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25

TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS

PROBLEM

CAUSE

CORRECTION

Excessive 

vibration

1. Worn, bent or loose blade.

1. Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.

2. Bent blade mandrel.

2. Replace blade mandrel.

3. Loose/damaged part(s).

3. Tighten loose part(s).  Replace damaged parts.

Engine continues 

to run when oper-

ator leaves seat 

with attachment 

clutch engaged

1. Faulty operator-safety presence control 

system.

1. Check wiring, switches  and connections.  If not 

corrected, contact an authorized service center/ 

department.

Poor cut - uneven

1. Worn, bent or loose blade.

1. Replace blade.  Tighten blade bolt.

2. Mower deck not level.

2. Level mower deck.

3. Buildup of grass, leaves, or trash under mower.

3. Clean underside of mower housing.

4. Bent blade mandrel.

4. Replace blade mandrel.

5. Clogged mower deck vent holes from buildup 

of grass, leaves, and trash around mandrels.

5. Clean around mandrels to open vent holes.

Mower blades will 

not rotate

1. Obstruction in clutch mechanism.

1. Remove obstruction.

2. Worn/damaged mower drive belt.

2. Replace mower drive belt.

3. Frozen idler pulley.

3. Replace idler pulley.

4. Frozen blade mandrel.

4. Replace blade mandrel.

Poor grass 

discharge

1. Engine speed too slow.

1. Place throttle control in “FAST” position.

2. Travel speed too fast.

2. Shift to slower speed.

3. Wet grass.

3. Allow grass to dry before mowing.

4. Mower deck not level.

4. Level mower deck.

5. Low/uneven tire air pressure.

5. Check tires for proper air pressure.

6. Worn, bent or loose blade.

6. Replace blade.  Tighten blade bolt.

7. Buildup of grass, leaves and trash under 

mower.

7. Clean underside of mower housing.

8. Mower drive belt worn.

8. Replace mower drive belt.

9. Blades improperly installed.

9. Reinstall blades sharp edge down.

10. Improper blades used.

10. Replace with blades listed in parts manual.

11. Clogged mower deck vent holes from buildup 

of grass, leaves, and trash around mandrels.

11. Clean around mandrels to open vent holes.

Headlight(s) not 

working

(if so equipped)

1. Switch is “OFF”.

1. Turn switch “ON”.

2. Bulb(s) or lamp(s) burned out.

2. Replace bulb(s) or lamp(s).

3. Faulty light switch.

3. Check/replace light switch.

4. Loose or damaged wiring.

4. Check wiring and connections.

5. Blown fuse.

5. Replace fuse.

Battery will not 

charge

1. Bad battery cell(s).

1. Replace battery.

2. Poor cable connections.

2. Check/clean all connections.

3. Faulty regulator (if so equipped).

3. Replace regulator.

4. Faulty alternator.

4. Replace alternator.

Loss of drive

1. Debris on steering plate (if equipped).

1. See "CLEANING" in the maintenance section.

2. Motion drive belt worn, damaged, or broken.

2. Replace motion drive belt.

3. Axle key missing.

3. Install axle key at rear wheel.  See "TO REMOVE 

WHEEL" in the Service and Adjustments section.

Engine “backfires”

 when turning 

engine “OFF”

1. Engine throttle control not set between 

half and full speed (fast) position before 

stopping engine.

1. Move throttle control between half and full speed 

(fast) position before stopping engine.

Engine dies when 

tractor is shifted 

into reverse

1. Reverse operation system (ROS) is not 

"ON" while mower or other attachment is 

engaged.

1. Turn ignition key to ROS "ON" position. See 

Operation section.

Summary of Contents for 532 43 27-66

Page 1: ...in the U S A www mcculloch biz Assembly Operation Customer Responsibilities Service and Adjustments Storage Troubleshooting OPERATOR S MANUAL MODEL NO MC18542LT 18 5 HP 42 INCH LAWN TRACTOR As rated...

Page 2: ...p engine and remove keys before dismounting Disengage blades when not mowing Shut off engine and wait for all parts to come to a complete stop before cleaning the machine removing the grass catcher or...

Page 3: ...h towed equipment except at the hitch point Follow the manufacturer s recommendation for weight limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment...

Page 4: ...secontactyournearestauthorizedservicecenter department We have competent well trained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair this tractor Please read and retain this manual The instruct...

Page 5: ...Steering Wheel Insert Seat 1 Seat Steering Boot Steering Extension Shaft Steering Wheel Adapter Keys 2 Keys Slope Sheet 1 Oil Drain Tube For Future Use 1 Hex Bolt 5 16 18 x 4 1 5 16 Lock Washer 1 Lar...

Page 6: ...f this manual for charging instructions For battery and battery cable installation see RE PLACINGBATTERY inthe ServiceandAdjustments section in this manual 02602 SEAT LABEL Fig 1 0 2 8 1 9 LOWER STEER...

Page 7: ...or best cutting results Tires must be properly inflated for leveling Check mower and drive belts Be sure they are routed properly around pulleys and inside all belt keepers Check wiring See that all c...

Page 8: ...death The safety alert symbol is used to identify safety inform ation about hazards which can result in death serious injury and or property damage DANGER indicates a hazard which if not avoided will...

Page 9: ...cts the speed and direction of the tractor IGNITION SWITCH Used for starting and stopping the engine Our tractors conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute Fig 4 PAR...

Page 10: ...ht HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR TO SET PARKING BRAKE See Fig 5 Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sens ing switch When engine is running any attempt by the operator to leave the seat withou...

Page 11: ...thenginerunning turnignitionkeycounterclockwise to ROS ON position Look down and behind before backing Move gear shift lever to reverse R position and slowly release clutch brake pedal to start moveme...

Page 12: ...on Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur TO START ENGINE See Fig 4 When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has run out of...

Page 13: ...the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished See Fig 8 Fig 8 If grass is extremely tall it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip pings Make firs...

Page 14: ...wear A new spark plug and clean air filter assure proper air fuel mixture and help your engine run better and last longer BEFORE EACH USE Check engine oil level Check brake operation Check tire pressu...

Page 15: ...e ignition switch in the ROS ON position and the attachment clutch engaged any attempt by the operator to shift into reverse should NOT shut off the engine BLADE CARE Forbestresultsmowerbladesmustbeke...

Page 16: ...pressure water or steam to clean transaxle TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL See Fig 12 Determine temperature range expected before oil change All oil must meet API service classification C Be sure tractor is on l...

Page 17: ...ure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline Fig 15 FUEL FILTER CLAMP CLAMP AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly using a dirty a...

Page 18: ...etainer springs Raise lift lever to raise suspension arms Slide mower out from under tractor IMPORTANT IFANATTACHMENTOTHERTHANTHEMOWER DECK IS TO BE MOUNTED ON THE TRACTOR REMOVE THE FRONT LINKS AND H...

Page 19: ...ghten lift link adjustment nut on that side To lower one side of mower loosen lift link adjustment nut on that side NOTE Each full turn of adjustment nut will change mower height about 1 8 Recheck mea...

Page 20: ...ING IDLER ENGINE PULLEY CENTER SPAN KEEPER TO CHECK BRAKE If tractor requires more than five 5 feet to stop at highest speed in highest gear on a level dry concrete or paved surface then brake must be...

Page 21: ...hort against tractor chassis ConnectoneendoftheBLACKcabletotheNEGATIVE terminal C of fully charged battery Connect the other end of the BLACK cable D to good chassis ground away from fuel tank and bat...

Page 22: ...JUST CARBURETOR Your carburetor is not adjustable If your engine does not operate properly due to suspected carburetor problems take your tractor to an authorized service center for repair and or adju...

Page 23: ...UELSYSTEMPARTSSUCH AS CARBURETOR FUEL FILTER FUEL HOSE OR TANK DURING STORAGE ALSO EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT ALCOHOL BLENDED FUELS CALLED GASOHOL OR USING ETHANOLORMETHANOL CANATTRACTMOISTUREWHICH LEA...

Page 24: ...wn fuse 4 Replace fuse 5 Corroded battery terminals 5 Clean battery terminals 6 Loose or damaged wiring 6 Check all wiring 7 Faulty ignition switch 7 Check replace ignition switch 8 Faulty solenoid or...

Page 25: ...Replace blade Tighten blade bolt 7 Buildup of grass leaves and trash under mower 7 Clean underside of mower housing 8 Mower drive belt worn 8 Replace mower drive belt 9 Blades improperly installed 9 R...

Page 26: ...26 SERVICE NOTES...

Page 27: ...never across the face Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes 1 Fold this page a...

Page 28: ...l or commercial purposes is limited to 90 days from the date of original purchase 5 This Warranty applies only to products which have been properly assembled adjusted operated and maintained in accor...

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