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Customer Support

Please do NOT return the machine to the retailer or dealer without first contacting our Customer Support Department.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of 

this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
◊  Visit us on the web at www.troybilt.com

  See How-to Maintenance and Parts Installation Videos at 

www.troybilt.com/tutorials

◊  Call a Customer Support Representative at (800) 828-5500 or (330) 558-7220
◊  Write us at Troy-Bilt LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019

Thank you for purchasing a lawn tractor manufactured by 

Troy-Bilt.  It was carefully engineered to provide excellent 

performance when properly operated and maintained. 
Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.  

It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and 

maintain your machine.  Please be sure that you, and any other 

persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the 

recommended safety practices at all times.  Failure to do so could 

result in personal injury or property damage. 
All information in this manual is relative to the most recent 

product information available at the time of printing.  Review 

this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine, 

its features and operation.  Please be aware that this Operator’s 

Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various 

models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated 

in this manual may 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 information used to establish 

the power rating of the engine equipped on this machine can be 

found at www.opei.org or the engine manufacturer’s web site. 
If you have any problems or questions concerning the machine, 

phone a authorized Troy-Bilt service dealer or contact us directly.  

Troy-Bilt’s Customer Support telephone numbers, website 

address and mailing address can be found on this page. We want 

to ensure your complete satisfaction at all times.
Throughout this manual, all references to 

right

 and 

left

 side of the 

machine  are observed from the operating position
The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related 

issues with regards to performance, power-rating, specifications, 

warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s 

Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your 

machine, for more information.

Thank You

Record Product Information

Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please 

locate the model plate on the equipment and record the 

information in the provided area to the right. You can locate the 

model plate by looking beneath the seat. This information will 

be necessary, should you seek technical support via our web site, 

Customer Support Department, or with a local authorized service 

dealer.

M

odel

 N

uMber

S

erial

 N

uMber

To The Owner

1

2

Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 3

Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 9

Controls & Features ................................................12

Operation ................................................................15

Maintenance  & Adjustment .................................18

Service .................................................................... 22

Troubleshooting .................................................... 26

Replacement Parts ................................................ 27

Attachments & Accessories .................................. 28

Warranty ...................................................Back Page

Table of Contents

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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