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This technique turns the rider LEFT and slightly overlaps

the row just cut, eliminating the need to back up and re-cut

missed grass.

As you become more familiar and experienced with operating

the zero-turn riding mower, you will learn more maneuvers

that will make your mowing time easier and more enjoyable.

Remember, the more you practice, the better your control

of the Zero Turn will be!

Operating on Slopes

Learn how to operate the stand-on mower on slopes and

use your body position to improve traction and control of

the mower.

Operation on slopes can be dangerous. Slopes are a major

factor related to accidents, which can result in severe injury or

death. Using the unit on a slope that is too steep where you

do not have adequate wheel traction (and control) can cause

sliding, loss of steering, control, and possible rollover. If you

feel unsure about operating the unit on a slope, don’t do it. It’s

not worth the risk.

Mow across slopes, NOT up and down:

• Lean your body slightly rearward and towards the uphill

side drive wheel, while keeping a firm grip on the control

levers. This body position adds more weight to the uphill

side drive wheel to maximize traction and control.

• Do NOT accelerate quickly, as this may cause the

mower’s front wheels to come off the ground.

Mow up and down slopes (only if you cannot mow across

the slope):

• It is recommended to mow up and down slopes only

when you cannot mow across slopes.

• Mow up the slope and lean your body forward (towards

the control panel), while keeping a firm grip on the control

levers. This body position helps keep the front wheels on

the ground.

• Mow down the slope and lean your body rearward with

your arms out-stretched, while keeping a firm grip on the

handlebar. This body position adds more weight to the

drive wheels and improves traction, downhill braking, and

control.

• Always be very gentle operating the controls, travel at a

slower

 speed than normal.

• Do NOT accelerate quickly or change speed or direction

suddenly while mowing, as this may cause the mower’s

front wheels to come off the ground (up slopes) and to

reduce the tendency to cause the mower to slip and slide

(down slopes).

Mowing

1. Engage the parking brake. Make sure that the PTO

switch is disengaged, the ground speed control levers are

in the NEUTRAL position, and the operator in standing of

the operator platform.

2. Start the engine. See 

Starting the Engine

.

3. Set the cutting height.
4. Set the throttle to the 1/2 throttle position.

Note: 

It is best practice to engage the PTO with the throttle

set at the minimum throttle position necessary to engage the

deck drive system without stalling the engine.

5. Engage the PTO by pulling up on the PTO switch.
6. Move the throttle to the "FAST" position and begin

mowing.

7. When finished, reduce throttle speed so that the engine

idles and push the PTO switch down to shut off the PTO.

8. Stop the engine. See 

Stopping the Unit

.

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.

Height of Grass

Often cutting height is a matter of personal preference.

Typically, you should mow the grass when it is between three

and five inches high. The proper cutting height range for

a specific lawn will depend upon several factors, including

the type of grass, the amount of rainfall, the prevailing

temperature, and the lawn’s overall condition.
Cutting the grass too short causes weak, thin grass plants,

which are easily damaged by dry periods and pests. Cutting

too short is often more damaging than allowing the grass to

be slightly higher.
Letting grass grow a bit longer—especially when it is hot and

dry—reduces heat build-up, preserves needed moisture and

protects the grass from heat damage and other problems.

However, allowing grass to grow too high can cause thin turf

and additional problems.
Cutting off too much at one time shocks the plant’s growth

system and weakens the grass plants. 

A good rule of thumb

is the 1/3 rule: to cut no more than one third of the grass

height, and never more than 1 inch at a time.

15

Summary of Contents for 5901546

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

Page 2: ...e Engine Oil and Filter 23 Engine Maintenance 23 Service Air Filter 23 Inspect Muffler and Spark Arrester 23 Raise and Lower the Operator Support Cushion 23 Fuse Location and Identification 24 Check F...

Page 3: ...n The product identification tag A Figure 1 can be found on the right side of the frame beneath the battery box mount 1 PRODUCT REFERENCE DATA Unit Model Number Unit Serial Number Mower Deck Model Num...

Page 4: ...Be sure to completely read the Safety Rules and Information found on the following pages Also completely read the Operation section Children Tragic accidents can occur with children Do not allow them...

Page 5: ...ly if the system does not pass all the safety interlock system tests found in this manual Retaining Walls Drop Offs and Water Retaining walls and drop offs around steps and water are a common hazard G...

Page 6: ...come familiar with the safe operation of the equipment operator controls and safety signs All operators and mechanics should be trained The owner is responsible for training the users Only allow respo...

Page 7: ...mowing Use care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck Use care when approaching blind corners shrubs trees or other objects that may obscure vision To reduce fire hazard keep...

Page 8: ...ay fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe unit operation Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride and be run over or bac...

Page 9: ...could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown Frequently check components and replace with manufacturer s recommended parts when necessary Check brake operation frequently Adjust and servic...

Page 10: ...rt No 7101665 Decal Danger B Part No 5109418 Decal Warning Fuel Overfill C Part No 5105081 Decal Dash Panel LH Controls D Part No 5105095 Decal Dash Panel RH Warning Controls E Part No 5104636 Decal D...

Page 11: ...ng brake lever is in the DISENGAGED position Test 2 Engine SHOULD crank if The parking brake lever is in the ENGAGED position Test 3 Engine should SHUT OFF if The ignition switch is turned to the OFF...

Page 12: ...m I Transaxle Release Levers Located behind Operator Support Cushion Deck Lift Lever Cutting Height Adjustment Pin and Deck Lift Release Button The deck lift lever B Figure 5 cutting height adjustment...

Page 13: ...position the faster the drive wheel will turn See Driving the Zero Turn Riding Mower section for steering instructions Parking Brake Pull the parking brake lever rearward and up to engage the parking...

Page 14: ...orded hours are always visible even when the engine is OFF Choke Close the choke for cold starting Open the choke once the engine starts A warm engine may not require choking Pull the knob UP to close...

Page 15: ...the engine throttle control to FAST throttle position Then fully close the choke by pulling the knob OUT fully 3 Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to START 4 After the engine starts...

Page 16: ...at the slowest speed setting position 1 be used until the operator is comfortable driving the machine To adjust the Maximum Forward Speed Bar to the desired position 1 Bring the mower to a complete st...

Page 17: ...peat several times Note To prevent pivoting directly on the tire tread it is best to keep both wheels going at least slightly forward Practice Turning In Place 13 To turn in place Zero Turn gradually...

Page 18: ...accelerate quickly or change speed or direction suddenly while mowing as this may cause the mower s front wheels to come off the ground up slopes and to reduce the tendency to cause the mower to slip...

Page 19: ...des must also be considered Cut long straight strips overlapping slightly Where possible change patterns occasionally to eliminate matting graining or a corrugated appearance For a truly professional...

Page 20: ...the top inch to 3 4 inch of grass blade This provides short clippings which decompose properly much more quickly than longer clippings The ideal cutting height will vary with climate time of year and...

Page 21: ...in unit disconnect the negative cable 10 Drain fuel system completely or add a gasoline stabilizer to the fuel system If you have chosen to use a fuel stabilizer and have not drained the fuel system...

Page 22: ...the spark plug wire s and fasten it away from the plug before beginning any maintenance or service procedures on order to prevent accidental ignition Checking Adding Fuel WARNING Gasoline is highly f...

Page 23: ...pan under the oil drain hose to catch the oil Using the appropriate tools remove the oil drain cap from the oil drain hose and drain the engine oil 5 After draining replace the cap and wipe up any sp...

Page 24: ...heck the oil level when the unit is cold The oil should be up to the FULL COLD mark B on the transmission oil tanks If the oil is below this level proceed to step 3 3 Before removing the tank cap C ma...

Page 25: ...procedure Purging Air from the Hydraulic System 1 Chock the front wheels to prevent the machine from rolling Raise the rear of the machine so that the vehicle s rear tires do not contact the ground P...

Page 26: ...e p n 5022285 is recommended automotive type high temperature lithium grease may be used when this is not available The operator platform and suspension pivot bearings A Figure 28 are greased at the f...

Page 27: ...id injury a worn or damaged mower blade can break and a piece of the blade could be thrown into the operator s area or bystander s area resulting in serious personal injury or death Inspect the mower...

Page 28: ...sulting in thrown debris Be sure blade is balanced before installing 1 Clean the mower blade to remove any dried grass or other debris 2 Clamp a nail in a bench vise hang the mower blade on the nail a...

Page 29: ...justment pin To set the cutting height at 4 1 2 11 4 cm 1 Pull the deck lift lever back towards the operator position until it locks into the 4 1 2 11 4 cm TRANSPORT position 2 Place the cutting heigh...

Page 30: ...st the position of the parking brake lever Locate the threaded linkage rod A Figure 40 that connects the parking brake lever to the neutral lockout shaft Loosen the two jam nuts B and turn the rod C u...

Page 31: ...achievable by only adjusting the right hand side motion control rod and the left hand motion control rod C must be adjusted by turning it in the opposite direction that you turned the right hand moti...

Page 32: ...eeds to be changed less than 1 2 1 27 cm the mower deck the deck linkages must be adjusted see step 6 46 3 Place blocking underneath all four corners of the mower deck 4 Re position the hardware that...

Page 33: ...are end in the opening in the idler arm B and rotate the idler arm clockwise which will relieve the tension on the belt exerted from the idler arm 4 Slide the belt over the edge of the left hand side...

Page 34: ...eing rotated Injury may result if the breaker bar is prematurely released while the spring is under tension 4 Using the 1 2 breaker bar place the square end in the opening in the idler arm B and rotat...

Page 35: ...n on the belt exerted from the idler arm 4 Slide the drive belt over the edge of the right hand side spindle pulley C Carefully release the tension on the breaker bar 5 Remove the old belt and replace...

Page 36: ...ble idler pulley I Carefully release the tension on the breaker bar 9 Remove the old belt and replace with a new one Make sure that the V side of the belt runs in the grooves of the transmission pulle...

Page 37: ...hine 56 3 Measure the distance B from the top of the threaded parking brake shaft C to the top of the adjustment nut D The measurement should equal 3 8 1 2 0 95 cm 1 27 cm If not position the adjustme...

Page 38: ...t to warm before adding water because the water level will rise as it warms Also an extremely cold battery will not accept a normal charge until it becomes warm 3 Always unplug or turn the charger off...

Page 39: ...necting at the discharged battery first and then disconnect the opposite end from the booster battery 12 Discard the damp cloths that were placed over the battery vent caps WARNING Any procedure other...

Page 40: ...on release lever s in disengaged position Move transmission release lever s to the engaged position Transmission drive belt is broken See Transmission Drive Belt Replacement Problem Engine runs but mo...

Page 41: ...ck Tire pressure is low or uneven Check and inflate the tires Problem Stepped Cutting Stepped cutting is sharp ridges or uneven levels left in the lawn surface Stepped cutting is usually caused by mow...

Page 42: ...urs the warranty is based on the engine hours as displayed by the hour meter Warranty Statement BRIGGS STRATTON WARRANTY POLICY November 2018 LIMITED WARRANTY Briggs Stratton warrants that during the...

Page 43: ...or abuse improper maintenance or repair normal wear and tear or stale or unapproved fuel Improper Use and Abuse The proper intended use of this product is described in the Operator s Manual Using the...

Page 44: ...N o t f o r R e p r o d u c t i o n...

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