Operator's manual model: hd13538 lawn tractor always wear eye protection during operation visit our website: www.Weedeater.Com warning: read this man u al and follow all warnings and safety instructions. Fail ure to do so can re sult in serious in ju ry. Important manual do not throw away 195383 11....
2 i. General operation • read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual before starting. • do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the machine. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times. • only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the i...
3 • be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operat- ing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • never carry passengers. • do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Al ways look down and behind before and while back- ing. • never carry children, even with the blades shut off. They ...
4 table of contents safety rules ......................................................... 2-3 product specifications ....................................... 4 customer responsibilities................................. 4 assembly ................................................................. 6-8 ...
5 contents of hardware pack steering wheel steering wheel insert (1) large flat washer steering boot steering wheel adapter seat (2) keys slope sheet key (1) oil drain tube (1) hex bolt 5/16-18 x 4 (1) 5/16 lock washer steering extension shaft (1) bolt (1) washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 gauge (1) lock w...
6 assembly tools required for assembly a socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Stan dard wrench sizes are listed. (1) 1/2" wrench utility knife (1) 3/4" wrench tire pres sure gauge pliers when right or left hand is mentioned in this man ual, it means when you are in the operating po si tion (...
7 assembly fig. 2 to roll tractor off skid (see op- er a tion section for location and func tion of con trols) • press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever to its highest po si tion. • release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake ped al. • place gearshift lever in neutral (n) po si...
8 assembly check tire pressure the tires on your tractor were overinfl ated at the factory for shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important for best cutting performance. • reduce tire pressure to psi shown in “product spec i fi ca tions” section of this manual. Check deck levelness for best...
9 operation these symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their mean- ing. Danger, keep hands and feet away free wheel (automatic models only) over temp light keep area clear slope hazards 15 15 (see safety rules section) battery reverse fo...
10 02829 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 clutch lever - ...
11 note: under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may cause “brown ing” of grass. To eliminate this possibility, al- ways stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas. Caution: always stop tractor com- plete ly, as described above, ...
12 to operate on hills warning: do not drive up or down hills with slopes great er than 15° and do not drive across any slope. • choose the slowest speed before starting up or down hills. • avoid stopping or changing speed on hills. • if slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to slower po...
13 operation to start engine (see fig. 5) when starting the engine for the fi rst time or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine. • sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake. • place gear ...
14 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....
15 maintenance lubrication chart d spindle zerk d front wheel bearing zerk c sae 30 or 10w30 motor oil d general purpose grease e refer to maintenance “engine” section important: do not oil or grease the pivot points which have special nylon bearings. Viscous lu bri cants will attract dust and dirt ...
16 maintenance fig. 8 to sharpen blade (see fig. 9) note: we do not recommend sharpening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced. Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An un- bal anced blade will cause excessive vibration and even tual dam age to mower and engine. • the blade...
17 fig. 9 battery your tractor has a battery charging system which is suf fi cient for normal use. However, periodic charging of the battery with an automotive charger will extend its life. • keep battery and terminals clean. • keep battery bolts tight. • keep small vent holes open. • recharge at 6-...
18 maintenance cleaning • clean engine, battery, seat, fi nish, etc. Of all foreign matter. • keep fi nished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc. • protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax. We do not recommend using a garden hose or pressure washer to clean your tractor unles...
19 service and adjustments warning: to avoid se ri ous in ju ry, before performing any service or adjust- ments: • depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • place gearshift lever in neutral (n) position. • place attachment clutch in “disengaged” position. • turn ignition key to “stop...
20 service and adjustments front-to-back adjustment (see figs. 16 and 17) important: deck must be level side-to-side. If the following front-to-back adjustment is necessary, be sure to ad just both front links equal ly so mower will stay level side-to-side. To obtain the best cutting results, the mo...
21 38 42 02373 service and adjustments fig. 18 fig. 20 to replace motion drive belt (see fig. 20) park the tractor on level surface. En gage parking brake. For as sis tance, there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom side of left footrest. Belt removal - • remove mower (see “to re move mower...
22 adjustment bolt neutral lock gate gearshift lever fig. 21 service and adjustments to adjust steering wheel align- ment if steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal (left to right) when wheels are positioned straight forward, remove steer- ing wheel and reassemble per instructions in the assembl...
23 replacing battery (see figs. 24 and 25) warning: do not short battery ter mi nals by allowing a wrench or any other object to contact both terminals at the same time. Before connect- ing battery, remove metal bracelets, wristwatch bands, rings, etc. Positive terminal must be connected fi rst to p...
24 storage immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or more. Warning: never store the trac tor with gas o line in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open fl ame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before stor...
25 troubleshooting points will not start 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank. 2. Engine not “choked” properly. 2. See “to start engine” in operation section. 3. Engine fl ooded. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. 4. Bad spark plug. 4. Replace spark plug. 5. Dirty air fi lter. 5. Clean...
26 troubleshooting points problem cause correction engine dies when 1. Reverse operation system 1. Turn ignition key to tractor is shifted (ros) is not "on" while ros "on" position. Into reverse mower or other attachment see operation section. Is engaged. Engine continues to run 1. Faulty operator-s...
27 limited warranty the manufacturer warrants to the original consumer purchaser that this product as manufactured is free from defects in materi- als and work man ship. For a period of two (2) years from date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser, we will repair or replace, at our option, ...
28 t e c u m s e h ® issued january 1980 revised january 1991 t e c u m s e h ® service policy warranty limited warranties for new peerless gear power train components a. Products warranted peerless gear and machine division of tecumseh products company (“tecumseh”), subject to the limitations conta...
29 15 degrees max. Fold along do tted line this is a 15 degree slope only ride up and down hill, not across hill suggested guide for sighting slopes for safe operation warning: to avoid serious injury, operate your tractor up and down the face of slopes, never across the face. Do not mow slopes grea...
This product has been expertly en gi neered and carefully manu fac tured to rigid quality stan dards. As with all mechanical products, some adjustments or part replacement may be necessary during the life of your unit. For parts and service, contact our authorized distributor: call 1-800-849-1297 • ...