Craftsman T100 Series Gas Riding Lawn Mower User Manual

Craftsman T100 Series Gas Riding Lawn Mower

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SLOPE OPERATION

• Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy about it, do not mow it. For your safety, use the Slope Guide included as part of this manual to measure
  slopes before operating this machine on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees as shown on the Slope Guide, do not operate this machine in that area or serious injury could result.
• Do:
• Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes even
  though the brakes are functioning properly. Always keep the machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backward which could cause serious injury.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.
• Do Not:
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff, or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground
• Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.
• Do not attempt to coast downhill. Over-speeding may cause the operator to lose control of the machine resulting in serious injury or death.
• Do not tow heavy pull-behind attachments (e.g. loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5 degrees. When going downhill, the extra weight tends to push the tractor and may cause you to lose control (e.g., the tractor may speed up, braking and steering ability are reduced, and attachment may jack-knife and cause the tractor to overturn).

ASSEMBLY & SET-UP

Contents of Carton

• Lawn Tractor (1)
• Steering Wheel (1) -Cup Washer (1) & Hex Bolt (1)
• Operator’s Manual (1)
• Ignition Key (2)
• Seat (1)
• Engine Operator’s Manual (1)
• Plastic Oil Drain Sleeve (1)
• Dash Shroud (1)
• Fast Start Guide (1)
• Oil Drain Hose (1)
• Deck Wash Nozzle (1)
• Parts/Warranty Document (1)
• Hood Scoop (1)
• Hose Coupler (1)
• Product Registration Card (1)

Shipping Brace Removal

• Check the cutting deck for a shipping brace (a) that may be holding the chute deflector (b) upward for shipment. If the shipping brace (a) is present, it must be
  removed before operating the tractor. Holding the chute deflector (b) fully upward, remove the shipping brace (a). Lower the chute deflector (b) and discard the shipping brace (a). See Figure 2-3.

Attaching the Steering Wheel

1. If the steering wheel (a) for your tractor did not come attached, the hardware for attaching it has been packed within the steering wheel (a), beneath the steering wheel cap (b). Carefully pry OFF the steering wheel cap (b) and remove the cupped washer (c) and hex bolt (d). See Figure 5.
2. With the wheels of the tractor pointing straight forward, place the steering wheel (a) over the steering shaft (e). See Figure 5.
3. Place the cupped washer (c) — cupped side down — over the steering wheel (a) and secure with the hex bolt (d). See Figure 5.
4. Place the steering wheel cap (b) over the center of the steering wheel (a) and push downward until it “clicks” into place. See Figure 5.

Attaching the Seat

If the seat for your tractor was not attached at the factory, refer to the following steps.

1. Remove the seat adjustment knob (a) from the bottom of the seat (b). See Figure 6.
2. Align the seat (b) over the seat pivot bracket (c) as shown in Figure 6 and fit the seat (b) onto the seat pivot bracket (c) inserting the two tabs on the seat (b) bottom into the slots on the seat pivot bracket (c).
3. Slide the seat (b) rearward in the seat pivot bracket (c), lining up the center rear slot in the seat pivot bracket (c) with the remaining hole in the seat (b) base. See Figure 7.
   • NOTE: Be certain the two-seat tabs engage the seat pivot bracket as shown in the bottom right inset of Figure 7.
4. Select the desired position for the seat (b), and secure with the adjustment knob (a) removed in Step 1. See Figure 7.
5. To adjust the position of the seat, remove the adjustment knob (a) on the bottom of the seat (b). Slide the seat (b) forward or backward as desired. Reinstall the adjustment knob (a). See Figure 7.

Tire Pressure

The recommended operating tire pressure is:

• Approximately 10 psi for the rear tires
• Approximately 14 psi for the front tires
• IMPORTANT: Refer to the tire sidewall for the tire manufacturer’s recommended tire or maximum PSI. Do not overinflate. Uneven tire pressure could cause the cutting deck to mow unevenly.

Gasoline

The gasoline tank is located under the hood. Do not overfill.

• This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline. For best results, fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher.
• Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded gasoline by volume) is an approved fuel. Other gasoline/alcohol blends, such as E85, are not approved.
• Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded gasoline blends (up to a maximum of 15% MTBE by volume) are approved fuels. Other gasoline/ether blends are not approved.
• Fill the fuel tank outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Never remove the gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Allow the engine to cool for at least two minutes before refueling.
• If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move the machine to another area. Wait five minutes before starting the engine.

To Add Gasoline

Refer to Figure 1 and proceed to your applicable model for your gas tank.

Hydrostatic Models

1. Turn the engine OFF and let the engine cool for at least two minutes before removing the fuel cap. The gasoline tank is located under the hood. Remove the fuel cap by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Fill the fuel tank with gasoline. Use only clean, fresh (no more than 30 days old), unleaded gasoline. Fill the tank to the base of the filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion. DO NOT TOP OFF THE TANK WITH FUEL. See Figure 9.

Foot Control CVT Models & CVT Models

1. Turn the engine OFF and let the engine cool for at least two minutes before removing the fuel cap. The gasoline tank is located under the hood. Remove the fuel cap by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Fill the fuel tank with gasoline. Use only clean, fresh (no more than 30 days old), unleaded gasoline. Fill the tank to no more than ½” below the bottom of the filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion. See Figure 10

OPERATION

Throttle/Choke Control Lever

• The throttle/choke control lever is located on the left side of the lawn tractor’s dash panel. This lever controls the speed of the engine, as well as the choke when it is pushed all the way forward. When set in a given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed.
• IMPORTANT: When operating the lawn tractor with the cutting deck engaged, be certain that the throttle/choke control lever is always in the FAST (rabbit) position. Moving the throttle/choke control lever all the way forward activates the engine’s choke control. Activating the choke control closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine. Refer to Starting the Engine on page 18 for detailed starting instructions.

Drive Pedal (If equipped)

• The drive pedal is located on the right side of the lawn tractor, along the running board. Depress the drive pedal forward and the lawn tractor will move in the
  direction that the shift lever is engaged in. To cause the lawn tractor to travel forward, while at a complete stop, move the shift lever into the FORWARD (F)
  position. Gradually step on the drive pedal and the lawn tractor will begin to move forward. To move in REVERSE (R), follow the same procedure only move the shift lever into the REVERSE (R) position.
• The ground speed is controlled with the drive pedal. The further forward that the pedal is pivoted, the faster the lawn tractor will travel. The pedal will return to its original position when it’s not depressed. Refer to Driving the Lawn Tractor on page 19 for detailed instructions regarding the drive pedal.
• IMPORTANT: Always set the parking brake when leaving the lawn tractor unattended.

Ignition Switch Module

• To start the engine, insert the key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the key into the NORMAL MOWING MODE position once the engine has fired. The headlights will be activated in the NORMAL (and REVERSE CAUTION MODES). To stop the engine, turn the key counter-clockwise to the OFF or STOP position. See Figure 14.

To use the REVERSE CAUTION MODE:

IMPORTANT: The operator MUST be seated in the lawn tractor seat.

1. Start the engine as instructed on page 18.
2. Turn the key from the NORMAL DRIVING MODE (Green) position to the REVERSE CAUTION MODE (Yellow) position of the ignition switch module.
   See Figure 15.
3. Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON (Orange, Triangular Button) at the top, right corner of the ignition switch module. The red indicator light at the top, left corner of the ignition switch module will be ON while activated. See Figure 15.
4. Once activated (indicator light ON), the lawn tractor can be driven in reverse with the cutting blades (PTO) engaged.

Starting the Engine

1. Insert the key into the ignition switch.
2. Place the PTO lever in the disengaged (PTO OFF) position.
3. Engage the lawn tractor’s parking brake (if equipped).
4. Activate the choke control.
5. Turn the key clockwise to the START position. After the engine starts, release the key. It will return to the PTO ON (or NORMAL DRIVING MODE) position.
   • IMPORTANT: Do NOT hold the key in the START position for longer than 10 seconds at a time. Doing so may cause damage to your engine’s electric starter.
6. After the engine starts, deactivate the throttle/choke control lever and place the throttle/choke control lever in the FAST position.

Stopping the Engine

1. If the blades are engaged, place the PTO lever in the disengaged (OFF) position.
2. Turn the key counterclockwise to the STOP position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent unintended starting.

Engaging the Blades

Engaging the PTO (blade engage) transfers power to the cutting deck. To engage the blades, proceed as follows:

1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Grasp the PTO lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (PTO ON) position.
3. Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other optional attachments.
   • IMPORTANT: Models with REVERSE CAUTION MODE: The engine will automatically shut OFF if the PTO is engaged with the speed control lever
     in position for reverse travel with the key in the NORMAL DRIVING MODE position.
   • IMPORTANT: Models without REVERSE CAUTION MODE: The PTO lever must be in the disengaged (PTO OFF) position when starting the engine when traveling in reverse, and if the operator leaves the seat. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches on page 17.

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

Maintenance

Cleaning the Rider

Your rider should be cleaned after each use and under certain conditions, i.e. dry conditions and/or mulching situations, additional cleaning may be necessary.
One of the best ways to keep your rider running efficiently and to reduce fire risk is to regularly remove debris buildup from the rider. Follow the recommendations
below and contact your authorized dealer with any questions.

• Allow the machine to cool in an open area before cleaning.
• Do not use water on any part of the rider except the underside of the cutting deck. Doing so can cause damage to the rider’s spindle bearings, electrical system, and engine, leading to premature failures. The use of compressed air and/or leaf blower will help keep the rider clean.
• Clean under the hood. Exhaust manifold, around fuses, all wiring and harnesses, muffler pipe, muffler shield, engine intake screens cooling fins, etc. See Figure 2.
• Clean the top of the mower deck, under the spindle covers and belt area. See Figure 3.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Craftsman T100 Series Gas Riding Lawn Mower-FAQs