3. Position the red rubber boot over the positive battery termi-
nal to help protect it from corrosion.
NOTE: If the battery is put into service after the date shown
on top/side of battery, charge the battery as instructed in the
Maintenance section your Operator's Manual prior to operat-
ing the tractor.
SHIPPING BRACE REMOVAL
WARNING: Make sure the riding mower's engine is off, re-
move the ignition key, and set the parking brake before re-
moving the shipping brace. Refer to the Controls and Features
section for instructions on how to set the parking brake.
• Locate the shipping brace,
if present, and accompanying
warning tag found on the right
side of the mower, between the
discharge chute and the cutting
deck. See Fig. 2.
• Place the deck lift lever in the
highest cutting position. Refer
to Setting the Cutting Height
in the Operation section of this
manual.
• While pushing the discharge chute towards the machine with
your left hand, remove the shipping brace with your right hand
by grasping it between your thumb and index finger and rotat-
ing it clockwise.
WARNING: The shipping brace, used for packaging purposes
only, must be removed and discarded before operating your
riding mower.
WARNING: The mowing deck is capable of throwing objects.
Failure to operate the riding mower without the discharge
cover in the proper operating position could result in serious
personal injury and/or property damage.
ATTACHING THE STEERING WHEEL
If the steering wheel for your tractor did not come attached,
the hardware for attaching it has been packed within the steer-
ing wheel, beneath the steering wheel cap. Carefully pry off
the steering wheel cap and remove the hardware.
1. With the wheels of the trac-
tor pointing straight forward,
place the steering wheel over
the steering shaft.
2. Place the washer (with the
cupped side down) over the
steering wheel and secure with
the hex bolt. See Fig. 3
3. Place the steering wheel cap
over the center of the steering
wheel and push downward until
it "clicks" into place.
ATTACHING THE SEAT
If the seat for your tractor was not attached at the factory, refer
to the following steps.
NOTE: For shipping reasons, seats are either fastened to the
tractor seat's pivot bracket with a plastic tie, or mounted back-
ward to the pivot bracket. In either case, free the seat from its
shipping position and remove the adjustment knob from the
bottom of seat before proceeding with the instructions below.
1. Position the shoulder screws
(found on the base of the seat)
inside the slot openings in the
seat pivot bracket. Fig. 4.
2. Slide the seat slightly rear-
ward in the seat pivot bracket,
lining up the center rear slot in
the pivot bracket with the re-
maining hole in the seat's base.
3. Select desired position for the
seat, and secure with the adjust-
ment knob removed earlier.
4. To adjust the position of the seat on models so equipped,
loosen the adjustment knob on the bottom of the seat. Slide
the seat forward or backward as desired. Retighten the adjust-
ment knob.
Fig. 2
TIRE PRESSURE
WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under any circumstances
is 30 psi. Equal tire pressure should be maintained at all times.
Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure shown on the
sidewall of the tire.
The recommended operating tire pressure is:
• Approximately 10 psi for the rear tires.
• Approximately 14 psi for the front tires.
IMPORTANT: Refer to the tire sidewall for exact tire manu-
facturer's recommended or maximum psi. Do not overinflate.
Uneven tire pressure could cause the cutting deck to mow un-
evenly.
GAS AND OIL FILL-UP
OIL
IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the
engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before operat-
ing. Be careful not to overfill.
Service and check the engine oil as instructed in the separate
Engine Operator/Owner Manual packed with your tractor. Read
Fig. 3
the instructions carefully.
GASOLINE
The gasoline tank is located under the hood. Do not overfill.
WARNING: Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gaso-
line is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never
fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Ex-
tinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.
NOTE: Purchase gasoline in small quantities. Do not use gaso-
line left over from the previous season, to minimize gum de-
posits in the fuel system.
• This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline. For
best results, fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded
gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher.
E N G L I S H •
U s e r 's m an u al
Fig. 4
19