Operator’s Manual Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor Model Series 690 through 699 IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment. 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).
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge...................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Tractor .......................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Tractor.................................................................................... 11 Operating Your Lawn Tractor................
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES 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 your rider mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning. Your rider mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual.
All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. • • • For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15° as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result. • • Do: • • • • • • • • Mow up and down slopes, not across. Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.
• • • • • • moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For your safety protection, frequently check components and replace with manufacturer’s recommended parts when necessary. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing blade(s). Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required. Muffler, engine and belt guards become hot during operation and can cause a burn. Allow to cool down before touching.
LIN WARNING 15° TING SEN E R EP E, R OPE ° SL 5 1 A 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. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
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. WARNING: Before operating your unit, stand behind quick adjustment seat and pull back on seat, making sure seat is engaged in seat stop. Quick Adjustment Seat • Attaching Chute Deflector Pull out tab on seat stop and hold open while sliding seat out of seat pivot bracket. See Figure 4 .
• Line up the bolt on the mulching plug with the hole on top of the deck. Push up on the end of the mulching plug and secure with the wing nut. See Figure 7 . • • Wing Nut Chute Deflector • Pull the adjustable lift link out of the deck hanger channel. See Figure 8 . Turn the adjustable lift link up or down as necessary to level the deck. Usually only one or two turns are needed. Insert the end of the adjustable lift link into the hole in the deck hanger channel. Recheck the adjustment.
• Secure battery by hooking battery strap into slot in rear frame, under the fender. See Figure 10 . • 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 10 . 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).
Ignition Switch lever in neutral, release the parking brake, push the lever forward and to the right to lock. Make sure to release the lever by pushing it to the left before operating the engine. The ignition switch is located on the dashboard. Start the engine by turning the key to the START position. When the engine is running, leave the key in the ON position. To stop the engine, turn the key to the OFF position.
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 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. Move the deck wheels (if so equipped) to the hole location so the wheels are 1/4 inch above the ground. All wheels must be placed in the same relative position. NOTE: Under normal usage bag material is subject to wear, and should be checked periodically.
• • • • • • • Depress the clutch-brake pedal until the scissor brackets come together. Shut off the engine. Tighten hex nut on the scissor mounting bracket. Thread the speed selector rod in or out of the ferrule until the hydrostatic control lever lines up in neutral position on the speed control index bracket. Tighten hex jam nut against the ferrule. Replace the transmission panel, parking brake knob and rubber boot on relief valve.
• Tie Rod • Axle Bracket Hex Jam Nut Adjust the tie rod assembly for correct toe-in. Dimension B should be approximately 1/16”-5/16" less than Dimension A. See Figure 16 inset. To increase Dimension ‘‘B,’’ screw tie rod into tie rod end. To decrease Dimension ‘‘B,’’ unscrew tie rod from tie rod end. See Figure 16 . Reassemble tie rod. Check dimensions. Readjust if necessary. Carburetor Tie Rod End Hex Nut & Lock Washer WARNING: If any adjustments are made to the engine while the engine is running (e.
Battery Failures Linkage Some common causes for battery failure are: incorrect initial activation, lack of water, adding chemicals other than water after initial activation, undercharging, overcharging, corroded connections, freezing. These failures do not constitute warranty. • Wheels • Lubrication WARNING: Always stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of work on lawn tractor.
part number) facing the ground when the tractor is in the operating position. Carefully align “star” on blade with “star” on spindle. Secure with flange nut. • • Blade Mounting Torque Hex Flange Nut: 840 in. lb. min., 1080 in. lb. max. • • All nuts and bolts must be checked periodically for correct tightness. • • • Belt Replacement WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground it against the engine. Block the wheels of the unit.
• Self-Tapping Screws • Remove the belt from the transmission pulley and engine pulley, and remove from the unit. Reassemble using a new belt, following instructions in reverse order.
Engine Oil Drain Valve (If equipped) • • • • • Refer to the separate engine manual for engine maintenance instructions. Service air cleaner every 10 hours under normal conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely dusty conditions. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine manual packed with your unit. The spark plug(s) should be cleaned and the gap reset once a season.
SECTION 9: OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Description 40" Two Stage Snow Thrower 42" Dozer Blade Mulch Kit for 38"/42" Deck Mulch Kit for 46" Deck Twin Bag Grass Collector for 38"/42" Side Discharge Decks Twin Bag Grass Collector for 46" Side Discharge Decks Front Counterweight Tire Chains— 31 Lb. Wheel Weights Gang Reel (Set of three) 38" Lawn Sweeper Heavy Duty Dump Cart Tine De-Thatcher 18 x 8.5 18 x 9.5 20 x 8 20 x 10 Model No.
SECTION 10: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine will not crank 1. Safety switch button not depressed. 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. Negative terminal is identified at the post by “NEG”, “N” or “-”.
Your Notes Date Comments 23
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD PRODUCTS INC (“MTD”) with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. MTD warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship 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 material or workmanship.
