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Ferris IS500Z Series Operator's Manual

Manual is about: Zero-Turn Riding Mower

Summary of IS500Z Series

  • Page 1

    5100900 rev: k briggs & stratton power products group, llc. 5375 north main street munnsville, ny 13409 800-933-6175 is500z series zero-turn riding mower operator’s manual model number: description: 5900640 is500zb2444 5900704 is500zb2652 5900729 is500zb2444 aus/nz 5900730 is500zb2652 aus/nz 5900740...

  • Page 2: Warning

    Warning engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known by the state of california to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Thank you for purchasing this quality-built ferris product. We’re pleased that you’ve placed your confidence in the ferris brand. When operated and...

  • Page 3

    Table of contents operator safety .................................................. 2 identification numbers ..........................................11 safety decals ........................................................12 safety interlock system ........................................13 featu...

  • Page 4: Operator Safety

    2 operator safety operator safety 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 an...

  • Page 5

    3 operator safety moving parts this equipment has many moving parts that can injure you or someone else. However, if you stay in the operator zone (stay seated in the seat), and follow the safety rules in this operator’s manual, the unit is safe to operate. The mower deck has spinning mower blades t...

  • Page 6

    4 roll bar use keep the roll bar in position and fasten the seat belt. Do not jump off if the mower tips (it is safer to be secured by the seat belt.) never remove the roll bar. Retaining walls, drop-offs, and water retaining walls and drop-offs around steps and water are a common hazard. Give yours...

  • Page 7

    5 operator safety enclosed areas only operate this unit outdoors and away from unventilated areas such as inside garages or enclosed trailers. The engine emits poisonous carbon monoxide gas and prolonged exposure in an enclosed area can result in serious injury or death. Fuel and maintenance always ...

  • Page 8

    6 2. Mow only in the daylight or with good artificial light, keeping away from holes and hidden hazards. 3. Be sure all drives are in neutral and parking brake is engaged before starting engine. Only start engine from the operator’s position. Use seat belts if provided. 4. Be sure of your footing wh...

  • Page 9: Caution

    7 operator safety 23. Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure vision. 24. To reduce fire hazard, keep unit free of grass, leaves & excess oil. Do not stop or park over dry leaves, grass or combustible materials. 25. The engine in this unit is not fact...

  • Page 10

    8 operator safety service and maintenance to avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Safe handling of gasoline 1. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. 2. Use onl...

  • Page 11: Warning

    9 operator safety 27. Models equipped with an engine radiator: warning: stored energy device. To prevent serious bodily injury from hot coolant or steam blow-out, never attempt to remove the radiator cap while the engine is running. Stop the engine and wait until it is cool. Even then, use extreme c...

  • Page 12: Warning

    10 inspect buckle & latch inspect webbing operator safety warning failure to properly inspect and maintain the seat belt can cause serious injury or death. Inspection and maintenance of the roll bar seat belt • the seat belt like the roll bar, needs to be periodically inspected to verify that the in...

  • Page 13: Sample

    Operator safety identification numbers sample sample 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 numbers in the space provided for easy access. These numbers can be found i...

  • Page 14

    12 www.Ferrisindustries.Com 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 y...

  • Page 15: Warning

    13 operator safety safety interlock system this unit is equipped with safety interlock switches. These safety systems are present for your safety, do not attempt to bypass safety switches, and never tamper with safety devices. Check their operation regularly. Operational safety checks test 1 — engin...

  • Page 16: Features and Controls

    14 www.Ferrisindustries.Com 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...

  • Page 17

    Fuel tank cap to remove the cap, turn counterclockwise. Fuel level gauge displays the fuel level in the tank. Features & controls 15 parking brake disengage releases the parking brake. Engage locks the parking brake. Pull the parking brake lever back to engage the parking brake. Move the lever fully...

  • Page 18: Warning

    16 www.Ferrisindustries.Com general operating safety before first time operation: • be sure to read all information in the safety and operation sections before attempting to operate this tractor and mower. • become familiar with all of the controls and how to stop the unit. • drive in an open area w...

  • Page 19: Warning

    Warning if you do not understand how a specific control functions, or have not yet thoroughly read the 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. Starting the engine 1. While sitting in...

  • Page 20

    Operation zero turn driving practice the lever controls of the zero turn rider are responsive, and learning to gain a smooth and efficient control of the rider’s forward, reverse, and turning movements will take some practice. Spending some time going through the maneuvers shown and becoming familia...

  • Page 21

    Advanced driving executing an end-of-row zero turn your zero turn rider’s unique ability to turn in place allows you to turn around at the end of a cutting row rather than having to stop and y-turn before starting a new row. For example, to execute a left end-of row zero turn: 1. Slow down at the en...

  • Page 22

    20 www.Ferrisindustries.Com mowing 1. Engage the parking brake. Make sure the pto switch is disengaged, the motion control levers are locked in the neutral position and the operator is on the seat. 2. Start the engine (see starting the engine). 3. Set the mower cutting height. 4. Set the throttle to...

  • Page 23

    21 when and how often to mow the time of day and condition of the grass greatly affect the results you’ll get when mowing. For the best results, follow these guidelines: 1. Mow when the grass is between three and five inches high. 2. Mow with sharp blades. Short clippings of grass one inch or shorte...

  • Page 24

    Attaching a trailer the maximum weight of a towed trailer should be less than 200 lbs (91kg). Secure the trailer with a appropriately sized clevis pin (a, figure 12) and clip (b). Excessive towed loads can cause loss of traction and loss of control on slopes. Reduce towed weight when operating on sl...

  • Page 25: Warning

    23 storage temporary storage (30 days or less) remember, the fuel tank will still contain some gasoline, so never store the unit indoors or in any other area where fuel vapor could travel to any ignition source. Fuel vapor is also toxic if inhaled, so never store the unit in any structure used for h...

  • Page 26: Regular Maintenance

    24 www.Ferrisindustries.Com maintenance schedule the following schedule should be followed for normal care of your rider and mower. You will need to keep a record of your operating time. Determining operating time is easily accomplished by observing the elapsed time recorded by the hour meter. Regul...

  • Page 27: Warning

    25 figure 13. Checking tire pressure 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 tr...

  • Page 28

    26 www.Ferrisindustries.Com regular maintenance lubrication lubricate the unit at the locations shown in figures 15 through 18 as well as the following lubrication points. Grease: • front caster wheel axles & yokes • deck lift pivot blocks • mower deck spindles • mower deck idler arm use grease fitt...

  • Page 29: Warning

    27 regular maintenance figure 20. Battery compartment a. Positive (+) cable & terminal b. Negative (-) cable & terminal c. Reservoir mounting hardware d. Hydraulic oil reservoir e. Hydraulic oil filter warning be careful when handling the battery. Avoid spilling electrolyte. Keep flames and sparks a...

  • Page 30: Caution

    28 www.Ferrisindustries.Com regular maintenance servicing the mower blades removing the mower blade 1. See figure 21. To remove the mower blade, wedge a wooden block between the mower blade and the mower deck housing to keep the mower blade from turning, then remove the mower blade and the mower bla...

  • Page 31: Caution

    29 regular maintenance sharpening the mower blade 1. Sharpen the mower blades with grinder, hand file, or electric blade sharpener. 2. Sharpen the mower blade by removing an equal amount of material from each end of the mower blade. 3. Keep the original bevel (a, figure 24) when grinding. Do not cha...

  • Page 32: Warning

    30 www.Ferrisindustries.Com troubleshooting, adjustment & service troubleshooting chart while normal care and regular maintenance will extend the life of your equipment, prolonged or constant use may eventually require that service be performed to allow it to continue operating properly. The trouble...

  • Page 33

    31 troubleshooting, adjustment & service rider troubleshooting continued. Problem cause remedy engine runs, but rider will 1. Hydraulic release valve(s) 1. Turn valve(s) clockwise to close. Not drive. In “open” position. 2. Belt is broken. 2. See drive belt replacement. 3. Drive belt slips. 3. See p...

  • Page 34

    32 www.Ferrisindustries.Com troubleshooting, adjustment & service troubleshooting common cutting problems problem cause remedy streaking. 1. Blades are not sharp. 1. Sharpen your blades. 2. Blades are worn down to far. 2. Replace your blades. 3. Engine speed is too slow. 3. Always mow at full thrott...

  • Page 35: Warning

    33 seat adjustment see figure 27. The seat can be adjusted forward and backward. Move the lever towards the left, position the seat as desired, and release the lever to lock the seat into position. Ground speed control lever adjustment the control levers can be adjusted in three ways. The alignment ...

  • Page 36: Caution

    34 www.Ferrisindustries.Com troubleshooting, adjustment & service figure 30. Parking brake adjustment a. Brake spring b. Adjustment nut parking brake adjustment 1. Disengage the pto, engage the parking brake, stop the engine and remove the ignition key. 2. Raise the seat plate. 3. Locate the brake s...

  • Page 37: Warning

    35 rear suspension adjustment the shock assembly can be adjusted to allow the operator to customize the ride according to operator’s weight and/or operating conditions. You have the option of adjusting the spring pre-load. Items to consider before adjusting the suspension. • less spring pre-load sho...

  • Page 38: Warning

    36 www.Ferrisindustries.Com troubleshooting, adjustment & service figure 32. Neutral return spring adjustment a. Rear set collar b. Neutral return rod c. Neutral return spring d. Front set collar e. Neutral return bushing f. Spring stop plate return-to-neutral adjustment to determine if it is necess...

  • Page 39

    37 mowing height adjustment the cutting height adjustment pin (a, figure 34) controls the mower cutting height. The cutting height is adjustable between 1-3/4” (4,4 cm) and 4-1/2” (11,4 cm) in 1/4” (0,64 cm) increments. 1. Depress the deck lift foot pedal (b) until it locks into the 4-1/2” (11,4 cm)...

  • Page 40

    38 www.Ferrisindustries.Com troubleshooting, adjustment & service figure 35. Check lift rod timing figure 36. Adjust lift rod timing deck rod timing adjustment 1. Park machine on a flat, level surface. Disengage the pto, stop the engine and engage the parking brake. Rear tires must be inflated to 15...

  • Page 41

    39 figure 37. 2 x 4 locations figure 38. Hanger chain adjustment a a a figure 39. Checking the blade height adjustment deck leveling adjustment 44” & 52” models note: before adjusting the deck level, the deck lift rod timing must be checked and/or adjustment. 1. Park machine on a flat, level surface...

  • Page 42: Warning

    40 www.Ferrisindustries.Com troubleshooting, adjustment & service figure 41. Mower pto belt routing a. Spindle pulley b. Pto drive belt c. Spring-loaded idler pulley d. Stationary idler pulley b c a a a d c b d a a a d 44” deck 52” deck d a figure 40. Mower pto belt a. Idler arm b. Stationary idler ...

  • Page 43

    41 8 3/8” (21,2 cm) figure 43. Hydraulic pump drive belt replacement a. Pump drive belt b. Crankshaft pulley c. Pump pulley d. Idler pulley e. Idler arm f. Spring g. Spring anchor hook b d a c c f g e hydraulic pump drive belt replacement 1. Park the tractor on a smooth, level surface such as a conc...

  • Page 44: Warning

    42 www.Ferrisindustries.Com troubleshooting, adjustment & service battery service checking battery voltage a voltmeter can be used to determine condition of battery. When engine is off, the voltmeter shows battery voltage, which should be 12 volts. When engine is running, the voltmeter shows voltage...

  • Page 45: Warning

    43 to starter switch starting vehicle battery to ground to starter switch discharged vehicle battery engine block this hook-up for negative ground vehicles make certain vehicles do not touch jumper cable jumper cable warning any procedure other than the preceding could result in: (1) personal injury...

  • Page 46: Specifications

    Note: specifications are correct at time of printing and are subject to change without notice. Specifications *power ratings: the gross power rating for individual gas engine models is labeled in accordance with sae (society of automotive engineers) code j1940 (small engine power & torque rating pro...

  • Page 47

    45 this is a 15 degree slope instr uctions 1. Fold this pa g e along the dotted line indicated abo ve . 2. Align the left edg e of this guide with a ver tical tree , a po wer line pole , a f ence post, or an y ver tical structure . 3. Compare the angle of the f old with the angle of the hill. Align ...

  • Page 48

    Notes not for reproduction.

  • Page 49

    Notes not for reproduction.

  • Page 50

    Not for reproduction.

  • Page 51

    Thank you for purchasing ferris commercial mowing equipment. Please take a few minutes to read this limited warranty information. It contains all the information you will need to have your ferris mower repaired in the unlikely event that a breakdown covered by this limited warranty should occur. Own...

  • Page 52: Is500Z Series

    Briggs & stratton power products group, llc. 5375 north main street munnsville, ny 13409 800-933-6175 www.Ferrisindustries.Com is500z series zero-turn riding mower operator’s manual not for reproduction.