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General Information

Thank you for purchasing this quality-built Ferris® Zero-

Turn Riding Mower. We’re pleased that you’ve placed

your confidence in the Ferris® brand. When operated and

maintained according to the manuals, your Ferris® product

will provide many years of dependable service. 
This Operator's Manual contains safety information to make

you aware of the hazards and risks associated with the

unit and how to avoid them. This product was designed to

be used as described in the Operator's Manual and is not

intended for any other purpose. It is important that you read

and thoroughly understand the instructions in the manual

before attempting to start, operate, or service the product.

Save these original instructions for future reference.

The images in this document are representative, and

are meant to complement the instructional copy they

accompany. Your unit may vary from the images

displayed. 

LEFT

 and 

RIGHT

 are as seen from the operator's

position. 
Ferris® is a registered trademark of Briggs & Stratton.

Identifying Your Unit

The following products are covered by this manual:
5902052, 5902053 & 5902056
The product identification tag (A, Figure 1) can be found in

the location shown.

1

Record your product model number, product serial number,

engine model number, and engine serial number in the space

provided for easy access.
When contacting your authorized service dealer for

replacement parts, service, of information you MUST have

these numbers.

Note: 

For the location of the engine identification numbers,

refer to the engine operator's manual.

PRODUCT REFERENCE DATA

Unit Model Number:
Unit Serial Number:
Mower Deck Model Number (if

applicable):
Mower Deck Serial Number (if

applicable):
Dealer Name:
Date Purchased:

ENGINE REFERENCE DATA

Engine Make:
Engine Model:
Engine Type / Specification:
Engine Code / Serial Number:

The Illustrated Parts Lists for this machine can be

downloaded from ferrismowers.com. Please provide model

and serial number when ordering replacement parts. 

Summary of Contents for 500S Series

Page 1: ...N o t f o r R e p r o d u c t i o n...

Page 2: ...placing the Fuel Filter 21 Check Engine Oil Level 22 Changing the Engine Oil and Filter 22 Clean the Engine Compartment Area with Pressurized Air and Water 22 Engine Maintenance 22 Containing Spilled...

Page 3: ...unit may vary from the images displayed LEFT and RIGHT are as seen from the operator s position Ferris is a registered trademark of Briggs Stratton Identifying Your Unit The following products are cov...

Page 4: ...he safety alert triangle in text signifies important cautions or warnings which must be followed Operating Safety Power equipment is only as safe as the operator If it is misused or not properly maint...

Page 5: ...book the unit is safe to operate The mower deck has spinning mower blades that can amputate hands and feet Do not allow anyone near the equipment while it is running To help you the operator use this...

Page 6: ...a smartphone or an angle finder tool WARNING Do not operate on slopes greater than 10 degrees 1 Use a straight edge at least two 2 feet long A Figure 2 A 2x4 or a straight piece of metal works well 2...

Page 7: ...tions for wheel weights or counterweights 20 Keep in mind the operator is responsible for accidents occurring to other people or property 21 All drivers should seek and obtain professional and practic...

Page 8: ...f an edge caves in Give yourself a minimum of two mower widths of clearance around these hazards 11 Do not use grass catchers on steep slopes 12 Do not mow slopes you cannot back up 13 Remove obstacle...

Page 9: ...ore restarting 6 Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running 7 Check grass catcher components and the discharge guard frequently and replace with manufacturer s recommended parts when ne...

Page 10: ...while the engine is running Stop the engine and wait until it is cool Even then use extreme care when removing the cap Safety Decals and Icons Read the safety decals before operating your unit The ca...

Page 11: ...regulations relating to fire prevention requirements Avoid serious injury or death Read the operator s manual before using this product Do not operate this machine unless you are trained Know the loc...

Page 12: ...ed control levers must be locked in the NEUTRAL position after the operator returns to the seat in order to start the engine Features and Controls Control Functions and Locations The information below...

Page 13: ...not require choking Pull the knob UP to close the choke Push the knob DOWN to open the choke PTO Power Take Off Switch The PTO switch engages and disengages the mower blades Pull UP on the switch to e...

Page 14: ...ve in an open area without mowing to become accustomed to the unit WARNING Never operate on slopes greater than 10 degrees Select slow ground speed before driving onto a slope Use extra caution when o...

Page 15: ...s to the middle position will stop rider movement Pivot the levers outward and lock them in NEUTRAL 2 Disengage the PTO by pushing down on the PTO switch 3 Engage the parking brake by pulling the park...

Page 16: ...efore attempting to do so near objects The rider turns sharply in reverse as well as forward and backing up straight takes practice Practice Turning Around A Corner 10 While traveling forward allow on...

Page 17: ...Stopping the Rider Mowing Recommendations Several factors can affect how well your machine cuts grass Following proper mowing recommendations can improve the performance and life of your machine Heigh...

Page 18: ...o fast using a slower ground speed will improve the cutting efficiency of the blades and prevents many common cutting problems Use an appropriate ground speed for the thickness and height of the grass...

Page 19: ...utting height will vary with climate time of year and quality of your lawn We recommend that you experiment with both the cutting height and ground speed until you achieve the best cut Start with a hi...

Page 20: ...rk plug opening is protected from foreign objects with a suitable cover If the unit can t be stored on a reasonable level surface chock the wheels Clean all grass and dirt from the mower Long Term Sto...

Page 21: ...en it away from the plug before beginning any maintenance or service procedures on order to prevent accidental ignition Adding Fuel WARNING Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive Fi...

Page 22: ...stall the oil drain hose to its storage position so it is retained during normal operation 5 Place an absorbent shop cloth under the engine oil filter D Remove the engine oil filter and replace with a...

Page 23: ...e implemented any time a hydraulic system has been opened to facilitate maintenance or any additional oil has been added to the system The resulting symptoms of air in the hydraulic system may be Nois...

Page 24: ...recommended and available through your normal parts source Lithium Complex EP 2 NLGI 2 grease may be used if 5022285 is not available Using a non compatible grease could damage or cause premature par...

Page 25: ...previous sharpening or wear A Figure 26 The air lifts are excessively eroded A Figure 27 and the notch B is 25 6 35 mm deep or greater The mower blade is broken or bent 26 27 3 If the cutting edges ar...

Page 26: ...evel position Installing Mower Blades 1 Reinstall each blade with the airlifts A Figure 30 pointing up towards the mower deck as shown Install the concave side of the washer B towards the blade Instal...

Page 27: ...djust the speed of the wheel that is traveling faster 1 Tighten the knob A Figure 33 of the faster wheel by 1 2 turn clockwise increments until the rider travels tracks straight WARNING Unsafe Operati...

Page 28: ...floor pan Reverse the removal procedure Neutral Adjustment The neutral system for this mower is a function of the transaxles 1 Drive the machine to a flat level surface Engage the parking brake and di...

Page 29: ...nce between the outside tips of the blades A Figure 38 and the ground B 38 The front measurements C should equal 4 10 2 cm The rear measurements D should equal 4 1 4 10 8 cm 8 If the measurements do n...

Page 30: ...to the increased tension in the spring as the idler arm is being rotated Injury may result if the breaker bar is prematurely released while the spring is under tension 3 Using a 1 2 breaker bar place...

Page 31: ...mower deck guards and the floor pan 8 Run the mower under no load condition for about five 5 minutes to break in the new belt Transmission Drive Belt Replacement This zero turn rider is equipped with...

Page 32: ...ming from it are highly explosive Ventilate the battery well during charging A dead battery or one too weak to start the engine may be the result of a defect in the charging system or other electrical...

Page 33: ...throttle Ground speed is too fast Decrease ground speed Cutting height set too low Cut tall grass at maximum cutting height during first pass Problem Engine stalls easily with mower engaged Discharge...

Page 34: ...Engine speed is too slow Always mow at full throttle Ground speed is too fast Slow down Deck is plugged with grass Clean out the mower Specifications Specifications are correct at time of printing an...

Page 35: ...shown above or at www onlineproductregistration com or mail the completed registration card if provided or call 1 800 743 4115 in USA Save your proof of purchase receipt If you do not provide proof of...

Page 36: ...N o t f o r R e p r o d u c t i o n...

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