Operator's Manual Transmatic Lawn Tractors Model Series 660 thru 679 IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment. Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, 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 California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722. MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722 PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10115A.fm (10/99) TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Slope Gauge...................................................................................................... 3 Important Safe Operation Practices................................................................... 4 thru 6 Unpacking.......................................................................................................... 7 Assembling Your Lawn Tractor .......................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Tractor.................................................................................... 12 Operating Your Lawn Tractor............................................................................. 13 Making Adjustments .......................................................................................... 15 Service............................................................................................................... 18 Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor .......................................................................... 19 Off-Season Storage ........................................................................................... 23 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 24 FINDING MODEL NUMBER This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new Lawn Tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an authorized dealer. · You can locate the model number by pivoting the seat forward and looking under the seat at the seat pivot bracket. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below. (Model Number) (Serial Number) Copy the model number here: Copy the serial number here: MTD PRODUCTS INC CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136 CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department. Call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-7310 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call . 2 SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST FO L D ON DO TT ED LINE , RE PRE SEN TING Slope Gauge A 15° S LOP E 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 and down slopes, never across the face of slopes. 3 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 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 State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. DANGER: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. GENERAL OPERATION · Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the operator's manual and on the machine before starting. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts. Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the instructions to operate the machine. Know controls and how to stop the machine quickly. Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near rotating parts. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the blade. A small object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads. Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. Never carry passengers. Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and backing up. Always look down and behind before and while backing. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set park brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting. Turn off blade(s) when not mowing. Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a complete stop before (a) removing grass catcher or unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass or debris. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, because the unit could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload properly. Never make a cutting height adjustment while engine is running if operator must dismount to do so. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or sneakers. Check overhead clearance carefully before driving under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situation where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in serious injury. Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral before attempting to start engine. 4 · Your mower is designed to cut normal residential grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard. · Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes. CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. · · · · Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of an adult other than the operator. Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area. Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children. Never carry children, even with the blades off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with the safe machine operation. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the machine. Children 14 years and over should only operate machine under close parental supervision and proper instruction. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child or other hazard. Remove key when machine is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation. SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15° as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result. · DO: · · · Mow up and down slopes, not across. Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc. Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards which could cause serious injury. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope. · · · SERVICE · Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Use only an approved container. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling. Replace fuel cap securely and wipe off any spilled fuel before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or explosion. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. Never refuel the machine indoors because fuel vapors will accumulate in the area. Never store the fuel container or machine inside where there is an open flame or spark, such as a gas hot water heater, space heater or furnace. Never run a machine inside a closed area. To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free of grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing. Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. · · · · · · · · · · DO NOT: · · Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground. 5 · · · · · · · · · · · · · We do not recommend the use of pressure washers or garden hose to clean your unit. They may cause dama ...