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www.Simplicitymfg.com

Operator Safety

Safety Decals

Before operating your unit, read the safety decals.  The 
cautions and warnings are for your safety. To avoid a 
personal injury or damage to the unit, understand and follow 
all the safety decals.

1

3

2

4

 4

1

2

3

 4

 5

(Located by transmissions).

WARNING

If any safety decals become worn or damaged, and cannot 
be read, ordere replacement decals from your local 
dealer.

Not 

for  

Reproduction

Summary of Contents for ZT3500 Series

Page 1: ...ers Mfg No Description 5900506 ZT3500B2448 Simplicity ZT3500Z Zero Turn Rider with 48 Mower 5900521 ZT3500B2748 Simplicity ZT3500Z Zero Turn Rider with 48 Mower ZT3500 Series OPERATOR S MANUAL N o t f o r R e p r o d u c t i o n ...

Page 2: ...and these instructions thoroughly before attempting to start or operate this equipment Save these original instructions for future reference See Features and Controls for the location of Identification Numbers WARNING Battery posts terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead components chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm Wash hands after han...

Page 3: ...Schedule 23 Checking Adding Fuel 24 Fuel Filter 24 Oil Filter Change 24 Lubrication 25 Check Transmission Oil Level 26 Transmission Oil Filter Change 26 Servicing the Mower Blades 27 Ground Speed Control Lever Adjustment 29 Speed Balancing Adjustment 29 Neutral Adjustment 29 Parking Brake Adjustment 30 Return to Neutral Adjustment 31 Deck Rod Timing Adjustment 32 Deck Leveling Adjustment 32 Mower ...

Page 4: ...tact your local authorized dealer Read the Manual The operator s manual contains important safety information you need to be aware of BEFORE you operate your unit as well as DURING operation Safe operating techniques an explanation of the product s features and controls and maintenance information is included to help you get the most out of your equipment investment Be sure to completely read the ...

Page 5: ... up and throw debris that could seriously injure a bystander Be sure to clean up the area to be mowed and remove objects that could be thrown by the blade BEFORE you start mowing Do not operate this unit without the entire grass catcher or discharge guard deflector in place Also do not allow anyone in the area while the unit is running If someone does enter the area shut the unit off immediately u...

Page 6: ...t Keep the unit free of grass leaves and excess oil Be sure to perform the maintenance procedures listed in this manual especially periodically testing the safety system Retaining Walls Drop offs and Water Retaining walls and drop offs around steps and water are a common hazard Give yourself a minimum of two mower widths of clearance around these hazards and hand trim with a walk behind mower or s...

Page 7: ...ees or other objects that may obscure vision 24 To reduce fire hazard keep unit free of grass leaves excess oil Do not stop or park over dry leaves grass or combustible materials Training 1 Read understand and follow all instructions in the manual and on the unit before starting If the operator s or mechanic s can not read English it is the owner s responsibility to explain this material to them 2...

Page 8: ...ause loss of traction and loss of control 5 Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop 6 Do not shift to neutral and coast down hill Children Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children Children are often attracted to the unit and the mowing activity Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them 1 Keep children out of the mowing area and...

Page 9: ... spillage 10 Let engine cool before storing and do not store near flame 11 Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object Repair if necessary before restarting 12 Park machine on level ground Never allow untrained personnel to service machine 13 Use jack stands to support components when required 14 Carefully release pressure from components with stored energy 15 Disconnect battery or remo...

Page 10: ...warnings are for your safety To avoid a personal injury or damage to the unit understand and follow all the safety decals 1 3 2 4 4 1 2 3 4 5 Located by transmissions WARNING If any safety decals become worn or damaged and cannot be read ordere replacement decals from your local dealer N o t f o r R e p r o d u c t i o n ...

Page 11: ...ion after the operator returns to the seat in order to start the engine WARNING If the unit does not pass a safety test do not operate it See your authorized dealer Under no circumstance should you attempt to defeat the purpose of the safety interlock system Safety Icons The alert symbol is used to identity safety information about hazards that can result in personal injury A signal word DANGER WA...

Page 12: ...acting your authorized dealer for replacement parts service or information you MUST have these numbers Record your part number serial number and engine serial numbers in the space provided on the inside front cover for easy access These numbers can be found in the locations shown in Figure 1 NOTE For location of engine identification numbers refer to the engine owner s manual Figure 1 Identificati...

Page 13: ...r increases the REVERSE speed Note The further a lever is moved away from the neutral position the faster the drive wheel will turn See the Operation section for proper steering instructions Seat Adjustment Lever The seat can be adjusted forward and back Move the lever towards the left position the seat as desired and release the lever to lock the seat in position Ignition Switch The ignition swit...

Page 14: ...g brake must be engaged PTO Power Take Off Switch The PTO switch engages and disengages the mower Pull UP on the switch to engage and push DOWN to disengage Deck Lift Pedal Cutting Height Adjustment Pin Deck Lift Lock Lever These control the cutting height of the mower deck Depress the pedal until it locks into the 4 1 2 11 47 cm position Place the adjustment pin in the desired cutting height and ...

Page 15: ... parking brake disengage the PTO stop the engine and remove the key To reduce fire hazard keep the engine tractor and mower free of grass leaves and excess grease Do not stop or park tractor over dry leaves grass or combustible materials Gasoline is highly flammable and must be handled with care Never fill the tank when the engine is still hot from recent operation Do not allow open flame smoking ...

Page 16: ...e seat into position Figure 4 Checking Tire Pressure Check Tire Pressures Tire pressure should be checked periodically and maintained at the levels shown in the chart Note that these pressures may differ slightly from the Max Inflation stamped on the side wall of the tires The pressures shown provide proper traction improve cut quality and extend tire life A Tire Pressure Front 25 psi 1 72 bar Rea...

Page 17: ...al Position A B C D C Figure 6 Mowing Height Adjustment A Cutting Height Adjustment Pin B Deck Lift Foot Pedal C Deck Lift Lock lever A B Mowing Height Adjustment The cutting height adjustment pin A Figure 6 controls the mower cutting height The cutting height is adjustable between 1 1 2 3 37 cm and 4 1 2 11 47 cm in 1 4 0 64 cm increments 1 Depress the deck lift foot pedal B until it locks into t...

Page 18: ...em in NEUTRAL 2 Disengage the PTO by pushing down on the PTO switch 3 Engage the parking brake by pulling the handle up until it locks into position 4 Move the throttle control to mid throttle position and turn the ignition key to OFF Remove the key WARNING If you do not understand how a specific control functions or have not yet thoroughly read the FEATURES CONTROLS section do so now Do NOT attem...

Page 19: ...d Forward Travel Practice Gradually move both ground speed control levers evenly FORWARD from neutral Slow down and repeat NOTE Straight forward travel takes practice If necessary top speed can be balance adjusted see the Speed Balancing Adjustment in the Adjustments section near the back of this manual Reverse Travel Practice LOOK DOWN BEHIND then gradually move both ground speed control levers e...

Page 20: ...e Zero Turn rider 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 Practice Turning Around a Corner While traveling forward allow one lever to gradually return back toward neutral Repeat several times NOTE To prevent pivoting directly on the tire tread it is best to keep both whee...

Page 21: ...mendations 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 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 ov...

Page 22: ...d 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 you are cutting 3rd gear or slower for manual gear models If you hear the engine slowing down you are mowing too fast use a slower ground speed Mowing Methods Proper Broadcast Mowing Broadcasting or side discharging disperses fine c...

Page 23: ...on properly if the grass is wet or if the grass is simply to high to cut Even more than normal mowing mulching requires that the grass be dry and the the appropriate amount is cut Do not use the mower as a mulching mower during the first two or three mowings in the spring The long grass blades quick growth and often wetter conditions are more suitable for broadcasting side discharging or grass bag...

Page 24: ...ol dry place and fully charged about once a month If battery is left in unit disconnect the negative cable WARNING Never store the unit with gasoline in engine or fuel tank in a heated shelter or in enclosed poorly ventilated enclosures Gasoline fumes may reach an open flame spark or pilot light such as a furnace water heater clothes dryer etc and cause an explosion Handle gasoline carefully It is...

Page 25: ...all Check Rider Mower for loose hardware Clean Deck Check Replace Mower Blades Lubricate Rider Mower Clean Battery Cables Check Tire Pressure Check Transmission Oil Change Transmission Oil Filter Engine Maintenance Before Each Use Every 5 Hours Every 25 Hours Every 100 Hours Every 250 Hours Spring Fall Check Engine Oil Level Check Clean Cooling Fins Intake Service Air Filter Change Oil Filter Chec...

Page 26: ...n hose is retained during normal operation 5 Place an absorbent shop cloth under the engine oil filter Remove the engine oil filter and replace with a new one 6 Remove the engine oil dipstick E that is located on the left side of the engine and refill with new oil Refer to the engine operator s manual for oil recommendations 7 Remove the shop cloth and wipe up any spilled oil Inspect Muffler and S...

Page 27: ... discharge chute hinge Generally all moving metal parts should be oiled where contact is made with other parts Keep oil and grease off belts and pulleys Remember to wipe fittings and surfaces clean both before and after lubrication Lubricating the Front Casters NOTE Front casters should be lubricated annually 1 Remove the 1 4 28 bolt A Figure 23 screwed into the front caster and install a 1 4 28 g...

Page 28: ... 4 Apply a film of new oil to the gasket of the new replacement filter After the oil has drained thread the new filter onto the filter base until the gasket makes contact then tighten 3 4 of a turn more 5 Reinstall the filter guard with the three 1 4 filter guard screws 6 Using a hex bit swivel socket or a modified allen wrench remove the top port plug from the transmissions 7 Remove the transmiss...

Page 29: ...Mower Blades 1 Remove the mower blade from the unit See Removing the Blade 2 Inspect the mower blade Figures 27 28 Discard the mower blade if it has any of the below conditions A Has more than 5 12 7 mm of the mower blade metal removed from previous sharpening or wear D Figure 27 B The air lifts are excessively eroded B C Figure 28 and the notch C is 25 6 35 mm deep or greater C Mower blade is ben...

Page 30: ... the mower blade moves downward sharpen the heavy end until the mower blade is balanced See Sharpening the Mower Blades for proper sharpening instructions 4 Repeat the process until the mower blade remains in the horizontal position Reinstalling the Mower Blades 1 Reinstall each mower blade with the air lifts pointing up towards the mower deck as shown in Figure 31 Secure with the mower blade moun...

Page 31: ... the right or left when the ground speed control levers are in the maximum forward position the top speed of each of these levers can be balanced by turning the adjustment bolt s A Figure 33 Only adjust the speed of the wheel that is traveling faster To Reduce the Speed of the Faster Wheel 1 Loosen the securing nut 2 Turn the top speed adjustment bolt COUNTER CLOCKWISE to reduce the speed 3 Retigh...

Page 32: ...o gain access to the parking brake components 3 Measure the distance from the top of the brake spring rod C Figure 34 to the top of the lock nut D on both sides of the unit The measurement should be 50 1 27 cm If not adjust the locknut to achieve the measurement of 50 1 27 cm 4 Measure the distance between the bottom of the brake shaft weldment G and the top of the set collar F The measurement sho...

Page 33: ... front of the machine is used to lock the rod in place Loosen the jam nut that locks against the ball joint and turn the linkage rod to adjust If the machine creeps forward turn the linkage rod CLOCKWISE while standing at the rear of the machine facing forward If the machine creeps backward turn the rod COUNTER CLOCKWISE Regular Maintenance Figure 35 Return to Neutral Adjustment A Jam Nuts B Neutr...

Page 34: ...pivots or counterclockwise to lengthen the distance between the rod pivots Reinstall the clevis on the lift pivot arm and secure with the 1 2 clevis pin previously removed Tighten the jam nut against the clevis 8 Remove the blocks from the under the mower deck 9 Remove the cutting height adjustment pin from in front of the deck lift pedal arm Lift mower deck and reinstall adjustment pin in desired...

Page 35: ...ionary idler pulley B Carefully release the tension on the breaker bar 7 Reinstall the mower deck guards 8 Run the mower under no load condition for about 5 minutes to break in the new belt WARNING Use extreme caution when rotating the idler arm with the breaker bar due to the increased tension in the spring as the idler arm is being rotated Injury may result if the breaker bar is prematurely rele...

Page 36: ... the coil length of the mower belt tensioner spring A Figure 42 The measurement should equal 7 17 8 cm If the measurement does not equal 7 17 8 cm adjust the anchor eyebolt B Adjusting the Mower Belt Idler Spring Length 1 Loosen the jam nut C 2 Turn the adjustment nut D until a measurement of 7 17 8 cm is achieved 3 Retighten the jam nut 7 17 8 cm D C B A Figure 42 Adjusting the Mower Belt Idler S...

Page 37: ... the tension WARNING STORED ENERGY DEVICE Improper release of the belt tension spring can result in personal injury Use extreme caution when removing this spring E F G A B C 5 Remove the old belt and replace it with the new one Make sure the V side of the belt runs in the grooves of the crankshaft pulley and the transmission pulleys B C 6 Reinstall the spring anchor eyebolt G into the anchor tab a...

Page 38: ... cable ends with a wire brush until shiny 3 Reinstall the battery and reattach the battery cables positive red cable first A 4 Coat the cable ends and battery terminals with petroleum jelly or non conducting grease WARNING Be careful when handling the battery Avoid spilling electrolyte Keep flames and sparks away from the battery When removing or installing battery cables disconnect the negative c...

Page 39: ...once per hour The battery is fully charged when the cells are gassing freely at low charging rate and less than 0 003 change in specific gravity occurs over a three hour period WARNING Keep open flames and sparks away from the battery the gasses coming from it are highly explosive Ventilate the battery well during charging Jump Starting With Auxiliary Booster Battery Jump starting is not recommend...

Page 40: ...jumper cables as long as the battery remains frozen WARNING For your personal safety use extreme care when jump starting Never expose battery to open flame or electric spark battery action generates hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive Do not allow battery acid to contact skin eyes fabrics or painted surfaces Batteries contain a sulfuric acid solution which can cause serious personal inju...

Page 41: ... then refill the fuel tank 5 Engine flooded 5 Move choke control to closed position 6 Fuse blown 6 Replace fuse 7 Battery terminals require 7 Clean the battery terminals cleaning 8 Battery discharged or dead 8 Recharge or replace 9 Wiring loose or broken 9 Visually check wiring replace broken or frayed wires Tighten loose connections 10 Solenoid or starter motor faulty 10 Repair or replace See aut...

Page 42: ...r damaged Engine stalls easily with 1 Engine speed too slow 1 Set to full throttle mower engaged 2 Ground speed too fast 2 Decrease Ground Speed 3 Cutting height set too low 3 Cut tall grass at maximum cutting height during first pass 4 Discharge chute jamming 4 Cut grass with discharge pointing toward with cut grass previously cut area Excessive mower vibration 1 Blade mounting bolts are loose 1 ...

Page 43: ...rly inflated 3 Blades are damaged 4 Deck shell is damaged 5 Mower spindle is bent or loose 6 Blades are installed incorrectly 1 Level the deck correctly 2 Check and inflate the tires 3 Replace the blades 4 Repair or replace the deck 5 Repair or replace the spindle 6 Reinstall the blades correctly Uneven Cutting 1 Deck is not leveled correctly 2 Blades are dull or worn 3 Blades are damaged 4 Deck i...

Page 44: ...ong other things ambient operating conditions and engine to engine variability Given the wide array of products on which engines are placed the gas engine may not develop the rated gross power when used in a given piece of power equipment This difference is due to a variety of factors including but not limited to the variety of engine components air cleaner exhaust charging cooling carburetor fuel...

Page 45: ...ne pole a fence post or any vertical structure 3 Compare the angle of the fold with the angle of the hill SLOPE INDENTIFICATION GUIDE ALIGN THIS EDGE WITH A VERTICAL SURFACE TREE POLE FENCE POST BUILDING ETC COMPARE THE ANGLE OF THE FOLD TO THE ANGLE OF THE SLOPE 2 3 T H I S I S A 1 0 D E G R E E S L O P E FOLD ALONG APPROPRIATE DOTTED LINE 1 N o t f o r R e p r o d u c t i o n ...

Page 46: ...Notes N o t f o r R e p r o d u c t i o n ...

Page 47: ...ice is requested the manufacturing date of the product will be used to determine warranty eligibility ABOUT YOUR WARRANTY We welcome warranty repair and apologize to you for being inconvenienced Warranty service is available only through servicing dealers authorized by Briggs Stratton or BSPPG LLC Most warranty repairs are handled routinely but sometimes requests for warranty service may not be ap...

Page 48: ...OPERATOR S MANUAL N o t f o r R e p r o d u c t i o n ...

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