Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty Operator’s Manual Rover Rancher 1742 Lawn Tractor WARNING READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 Printed In USA Form No.
1 To The Owner Thank You Thank you for purchasing a Rover Lawn Tractor. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent performance when properly operated and maintained. Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment. It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the recommended safety practices at all times.
Important Safe Operation Practices 2 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.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries. 13. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads and while not cutting grass. 14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. This machine is not intended for use on any public roadway. 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.
Service Children 1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area. c.
Periodically check to make sure the blades come to complete stop within approximately (5) five seconds after operating the blade disengagement control. If the blades do not stop within the this time frame, your machine should be serviced professionally by an authorized MTD Service Dealer. Do not modify engine 4. Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected to wear during normal operation. Adjust and service as required. Notice Regarding Emissions 5.
Safety Symbols This page depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine before attempting to assemble and operate. Symbol Description READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate DANGER— ROTATING BLADES Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.
Section 2 — Important Safe Operation Practices d line (repr esent s a 15 ° slop e) WARNING! Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. 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. Operate riding mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes. Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely.
3 Assembly & Set-Up Contents of Crate • One Lawn Tractor • • One Lawn Tractor Operator’s Manual • One Oil Drain Tube One Deck Wash Hose Coupler One Kohler Engine Operator’s Manual Tractor Set-Up 2. Moving The Tractor Manually To move the tractor manually, move the shift lever into the neutral position. Shipping Brace Removal Warning! Make sure the lawn tractor’s engine is off, set the parking brake and remove the ignition key before removing the shipping brace. 1.
Connecting the Battery Cables Checking Tire Pressure Warning! Do not overinflate tires. Check sidewall of tires for maximum psi. Equal tire pressure should be maintained at all times. California Proposition 65 Warning! Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Adjusting the Seat Gas and Oil To adjust the position of the seat, lift the seat forward and loosen the seat adjustment knob. Slide the seat forward or rearward to the desired position; then tighten the adjustment knob. Release the seat. See Fig. 3-4. The fuel tank is located under the hood and has a capacity of two and three-fourths gallons. Remove the fuel cap by turning it counterclockwise. Use only clean, fresh (no more than 30 days old), unleaded gasoline. Do not overfill the tank.
4 Controls and Features Systems Indicator Monitor Fuel Tank Cap Throttle/Choke Control Ignition Switch Module Fuel Level Indicator Brake Pedal Shift Lever Parking Brake/ Cruise Control Lever Drive Pedal Deck Lift Lever PTO (Blade Engage) Handle Cup Holder Figure 4-1 Lawn Tractor controls and features are illustrated in Fig. 4-1 and described on the following pages.
Deck Lift Lever Systems Indicator Monitor/Hour Meter LCD Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use, move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best suited for your application.
Fuel Level Indicator The Fuel Level Indicator is located on the left side of the tractor’s dash and indicates the amount of fuel in the gas tank. PTO / Blade Engage Handle Activating the PTO engages power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments. Push forward on the PTO/Blade Engage handle to activate it. Pull the PTO/ Blade Engage handle back to disengage the power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments.
5 Operation Safety Interlock Switches Stopping the Engine Warning! If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire(s). Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting and operating. This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of the operator. If the interlock system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor. Contact your authorized service dealer.
Driving The Tractor Reverse Caution Mode WARNING! Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops. The REVERSE CAUTION MODE position of the key switch module allows the tractor to be operated in reverse with the blades (PTO) engaged. NOTE: Mowing in reverse is not recommended. 1. Lightly press the brake pedal to release the parking brake. Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit) position. 2. To travel FORWARD, slowly press the drive pedal forward until the desired speed is achieved.
Driving On Slopes Cruise Control Warning! Never engage the cruise control lever while traveling in reverse. Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 7 to help determine slopes where you may operate the tractor safely. 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). The tractor could overturn and cause serious injury. To set the cruise control: 1.
Engaging the PTO Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments. To engage the PTO: 1. Move the Throttle/Choke control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position. 2. Push the PTO/Blade Engage lever forward into the engaged (ON) position. NOTE: Always operate the tractor with the Throttle/Choke control lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments.
6 Maintenance & Adjustments Maintenance Schedule Before Each use Every 10 Hours Check Air Filter for Dirty, Loose or Damaged Parts Every 50 Hours Every 100 Hours P Clean Hood/Dash Louvers Check Engine Oil Level Every 25 Hours Prior to Storing P P P P Clean and Re-oil Air Filter’s Foam Precleaner P Replace Air Filter Element P Change Engine Oil and Replace Oil Filter Clean Battery Terminals P P P P P Lube Front Axles and Rims Clean Engine Cooling Fins Lube Front Deck Wheels Lube Deck Spindl
3. Pop open the protective cap on the end of the oil drain valve to expose the drain port. See Fig 6-1. Transmission The transmission is sealed at the factory and is maintenancefree. The fluid level cannot be checked and the fluid cannot be changed. Battery California Proposition 65 Warning! Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
4. Attach the hose coupler to the water port on your deck’s surface. See Fig. 6-2. Lubrication Warning! Before lubricating, repairing, or inspecting, always disengage PTO, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting. Front Wheels Each of the front wheel axles and rims is equipped with a grease fitting. See Fig. 6-3. Lubricate with a No. 2 multi-purpose grease applied with a grease gun after every 25 hours of tractor operation. Figure 6-2 5. Turn the water on. 6.
Deck Spindle Grease fittings can be found on each deck spindle. See Fig. 6-4. Lubricate with 251H EP grease or an equivalent No. 2 multipurpose lithium grease. Using a grease gun, apply two strokes (minimum) or sufficient grease to the spindle shaft. Determine the approximate distance necessary for proper adjustment and proceed, if necessary. 1. To raise the front of the deck, tighten (thread inward) the hex lock nut against the front hanger bracket. See Fig. 6-5.
Leveling the Deck (Side to Side) Steering Adjustment If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly, a side to side adjustment can be performed. Adjust if necessary as follows: If the tractor turns tighter in one direction than the other, or if the ball joints are being replaced due to damage or wear, the steering drag links may need to be adjusted. 1.
7 Service Cutting Deck Removal 1. Place the PTO/Blade Engage lever in the disengaged (OFF) position and engage the parking brake. 2. Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender. 3. Locate the engine pulley under the front of your tractor. See Fig. 7-1.
6. Pull the deck support pin outward to release the deck from the deck lift arm. See Fig. 7-3. 10. Remove the cotter pin from the end of the stabilizer rod and slide the stabilizer out of the hanger bracket on the deck. See Fig. 7-5. Deck Lift Arm Deck Support Pin Figure 7-3 Figure 7-5 7. Repeat the above steps on the tractor’s right side. 8. Move the deck lift lever into the top notch to raise the deck lift arms up and out of the way. 11. 9.
3. It may also be necessary to loosen the hex nut on the left idler pulley to get the belt off the pulley and around the belt guard. 4. Carefully remove the deck belt from around the two spindle pulleys and the two deck idler pulleys. See Fig. 7-6. 5. To place the new belt, begin by routing the belt around the two outer spindle pulleys as shown in Fig. 7-7. 11. Place the belt into the engine pulley. See Fig. 7-8. PTO Belt Rotate Pulley Figure 7-8 12. Replace the belt guard. See Fig. 7-1.
2. Place a block of wood between the center deck housing baffle and the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer. See Fig. 7-9. 5. Test the blade’s balance using a blade balancer. Grind metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. NOTE: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade marked ‘‘Bottom’’ (or with a part number stamped in it) facing the ground when the mower is in the operating position.
Charging WARNING! Batteries give off an explosive gas while charging. Charge the battery in a well ventilated area and keep away from an open flame or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances. Caution: When charging your tractor’s battery, use only a charger designed for 12V lead-acid batteries. Read your battery charger’s Owner’s Manual prior to charging your tractor’s battery. Always follow its instructions and heed its warnings.
8 Troubleshooting Problem Engine fails to start Cause Remedy 1. PTO/Blade Engage lever engaged. 1. Place lever in disengaged (OFF) position. 2. Parking brake not engaged. 2. Engage parking brake. 3. Spark plug wire disconnected. 3. Connect wire to spark plug. 4. Throttle/Choke control lever not in correct starting position. 4. Place Throttle/Choke lever to FAST position. 5. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. 5. Fill tank with clean, fresh (less than 30 days old) gas. 6. Blocked fuel line. 6.
9 Replacement Parts Component Part Number and Description 759-3336 Spark Plug (Champion RC12YC) KH-20-883-02-S1 Kohler Air Filter Element KH-12-050-01-S Kohler Oil Filter KH-25-050-21-S Kohler Fuel Filter 954-04219 Drive Belt (Mower Deck) 942-04290 2-in-1 Deck Blade 925-1707D Battery 918-04636A Deck Spindle Call (1800) 803-537 to loctae an authorised Rover Dealership for supply of replacement parts or a complete Parts Manual. Be sure to have your model number and serial number ready.
Component Part Number and Description 734-04155 Deck Wheel 751-0603A Fuel Tank Cap 746-04364 Throttle/Choke Control Lever & Cable 925-1745A Ignition Key (Plastic) 631-04461 Discharge Chute Assembly Call (1800) 803-537 to locate your nearest authorised Rover Dealer to supply replacement parts or a complete Parts Manual. Be sure to have your model number and serial number ready. Parts Manuals can also be downloaded free of charge at www.rovermowers.com.au.
10 Attachments & Accessories The following attachments and accessories are compatible with Rover Rancher 1742 lawn tractors. See the retailer from which you purchased your tractor, an authorized Rover Service Dealer or phone (1800) 803-537 for information regarding price and availability. Caution: Rover Rancher 1742 Lawn Tractors are NOT designed for use with any type of ground-engaging attachments (e.g. tiller or moldboard plow). Use of this type of equipment WILL void the tractor’s warranty.
Notes 11 33
