Troy-Bilt GT54 manual

FORM NO . 769-02407.fm (3/13/2006) IMPOR T ANT : READ SAFETY R ULE S AND INSTR UCTIONS CAREFULL Y PRINTED IN U .S.A. Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-co vered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arr[...]

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS FINDING MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Ma nual is an important part of your new garden tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and unde rstand what it says. Before you begin assembling your new equipment , please locate t he model plate under the seat of the tract or an[...]

3 SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out import ant safety instructions wh ich, if not followed, could endan ger the personal safe ty and/or propert y of yourself and o thers. Read and follo w all instructions in this manua l before attemptin g to operate this machine . Failure to comply with these instruction[...]

4 23. Muf fler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch. 24. Check overhead cle arances carefully before driving under low hang ing tree branches, wire s, door openings etc ., where the oper ator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could re sult in serious injury. 25. Disenga ge all attachment clutches, depress t he brake p[...]

5 e. Use extreme car e when approaching blind corners, doorways, sh rubs, trees or other objects that may block your vision of a child who may run into th e machine. f. To avoid back-over ac cidents, always disengage the cutting blad e(s) before shifting i nto reverse. The “Reverse Caution Mode” should not be used when children or others are ar[...]

6 8. Never tamper with the safety interlock syst em or other safety devices. Check the ir proper operation regu larly. 9. After striking a foreign ob ject, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroug hly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage bef ore starting an d operating. 10. Never att[...]

7 SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE 15° SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VER TICAL TREE A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING OR A FENCE POST F O L D O N DO T T E D L I NE , R E P RE S E NT I NG A 1 5 ° S L O P E Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 de grees (a rise o f approximate ly 2-1/2 feet ev ery 10 feet). A r iding mower could overtu rn [...]

8 SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP Attaching the Battery Cables NOTE: The positive ba ttery termin al is marked Pos. (+). The negative ba ttery terminal is marked Neg. (–). • The positive cable (heavy red wire ) is secured to the positive battery ter minal (+) with a screw and hex nut at the factory . Make cert ain that the rubber boot covers th e ter[...]

9 Setting the Gauge Wheels and Roller Gauge Wheels Select the height posit ion of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the six d ifferent cutting height notches on the ri ght fender. Adjust the deck wheels so th at they are between ¼-inch and ½-inch above the gr ound as follows. Place the tractor on a firm and level surfa ce,[...]

10 SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR Figure 3 NOTE: Any reference in this man ual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the t ractor is observed from op erator’s position . A Systems Indicator/Ho ur Meter H Ignition Switch B PTO (Power Take-off) Knob I Brake Pedal C Choke Control J Drive Pedal D Cup Holder K Deck L ift Lever E Throttle Control Lev er L [...]

11 Thro tt l e C on t rol Le ver The throttle co ntrol lever is located on the right side of the tractor’s dash panel. This lever controls the spee d of the engine. When set in a given positio n, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed. IMPORT ANT: When operating th e tractor with the cu tting deck engaged, be certain that the throttle [...]

12 Systems Indicator Monitor / Hour Meter LCD Located in the center of the tra ctor’s console , the systems indicator monitor reco rds, and displays on its LCD, hours of trac tor operati on whenever the ign ition key is rotated out of the STOP po sition. The Indicator Monitor will also remind the operator of maintenance intervals fo r changing th[...]

13 SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR Safety Interlock Switches This tractor is equipped with a safet y interlock system for the pr otection of the ope rator. If the interlock system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor . Contact you r dealer. • The safety interlock syste m prevents the engine from cranking or starti ng unles[...]

14 Starting the Engine WARNING: Do no t operate the tracto r if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed f or your saf e ty and protection. NOTE: Refer to the TRACTOR SET-UP on page 8 of this manual for Gasolin e and Oil fill-up instructions. • Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch module. • Place the PT O (Bla[...]

15 • To travel in REVERSE, check that the are a behind is clear then slowly depress the lower portion of the drive pedal with the ball of yo ur foot (NOT your heel) until the desir ed speed is achieved. See Figure 6. IMPORT ANT: Do NOT attempt to change the direct ion of travel when the tractor is in motion. Always bri ng the tractor to a complet[...]

16 Engaging the PTO Engaging the PT O transfers power to the cutting deck or other (sep arately available) a ttachments. To engage the PTO, proceed as follows: • Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position. • Pull the PT O/Blade Engage knob outward into the engaged (ON) positi on. See Figure 8. • Keep the throttle lever in t[...]

17 SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Ne ver attempt to mak e any adjustments while the engine is running, e xcept where specified in th e operator’ s manual . Leveling the Deck NOTE: Check the tractor’ s tire pressure before performing any de ck leveling adjustments. Refer to Tires on page 20 for informati on regarding tire pressure. Front[...]

18 P arking Brake Adjustment WARNING: Never attempt to a djust the brakes while the engin e is running. Always disengage PTO, stop eng ine and remove ke y to prevent uninten ded starting. If the tractor does not co me to a complete stop when the brake peda l is completely depres sed, or if the tractor’s rear wheels can roll with the pa rking brak[...]

19 SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR Engine Refer to the engine ma nual for maintenance details. • Check engine oil level before ea ch use as instructed in the en gine manual. Figure 13 Changing Engine Oil NOTE: Depending on t he engine model found on your tractor, it may be necessary to remove the tractor’s side panel in order t o rep[...]

20 SECTION 8: SERVICE Tire s WARNING: Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure sh own on the sidewall of the tire. The recommende d operating tire pressur e is approximately 1 0 psi for the rear tires a nd 14 psi for the front tires. Refer to th e tire sidewa ll for exact t ire manufa cturer’s recommended or maximum psi. Do no t overinflate. U[...]

21 balanced blade will cause ex cessive vibration and may cause damage to the tractor and result in personal injury. IMPORT ANT: When replacing the bla de, be sure to install the blade with th e side of the blade marked ‘‘Bottom’’ (or with a part number stamped in it ) facing the ground wh en the mower is in the operating position. IMPORT A[...]

22 • Gently slide the cu tting deck toward the front of the tractor allow ing the hoo ks on the deck to rele ase themselves from the deck stabilizer rod. • Gently slide the cut ting deck (from the right side) out from under neath the tractor. Changing the Deck Belt WARNING: Be sure to shut t he engine off, remove igniti on key, disconn ect the [...]

23 Figure 18 SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE Clean and lubricate the tr actor as instructed in Section 7: MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR on page 19 of this manual before sto ring for an extended period . Engine If the engine will be out of service for tw o months or more, use the followin g storage procedure: • Clean the exterior surfac es of the [...]

24 SECTION 10: TROUBLESHOOTING T roub le P ossible Cause(s) Corrective Actio n Engine fails to start PT O/Blade Engage knob engaged . P arking brake not engaged. Spark pl ug wire(s) disconnected. Throttle control le v er not in correct star ting position. Chok e not activ ated Fuel tank empty , or stale fuel. Bloc ked fuel line. F au lty spark pl u[...]

25 SECTION 11: ATTACHMENTS & ACCESSORIES See your dealer or the ret ailer from which you purchased yo ur tractor for informat ion regardin g price and availab ility. A TT A CHMENTS OEM-190-964 Rear Tire Chain Set OEM-190-823 42-inch T wo- stage Snow Thro wer OEM-190-833 46-inch F ront Doze r Blade OEM-190-841 54-inch Dec k Mulch Kit OEM-190-608[...]

26 35 6 33 34 32 A A A 13 9 31 44 43 46 47 26 6 3 45 22 20 42 23 27 10 15 8 7 14 12 17 37 36 6 16 4 11 21 25 29 19 24 1 3 5 38 39 5 28 30 2 9 7 18 7 41 40 SECTION 12: PARTS LIST FOR MODEL GT54[...]

27 REF . NO . PA R T NO . DESCRIPTION 1 71 0-04593 Screw TT, 5/16-18 x.375 2 71 0-04599 Screw #8 -18 x.500 3 710-059 9 Screw TT, 1/4-20 x.500 4 710-062 3 Screw TT, 3/8-16 x.750 5 710-064 2 Screw TT, 1/4-20 x.750 6 710-072 6 Screw AB, 5/16-12 x.750 7 71 0-0751 HH Cap Screw 1/4-20 x.620 8 71 2-0292 Clip Nut 1/4-20 9 712-040 64 Flange Lock Nut 1/4-20 [...]

28 6 7 1 4 16 18 14 11 17 19 14 9 3 12 52 53 53 54 54 55 A B B A C C 51 50 23 24 21 28 30 23 2 35 31 21 26 41 47 32 37 49 39 2 29 13 15 8 33 27 20 48 44 43 2 36 24 34 42 38 46 22 45 40 25 5 10 Model GT54[...]

29 Model GT54 REF . NO . PA R T NO . DESCRIPTION 1 710 -1268 Scre w #10 -16 x.375 2 712 -04063 Flang e Lock Nut 5/16-18 3 712 -04064 Flange Loc k Nut 1/4-20 4 720 -0309A Seat Adjuster Gr ip 5 726 -0201 Speed Nut 6 731-04074 Spacer 7 732 -0499 Comp ression Spri ng 8 732 -1184 Extension Spring 9 736 -0204 Flat Washer .344 x.62 x.033 10 736-0242 Bell [...]

30 22 23 15 2 7 39 37 36 20 11 29 20 24 30 26 21 6 25 13 35 34 33 16 1 16 7 17 14 32 31 18 9 27 10 28 38 39 3 12 8 5 4 24 Model GT54[...]

31 Model GT54 REF . NO . PA R T NO . DESCRIPTION 1 7 10-04095 Hex Screw, 3/8-16, 1 .00, Gr5 2 7 10-0514 Hex Screw, 3/8-16, 1.00, Gr5 3 7 10-0643 Hex Screw, 5/16-18, 1.00, Gr5 4 7 11-1408 Link, Drag, RH 5 7 11-1409A Link, Drag, LH 6 7 12-0214 Nut, Hex Lock, 3/8-24 7 7 12-0431 Nut, Flange Lo ck, 3/8-16, Grf, Top Lock 8 7 12-0459 Nut, Flange Lock, 7/1[...]

32 D D C C A B B A 17 17 34 51 63 67 56 18 50 49 48 18 62 18 26 14 35 35 10 13 99 43 64 45 20 32 24 31 9 17 7 23 9 28 37 18 33 38 9 42 16 19 39 41 19 58 60 55 61 61 53 54 44 15 8 6 40 69 30 11 36 29 4 27 19 25 21 22 1 66 16 18 65 59 2 46 57 16 47 5 12 68 Model GT54[...]

33 Model GT54 REF . NO . PA R T NO . DESCRIPTION 1 618 -04317 Wh eel Hub Assembly 2 618 -04329 Hydro GT T ransmission Asse mbly 3 629-0949A † Rev erse/Ground Wire Har ness Assy 4 710 -0176 HH Cap Screw 5/16-18 x 2.7 5 5 710 -0216 HH Cap Screw 3/8-16 x.75 6 710 -0227 AB Screw #8-18 x.500 7 710 -0520 HH Cap Screw 3/8-16 x 1.50 8 710 -0599 TT Screw [...]

34 22 19 13 23 32 33 27 17 26 26 18 15 28 27 21 4 17 13 19 24 2 2 14 25 16 20 12 4 29 5 7 9 10 11 2 31 30 3 1 6 8 Model GT54[...]

35 Model GT54 REF . NO . PA R T NO . DESCRIPTION 1 7 10-04379A HH Cap Screw 7/16 -20 x 3.50 2 7 10-0726 AB Screw 5/16-12 x.750 3 7 10-3011 HH Cap Screw 3/8-16 x 2 .25 4 7 12-04065 Flange Lock Nut 3/8-16 5 7 17-1774B PTO Clutch, Electri c 6 7 36-0171 Lock Washer 7/16 7 7 36-0277 Flat Washer 1.031 x 1.620 x.095 8 7 48-0415B Spacer.385 x.635 x 1.54 9 [...]

36 C C B B A A 59 18 41 29 49 25 23 31 9 14 26 24 20 26 8 37 46 28 5 61 17 14 65 45 11 60 57 26 63 27 26 60 45 14 64 6 48 32 16 51 43 67 50 3 3 3 35 38 56 12 44 40 13 53 2 34 42 36 33 1 26 24 10 52 7 15 19 14 62 47 39 54 22 26 55 30 21 4 58 Model GT54[...]

37 IMPORT ANT : For a pr oper work ing machine, use Factory App roved Parts. V-belts are designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitu te (non OEM) V-belt can be dan gerous by not disengagin g completely . Model GT54 REF . NO . PA R T NO . DESCRIPTION 1. 12650 Height Adjustment Bracket 2. 16606 Retainer Hoo k Brac ket 3. 618-0671 Pulley Spind[...]

38 12 6 10 1 16 14 9 2 11 4 5 17 18 19 3 3 3 21 13 22 20 7 8 15 Fo r Choke Model GT54 REF . NO . PA R T NO . DESCRIPTION 1 6 83-04256 Muffle r Shield Assembly 2 7 10-0227 AB Screw #8-18 x.500 3 7 10-0599 TT Screw 1/4-20 x.500 4 7 10-0642 TT Screw 1/4-20 x.750 5 7 10-0654A TT Sems Screw 3/8-16 x 1 6 7 12-3005 Flange L ock Nut 3/8-16 7 7 25-0157 Cabl[...]

39 CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL W ARRANTY ST A TEMENT Y OUR W ARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGA TIONS The California Air Resources Board and MTD Consumer Group Inc are pleased to explain the ev aporative em ission co ntrol system wa rranty on your 200 6 lawn mower . In California , new lawn mower must be designed, built and equip ped to meet the State ’s [...]

40 MANUF ACTURER’S LIMITED W ARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set f or th below is given b y MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territor ies. “MTD” warrants this product against def ects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of origin[...]