" the grass. Shorter grass invites weeds and will yellow quickly in dry conditions. During some conditions, the mower may leave streaks of uncut material. Streaking can happen when cutt
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
WARNING: The hydraulic relief levers are near to engine parts that can be HOT. To avoid injury, wait until engine parts have cooled before disengaging. 1. Position the Z-series on a flat and level surface. 2. Engage the parking brake. 3. Remove the hydraulic relief levers from the lock position. There is a lever for the right and left hydraulic pump. 4. Slide the levers into the slots to relieve the hydraulic pumps. (See Figure 13) 5. Disengage parking brake. 6. Push unit. SECTION 6: ADJUSTMENTS
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
ADJUSTING BRAKE FORCE Brake Rod Frame Measure Gap Brake Arm Figure 14 1. Place the Z-series on level surface without the brake engaged and place blocks behind the wheels. 2. Turn the engine OFF and remove the key from the ignition. 3. From underneath the Z-series directly behind the caster wheel pivot bar, locate the brake rods. There are two, one on the right and one on the left. (See Figure 14) 4. The factory sets a 1/16” gap minimum between the brake arm and frame of the Z-Series. More adjust
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
7. Pull up on the control tower cover and slide up and over the control tower. 8. Remove both safety switches from their respective holders by squeezing together on the retaining clips while gently pushing upward until the switches clear the brackets. 9. Remove bolts (A) that secure linkage to upper control handles and lower control arms. The shock absorbers should remain connected to linkage. 10. Insert quarter inch by seven inch pin or equivalent through the top and bottom alignment holes (B)
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
16. Remove quarter inch by seven inch pins from top and bottom holes. 17. Set parking brake and start the engine (set throttle at full speed). Make sure that the PTO is off. 18. Rotate rods (lengthen or shorten) to bring each hydrostat to neutral. NOTE: The control linkage going to the hydrostatic pump has left-hand threads at the pump and right-hand threads at the tower. 19. Tighten the jam nuts earlier loosened. 20. Reassemble safety switches. 21. Reassemble body panels. 22. Reassemble drive h
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
GREASE POINT LOCATIONS Pivot Bar Grease Fitting Caster Wheel Spindle Grease Fitting Control Tower Grease Fittings Caster Wheel Grease Fitting Deck Lift Pivot Grease Fittings Lift Handle Grease Fitting 48” & 54” Mower Deck Grease Fitting 20
