SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR RIDE-ON MOWERS IMPORTANT: 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. I. GENERAL OPERATION • Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual and on the machine before starting.
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SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR RIDE-ON MOWERS • Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • Never carry passengers or children even with the blades off. • Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Al ways look down and behind before and while backing.
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. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier.
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INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3) Seat position should be adjusted forward or backward so that the operator can comfortably reach clutch/brake pedal and safely operate the tractor. • Remove the two (2) bolts and fl at washers securing the seat to cardboard packing. Keep the two (2) bolts only and place them with the two (2) identical bolts and four (4) washers in the parts bag.
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ASSEMBLE GAUGE WHEELS TO MOWER DECK (See Fig. 4) The gauge wheels are designed to keep the mower deck in proper position when operating mower. Be sure they are properly adjusted to ensure optimum mower perfor- mance. • Slide gauge wheel bar down into bracket channel, Be sure that gauge wheel bar aligning holes are on top.
INSTALL MOWER AND DRIVE BELT (See Figs. 6 and 7) Be sure tractor is on level surface and mower suspension arms are raised with attachment lift control. Engage park- ing brake. • Cut and remove ties securing anti-sway bar and belts. Swing anti-sway bar to left side of mower deck.
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 MOWER LEVELNESS For best cutting results, mower should be properly leveled.
These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their mean- ing. REVERSE NEUTRAL LIGHTS ON ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE FUEL OVER TEMP LIGHT ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED FREE WHEEL (Automatic Models only) Failure to follow instructions...
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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 location of various controls and adjustments. Save this man ual for future reference. AMMETER THROTTLE CONTROL BRAKE PEDAL MOTION DRIVE...
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 trac- tor or per form ing any adjustments or repairs. We rec om mend a wide vi sion safety mask over spectacles or stan dard safe ty glasses.
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TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 9) Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain conditions.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL • The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already fi lled with sum mer weight oil. • Check engine oil with tractor on level ground. • Remove oil fi ll cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and read oil level.
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PURGE TRANSMISSION CAUTION: Never engage or disengage freewheel lever while the engine is run- ning. To ensure proper operation and performance, it is rec om - mend ed that the transmission be purged before operating tractor for the fi rst time. This procedure will remove any trapped air inside the transmission which may have de- vel oped during shipping of your tractor.
TRACTOR Always observe safety rules when performing any main- te nance. BRAKE OPERATION If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See “TO ADJUST BRAKE” in the Service and Ad just ments section of this manual).
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to “leak” power. • Remove terminal guard. • Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst then RED bat- tery cable and remove battery from tractor. •...
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AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air fi lter. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions. See engine manual. ENGINE OIL FILTER Replace the engine oil fi lter every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one year.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SER VICE OR AD JUST - MENTS: • Depress brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. • Turn ignition key to “STOP” and remove key. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • Position front plate assembly between front mower brackets. Raise deck and plate assembly to align holes and insert fl anged pins. Secure pins with double loop retainer springs between the plate assembly and mower brack ets. NOTE: To assist in locating hole in fl...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS BOTH FRONT PLATE LINKS MUST BE EQUAL IN LENGTH NUT “D” FRONT PLATE AS SEM BLY FIG. 22 TO REPLACE MOWER DRIVE BELT MOWER DRIVE BELT REMOVAL (See Fig. 23) • Park tractor on a level surface. En gage parking brake.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • Reinstall mandrel covers and se cure ly tighten all screws. • Carefully check belt routing making sure belt is in all grooves correctly. • Reinstall mower to tractor (See “TO INSTALL MOWER” in this section of manual). SEC OND ARY IDLER ARM L.H.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TRANSAXLE MOTION CONTROL LEVER NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT (See Fig. 27) The motion control lever has been pre set at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary. • Park tractor on level surface. Stop tractor by turning ignition key to “OFF” position and engage park ing brake.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BAT TERY (See Fig. 29) WARNING: Lead-acid batteries gen- er ate ex plo sive gases. Keep sparks, fl ame and smoking ma te ri als away from bat ter ies. Always wear eye pro tec tion when around batteries.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULB • Raise hood. • Pull bulb holder out of the hole in the backside of the grill. • Replace bulb in holder and push bulb holder securely back into the hole in the backside of the grill. •...
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...
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE Will not start Out of fuel. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. Engine fl ooded. Bad spark plug. Dirty air fi lter. Dirty fuel fi lter. 7. Water in fuel. Loose or damaged wiring. Carburetor out of adjustment. Engine valves out of adjustment.
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE Engine continues to run Faulty operator-safety presence control system. when operator leaves seat with attachment clutch engaged Poor cut - uneven 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. Mower deck not level. Buildup of grass, leaves, and trash under mower. Bent blade mandrel.
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TRACTOR - - MODEL NO. GTH2548XP(GTH2548XPB), PRODUCT NO. 954 56 78-95 SCHEMATIC AMMETER (OPTIONAL) BLACK IGNITION SWITCH IGNITION SWITCH POSITION CIRCUIT “MAKE” M + G + A1 NONE ON + LIGHTS B + A1 L + A2 B + A1...
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - - MODEL NO. GTH2548XP(GTH2548XPB), PRODUCT NO. 954 56 78-95 MOWER DECK KEY PART DESCRIPTION 532 18 18-48 Deck Weldment Mower 48 532 17 89-15 Bracket Asm., Sway Bar 532 12 46-70 Retainer Spring 532 17 80-24...
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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 greater than 15 degrees. Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control.
It is the Owner’s and Dealer’s responsibility to make certain that the Warranty Registration Card is properly fi lled out and mailed to Husqvarna Forest & Garden Company. This card should be mailed within ten (10) days from the date of purchase in order to confi rm the warranty and to facilitate post-sale service.