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28

TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS

PROBLEM

CAUSE

CORRECTION

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, 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, 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, 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. Freewheel control in “disengaged” position.

1. Place freewheel control in “engaged” position.

2. Debris on steering plate (if equipped).

2. See "CLEANING" in the maintenance section.

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

3. Replace motion drive belt.

4. Air trapped in transmission during 

shipment or servicing.

4. Purge transmission.

5. Axle key missing.

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

WHEEL" in the Service and Adjustments section.

Engine "back-

fires” when turn-

ing 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 M17538H

Page 1: ...mbly Operation Maintenance Service and Adjustments Storage Troubleshooting www mcculloch biz 532 43 38 90 OPERATOR S MANUAL MODEL NO M17538H 17 5 HP 38 INCH LAWN TRACTOR As rated by the engine manufac...

Page 2: ...dangerous Tires can lose traction with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs Watch for traffic when operatin...

Page 3: ...d 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 On slo...

Page 4: ...tructions under Maintenance and Stor age sections of this manual WARNING This tractor is equipped with an internal com bustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimprovedforest covered bru...

Page 5: ...D PARTS Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Seat 1 Seat Steering Boot Steering Extension Shaft Steering Wheel Adapter Key s Slope Sheet 1 Hex Bolt 1 Lock Washer 1 Large Flat Washer Steering Wheel Insert 1 W...

Page 6: ...urely Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness BEFORE REMOVING TRACTOR FROM SKID ATTACH STEERING WHEEL See Fig 1 ASSEMBLE EXTENSION SHAFT AND BOOT Slide extension shaft onto lower...

Page 7: ...kepedal Place freewheel control in transmission disengaged position See TO TRANSPORT in the Operation section of this manual Roll tractor forward off skid Removebandingholdingthedeflectorshieldupagain...

Page 8: ...and tightened securely All tires are properly inflated For shipping purposes the tires were overinflated at the factory Be sure mower deck is properly leveled side to side front to rear for best cutt...

Page 9: ...injury or 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 avo...

Page 10: ...e position D THROTTLE CHOKE CONTROL Used for starting and controlling engine speed E ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER Used to engage the mowerblades orotherattachmentsmountedtoyourtractor Our tractors conform...

Page 11: ...old Pull parking brake lever C up and hold release pres sure from clutch brake pedal B then release parking brake lever Pedal should remain in brake position Make sure parking brake will hold tractor...

Page 12: ...l position IMPORTANT THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES NOT RETURNTONEUTRALPOSITIONWHENTHECLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED To restart movement slowly release parking brake and clutch brake pedal Slowly move...

Page 13: ...operation you should change oil for easier starting See OIL VISCOSITY CHART in the Maintenance section of this manual To change engine oil see the Maintenance section in this manual TO TRANSPORT When...

Page 14: ...on of manual 3 Sitting in the tractor seat start engine After the engine is running move throttle control to slow position With motion control lever in neutral N position slowly disengage clutch brake...

Page 15: ...RECOMMENDATIONS The warranty on this tractor does not cover items that have beensubjectedtooperatorabuseornegligence Toreceive full value from the warranty operator must maintain tractor as instructe...

Page 16: ...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 17: ...L DRAIN EXTENSION OIL DRAIN PLUG TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE The transmission fan and cooling fins should be kept clean to assure proper cooling Do not attempt to clean fan or transmission while engine is r...

Page 18: ...type wax We do not recommend using a garden hose or pressure washer to clean your tractor unless the engine and trans mission are covered to keep water out Water in engine or transmission will shorten...

Page 19: ...urn the water on 6 While sitting in the operator s position on the tractor re start the engine and place the throttle lever in the Fast position IMPORTANT Recheck the area making certain the area is c...

Page 20: ...mower and disconnect mower suspension arm A from chassis pin B and rear lift link C from rear mower bracket D remove retainer springs and washers CAUTION AFTER REAR LIFT LINKS ARE DISCONNECTED THE AT...

Page 21: ...Repeat on opposite side of tractor ATTACH REAR LIFT LINKS C Lift rear corner of mower and position slot in link assembly over pin D on rear mower bracket and secure with washer and retainer spring Ins...

Page 22: ...stment nut will change mower height about 3 16 Test your adjustment by mowing some uncut grass and visually checking the appearance Readjust if necessary until you are satisfied with the results PRECI...

Page 23: ...lley grooves and inside all belt guides and keepers Install mower See TO INSTALL MOWER in this section of manual Fig 31 TO CHECK BRAKE If tractor requires more than five 5 feet to stop at highest spee...

Page 24: ...RNEU TRAL ADJUSTMENT See Fig 32 The motion control lever has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary Loosen adjustment bolt in front of the right rear wheel and lightly tight...

Page 25: ...ng may cause your tractor to run poorly stop running or prevent it from starting Check wiring TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal left to right whenwheels...

Page 26: ...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 27: ...ing 6 Check all wiring 7 Faulty ignition switch 7 Check replace ignition switch 8 Faulty solenoid or starter 8 Check replace solenoid or starter 9 Faulty operator presence switch es 9 Contact an autho...

Page 28: ...improperly installed 9 Reinstall blades sharp edge down 10 Improper blades used 10 Replace with blades listed in parts manual 11 Cloggedmowerdeckventholesfrombuildup of grass leaves trash around mand...

Page 29: ...29 SERVICE NOTES...

Page 30: ...30 SERVICE NOTES...

Page 31: ...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 32: ...www mcculloch biz 12 29 09 JA Printed in the U S A...

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