Poulan PO12538LT manual

OPERA TOR'S MANU AL MODEL: PO12538L T L A WN TRACTOR AL W A YS WEAR EYE PROTECTION DURING OPERA TION Visit our website: www .poulan.com WARNING: Read this Man u al and follow all W arnings and Safety Instructions. F ail ure to do so can re sult in serious in ju ry . IMPORT ANT MANU AL Do Not Throw Away 11.23.11 BD 532 44 66-59 Printed in the U[...]

2 SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers DANGER: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAP ABLE OF AMPUT A TING HANDS AND FEET AND THROW ING OBJECTS. F AILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLL OWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESUL T IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for wheel weights or counterweights. • Keep mac[...]

3 SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers • Ensure the area is clear of bystanders before operating. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • Never carry passengers. • Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary . Al ways look down and behind before and while backing. • Never carry children, even with the blades shut[...]

4 T ABLE OF CONTENTS SAFETY RULES ......................................................... 2-3 PRODUCT SPECIFICA TIONS ....................................... 4 CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ................................. 4 ASSEMBL Y ................................................................. 6-7 OPERA TION ...................................[...]

5 UNAS SEMBLED P ARTS Steering Battery Slope Sheet Oil Drain Extension Keys Key(s) Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert Steering Boot Steering Extension Shaft Steering Wheel Adapter (1) Bolt (1) Lock Washer (1) Large Flat Washer (2) Hex Bolts (2) Nut Keps Seat (1) Seat (1) W asher (1) Knob[...]

6 Fig. 2 AS SEMBL Y Y our new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. T o ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely . Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness. Fig. 1 TOOLS REQUIRED FOR A[...]

7 AS SEMBL Y TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Op- er a tion section for location and func tion of con trols) • Press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever to its highest po si tion. • Release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake ped al. • Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) po si tion. • Roll tractor forward off skid. • Rem[...]

8 OPERA TION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY FREE WHEEL (Automatic Models only) OVER TEMP LIGHT KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS 15 15 (SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION) BATTERY REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE F[...]

9 02829 OPERA TION KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERA TING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and ad just ments. Save this manual for future reference. A TT ACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER - Used to engage the mower blades, or other attachments m[...]

10 NOTE: Under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may cause “brown ing” of grass. T o eliminate this possibility , al- ways stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas. CAUTION: Always stop tractor com- plete ly , as described above, before leav- ing the operator's positi[...]

11 TO OPERA TE ON HILLS WARNING: Do not drive up or down hills with slopes great er than 15° and do not drive across any slope. • Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down hills. • Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills. • If slowing is necessary , move throttle control lever to slower position. • If stopping is absolutely nec[...]

12 OPERA TION TO ST ART ENGINE (See Fig. 4) When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine. • Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake. • Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position. • Move[...]

13 OPERA TION MOWING TIPS • Tire chains cannot be used when the mower hous ing is attached to tractor . • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. • The left hand side of mower should be used for trim ming. • Drive so that clippings [...]

14 MAINTENANCE  SPINDLE ZERK  FRONT WHEEL BEARING ZERK  SAE 30 OR 10W30 MOTOR OIL  GENERAL PURPOSE GREASE  REFER TO MAINTENANCE “ENGINE” SECTION  SPINDLE ZERK  FRONT WHEEL BEARING ZERK  ENGINE  GEARSHIFT PIVOTS LUBRICA TION CHART T R A C T 0 R 1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient [...]

15 MAINTENANCE TRACTOR Always observe safety rules when per form ing any main te nance. BRAKE OPERA TION If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to stop at highest speed in high est gear on a level, dry concrete or paved surface, then brake must be checked and ad just ed. (See “TO CHECK BRAKE” in the Ser vice and Ad just ments section of th[...]

16 MAINTENANCE Fig. 10 ENGINE LUBRICA TION (See Fig. 10) Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG-SL. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature. TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE SAE VISCOSITY GRADES -20 0 30 40 80 100 -30 -20 0 20 30 40 F C 32 -10 [...]

17 MAINTENANCE CLEANING • Clean engine, battery , seat, finish, etc. of all foreign matter . • Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc. • Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax. We do not recommend using a garden hose or pressure washer to clean your tractor unless the engine and trans- mission are covered [...]

18 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS Fig. 14 WARNING: TO A VOID SE RI OUS IN JU RY , BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place gearshift lever in neutral position. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. • T urn ignition key to “STOP ” and remove key . • Make [...]

19 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 00598 01267 01156 TRUNNION BOTH FRONT LINKS MUST BE EQUAL IN LENG TH FRONT LINKS NUT “E” NUT “F” FRONT - TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT (See Figs. 17 & 18) IMPORT ANT : DECK MUST BE LEVEL SIDE- TO-SIDE. IF THE FOLL OWING FRONT -TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT IS NECESSARY , BE SURE TO AD JUST BOTH FRONT LINKS EQU AL L Y SO MOWER WILL [...]

20 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS Fig. 20 TO REPL ACE MOTION DRIVE BEL T (See Fig. 20) P ark the tractor on level surface. En gage parking brake. For as sis tance, there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom side of left footrest. BEL T REMOVAL - • Remove mower (See “TO RE MOVE MOWER” in this section of manual). NOTE: Observe entire motion dr[...]

21 ADJUSTMENT BOL T NEUTRAL L OCK GA TE GEARSHIFT LEVER Fig. 21 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGN- MENT If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal (left to right) when wheels are positioned straight forward, remove steer - ing wheel and reassemble per instructions in the Assembly section of this manual. FRONT WHEEL TOE-IN/C[...]

22 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPL ACE HEADLIGHT BULB • Raise hood. • Pull bulb holder out of the hole in the backside of the grill. • Replace bulb in holder and push bulb holder securely back into the hole in the backside of the grill. • Close hood. INTERL OCKS AND REL A YS Loose or damaged wiring may cause your tractor to run poorly , sto[...]

23 STORAGE Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or more. WARNING: Never store the trac tor with gas o line in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any en clo sure. TRACTOR Remove mower from t[...]

24 TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Will not start 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank. 2. Engine not “CHOKED” properly . 2. See “TO ST ART ENGINE” in Operation section. 3. Engine flooded. 3. W ait several minutes before attempting to start. 4. Bad spark plug. 4. Replace spark plug. 5. Dirty air filter . 5. Clean/replace air fi[...]

25 TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Excessive vibration 1. W orn, bent or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt. 2. Bent blade mandrel. 2. Replace blade mandrel. 3. Loose/damaged part(s). 3. Tighten loose part(s). Replace damaged parts. Engine continues to run when oper- ator leaves seat with attachment clutch engaged 1. [...]

26 LIMITED W ARRANTY The Manufacturer warrants to the original consumer purchaser that this product as manufactured is free from defects in mate- rials and work man ship. For a period of two (2) years from date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser , we will repair or replace, at our option, without charge for parts or labor incurred in re[...]

27 15 DEGREES MAX. FOLD ALONG DOTTED LINE THIS IS A 15 DEGREE SLOPE ONLY RIDE UP AND DOWN HILL, NOT ACROSS HILL SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION WARNING: To avoid serious injury, operate your tractor up and down the face of slopes, never across the face. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees. Make turns gradually to preven[...]

28[...]