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White Outdoor LT 542H Operator'S Manual Download Page 12

12

Speed Control Lever

The speed control lever, located on the left fender, 
allows you to regulate the travel direction and ground 
speed of the lawn tractor

. 

To use, release the parking 

brake and move the speed control lever forward (to 
travel forward) or rearward (to travel in reverse). The 
further forward or rearward that the lever is moved, the 
faster the tractor will travel.

Place the speed control lever in the Cutting Speed, or 
slower, position when mowing.

IMPORTANT:

 Do NOT attempt to change the direction of 

travel when the tractor is in motion. Serious damage to 
the tractor’s transmission could result. Always bring the 
tractor to a 

complete

 stop before moving the speed 

control lever from forward to reverse or vice versa.

IMPORTANT:

 Always set the parking brake when 

leaving the tractor unattended.

Ignition Switch Module

WARNING: 

Never leave a running machine

unattended. Always disengage PTO, move
shift lever into neutral position, set parking
brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent
unintended starting.

To start the engine, insert the key into the ignition 
switch and turn clockwise to the 

START

 position. 

Release the key into the 

NORMAL MOWING MODE 

position once the engine has fired.

To stop the engine, turn the ignition key 
counterclockwise to the 

STOP

 position. See Figure 6. 

Figure 6

IMPORTANT:

 Prior to operating the tractor, refer to both 

Safety Interlock Switches 

on page 13 and 

Starting The Engine

 

on page 14 of this manual for detailed instructions 
regarding the Ignition Switch Module and operating the 
tractor in 

REVERSE CAUTION MODE

.

3TART

0OSITION

3TOP

0OSITION

.ORMAL

-OWING-ODE

Summary of Contents for LT 542H

Page 1: ...effective working order by the operator In the State of California the above is required by law Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code Other states may have similar laws Federal laws apply on federal lands A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department P O Box 361131 Cleveland Ohio 44136 9722 MTD L...

Page 2: ...Visit whiteoutdoor com for many useful suggestions Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately available Call 1 800 949 4483 to reach the Customer Dealer Referral Line Please have your lawn trator s model number and serial number ready when you call The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine r...

Page 3: ...ersonal injury 7 Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads sidewalks bystanders and the like Also avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator 8 Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes Thrown objects ...

Page 4: ...r shift while on the slope Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes are functioning properly Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action 4 Follow the manufacturer s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability 5 Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments These can change the stability of the ...

Page 5: ...ling is complete Do not use a nozzle lock open device e Extinguish all cigarettes cigars pipes and other sources of ignition f Never fuel machine indoors g Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling h Never over fill fuel tank Fill tank to no more than inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel expans...

Page 6: ...mmediately with original equipment manufacturer s O E M parts only listed in this manual Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety 12 Do not change the engine governor settings or over speed the engine The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine 13 Maintain or replace safety and instruction l...

Page 7: ...7 SECTION 2 SLOPE GAUGE 3IGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE OR A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST O L D A L O N G D O T T E D L I N E R E P R E S E N T S A S L O P E ...

Page 8: ...el cap over the center of the steering wheel and push downward until it clicks into place Figure 1 Shipping Brace Removal WARNING Make sure the riding mower s engine is off remove the ignition key and set the parking brake before removing the shipping brace Locate the shipping brace and accompanying warning tag found on the right side of the mower between the discharge chute and the cutting deck S...

Page 9: ...pplicable instructions below 1 Position the shoulder screws found on the base of the seat inside the slot openings in the seat pivot bracket Figure 4 Figure 4 2 Slide the seat slightly rearward in the seat pivot bracket lining up the rear slots in the pivot bracket with the remaining two holes in the seat s base 3 Select desired position for the seat and secure with the two hex screws removed earl...

Page 10: ...RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator s position A Parking Brake Lever E Throttle Choke Control B Brake Pedal F Ignition Switch Module C Speed Control Lever G Deck Lift Lever D Ammeter H PTO Blade Engage Lever FAST CHOKE SLOW PARK BRAKE P ON OFF AMPS E A G C B F H D ...

Page 11: ... The brake pedal must be depressed to start the engine Refer to Safety Interlock Switches on page 13 Parking Brake Lever To set the parking brake fully depress the brake pedal Move the parking brake lever all the way down and into the ON position Release the brake pedal to allow the parking brake to engage To release the parking brake depress the brake pedal and move the parking brake lever into t...

Page 12: ...ard to reverse or vice versa IMPORTANT Always set the parking brake when leaving the tractor unattended Ignition Switch Module WARNING Never leave a running machine unattended Always disengage PTO move shift lever into neutral position set parking brake stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting To start the engine insert the key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the ST...

Page 13: ...ractor to be operated in reverse with the blades PTO engaged IMPORTANT Mowing in reverse is not recommended To use the REVERSE CAUTION MODE IMPORTANT The operator MUST be seated in the tractor seat 1 Start the engine Refer to Starting the Engine page 14 of this Operator s Manual for detailed instructions 2 Turn the key from the NORMAL MOWING Green position to the REVERSE CAUTION MODE Yellow positi...

Page 14: ...ne to run poorly 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 If the blades are engaged place the PTO Blade Engage lever in the disengaged OFF position Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the STOP position...

Page 15: ...AST rabbit position Grasp the PTO Blade Engage lever and position it all the way forward into the engaged ON position Keep the throttle lever in the FAST rabbit position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other separately available attachments IMPORTANT The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the shift lever in position for reverse travel with the ignition ...

Page 16: ...it is necessary to move the tractor manually Activating this valve forces the fluid in the transmission to bypass its normal route allowing the rear tires to freewheel To engage the hydrostatic relief valve proceed as follows Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the tractor See Figure 8 Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward then down and to the left to lock it in place Figure 8 NOTE ...

Page 17: ...en the lock nut to raise the front of the deck Loosen the lock nut to lower the front of the deck Figure 9 Retighten the jam nut loosened earlier after proper adjustment is achieved Side to Side If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly a side to side adjustment can be performed Adjust if necessary as follows With the tractor parked on a firm level surface place the deck lift lever in the ...

Page 18: ...gap is achieved Insert the replacement cotter pin into the crown nut Standard Adjustment Seat To adjust the position of the seat loosen the two hex screws on the bottom of the seat See Figure 12 Slide the seat forward or backward as desired Retighten the two screws Figure 12 Steering Adjustment If the tractor turns tighter in one direction than the other or if either the steering drag link and bal...

Page 19: ... Manual located after Page 26 of this manual Perform the above steps in the opposite order after oil has finished draining Refill the engine with new motor oil IMPORTANT Refer to the White Outdoor Engines Operator s Manual located after Page 26 of this manual for information regarding the quantity and proper weight of motor oil Air Cleaner Service the pre cleaner if so equipped and cartridge air c...

Page 20: ...trical components spindles pulleys bearings or the engine Deck Wash System A hex plug can be found on your tractor s deck surface See Figure 15 Figure 15 This plug can be replaced with a water port to be used as part of a separately available deck wash system Use the Deck Wash System to rinse grass clippings from the deck s underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals NOTE Refer to pag...

Page 21: ...rminal of the dead battery Connect the other jumper cable to the negative terminal of the good battery then to the frame of the unit with the dead battery WARNING Failure to use this procedure could cause sparking and the gas in either battery could explode Cleaning Clean the battery by removing it from the tractor and washing with a baking soda and water solution If necessary scrape the battery t...

Page 22: ...ving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender Remove the belt guards by removing the self tapping screws that fasten them to the deck Remove the belt keeper rod from around the engine pulley Loosen but do NOT remove the hex screws which secure each deck idler pulley See Figure 17 Figure 16 Insert a 3 8 drive ratchet wrench set to loosen into the square hole found in the idler ...

Page 23: ...ve the PTO cable from the rear of the cutting deck by removing the hair pin clip which secures it Proceed to remove the spring from the deck idler bracket See Figure 19 Gently slide the cutting deck toward the front of the tractor allowing the hooks on the deck to release themselves from the deck stabilizer rod Gently slide the cutting deck from the right side out from underneath the tractor Figur...

Page 24: ...ly to maintain proper blade balance A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive vibration and may cause damage to the tractor and result in personal injury The blade can be tested by balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver Grind metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly When replacing the blade be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade marked Bottom facing the ground when...

Page 25: ...rk or pilot light such as on water heater furnace clothes dryer or other gas appliance SECTION 10 ATTACHMENTS ACCESSORIES The following attachments and accessories are compatible for model LT 542H Lawn Tractors For information regarding price and availability see the retailer from which you purchased your tractor or your White Outdoor dealer NOTE Model LT 542H Lawn Tractors are NOT designed for us...

Page 26: ... Drain fuel tank Refill with clean fresh less than 30 days old gasoline Replace air cleaner cartridge element or clean pre cleaner if so equipped Engine overheats Engine oil level low Air flow restricted Fill crankcase with proper capacity and weight of oil Clean grass clippings and debris from around the engine s cooling fins and blower housing Engine hesitates at high RPM Spark plug s gap too cl...

Page 27: ...Starting Your Engine 6 VI Stopping Your Engine and Short Term Storage 9 VII Maintenance 10 VIII Transporting Your Engine 13 IX Storing Your Engine 13 X Preventing Forest Brush and Grass Fires 15 XI Maintenance Intervals 16 California US EPA Emission Control Warranty Statement 20 Emission Control System Warranty 21 XII Warranty Information 22 OV490EA OHV140 180 PRESSURE LUBE SPIN ON OIL FILTER W H ...

Page 28: ...ersonal safety Keep this manual handy at all times for future reference Read it carefully and familiarize yourself with operating maintenance components and safety instructions Notice Regarding Emissions NOTE Engines which are certified to comply with California and U S EPA emission regulations for SORE Small Off Road Equipment are certified to operate on regular unleaded gasoline and may include ...

Page 29: ... GASOLINE container to store and dispense fuel Tecumseh recommends purchasing gasoline in containers with a capacity of 2 5 gallons or less Small containers are easier to handle and help eliminate spillage during refueling DO NOT pour fuel from engine or siphon fuel by mouth To empty the fuel tank see I Draining Fuel instructions on page 14 C Adult Supervision of Operation Refueling and Maintenanc...

Page 30: ...id Accidental Starts To prevent accidental starting when working on equipment always Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from spark plug See Figure 2 Keep the disconnected spark plug wire securely away from metal parts where arcing could occur Attach the spark plug wire to the grounding post if provided See Figure 3 Disconnect battery at negative terminal first if engine is equipped with a...

Page 31: ... for individuals who have had adequate training experience and who practice proper tool usage Service procedures should be clearly understood and practiced when servicing Tecumseh Engines Order as part no 695244A for OV OHV models Tecumseh manufactures and is responsible only for the engine used on this power equipment If repair or service is needed for anything other than the engine contact the s...

Page 32: ...d every 5 operating hours when engine is warm Check oil level more frequently during engine break in Keep oil level between FULL and ADD marks on dipstick See Figure 6 Insure oil fill cap plug is tightened securely NOTES Do not overfill oil filler Doing so may result in oil carry over to the air cleaner and equipment malfunction or damage Do not allow oil level to fall below the ADD mark on dipsti...

Page 33: ...and be ignited by a spark or flame many feet away from engine To prevent injury or death from fuel fires follow these instructions 1 Stop engine and allow it to cool before refueling 2 Be sure engine is outdoors and in a well ventilated area 3 Clean area around fuel fill cap and remove fuel fill cap 4 Using an approved red GASOLINE container add fuel slowly being careful to avoid spilling DO NOT o...

Page 34: ...ee Fig ures 8 and 9 NOTE If restarting a warm engine after a short shutdown move combined control to FAST instead of CHOKE or START position See Figures 8 and 9 3 Push starter button or turn ignition switch key see equipment manufacturer s instructions to start engine NOTES If engine fails to start after 3 attempts repeat steps 2 thru 3 DO NOT operate an electric starter for more than 5 seconds ea...

Page 35: ...ition until engine runs smoothly c Next move choke control to NO CHOKE position 5 Finally move engine speed control to desired speed in RUN range NOTES If engine starts but falters when choke is moved to NO CHOKE position a Momentarily move choke control back to FULL CHOKE position b Next move choke control to 1 2 CHOKE position until engine runs smoothly c Finally move choke control to NO CHOKE p...

Page 36: ...oil mechanism If engine fails after 3 pulls repeat steps 2 thru 3 4 When engine starts d Move combined control to FAST position e Next move combined control to desired speed in RUN range See Figure 13 See Figure 14 NOTES If engine starts but falters when combined control is moved to FAST position a Momentarily move combined control back to CHOKE position b Next move combined control to FAST positi...

Page 37: ... NOTES If engine starts but falters when choke is moved to NO CHOKE position a Momentarily move choke control back to FULL CHOKE position b Next move control to 1 2 CHOKE position until engine runs smoothly c Finally move control to NO CHOKE position If engine dies after choke control is moved to NO CHOKE position repeat steps 2 thru 5 to restart engine 6 If engine fires but does not continue to r...

Page 38: ...rrect drain plug location if present See equipment manufacturer s instructions See Figure 19 2 Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from spark plug See G Avoid Accidental Starts instruc tions on page 2 3 Be sure the gas cap is on and is tightened securely 4 Clean area around oil drain plug See Figure 19 5 Place approved recyclable oil container under oil drain plug See equipment manufacture...

Page 39: ...discoloration or dirt accumulation If either is present see I Servicing Foam Pre Filter instructions on page 12 or see II Servicing Paper Fil ters instructions on page 12 4 Replace air cleaner cover and filters C Spark Plug Check spark plug yearly or every 100 operating hours 1 Clean area around spark plug 2 Remove and inspect spark plug 3 Replace spark plug if porcelain is cracked or if elec trod...

Page 40: ... cleaner cover while lifting upward then outward 3 Remove fasteners 4 Remove and inspect filter s for discoloration or dirt accumulation If either is present see I Servicing Foam Pre Filter instructions or II Servicing Paper Filters instructions 5 Clean inside of cover and body thoroughly 6 Install paper filter see equipment manufacturer s instructions 7 Install fasteners 8 Install foam pre filter...

Page 41: ...lower housing In addition remove grass clippings dirt and debris from the following areas Cooling Fins Air Intake Screen Levers Linkage Guards Carburetor Head Removing debris will facilitate adequate cooling correct engine speed and reduce the risk of fire II Fuel Storage NEVER store engine with fuel in fuel tank inside a building with potential sources of ignition such as hot water and space heat...

Page 42: ... such as hot water and space heaters clothes dryers electric motors etc NOTE Instead of using a fuel preservative stabilizer you can empty the fuel tank as described under I Draining Fuel instructions See B Extended Storage instructions B Extended Storage I Draining Fuel NOTES Clean debris from engine before draining fuel from carburetor See I Clean Engine instructions on page 13 If you have prepa...

Page 43: ...rter cord handle and pull out slowly using a full arm stroke Repeat once This will distribute oil throughout the cylinder to prevent corrosion during storage 6 Install spark plug 7 Carefully disconnect spark plug wire from grounding post if provided 8 Connect spark plug wire before attempting to start engine III Oil Change oil if not changed within the last 3 months see A Checking and Changing Oil...

Page 44: ... 800 558 5402 or visit www TecumsehPower com to locate your dealer ALWAYS promptly follow maintenance intervals listed See Table 5 Table 5 Maintenance Intervals Procedure Time Change Oil After first 2 hrs when engine is warm Check Oil Level 5 hrs or Before Each Use Clean Cooling Fins 5 hrs or Before Each Use Change Oil 50 hrs or 3 mos Clean Foam Pre Filter 25 hrs or 3 mos Replace Paper and Oil Fil...

Page 45: ...ereof has failed due to abuse neglect improper maintenance or unapproved modifications You are responsible for presenting your small off road engine to a Tecumseh Authorized Service Outlet any Tecumseh Registered Service Dealer Tecumseh Authorized Service Distributor or Tecumseh Central Warehouse Distributor as soon as a problem exists The warranty repairs should be completed in a reasonable amoun...

Page 46: ...d for replacement as required maintenance in the Operator s Manual shall be warranted for the period of time prior to the first scheduled replacement point for that part If the part fails prior to the first scheduled replacement the part shall be repaired or replaced by Tecumseh Power Company according to Subsection 4 below Any such emissions related part repaired or replaced under the ECS Warrant...

Page 47: ...review of the engine model number on the Important Engine Information decal One letter in the engine model number will be surrounded by parenthesis A B C D E H K or M and that letter is your engine warranty category designation 7 Qualification for three 3 year consumer use warranty under engine warranty category M may be determined by notation of an M designation on the Important Engine Informatio...

Page 48: ...justments and normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure d Service completed by someone other than an authorized service dealer e MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or exported outside of the United States its possessions and territories except those sold through MTD s authorized channels of export distribution f Replacement parts that are not genuine MTD pa...

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