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OPERATOR'S MANUAL
MODEL NO. MC18542LT
*
18.5 HP 42 INCH
LAWN TRACTOR
• Assembly
• Operation
• Customer Responsibilities
• Service and Adjustments
• Storage
• Troubleshooting
*As rated by the engine manufacturer
www.mcculloch.biz
532 43 27-66 Rev. 1 Printed in the U.S.A.
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SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers DANGER: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROW ING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • Slow down before turning. WARNING: In order to prevent ac ci den tal • Never leave a running machine unattended. Always starting when setting up, trans port ing, turn off blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and ad just ing or making repairs,
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SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers III. CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to GENERAL SERVICE the presence of children. Children are often attracted to • Never operate machine in a closed area. the ma chine and the mowing activity. Never assume that • Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the equipment children will remain where you last saw them. is in safe working condition. • Keep children out of the mowing area and in the watchful
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CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tractor. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS It has been designed, engineered and manu fac tured to give Gasoline Capacity 1.50 Gallons you the best possible dependability and performance. and Type: Unleaded Regular Should you experience any problem you cannot easily rem- Oil Type (API-SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F/0°C) edy, please contact your nearest authorized service center/ SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F/0°C) department. We have com pe tent, well-trained tech ni
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UNASSEMBLED PARTS Steering Wheel Steering (1) Large Flat Washer Wheel Insert (1) 5/16 Lock Washer (1) Hex Bolt 5/16-18 x 4 Steering Steering Wheel Extension Steering Adapter Shaft Boot Seat (1) Washer (1) Knob (1) Seat (1) Oil Drain Tube For Future Use Slope Sheet Keys (2) Keys 5
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ASSEMBLY Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To 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 insure proper tightness. INSTALL STEERING WHEEL TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY • Position front wheels of the tractor so they are pointing A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Stan dard straight forward
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ASSEMBLY • Place seat on seat pan and assemble shoul der bolt. CHECK DECK LEVELNESS Tighten shoulder bolt se cure ly. For best cutting results, mower housing should be prop- • Assemble adjustment knob and flat wash er loose ly. erly leveled. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Do not tighten. Service and Adjustments section of this manual. • Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat. CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL • Slide seat until a comfortable position is reached which BELTS
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OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their mean- ing. FAST SLOW REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW CHOKE IGNITION SWITCH P REVERSE ENGINE ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE ENGINE OFF PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE OPERATION LOCKED UNLOCKED SYSTEM (ROS) FUEL OIL PRESSURE BATTERY REVERSE FORWARD OVER TEMP MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT LIGHT 15 15 ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT BRAKE/CLUTCH KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS CLUTCH DISENGAGED CLUTCH ENGA
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OPERATION KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING 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. ATTACHMENT ROS "ON" IGNITION CLUTCH LEVER POSITION SWITCH LIFT LEVER PLUNGER LIGHT SWITCH ATTACHMENT THROTTLE/CHOKE LIFT LEVER CONTROL HEIGHT CLUTCH/BRAKE ADJUSTMENT PEDAL INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE GEAR SHIFT LEVER 02829 Fig. 4
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OPERATION The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye dam age. Always wear safety glass es or eye shields while operating your tractor or per form ing any ad just ments or repairs. We rec om mend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles. IMPORTANT: LEAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ANY HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR POSITION OTHER THAN "STOP" WILL CAUSE THE BATTERY TO BE DIS CHARGED, (DEAD). TO SET
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OPERATION REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS) "ENGAGED" POSITION Your tractor is equipped with a Reverse Operation System ATTACHMENT (ROS). Any attempt by the operator to travel in the reverse LIFT LEVER direction with the attachment clutch engaged will shut off HIGH PO SI TION the engine unless ignition key is placed in the ROS "ON" position. LOW W ARNING: Backing up with the attachment clutch en- POSITION gaged while mowing is strongly discouraged. Turning the ROS "ON", to allow reverse opera
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OPERATION TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 4) BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine. The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the • Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake factory, already filled with sum mer weight oil. pedal and set parking brake. • Check engine oil with tractor on level ground. • Plac
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OPERATION MOWING TIPS • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per- for mance. 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 are discharged onto the area that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the machine. This will result in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting. • When mowing large areas, start by turning to the r
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MAINTENANCE BEFORE EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY BEFORE MAINTENANCE EACH 8 25 50 100 SEASON STORAGE SCHEDULE USE HOURS HOURS HOURS HOURS Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure T Check Operator Presence & ROS Systems R Check for Loose Fasteners A Check/Replace Mower Blades 3 C T Lubrication Chart 0 Check Battery Level 4 R Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transaxle Cooling Check Mower Levelness Check V-Belts Check Engine Oil Level Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) 1,2 1,2 Change Engine Oil
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MAINTENANCE BLADE CARE TRACTOR For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re place Always observe safety rules when per form ing any bent or damaged blades. main te nance. CAUTION: Use only a replacement blade ap- BRAKE OPERATION proved by the manufacturer of your tractor. If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to stop at highest Using a blade not approved by the manu- speed in high est gear on a level, dry concrete or paved facturer of your tractor is hazardous, could surface
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MAINTENANCE TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 12) V-BELTS Determine temperature range expected before oil change. Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours of operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not All oil must meet API service classification C. ad just able. Re place belts if they begin to slip from wear. • Be sure tractor is on level surface. • Oil will drain more freely when warm. TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE • Catch oil in a suitable container. Keep transaxle free fr
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MAINTENANCE CLEAN AIR SCREEN IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 14) Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent The fuel filter should be replaced once each season. If fuel engine dam age from overheating. Clean with a wire brush filter becomes clogged, ob struct ing fuel flow to car bu re tor, or com pressed air to re move dirt and stubborn dried gum re place ment is re quired. fibers. • With engine cool, remove filter and plug fuel line sec- tions. AIR FILTER • Place new fuel f
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID 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. • Turn ignition key to “STOP” and remove key. • Make sure the blades and all moving parts have completely stopped. • Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug. TO REMOVE MOWER (Se
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING Check adjustment on right side of tractor. Measure dis tance “D” directly in front and behind the mandrel at bottom edge Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground of mower housing as shown. or driveway. Make sure tires are properly inflated (See “PROD UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual). If • Before making any necessary adjustments, check that tires are over or underinflated, you will not properly adjust both front l
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02314 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT (See Fig. 21) (See Fig. 20) Park the tractor on level surface. En gage parking brake. The mower blade drive belt may be replaced without tools. For as sis tance, there is a belt installation guide decal on Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake. bottom side of left footrest. BELT REMOVAL - BELT REMOVAL - • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” po si tion. • Remove mower (See
