Summary of the content on the page No. 1
Safety Instructions & Operator's Manual for
ZERO-TURN RIDING MOWER
500Z Series
26HP Zero-Turn Riders
Mfg. No. Description
5900731 500ZB2648 Snapper 26HP 500Z Zero-Turn Rider with 48” Mower
5101453
Revision IR
Rev. Date: 1/2008
00
TP 100-7367-IR-ZT-N
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Thank you for purchasing this quality-built Snapper product. We’re pleased that you’ve placed your confidence in the Snapper brand. When operated and maintained according to the instructions in this manual, your Snapper product will provide many years of dependable service. This manual contains safety information to make you aware of the hazards and risks associated with this machine and how to avoid them. This machine is designed and intended to be used and maintained according to the manual
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
Safety Controls Operation Maintenance Troubleshooting Specifications Table of Contents Operator Safety .....................................................2 Safety Rules and Information ...........................................2 Safety Decals....................................................................8 Safety Interlock System....................................................9 Features & Controls ..............................................10 Identification Numbers ................
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
Operator Safety Operator Safety Safety Rules and Information OPERATING SAFETY Congratulations on purchasing a superior-quality piece of lawn and garden equipment. Our products are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed all industry standards for safety. Do not operate this machine unless you have been trained. Reading and understanding this operator’s manual is a way to train yourself. Power equipment is only as safe as the operator. If it is misused, or not properly maintained, it can
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
Safety Operator Safety SLOPE OPERATION Operation on slopes can be dangerous. Using the unit on a slope that is too steep where you do not have adequate wheel traction (and control) can cause sliding, loss of steering, control, and possible rollover. You should not operate on a slope greater than a 5.4 foot rise over a 20 foot length (15 degrees). Always mow across slopes, not up and down (to maintain traction on the wheels) and avoid sudden turns or rapid speed changes. Reduce speed and use ex
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
Operator Safety RETAINING WALLS, DROP-OFFS, AND WATER Retaining walls and drop-offs around steps and water are a common hazard. Give yourself a minimum of two mower widths of clearance around these hazards and hand-trim with a walk behind mower or string trimmer. Wheels dropping over retaining walls, edges, ditches, embankments, or into water can cause rollovers, which may result in serious injury, death, or drowning. FUEL AND MAINTENANCE Always disengage all drives, shutoff the engine, and rem
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
Safety Operator Safety Read these safety rules and follow them closely. Failure to obey these rules could result in loss of control of unit, severe personal injury or death to you, or bystanders, or damage to property or equipment. The triangle in text This mowing deck is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. signifies important cautions or warnings which must be followed. 20. Keep in mind the operator is responsible for accidents GENERAL OPERATION occurring to other
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
Operator Safety SLOPE OPERATION WARNING Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip- Never operate on slopes greater than 15° which is a over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. rise of 5.4 feet (1,6 m) vertically in 20 feet (6 m) Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If you cannot horizontally. back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not operate on Select slow ground speed before driving onto slope. it. Use extra caution when operating on
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Safety Operator Safety or white gas because engine/fuel system damage could SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE result. Safe Handling of Gasoline 13. If the fuel tank must be drained, it should be drained 1. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources outdoors. of ignition. 14. Replace faulty silencers/mufflers. 2. Use only approved gasoline containers. 15. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels as 3. Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine necessary. running. Allow
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
Operator Safety Safety Decals This unit has been designed and manufactured to provide you with the safety and reliability you would expect from an industry leader in outdoor power equipment manufacturing. Although reading this manual and the safety instructions it contains will provide you with the necessary basic knowledge to operate this equipment safely and effectively, we have placed several safety labels on the unit to remind you of this important information while you are operating your un
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
Safety Operator Safety Safety Icons The alert symbol is used to identity safety information about hazards that can result in personal injury. A signal Safety Interlock System word (DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION) is used with the alert symbol to indicate the likelihood and the potential This unit is equipped with safety interlock switches. These severity of the injury. In addition, a hazard icon may be safety systems are present for your safety, do not attempt used to represent the type of hazar
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
S SA AM MP PL LE E Features and Controls Features and Controls Identification Numbers When contacting your authorized dealer for replacement parts, service, or information you MUST have these numbers. Record your part number, serial number and engine serial A numbers in the space provided on the inside front cover for easy access. These numbers can be found in the locations shown in Figure 1. NOTE: For location of engine identification numbers, refer to Figure 1. Identification Numbers the eng
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
Controls Features and Controls Figure 2. Control Locations Control Functions The information below briefly describes the function of individual controls. Starting, stopping, driving, and mowing require the combined use of several controls applied in specific sequences. To learn what combination and sequence of controls to use for various tasks see the OPERATION section. Seat Adjustment Lever Ground Speed Control Levers The seat can be adjusted forward and back. Move the lever These levers cont
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
Features & Controls Fuel Tank Cap Parking Brake To remove the cap, turn counterclockwise. DISENGAGE Releases the parking brake. Fuel Level Gauge ENGAGE Locks the parking brake. Displays the fuel level in the tank. Pull the parking brake lever up to engage the parking brake. Push the lever down to disengage the parking brake. NOTE: Transmission Oil Fill To start the unit the parking brake must be engaged. This unit is equipped with two transmission oil reservoirs. The transmission oil reservo
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
Operation Operation Operation General Operating Safety WARNING Before first time operation: Never operate on slopes greater than (15°) which is a Be sure to read all information in the Safety and rise of 5.4 feet (1,6 m) vertically in 20 feet (607 cm) Operation sections before attempting to operate this horizontally. tractor and mower. Select slow ground speed before driving onto a slope. Become familiar with all of the controls and how to stop Use extra caution when operating on slopes wit
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
Operation Check Tire Pressures Tire pressure should be checked periodically, and maintained at the levels shown in the chart. Note that these pressures may differ slightly from the “Max Inflation” stamped on the side-wall of the tires. The pressures shown provide proper traction, improve cut quality, and extend tire life. Tire Pressure Front 40 psi (2,76 bar) Rear 15 psi (1,03 bar) Figure 4. Checking Tire Pressure Seat Adjustment See Figure 5. The seat can be adjusted forward and backward. Mo
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
Operation Operation Mowing Height Adjustment The cutting height adjustment pin (A, Figure 6) controls the mower cutting height. The cutting height is adjustable between 1-1/2” (3,37 cm) and 4-1/2” (11,47 cm) in 1/4” C (0,64 cm) increments. A B 1. Depress the deck lift foot pedal (B) until it locks into the 4-1/2” (11,47 cm) position. 2. Place the cutting height adjustment pin in the desired cutting height. 3. Depress the deck lift foot pedal then push the lock lever (C) toward the right to rele
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
Operation Pushing the Rider By Hand Starting the Engine NOTICE WARNING DO NOT TOW RIDER If you do not understand how a specific control Towing the units will cause transmission damage. Do functions, or have not yet thoroughly read the not use another vehicle to push or pull this unit. FEATURES & CONTROLS section, do so now. Do NOT attempt to operate the tractor without first becoming familiar with the location and function of ALL controls. 1. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, turn th
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
Operation Operation Smooth Travel Zero Turn Driving Practice The lever controls of the The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive, and Zero Turn rider are learning to gain a smooth and efficient control of the rider’s responsive. forward, reverse, and turning movements will take some practice. The BEST method of handling the ground Spending some time going through the maneuvers shown speed control levers is in and becoming familiar with how the unit accelerates, travels, three step
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
Operation Practice Turning Around a Corner Practice Turning In Place While traveling forward allow one lever to gradually return To turn in place, “Zero Turn,” gradually move one ground back toward neutral. Repeat several times. speed control lever forward from neutral and one lever back from neutral simultaneously. Repeat several times. NOTE: To prevent pivoting directly on the tire tread, it is best to keep both wheels going at least slightly forward. NOTE: Changing the amount each lever is pu
