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8

ASSEMBLY

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

The tires on your tractor were overinflated at the factory 

for shipping purposes.  Correct tire pressure is important 

for best cutting performance.
•  Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown on tires.

CHECK DECK LEVELNESS

For best cutting results, mower housing should be prop-

erly leveled.  See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the 

Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL 

BELTS

See the figures that are shown for replacing motion and 

mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments 

sec tion of this manual.  Verify that the belts are routed 

correctly.

CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM

After you learn how to operate your tractor, check to see that 

the brake is operating properly.  See “TO CHECK BRAKE” 

in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

CHECKLIST

BEFORE YOU OPERATE YOUR NEW  TRAC TOR, WE 

WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST 

PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM THIS 

QUALITY PRODUCT.
PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST:

  All assembly instructions have been com plet ed.

  No remaining loose parts in carton.

  Battery is properly prepared and charged. 

  Seat is adjusted comfortably 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 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 connections are still secure 

and wires are properly clamped.

  Before driving tractor, be sure free wheel control is in 

“transmission engaged” position (see “TO TRANS-

 PORT” in the Operation section of this man u al).

WHILE LEARNING HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR, PAY 

EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT 

ITEMS:

  Engine oil is at proper level.

  Fuel tank is filled with fresh, clean, regular unleaded 

gasoline.

  Become familiar with all controls, their location and 

function.  Operate them before you start the engine.

  Be sure brake system is in safe operating condition.

 

Be sure Operator Presence System and Reverse Op-

eration System (ROS) are working properly (See the 

Operation and Maintenance sections in this manual).

 

It is important to purge the transmission before op er at-

 ing your tractor for the first time.  Follow proper start-

ing and transmission purging instructions (See “TO 

START EN GINE” and “PURGE TRANSMISSION” in 

the Op er a tion section of this manual).

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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