Operator’s Manual Automatic Lawn Tractor Models 604 & 605 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 forest-covered, 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 Customer Support Important Safe Operation Practices Slope Gauge Tractor Set-Up Know Your Lawn Tractor Operating Your Lawn Tractor Making Adjustments Content Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor Service Off Season Storage Attachments & Accessories Troubleshooting Parts List Warranty Page 2 3 7 8 11 15 19 Page 22 23 27 27 28 29 48 FINDING MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new 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.
. 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.
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. Move unit to another area.
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 Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. LINE REPR ESEN T S A S LOPE 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 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: TRACTOR SET-UP Attaching the Battery Cables NOTE: The positive battery terminal is marked Pos. Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual packed with your tractor. Read instructions carefully. (+). The negative battery terminal is marked Neg. (–). IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the • engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before operating. Be careful not to overfill.
Attaching The Seat Standard Adjustment Seat styles vary by tractor model and there are three different styles available: • Standard Adjustment • Quick Adjustment & • Knob Adjustment If the seat for your tractor did not come attached, refer to Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5 to identify your tractor’s seat style and follow the applicable instructions below to attach it.
Attaching The Steering Wheel Identifying the Mulch Plug (if so equipped) • On tractor models so equipped, a mulch plug can either be found within the cutting deck’s discharge opening or packed separately with your unit. If the steering wheel for your tractor did not come attached, the hardware for attaching it has been packed within the steering wheel, beneath the steering wheel cap. Carefully pry off the steering wheel cap and remove the hardware.
SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR G A H B I + 1/10 P P J K C D E L M F NOTE: Steering Wheel not shown for clarity.
Throttle Control Lever Ignition Switch Module 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 some 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 9. Choke Position WARNING: Never leave a running machine unattended.
Systems Indicator Monitor PTO (Blade Engage) Lever Your tractor is equipped with a ammeter as part of its systems indicator monitor. Locate the monitor on the left side of your dash panel and compare it to Figure 11. ON OFF PTO 04/ ",!$% %.'!'% A M PS Oil Brake The PTO (Blade Engage) lever is located on the left side of the dashboard next to the steering wheel.
NOTE: Cruise control can NOT be engaged at the tractor’s fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed. WARNING AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH • • • • • • • • • • • • Shift Lever GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS. AVOID SUDDEN TURNS. DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP. IF MACHINE STOPS GOING UPHILL, STOP BLADE(S) AND BACK DOWNHILL SLOWLY. DO NOT MOW WHEN CHILDREN OR OTHERS ARE AROUND.
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 13. 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.
Setting the Cutting Height damage. Repair the damage before restarting and operating Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the six different cutting height notches on the right side of the fender. Then adjust the deck wheels so that they are between ¼-inch and ½inch above the ground when the tractor is on a smooth, flat surface such as a driveway. • • • WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck.
• • Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly increases the chance of a roll over. Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the tractor over backward.
Mulching (If Equipped) This will allow the clippings to discharge out the side. See Figure 14. Select models come equipped with a mulch kit which incorporates special blades, already standard on the tractor, in a process of recirculating grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck. The ultra-fine clippings are then forced back into the lawn where they act as a natural fertilizer. Observe the following points for the best results when mulching.
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 23 for information regarding tire pressure.
Parking Brake Adjustment To adjust the position of the seat on models equipped with a seat adjustment lever, move the lever to the left and slide the seat forward or rearward. Make sure seat is locked into position before operating the tractor. WARNING: Never attempt to adjust the brakes while the engine is running. Always disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
Steering Adjustment • 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. • Adjust the drag links so that equal lengths are threaded into the ball joint on the left side and the ball joint on the right side: • • NOTE: Threading the ball joints too far onto the drag Loosen the jam nut found on the drag link at the rear of the ball joint. See Figure 20.
SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR WARNING: 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. Engine Refer to the Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual for engine maintenance instructions. Check engine oil level before each use as instructed in the Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual packed with your unit. Follow the instructions carefully.
SECTION 8: SERVICE Cutting Deck Removal • To remove the cutting deck, proceed as follows: • Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position and engage the parking brake. • Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender. • Remove the PTO belt (46” Deck)/ deck belt (42” Deck) from around the tractor’s engine pulley and idler pulley(s). Refer to Changing The Deck Belt & PTO Belt and Figure 26 and Figure 27.
Jump Starting • WARNING: When removing or installing the battery, follow these instructions to prevent the screwdriver from shorting against the frame. Use a 15/16" wrench to remove the hex flange nut that secures the blade to the spindle assembly. See Figure 23. Wood Block Hex Flange Nut IMPORTANT: Never jump your tractor’s dead battery with the battery of a running vehicle.
IMPORTANT: Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade 42” Deck spindle hex flange nut to between 70 foot-pounds and 90 foot-pounds. • • Fuses Two fuses are installed in your tractor’s wiring harness to protect the tractor’s electrical system from damage caused by excessive amperage. Remove the belt keeper rod from around the engine pulley. Insert a 3/8”-drive ratchet wrench (set to loosen) into the square hole found in the idler bracket on the left side of the deck’s surface. See Figure 25.
42-inch Decks Engine Pulley Left Hand Spindle Pulley Right Hand Spindle Pulley Idler Pulleys Figure 26 46-inch Decks Engine Pulley PTO Idler Bracket (mounted on tractor) Deck belt (Bottom) PTO belt (Top) Deck Idler Pulley Right Hand Pulley (beneath belt guard) Left Hand Double Pulley Center Pulley NOTE: Front Deck wheels are NOT standard equipment. Figure 27 Changing the Transmission Drive Belts NOTE: Several components must be removed and special tools (i.e.
SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE Clean and lubricate the tractor as instructed in Section 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR on page 22 of this manual before storing for an extended period. Follow the instructions in the Service, Storage & Specifications section of the Briggs & Stratton 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) Corrective Action Engine fails to start PTO engaged. Place PTO lever in disengaged (OFF) position. Engage parking brake. Connect wire(s) to spark plug(s). Place throttle lever to FAST position. Parking brake not engaged. Spark plug wire(s) disconnected. Throttle control lever not in correct starting position. Choke not activated Pull out the CHOKE control (if so equipped) or place the throttle control in CHOKE position.
SECTION 12: ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST 9 4 13 (for throttle) 9 (for choke) 11 12 7 22 23 6 10 19 20 18 2 3 21 8 5 17 14 16 15 1 REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 PART NO. 710-0227 710-0599 710-0726 710-1237 710-1314A 710-1315 712-3005 721-0460 726-0205 725-0157 736-0300 751B221535 REF. NO. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 DESCRIPTION Screw, #8-18 x.50 Screw, 1/4-20 x.50 Screw, 5/16-18 x.750 Screw, #10-32 x.625 Socket Cap Screw, 5/16-18 x.625 Self-tapping Screw, 3/8-16 x 1.
Models 604 & 605 3 14 25 24 2 16 16 18 21 7 38 7 22 20 15 12 23 11 8 5 7 34 35 36 7 17 1 17 30 32 31 4 28 6 19 24 9 10 39 27 29 13 33 26 37 28 26 30 29
Models 604 & 605 REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 PART NO.
Model 604 13 28 11 44 25 38 24 17 40 20 23 43 41 35 14 22 39 26 12 22 29 36 7 42 19 4 30 21 A 2 18 27 37 16 1 3 21 10 34 31 17 4 20 33 2 2 15 8 36 19 5 A 9 6 32
Model 604 REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 PART NO. 710-3015 710-0599 712-04064 710-0895 710-0924 710-0376 712-0292 712-04063 726-0201 783-0808A 731-1978 731-1979 747-1132A 731-1980B 731-1981C 731-1982C 736-0173 736-0342 783-04323B 736-3078 710-0642 710-1611B 710-1652 710-1017 710-3217 REF. NO. 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 DESCRIPTION Hex Cap Screw, 1/4-20 x.75 Self-tapping Screw, 1/4-20 x.5 Flange Lock Nut, 1/4-20 Self-tapping Screw, 1/4-15 x.
Model 605 19 18 17 15 38 5 4 28 31 36 35 22 16 37 29 20 1 21 24 8 23 A 14 32 3 13 27 26 1 33 30 16 7 2 12 11 9 10 6 34 A 1 34
Model 605 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Part No. 710-0726 710-0599 710-0751 746-1086 746-1085A 731-04949 738-04091 783-04551 783-04552 783-04578 783-04577 783-04621 712-04064 751-0658E 751-0603 710-1017 710-0895 710-3217 712-0142 731-1857 731-05001 Ref. No. Description Screw, 5/16-12 x.750 Self-tapping Screw, 1/4-20 x.5 Hex Cap Screw, 1/4-20 x.62 Throttle Control/Cable Choke Knob/Cable Headlight Lens Shoulder Screw,.43 x.
Models 604 & 605 42 6 21 4 26 19 93 2 9 16 11 6 C 13 90 1 14 D 30 13 3 35 Left Hand Transmission Bolt Mounting 15 F 6 38 6 85 39 6 43 91 12 34 83 95 B 22 2 E 84 3 30 29 12 31 40 94 36 7 36 89 8 88 40 87 97 77 86 20 85 23 16 10 82 75 7 73 C 18 16 37 F 66 65 28 G 71 58 25 32 5 24 74 16 62 67 72 80 D 9 27 56 55 79 17 33 50 41 81 76 16 53 E 68 A 45 59 51 92 92 52 54 69 G 78 B 46 49 60 48 A 17 64 96 17 44 64 47
Models 604 & 605 REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 PART NO.
Models 604 & 605 (42” Deck) 50 37 To Deck 46 9 48 49 47 12 8 38 33 17 9 18 39 34 8 22 42 13 40 B 41 13 30 5 44 36 28 1 35 43 32 A 8 16 31 34 23 29 27 4 42 45 A 2 20 26 B 6 26 21 IMPORTANT: For a proper 15 working machine, use Factory Approved Parts. V-belts are designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (non OEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely.
Models 604 & 605 (42” Deck) REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 PART NO. 17962 647-04036 710-0809 710-0859 710-0276 710-1260A 710-3157A 710-0726 714-0145 732-04248 736-0171 746-04092 712-04065 750-0566A 714-0470 726-0201 731-2111A 783-04590 736-0322 741-0708 747-04307 747-1112D 748-0415B 750-0956 756-04064A REF. NO. 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 DESCRIPTION Plate, Switch Lever Assembly, Engagement Screw, 1/4-20 x 1.
Models 604 & 605 (46” Deck) 8 60 51 47 62 61 58 8 53 48 5 4 55 50 45 13 1 49 57 46 42 52 8 33 13 55 54 44 17 21 59 A 48 16 12 43 41 25 8 39 22 40 32 10 A 2 14 31 34 30 11 34 6 19 15 23 3 23 IMPORTANT: For a proper 20 15 working machine, use Factory Approved Parts. V-belts are designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (non OEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely.
Models 604 & 605 (46” Deck) REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 PART NO. 17962 647-0064 683-0302 710-0224 710-0276 710-0347 710-04377 710-0726 710-0831 711-1044 712-0229 712-04063 712-04065 712-3004A 714-0470 726-0201 731-2111A 732-04245A 732-0944 732-1013 736-0108 736-0119 736-0140 736-0227 736-0242 736-0275 736-0300 736-0322 736-3010 738-0372B 741-0708 747-04355 REF. NO.
Models 604 & 605 57 58 19 54 Models w/ Manually Adjusting Seat 57 25 11 6 33 34 6 2 16 54 55 52 35 18 Models w/ Quick Adjust Seat 8 28 36 10 13 56 37 7 5 9 17 32 28 9 3 15 14 12 13 1 4 27 22 24 30 53 23 31 43 A 42 45 21 49 26 B 46 47 40 38 50 2 48 41 A B 51 39 29 44 42 2 20
Models 604 & 605 REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 PART NO. 710-1268 712-04063 712-3027 720-0309A 726-0201 731-04074 732-0499 732-1184 736-0275 736-3019 738-0137A 738-0296 738-0966 783-0209C 683-04193 783-0611 783-0738B 783-0739A 783-0753 757-04011C 726-3046 735-0656 735-0672 735-0657 735-0673 710-0451 710-0599 710-0726 710-0895 731-1990 731-2104C 731-04591A 736-3078 783-04333A DESCRIPTION Screw, #10-16 x.
Models 604 & 605 1 2 3 5 8 6 7 8 4 9 11 10 13 12 21 20 3 12 11 19 15 17 20 22 3 23 24 14 25 28 26 27 29 44
Models 604 & 605 REF. PART NO. NO. 1 732-0614 2 716-0231 3 736-0336* 736-0337* 736-0349* 4 736-0335 5 710-1325 6 719-04017 7 711-1109 8 741-0335 9 717-1464 10 716-0108 11 741-0340 12 721-0338 13 618-04041 14 741-0336 15 717-04056 17 718-04045 19 711-04134 20 736-0495* 736-0494* 21 741-0337 22 611-0011 23 741-0862 24 732-0863 25 719-04018 26 717-0678 27 761-0202 28 710-1206 29 661-0001 — 737-0148 DESCRIPTION Ring, Wire Ring, E Type,.750 Flat Washer, 5/8 x 1.0 x.030 Flat Washer, 5/8 x 1.0 x.
Models 604 & 605 (42” Deck) 9 9 46 46 1 44 1 49 48 32 32 45 36 41 11 2 43 18 10 31 50 4 23 51 39 26 11 22 27 49 54 35 5 28 57 43 47 24 29 37 34 8 3 14 56 17 52 25 30 53 21 40 13 33 19 42 12 16 6 7 58 38 55 15 46 20
Models 604 & 605 (42” Deck) REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 PART NO.
Models 604 & 605 (46” Deck) 21 10 57 17 A 2 22 4 54 20 56 27 35 15 3 34 8 3 49 48 A 60 43 45 5 33 12 32 20 29 20 18 51 1 7 52 9 37 30 32 29 21 40 53 64 63 49 24 65 B 62 6 50 36 B 44 19 16 55 42 21 26 39 38 22 31 13 14 25 21 11 46 58 59 46 10 10 23 48 47 41 28
Models 604 & 605 (46” Deck) REF. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 PART NO. 17116 17258D 618-0240A 618-04134B 683-0254B 683-04104A 710-0344 710-0514 710-0528 710-0599 710-3015 710-0778 710-0805 710-1260A 710-3180 711-04069 711-0993 711-1554 712-0206 712-04063 712-04064 712-04065 712-0417A 712-0431 712-0641 712-3006 712-3010 712-3083 714-0470 717-04074 726-0233 732-0306A 732-0429A REF. NO.
NOTES 50
NOTES 51
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. e. “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.
