background image

12

Ignition Switch

The ignition switch is located on the dashboard. Start 
the engine by turning the key to the START position. 
When the engine is running, leave the key in the ON 
position. To stop the engine, turn the key to the OFF 
position. 

WARNING: Remove the key from the
tractor, when the tractor is not in use, to
prevent accidental starting.

Throttle Control

The throttle control is located on the dashboard and is 
used to regulate the engine speed. To get maximum 
efficiency in cutting grass, the throttle should be in the 
FAST position when operating the tractor. 

Choke Control

The choke control is located on the dashboard and is 
operated manually. Details for the choke operation are 
covered in the separate engine manual packed with 
your unit. 

Hydrostatic Control Lever

The hydrostatic control lever is located on top of the 
fender on the right side of the tractor. This single control 
lever, connected to the hydrostatic transmission, 
controls both the speed and direction of the tractor. 
Infinite speed control is achieved by moving the control 
lever forward or backward. The farther forward or 
backward you move the control lever, the faster you will 
travel. Pulling the control lever into neutral (N) area will 
stop the tractor. 

Clutch-Brake Pedal

The clutch-brake pedal is located on the left side of the
tractor. Depressing the pedal returns the drive unit to
neutral (N) and applies the brake. The clutch-brake
pedal must be depressed to start the engine.

Parking Brake

To set the parking brake, depress the clutch-brake 
pedal, pull up the parking brake knob and release the 
clutch-brake pedal. It will stay in the raised position. To 
release the parking brake, depress and release the 
clutch-brake pedal while pushing down on the parking 
brake knob. The parking brake must be set if the 
operator leaves the seat with the engine running.

Relief Valve

A hydrostatic relief valve is provided so the unit can be 
moved without the engine running. The lever which 
operates the relief valve is located on the console. 

To operate the relief valve, place the hydrostatic control 

lever in neutral, release the parking brake, push the 
lever forward and to the right to lock. Make sure to 
release the lever by pushing it to the left before 
operating the engine.

Lift Lever

The lift lever is used to raise and lower the cutting deck 
and to engage and disengage the blades. Pulling it all 
the way back and locking it disengages the blades.

NOTE: 

The lift lever 

must

 be in the BLADES STOP

position when starting the engine, when shifting into
reverse and if the operator leaves the seat. 

Optional Features

NOTE: 

The controls  listed below are optional features

and many tractor models may not be equipped with one
or more of these. Please use information pertinent to
your lawn tractor. 

Indicator Lights 

If your unit is equipped with indicator lights, two or three 
indicator lights are located in the dash panel. If a light 
illuminates when attempting to start the unit, proceed 
as follows.

CLUTCH: Depress the clutch pedal.

PTO: Place lift lever in the BLADES STOP position.

OIL (Vanguard Twin and Intek Twin Engines Only): 
Check the crankcase oil level, and add oil as required. 

Deck Lift Indicator 

The deck lift indicator (if so equipped) marks the 
position being used for the lift lever. Select the lift lever 
position desired, press the indicator lever outward, 
move it to the position immediately below the lift lever 
and release the indicator lever. 

Light Switch 

The head lamps are operated by pushing the light 
switch located on the dashboard. The head lamps will 
only operate when the engine is running. 

Ammeter 

The ammeter registers the rate of battery charge or 
discharge. While the engine starts, the ammeter will 
register on the discharging side. It should register on 
the opposite side (charging) when the engine is running 
fast and  the battery is not yet completely charged. With 
a fully charged battery or with the engine idling, the 
ammeter will not show a charge. 

Summary of Contents for 690 Thru 699

Page 1: ...e s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws if any If a spark arrester is used it should be maintained in 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 m...

Page 2: ...p from our Customer Support Department or an authorized dealer You can locate the model number by pivoting the seat forward and looking under it at the seat pivot bracket A sample model plate is explained below For future reference please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT If you have difficulty assembling this product or have a...

Page 3: ... and behind before and while backing Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place Slow down before turning Operate the machine smoothly Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed Never leave a running machine unattended Always turn off blade s place transmission i...

Page 4: ...behind and down for small children Never carry children even with the blades off They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with the safe machine operation Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the machine Children 14 years and over should only operate machine under close parental supervision and proper instruction Use extra care when approaching blind corners shrubs tree...

Page 5: ...ment and the ecology Prior to disposal determine the proper method to dispose of waste from your local Environmental Protection Agency Recycling centers are established to properly dispose of materials in an environmentally safe fashion Use proper containers when draining fluids Do not use food or beverage containers that may mislead someone into drinking from them Properly dispose of the containe...

Page 6: ...ELY Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees a rise of approximately 2 1 2 feet every 10 feet A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury If operating a walk behind mower on such a slope it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip resulting in serious injury Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes never across the face of slopes Operate WALK...

Page 7: ... the steering wheel Handling Battery WARNING The battery contains sulfuric acid This battery acid must be handled with great care as contact with it can burn and blister skin Wear protective clothing goggles rubber gloves and apron when working with it Keep batteries out of the reach of children IMPORTANT Should battery acid accidentally splatter into the eyes or onto the face rinse the affected a...

Page 8: ...o make sure the battery is completely charged The hydrometer should read 1 260 minimum at an electrolyte temperature of 60 110o F WARNING Do not charge the tractor battery at more than 6 amps Attaching Steering Wheel The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has been packed inside the steering wheel Carefully pry off the steering wheel cap and remove the hardware Remove the steering bellow fro...

Page 9: ...the right side of the deck so that it covers the chute opening WARNING Do not operate your unit unless the chute deflector has been properly installed Raise the deck to its highest position by pulling the lift lever all the way back NOTE The mowing deck may be equipped with an optional mulching plug Remove the mulching plug by removing the wing nut on top of the deck Grasp the mulching plug and pu...

Page 10: ...he hole in the deck hanger channel Recheck the adjustment Readjust if necessary When the deck is levelled secure end of adjustable lift link with flat washer and hairpin clip Installing Battery Type A Battery NOTE If the battery is put into service after the expiration of the date shown on top of the battery charge it for a minimum one hour at 6 10 amps Lift the seat and remove the plastic cover f...

Page 11: ...f drain tube if necessary about 4 should extend past the bracket or cable tie SECTION 4 KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR Compare the illustrations in Figure 11 with the controls present on your tractor to familiarize yourself with the location and features of various controls Figure 11 Slot in Frame Battery Strap Drain Tube Transaxle Reinforcement Bracket Hole Light Switch Optional Ignition Switch Choke Thr...

Page 12: ...ef valve is provided so the unit can be moved without the engine running The lever which operates the relief valve is located on the console To operate the relief valve place the hydrostatic control lever in neutral release the parking brake push the lever forward and to the right to lock Make sure to release the lever by pushing it to the left before operating the engine Lift Lever The lift lever...

Page 13: ...out the choke control a warm engine may not require choking Turn the ignition key to the right to the START position After the engine starts release the key It will return to the ON position NOTE Protect the starter s life by using short starting cycles of several seconds Cranking more than 15 seconds per minute can damage the starter motor Push choke knob gradually Move the throttle control to de...

Page 14: ...the bottom of the seat Slide the seat forward or backward as desired Retighten the four screws Refer to Figure 3 Quick Adjustment Seat To adjust the position of the seat move the seat adjustment lever located under the seat to the left and slide the seat forward or backwards See Figure 12 Make sure seat is locked into one of the six positions before operating the lawn tractor Figure 12 Hydrostatic...

Page 15: ... decrease belt tension the disengagement rod must be shortened Check the adjustment by placing the lift lever in the BLADES STOP position The deck should move up and forward allowing the belt to become loose Start and test for disengagement Repeat procedure as necessary Brake Adjustment WARNING Do not have the engine running when you adjust the brake The brake is located by the right rear wheel in...

Page 16: ...awn tractor for a long period of time check the fluid level in the battery as it can overheat and lose fluid The engine is equipped with an alternator which charges battery when tractor is operated Under normal conditions the battery only needs to be charged before during and after off season storage To charge the battery Battery P N 725 1705D Charge at 2 3 amps for one hour Battery P N 725 1707D ...

Page 17: ...th SAE 30 engine oil See Figure 17 Wheels The front wheels may be provided with optional grease fittings The rear wheels must be removed from the axle for lubrication Lubricate at least once a season with automotive multi purpose grease Cutting Blades Removing Blade WARNING Be sure to disconnect and ground the spark plug wire s and remove ignition key before working on the cutting blade to prevent...

Page 18: ...d all the way forward position Disconnect the stabilizer plate from the stabilizer shaft assembly by removing the hairpin clips and flat washers and sliding out the rod Disconnect the six deck links by removing the hairpin clips and flat washers Place the lift lever in the BLADES STOP position Slide the deck from beneath the lawn tractor Remove the belt guards at each deck pulley by removing the s...

Page 19: ...gine pulley onto the pulley hub Remove the belt from the transmission pulley and engine pulley and remove from the unit Reassemble using a new belt following instructions in reverse order Figure 22 Hydrostatic Transmission Cooling The hydrostatic transmission is cooled by the oil fan and fins If the hydrostatic transmission runs hot check to see if the fan is in operating condition the oil level i...

Page 20: ... tire pressure under any circumstance is 30 p s i Equal tire pressure should be maintained on all tires When installing a tire to the rim be certain rim is clean and free of rust Lubricate both the tire and rim generously Never inflate to over 30 p s i to seat beads WARNING Excessive pressure over 30 p s i when seating beads may cause tire rim assembly to burst with force sufficient to cause serio...

Page 21: ...er Blade OEM 190 620 Mulch Kit for 38 42 Deck OEM 190 112 Mulch Kit for 46 Deck OEM 190 118 Twin Bag Grass Collector for 38 42 Side Discharge Decks OEM 190 063 Twin Bag Grass Collector for 46 Side Discharge Decks OEM 190 103 Front Counterweight OEM 190 745 Tire Chains 18 x 8 5 OEM 190 754 18 x 9 5 OEM 190 657 20 x 8 OEM 190 658 20 x 10 OEM 190 915 31 Lb Wheel Weights OEM 190 215 Gang Reel Set of t...

Page 22: ...inched between body panels burned by the exhaust pipe or muffler or rubbed against a moving part 5 Engine should have a black ground wire running from engine to frame or mounting bolt Engine cranks but will not start 1 Throttle or choke not in starting position 2 No fuel to the carburetor 3 No spark to spark plug Spark plug lead disconnected 4 Faulty spark plug 5 Dirty air cleaner 1 Check operator...

Page 23: ...23 Your Notes Date Comments ...

Page 24: ...y on these items b Log splitter pumps valves and cylinders have a sepa rate one year warranty c Routine maintenance items such as lubricants filters blade sharpening and tune ups or adjustments such as brake adjustments clutch adjustments or deck adjustments and normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure d MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or exported outsi...

Reviews: