OPERATOR’S MANUAL Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor Model Series 690 - 699 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge...................................................................................................... 7 Assembling Your Lawn Tractor .......................................................................... 8 Know Your Lawn Tractor.................................................................................... 12 Operating Your Lawn Tractor................
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.
5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine. 6. 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 backwards which could cause serious injury. 7. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope. 24.
at least two minutes before refueling. h. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion. i. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely. j. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine. k. To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris. l.
original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!” 12. Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine. 13. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary. 14. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment. 10. Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the machine while the engine is running. 11.
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE FOL D ON D O T TED LI 15° NE SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE T IN G A 15 °S LO P E OR A FENCE POST A CORNER OF A BUILDING A POWER POLE ,R E P RES EN WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury.
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR Antidote NOTE: This manual covers various models of hydrostatic tractors within the 690 series. Please use instructions pertaining only to your tractor. Use the following antidotes if you come in contact with the battery acid. External - Flush with water. Unpacking • • • • • • Internal - Drink large quantities of water or milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable oil. Call physician immediately.
• • Compare the battery in your lawn tractor (located under the seat) with the illustration above. Type “A” batteries are activated and are ready to use. Type “B” batteries must be filled with battery fluid (acid) and charged before they are put into service. Follow instructions which apply to the battery in your lawn tractor only. NOTE: If the openings on each end of the steering bellow are of two sizes, the smaller end goes down against the dash of the lawn tractor.
NOTE: The seat may have been shipped in a box. Remove the four screws from the bottom of seat and place seat in position against the seat pivot bracket. Follow the directions above to attach the seat. • • Quick Adjustment Seat • Remove the two bolts from the bottom of the seat and remove the packing straps. Replace the bolts. Line up plastic seat spacers with the slots in seat pivot bracket. Slide seat in until front seat spacer engages the seat stop. To adjust the seat refer to the Adjustment Section.
• To operate the cutting deck without mulching, simply remove the mulch plug by unthreading the plastic wing nut which fastens it to the cutting deck. This will allow the clippings to discharge out the side. See Figure 6. • Carriage Screw • Pull the adjustable lift link out of the deck hanger channel. Turn the adjustable lift link up or down as necessary to level the deck. Usually only one or two turns are needed. See Figure 7.
• Battery Strap Slot in Frame Hole • Insert the drain tube down through the hole in the battery compartment and the hole in the transaxle reinforcement bracket located on the right side of the unit. See Figure 9. Be certain drain tube is routed away from the wheel rim. Trim excess end of drain tube if necessary (about 4" should extend past the bracket or cable tie).
Parking Brake Lift Lever To set the parking brake, depress the clutch-brake pedal, pull up the parking brake knob and release the clutch-brake pedal. It will stay in the raised position. To release the parking brake, depress and release the clutch-brake pedal while pushing down on the parking brake knob. The parking brake must be set if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running. See Figure 12.
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR • WARNING: Go up and down slopes, not across. Avoid sudden turns. Do not operate the unit where it could slip or tip over. If the tractor stops while going uphill, stop the blade(s) and reverse down the hill slowly. NOTE: Protect the starter’s life by using short starting cycles of several seconds. Cranking more than 15 seconds per minute can damage the starter motor. Do not mow when children or others are around. Never carry children.
Setting Cutting Height Grass Collector • Grass Collector Model OEM-190-063 is available as optional equipment for lawn tractors with 38" and 42" decks. Grass Collector Model OEM-190-103 is available for lawn tractors with 46" decks. • Select the position for the lift lever which gives the desired cutting height. Move the deck lift indicator (if so equipped) so that the lift lever can be returned to the same position after it is raised.
• • Brake Adjustment Replace the transmission panel and parking brake knob. Remove the blocks from under the frame and test the operation of the tractor. WARNING: Do not have the engine running when you adjust the brake. Deck Leveling The brake is located by the right rear wheel inside the frame. The brake has been set at the factory to the proper clearance. During normal operation of this machine, the brakes are subject to wear and will require periodic examination and adjustment.
• • Flat Washer Cotter Pin Make certain the steering wheel is in position for straight-ahead travel before again taking measurements. Continue to repeat the steps above until a proper adjustment is achieved. Secure the tie rod to the right axle with the flat washer removed earlier and a replacement cotter pin (714-0470). IMPORTANT:Do NOT reuse the original cotter pin once it has been removed. Tie Rod Carburetor Ferrule WARNING: If any adjustments are made to the engine while the engine is running (e.
• Connect the other jumper cable to the negative terminal of the good battery, then to the frame of the unit with the dead battery. WARNING: Failure to use this procedure could cause sparking, and the gas in either battery could explode. • Lube Lube Cleaning Battery Clean the battery by removing it from the unit and washing with a baking soda and water solution. If necessary, scrape the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove deposits.
• Deck Belt (38" and 42" Decks) Remove the blade from the spindle. • Deck • Blade Place the lift lever in the engaged (all the way forward) position. Disconnect the spring which is attached to a bracket on the transaxle, inside the right rear wheel. Use a spring puller or other suitable tool. NOTE: When reassembling, make certain belt keeper pins are assembled in the same locations from which they were removed. See Figure 22.
Deck Belts (46" Deck) • • • Drive Belt Place the lift lever all the way forward. Disconnect the spring which is attached to a bracket on the transaxle inside the right rear wheel. Use a spring puller or other suitable tool. • • • NOTE: When reassembling, make certain belt keeper pins are assembled in the same locations from which they were removed. See Figure 22. • • • • • Place the lift lever in the BLADES STOP position. Remove the belt keeper pins from the lower frame. Refer to Figure 22.
Oil Drain Sleeve (If equipped) NOTE: DO NOT use high pressure water spray or steam to clean the hydrostatic transmission. • WARNING: Disconnect spark plug wire and ground against engine before performing any adjustments, repairs or maintenance work on the tractor. Your lawn tractor may have a plastic oil drain sleeve packed with the loose parts for your convenience in draining oil from the crankcase. To drain the oil, snap small end of oil drain sleeve onto oil sump.
• • When installing a tire to the rim, be certain rim is clean and free of rust. Lubricate both the tire and rim generously. Never inflate to over 30 p.s.i. to seat beads. WARNING: Excessive pressure (over 30 p.s.i.) when seating beads may cause tire/ rim assembly to burst with force sufficient to cause serious injury. • • OFF-SEASON STORAGE If the tractor will remain unused for more than 30 days, prepare it for storage as follows.
SECTION 9: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine will not crank 1. Safety switch button not depressed. 2. Battery installed incorrectly. 1. There are two switches in the starting circuit of your unit: the clutch pedal switch and the deck lift lever switch. Make certain the actuator is fully depressing the buttons on each switch. 2. The battery must be installed with negative terminal attached to black ground wire.
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. MTD LLC warrants this product against defects for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in materials or workmanship.
