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16

S

ection

 5— o

peration

Stopping the Engine

WARNING! 

If you strike a foreign object, stop the 

engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and 

ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the 

machine for any damage. Repair the damage before 

restarting and operating.

1. 

If the blades are engaged, place the PTO 

(Blade Engage)

 

lever in the disengaged (OFF) position.

2. 

Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the STOP position. 

3. 

Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent 

unintended starting.

Driving The Tractor

WARNING! 

Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed 

and sudden stops.

WARNING! 

Do not leave the seat of the tractor 

without first placing the PTO 

(Blade Engage)

 lever in 

the disengaged (OFF) position, depressing the brake 

pedal and engaging the parking brake. If leaving 

the tractor unattended, also turn the ignition key off 

and remove the key.

WARNING! 

Always look down and behind before 

and while backing up to avoid a back-over accident.

1. 

Depress the clutch-brake pedal to release the parking 

brake and let the pedal up. 

2. 

Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit) position.

3. 

Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or REVERSE 

position.

CAUTION: 

Do NOT use the shift lever to change 

the direction of travel when the tractor is in motion. 

Always use the clutch-brake pedal to bring the 

tractor to a complete stop before shifting.

4. 

Release the parking brake by depressing the clutch-brake pedal 

and positioning the speed control lever in desired position.

IMPORTANT: 

First-time operators should use speed positions 1 

or 2. Become completely familiar with the tractor’s operation and 

controls before operating the tractor in higher speed positions.
5. 

Release clutch-brake pedal slowly to put unit into motion

6. 

The lawn tractor is brought to a stop by depressing the 

clutch-brake pedal.

NOTE: 

When operating the unit initially, there will be little 

difference between the highest two speeds until after the belts 

have seated themselves into the pulleys during the break-in 

period.

WARNING! 

Before leaving the operator’s position 

for any reason, disengage the blades, place the shift 

lever in neutral, engage the parking brake, shut 

engine off and remove the key.

IMPORTANT: 

When stopping the tractor for any reason while 

on a grass surface, always:
1. 

Place the shift lever in neutral, 

2. 

Engage the parking brake, 

3. 

Shut engine off and remove the key. 

Doing so will minimize the possibility of having your lawn 

‘‘browned’’ by hot exhaust from your tractor’s running 

engine.

If unit stalls with speed control in high speed, or if unit will not 

operate with speed control lever in a low speed position, proceed 

as follows:
1. 

Place shift lever in NEUTRAL.

2. 

Restart engine.

3. 

Place speed control lever in highest speed position.

4. 

Release clutch-brake pedal fully.

5. 

Depress clutch-brake pedal.

6. 

Place speed control lever in desired position.

7. 

Place shift lever in either FORWARD or REVERSE, and follow 

normal operating procedures.

Driving On Slopes

Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE in the Important Safe Operation 

Practices section in the front of this manual to help determine 

slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.

WARNING! 

Do not mow on inclines with a slope in 

excess of 15 degrees 

(a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet 

every 10 feet)

. The tractor could overturn and cause 

serious injury.

• 

Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.

• 

Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on 

slopes.

• 

Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden 

objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall 

grass can hide obstacles.

• 

Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be 

made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly 

increases the chance of a roll over.

• 

Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary 

to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and 

carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the tractor 

over backward.

Engaging the Blades

Engaging the PTO 

(Blade Engage)

 transfers power to the cutting 

deck. To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
1. 

Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) 

position.

2. 

Grasp the PTO 

(Blade Engage)

 lever and pivot it all the way 

forward into the engaged (ON) position.

3. 

Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the 

most efficient use of the cutting deck.

IMPORTANT: 

The PTO 

(Blade Engage)

 lever must be in the 

disengaged (OFF) position when starting the engine, when 

traveling in reverse, and if the operator leaves the seat.  Refer to 

Safety Interlock Switches in the Operation section of this manual.

Summary of Contents for TB-38

Page 1: ...ctices Set Up Operation Maintenance Service Troubleshooting Warranty WARNING READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE FAILURE TO COMPL...

Page 2: ...not be applicable to all models Troy Bilt reserves the right to change product specifications designs and equipment without notice and without incurring obligation If applicable the power testing info...

Page 3: ...ects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes 9 Wear sturdy rough soled work shoes and close fitting slacks and shirts Loose fitting clothes and jewelry can be caught in movable parts Never...

Page 4: ...mselves and others from serious injury 29 If situations occur which are not covered in this manual use care and good judgment Contact your customer service representative for assistance Slope Operatio...

Page 5: ...not shift to neutral and coast downhill Service Safe Handling of Gasoline 1 To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline Gasoline is extremely flammable and the v...

Page 6: ...to protect the environment 15 According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission CPSC and the U S Environmental Protection Agency EPA this product has an Average Useful Life of seven 7 years or 270...

Page 7: ...ren and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation DANGER THROWN OBJECTS This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury Remove objects whic...

Page 8: ...gauge up or down until the left corner touches the slope See Figure 1 and Figure 2 5 If there is a gap below the gauge the slope is too steep for safe operation See Figure 2 above 1 5 d a s h e d l i...

Page 9: ...ive battery terminal and attach the red cable to the positive battery terminal with the bolt and hex nut See Figure 3 1 2 Remove the plastic cover if present from the negative battery terminal and att...

Page 10: ...at for your tractor was not attached at the factory refer to the following steps NOTE For shipping reasons seats are either fastened to the tractor seat s pivot bracket with a plastic tie or mounted b...

Page 11: ...stem This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline For best results fill the fuel tank with only clean fresh unleaded gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher Gasohol up t...

Page 12: ...clarity Figure 4 1 Lawn Tractor controls and features are illustrated in Figure 4 1 and described on the following pages WARNING Read and follow all safety rules and instructions in this manual inclu...

Page 13: ...tailed instructions regarding the Ignition Switch Module On Lights Start Figure 4 2 Clutch Brake Pedal The clutch brake pedal is located on the left side of the lawn tractor along the running board De...

Page 14: ...ng or the engine will automatically shut off RUN PARK BRAKE ON PARK BRAKE OFF Deck Lift Lever Found on your tractor s right fender the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck...

Page 15: ...rake 1 Depress the clutch brake pedal and move the speed control lever out of the parking brake position and into a desired speed Setting the Cutting Height 1 Select the height position of the cutting...

Page 16: ...engine off and remove the key IMPORTANT When stopping the tractor for any reason while on a grass surface always 1 Place the shift lever in neutral 2 Engage the parking brake 3 Shut engine off and rem...

Page 17: ...ally if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center After the first two laps reverse the...

Page 18: ...push the end of the oil drain valve back in until the tabs click into place Re cap the end of the oil drain valve to keep debris from entering the drain port Maintenance WARNING Before performing any...

Page 19: ...pe the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove deposits Coat terminals and exposed wiring with grease or petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion 8 Replace the oil filter as instructed in the separa...

Page 20: ...distance necessary for proper adjustment and proceed if necessary to the next step 3 Locate the jam nut and lock nut on the front side of the stabilizer bracket See Figure 6 4 Figure 6 3 4 After loose...

Page 21: ...consult the specific engine operator s manual included with this machine for detailed engine maintenance procedures and intervals Seat Adjustment Refer to the Set Up and Assembly section of this manua...

Page 22: ...otch on the right fender 3 Remove the belt keeper rod from around the tractor s engine pulley by removing the self tapping screw A that secures it See Figure 7 1 NOTE Make a mental note what hole the...

Page 23: ...If the jumper battery is installed on a vehicle i e car truck do NOT start the vehicle s engine when jump starting your tractor 5 Start the tractor as instructed in the Operation section of this manu...

Page 24: ...has already been sharpened to within 1 5 8 from the edge or if any metal separation is present replace the blades with new ones See Figure 7 6 1 5 8 inch min Figure 7 6 CAUTION If the cutting edge of...

Page 25: ...n the right fender 2 Remove the belt guards by removing the self tapping screws that fasten them to the deck See Figure 7 7 3 Remove the belt keeper rod from around the engine pulley WARNING Avoid the...

Page 26: ...Drain fuel tank Refill with clean fresh gasoline 6 Replace air cleaner paper element or clean foam precleaner Engine overheats 1 Engine oil level low 2 Air flow restricted 1 Fill crankcase with proper...

Page 27: ...plate located under the seat Refer to page 2 for more information regarding locating your model and serial numbers Component Part Number and Description 954 04062 Deck Belt 918 04474B Deck Spindle 942...

Page 28: ...any type of ground engaging attachments e g tiller or plow Use of this type of equipment WILL void the tractor s warranty Model Number Description OEM 190 679 Bumper OEM 190 116 38 inch Deck Mulch Ki...

Page 29: ...Notes 11 29...

Page 30: ...30 Section 11 Notes...

Page 31: ...31 Section 11 Notes...

Page 32: ...ch as Blades Bump Knobs Outer Spools Cutting Line Inner Reels Starter Pulley Starter Ropes Drive Belts Saw Blades Guide Bars Cultivator Tines Spark Plugs Carburettor Adjustments and Filters which can...

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