Operator’s Manual Transmatic Lawn Tractor MODELS 760, 770 761, 771 762, 772 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 forest-covered, brushcovered 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 Customer Support Important Safe Operation Practices Tractor Set-up Controls Operation Page 2 3 8 11 14 Content Maintenance Service Off-season Storage Attachments & Accessories Warranty Page 20 22 26 26 Back Cover FINDING MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
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.
. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability. 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.
lock-open device. e. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. f. Never fuel machine indoors. g. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool 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.
For safety protection, frequently check components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the 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.
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE SA S LOPE LINE RE P R E S ENT OR A FENCE POST OR A CORNER OF A BUILDING TTED D A L O N G DO &OL 3IGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE 7
SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before starting the engine and operating the tractor. Refer to the separate engine manufacturer’s Operator/Owner Manual packed with your tractor. Read instructions carefully.
Attaching the Battery Cables Gas and Oil Fill-up NOTE: Some models are shipped with the battery The gasoline tank is located under the hood and has a capacity of 1-1/2 gallons. Do not overfill. cables already connected. WARNING: Use extreme care when NOTE: The positive battery terminal is marked Pos. handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running.
Attaching The Seat Standard Adjustment Seat styles vary by tractor model and there are three different styles available: • Standard Adjustment • Quick Adjustment & • Knob Adjustment Refer to Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6 to identify your tractor’s seat style and follow applicable instructions below. Hex Screws Shoulder Screws Opening in Slot NOTE: For shipping reasons, seats are either fastened to the tractor seat’s pivot bracket with a plastic tie, or mounted backward to the pivot bracket.
SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR E F A CHOKE FAST 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 SLOW P PARK BRAKE B C G D H Figure 7 A B C D Speed Control Lever / Parking Brake Clutch-brake Pedal Shift Lever Choke Control (on models so equipped) E F G H Throttle Control Lever Ignition Switch Module Deck Lift Lever PTO (Blade Engage) Lever NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s position.
Throttle Control Lever Speed Control Lever The throttle control lever is located on the right side of the tractor’s dash panel. This lever controls the speed of the engine and, on most models, when pushed all the way forward, the choke control also. When set in a given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed. See Figure 8. The speed control lever, located on the left side of the tractor’s dash console, allows you to regulate the ground speed of the lawn tractor.
Clutch-Brake Pedal Ignition Switch Module The clutch-brake pedal is located on the left side of the lawn tractor, along the running board. Depress the clutch-brake pedal part way down when slowing the tractor by changing speeds (Refer to Speed Control Lever). Depress the pedal all the way down to engage the disc brake and bring the tractor to a complete stop. WARNING: Never leave a running machine unattended.
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR Safety Interlock Switches 3. Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON (Orange, Triangular Button) at the top, right corner of the key switch module. The red indicator light at the top, left corner of the key switch module will be ON while activated. See Figure 11. 4. Once activated (indicator light ON), the tractor can be driven in reverse with the cutting blades (PTO) engaged. 5. Always look down and behind before and while backing to make sure no children are around. 6.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT hold the key in the START position for longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so may cause damage to your engine’s electric starter. WARNING • AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH • • • • • • • • • • • • After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control and place the throttle control in the FAST position. NOTE: Do NOT leave the throttle control in the GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS. AVOID SUDDEN TURNS. DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP.
Driving On Slopes IMPORTANT: First-time operators should use speed positions 1 or 2. Become completely familiar with the tractor’s operation and controls before operating the tractor in higher speed positions. • • 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.
Mowing • • WARNING: To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • • The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck with your tractor. • WARNING: Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like.
SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Never attempt to make any • adjustments while the engine is running, except where specified in the operator’s manual. Side to Side If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly, a side to side adjustment can be performed. Adjust if necessary as follows: Leveling the Deck • NOTE: Check the tractor’s tire pressure before performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer to Tires on page 22 for information regarding tire pressure.
If the tractor does not come to a complete stop when the brake pedal is completely depressed, or if the tractor’s rear wheels can roll with the parking brake applied, the brake is in need of adjustment. The brake disc can be found on the right side of the transmission in the rear of the tractor. Adjust if necessary as follows: • Hex Screws Looking at the transmission from the right side of the tractor, locate the compression spring and brake disc. See Figure 14.
SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR WARNING: • Service the oil filter (if so equipped) as instructed in the separate engine manufacturer’s Operator/ Owner Manual packed with your unit. Perform the above steps in the opposite order after oil has finished draining. Before performing any maintenance or repairs, disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
Cleaning the Engine And Deck Any fuel or oil spilled on the machine should be wiped off promptly. Do NOT allow debris to accumulate around the cooling fins of the engine or on any other part of the machine. IMPORTANT: The use of a pressure washer to clean your tractor is NOT recommended. It may cause damage to electrical components, spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine. Deck Wash System™ A hex plug can be found on your tractor’s deck surface. See Figure 19.
SECTION 8: SERVICE Cutting Deck Removal Idler Bracket NOTE: Models equipped with a 38-inch deck have one deck idler pulley. Models equipped with a 42-inch deck have two deck idler pulleys. To remove the cutting deck, proceed as follows: • Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position. • Engage the parking brake. • Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender. • Remove the belt from around the tractor’s engine pulley and idler pulley(s).
Battery Cleaning Clean the battery by removing it from the tractor and washing with a baking soda and water solution. If necessary, scrape the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove deposits. Coat terminals and exposed wiring with grease or petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion. The battery is sealed and is maintenance-free. Acid levels cannot be checked. • • • Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosive build-up.
IMPORTANT: Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade Hex Flange Nut spindle hex flange nut to between 70 foot-pounds and 90 foot-pounds. Wood Block Changing the Deck Belt WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the belt(s). All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and should be replaced if any signs of wear are present.
42-Inch Deck Idler Bracket Engine Pulley Right Hand Pulley (beneath belt guard) Left Hand Pulley (beneath belt guard) Deck Idler Pulleys 38-Inch Deck Idler Bracket Engine Pulley Right Hand Pulley (beneath belt guard) Left Hand Pulley (beneath belt guard) Deck Idler Pulley 25
SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE Clean and lubricate the tractor as instructed in Section 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR on page 20 of this manual before storing for an extended period. Follow the instructions in the Service, Storage & Specifications section of the engine manufacturer’s Operator/Owner Manual for proper engine care prior to storing your tractor. WARNING: Drain fuel only into an approved container outdoors, away from an open flame. Allow engine to cool.
SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING Trouble Possible Cause(s) Engine fails to start PTO engaged. Parking brake not engaged. Spark plug wire(s) disconnected. Throttle control lever not in correct starting position. Choke not activated Corrective Action Place PTO lever in disengaged (OFF) position. Engage parking brake. Connect wire(s) to spark plug(s). Place throttle control in FAST position or CHOKE position, if present. Place the throttle control in CHOKE position or pull the CHOKE knob outward.
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”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 materials or workmanship.
