OPERATOR’S MANUAL ZERO-TURN MOWERS 355Z 5900748 355ZB2654, 26HP 5900755 355ZB2654FC, 26HP 5101461 Revision IR Rev.
Thank you for purchasing this quality-built Snapper product. We are pleased that you’ve placed your confidence in the Snapper brand. When operated and maintained according to the instructions in this manual, your Snapper mower will provide many years of dependable service. This manual contains safety information to make you aware of the hazards and risks associated with mowers and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents Operator Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Important Operator Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Parts Bag - Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
! ! Important Operator Safety Instructions Safety Operating Safety Congratulations on purchasing a superior-quality piece of lawn and garden equipment. Our products are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed all industry standards for safety. Do not operate this machine unless you have been trained. Reading and understanding this operator’s manual is a way to train yourself. Power equipment is only as safe as the operator.
! Important Operator Safety Instructions (Continued) ! Slope Operation Operation on slopes can be dangerous. Using the unit on a slope that is too steep where you do not have adequate wheel traction (and control) can cause sliding, loss of steering, control, and possible rollover. You should not operate on a slope greater than a 5.4 foot rise over a 20 foot length (15 degrees). Always mow across slopes, not up and down (to maintain traction on the wheels) and avoid sudden turns or rapid speed changes.
! ! Important Operator Safety Instructions (Continued) Retaining Walls, Drop-offs, and Water Retaining walls and drop-offs around steps and water are a common hazard. Give yourself a minimum of two mower widths of clearance around these hazards and hand-trim with a walk behind mower or string trimmer. Wheels dropping over retaining walls, edges, ditches, embankments, or into water can cause rollovers, which may result in serious injury, death, or drowning.
! Important Operator Safety Instructions (Continued) ! Read these safety rules and follow them closely. Failure to obey these rules could result in loss of control of unit, severe personal injury or death to you, or bystanders, or damage to property or equipment. in text signifies This mowing deck is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. The triangle important cautions or warnings which must be followed. GENERAL OPERATION 1.
! SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not operate on it. Control of a walk-behind or ride-on machine sliding on a slope will not be regained by the application of the brake.
! Important Operator Safety Instructions (Continued) SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Safe Handling of Gasoline 1. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. 2. Use only approved gasoline containers. 3. Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow the engine to cool before refueling. 4. Never fuel the machine indoors. 5. Never store the machine or fuel container where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as near a water heater or other appliance.
Safety Decals This unit has been designed and manufactured to provide you with the safety and reliability you would expect from an industry leader in outdoor power equipment manufacturing. Although reading this manual and the safety instructions it contains will provide you with the necessary basic knowledge to operate this equipment safely and effectively, we have placed several safety labels on the unit to remind you of this important information while you are operating your unit.
Identification Tags SA SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEM M PL North American Models E This unit is equipped with safety interlock switches. These safety systems are present for your safety, do not attempt to bypass safety switches, and never tamper with safety devices. Check their operation regularly. Operational SAFETY Checks When contacting your authorized dealer for replacement parts, service, or information you MUST have these numbers.
Safety Icons The alert symbol is used to identity safety information about hazards that can result in personal injury. A signal word (DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION) is used with the alert symbol to indicate the likelihood and the potential severity of the injury. In addition, a hazard icon may be used to represent the type of hazard. An explanation of hazard levels and icons are as follows: DANGER This indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, will result in serious injury or death.
Assembly WARNING Read and follow the assembly and adjustment instructions for your mower. Before doing any assembly or maintenance to the mower, remove the wires from the spark plugs. All fasteners are in the parts bag. Do not discard any parts or material until the unit is assembled. NOTE: In this instruction book, left and right describe the location of a part with the operator on the seat. Parts Bag - Contents The fasteners and other loose parts are shown below.
Install the Ground Speed / Steering Control Levers A Shipping Position Positioning the Ground Speed / Steering Control Levers: The ground speed / steering control levers (A, Figure 3) must be moved to the upright position before attempting to operate the machine. D C B 1. Remove the bottom mounting hardware (B). Discard the manilla tag (C). 2. Loosen the upper mounting hardware (D). 3. Position the ground speed / steering control levers in the upright position. See Figure 3. Upright Position 4.
Seat & Safety Switch Assembly 1. Pivot the ground speed / steering control levers out to the NEUTRAL position and pivot the seat plate (B, Figure 5) forward. B A C 2. Mount the seat (A) to the seat plate (B) using four 5/1618 nylock flange nuts (C) and tighten securely. 3. Press the seat switch wire harness end (D) onto the seat switch until the latch of the seat switch wire harness end snaps down over the lock on the seat switch. D C Figure 5. Seat Installation A. Seat B. Seat Plate C.
Charge The Battery WARNING BATTERY SAFETY RULES • Battery acid causes severe burns. Avoid contact with skin. • Wear eye protection while handling the battery. • To avoid an explosion, keep flames and sparks away from battery, especially while charging. • When installing battery cables, CONNECT THE POSITIVE (+) CABLE FIRST and negative (-) cable last. If not done in this order, the positive terminal can be shorted to the frame by a tool.
How to Prepare the Engine Check Tire Pressures NOTE: The engine was shipped from the factory filled with oil. Check the level of the oil. Add oil as needed. Tire pressure should be checked periodically, and maintained at the levels shown in the chart. Note that these pressures may differ slightly from the “Max Inflation” stamped on the side-wall of the tires. The pressures shown provide proper traction, improve cut quality, and extend tire life.
Features and Controls CONTROL FUNCTIONS The information below briefly describes the function of individual controls. Starting, stopping, driving, and mowing require the combined use of several controls applied in specific sequences. To learn what combination and sequence of controls to use for various tasks see the OPERATION section. Ground Speed / Steering Control Levers These levers control the ground speed and steering control of the rider.
Hour Meter The hour meter measures the number of hours the key has been in the RUN position. Note: The hour meter will register the passage of time when the key is in the RUN position, even if the engine is not running. The hour meter has a self contained power source so the total hours are always visible. PTO Switch The PTO (Blade Engage) switch engages (turns the blades on) and disengages (turns the blades off) the mower deck. To engage the PTO, pull UP on the switch. Push DOWN to disengage.
Operation General Operating Safety Before first time operation: • Be sure to read all information in the Safety and Operation sections before attempting to operate this tractor and mower. • Become familiar with all of the controls and how to stop the unit. • Drive in an open area without mowing to become accustomed to the unit brake lever or set the parking brake. Checks Before Starting • Check that crankcase is filled to full mark on dipstick.
WARNING If you do not understand how a specific control functions, or have not yet thoroughly read the FEATURES & CONTROLS section, do so now. Do NOT attempt to operate the tractor without first becoming familiar with the location and function of ALL controls. Starting the Engine 1. While sitting in the operator’s seat, engage the parking brake and make sure the PTO switch is disengaged and the ground speed / steering control levers are locked in the NEUTRAL position. 2.
Zero-Turn Driving Practice Smooth Travel The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive, and learning to gain a smooth and efficient control of the rider’s forward, reverse, and turning movements will take some practice. The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive .
Practice Turning Around a Corner Practice Turning In Place While traveling forward bring one handle gradually back toward neutral. Repeat several times. To turn in place, “Zero Turn,” gradually move one ground speed control lever forward from neutral and one lever back from neutral simultaneously. Repeat several times. NOTE: To prevent pivoting directly on the tire tread, it is best to keep both wheels going at least slightly forward. Executing Turns Figure 14.
Mower Removal and Installation A NOTE: Perform mower deck installation and removal on a hard flat surface such as a concrete floor. C Removal 1. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, turn off the ignition, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop. 2. Remove the cutting height pin and lower the attachment lift to its lowest position. 3. Remove the mower deck guards.
E C J D M F H H I L K G B A Figure 19. Mower Installation & Removal A. Left Front Rod Lock B. Right Front Rod Lock C. Left Leveling Link Hair Pin D. Right Leveling Link Hair Pin E. F. G. H. I. J. Left Rear Rod Lock Right Rear Rod Lock Handle Front Hanger Rod Ends Left Leveling Link Right Leveling Link K. Left Rear Lift Rod L. Right Rear Lift Rod M. Roller Bar Connecting Rod (select models) Mowing Before mowing, set the cutting height as described in Cutting Height Adjustment. 1.
When and How Often to Mow The time of day and condition of the grass greatly affect the results you’ll get when mowing. For the best results, follow these guidelines: 1. Mow when the grass is between three and five inches high. 2. Mow with sharp blades. Short clippings of grass one inch or shorter decompose more quickly than longer blades. Sharp mower blades cut grass cleanly and efficiently, preventing frayed edges which harm the grass. 3. Mow at time of day when the grass is cool and dry.
Proper Mulching Attaching a Trailer Mulching consists of a mower deck which cuts and recuts clippings into tiny particles and which then blows them down INTO the lawn. These tiny particles decompose rapidly into by-products your lawn can use. UNDER PROPER CONDITIONS, your mulching mower will virtually eliminate noticeable clippings on the lawn surface. The maximum weight of a towed trailer should be less than 200 lbs (91kg).
Maintenance Maintenance Schedule & Procedures The following schedule should be followed for normal care of your rider and mower. You will need to keep a record of your operating time. Determining operating time is easily accomplished by observing the elapsed time recorded by the hour meter.
Lubrication Lubricate the unit at the following lubrication points shown in Figure 24. Oil: Grease: • front caster wheel axles • control handle pivots • front caster yokes • discharge chute hinge • roller straps (deck lift pivots) • mower deck idler arm pivot • mower deck arbors Use grease fittings when present. Disassemble parts to apply grease to moving parts when grease fittings are not installed. Generally, all moving metal parts should be oiled where contact is made with other parts.
Servicing The Mower Blades Removing the Mower Blade CAUTION Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp. • Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades. 1. See Figure 25. To remove the mower blade, wedge a wooden block between the mower blade and the mower deck housing to keep the mower blade from turning, then remove the mower blade and the mower blade retaining hardware. Figure 25.
Sharpening the Mower Blade A CAUTION Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp. • Always wear gloves when handling the mower blades. • Always wear safety eye protection when grinding. 1. Sharpen the mower blades with grinder, hand file, or electric blade sharpener. 2. Sharpen the mower blade by removing an equal amount of material from each end of the mower blade. 3. Keep the original bevel (A, Figure 28) when grinding. DO NOT change the mower blade bevel. 4.
Engine Maintenance Refer to engine owner’s manual for all engine maintenance procedures and recommendations. Adding Fuel To add fuel: 1. Stop the engine and allow to cool for at least 3 minutes. 2. Remove the fuel cap (see A, Figure 31). 3. Fill the tank to the bottom of the filler neck. This will allow for fuel expansion. NOTE: Do not overfill. Refer to your engine manual for specific fuel recommendations. WARNING Gasoline is highly flammable and must be handled with care.
Change Engine Oil & Filter 1. Warm the engine by running for a few minutes. (Refer to the engine operator’s manual for oil & filter replacement instructions) 2. The oil drain hose (A, Figure 32) is located on the left side of the engine. Remove the oil drain hose from its storage position and re-position the oil drain hose over the side of the engine deck and place a small pan beneath it to catch the old engine oil. 3. Using the appropriate tools, remove the cap (C) from the oil drain tube. 4.
Check / Fill Transmission Oil Oil Type: 20W-50 conventional detergent motor oil. A 1. Check the oil level when the unit is cold. Raise the seat plate to gain access to the transmission oil reservoirs (A, Figure 33). The oil should be up to the “FULL COLD” mark (B). If the oil is below this level, proceed to step 2. 2. Before removing the reservoir cap, make sure the area around the reservoir cap and fill neck of the reservoir is free of dust, dirt, or other debris. Remove the reservoir cap. B 3.
Battery Maintenance Storage Cleaning the Battery and Cables Before you store your unit for the off-season, read the Maintenance and Storage instructions in the Safety Rules section, then perform the following steps: 1. Disconnect the cables from the battery, negative cable first (B, Figure 34). 2. Clean the battery terminals and cable ends with a wire brush until shiny. 3. Reinstall the battery and reattach the battery cables, positive cable first (see A, Figure 34) 4.
Speed Balancing Adjustment C WARNING DO NOT adjust the rider for a faster overall speed forward or reverse than it was designed for. A If the rider veers to the right or left when the ground speed / steering control levers are in the maximum forward or reverse position, the top speed of each of these levers can be balanced by turning the adjustment bolt(s) (A & C Figure 35). Only reduce the speed of the wheel that is traveling faster. TO REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE FASTER WHEEL 1.
Parking Brake Adjustment C If the unit creeps with the engine shut off and the parking brake engaged, the parking brake will need to be adjusted. B E 1. Disengage the PTO, stop the engine, engage the parking brake, and remove the key from the ignition. 2. Raise the seat plate to gain access to the parking brake components. D A G F 3. Measure the distance from the top of the brake spring rod (C, Figure 37) to the top of the lock nut (D) on both sides of the unit.
A B B B C B A Figure 39. Adjust PTO Clutch A. Window B. Adjustment Nut C. .016”-.018” (0,40-0,45mm) Feeler Gauge Figure 38. PTO Clutch Adjustment A. Adjustment Window (Qty. 3, one shown) B. Adjustment Nut PTO Clutch Adjustment Check the PTO clutch adjustment after every 100 hours of operation. Also perform the following procedure if the clutch is slipping or will not engage, or if a new clutch has been installed. 1.
Mower Deck Leveling Perform these adjustments on a flat level surface. SIDE-TO-SIDE LEVELING 1. With the mower installed, place the rider on a smooth, level surface such as a concrete floor. Turn the front wheels so they are straight. 2. Check for bent blades and replace if necessary. 3. Place the mower cutting height pin in the 4th hole from the bottom (see insert, Figure 42). Arrange the outside mower blades so that they are pointing from side-to-side (Figure 40). 4.
Mower Belt Replacement A To avoid damaging belts, DO NOT PRY BELTS OVER PULLEYS. 1. Park the rider on a smooth, level surface such as a concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, turn off the engine, remove the ignition key and wait for all moving parts to stop. B 2. Remove the mower deck guards. 3. Raise the mower deck to transport position.
Hydraulic Pump Drive Belt Replacement B 1. Park the rider on a smooth, level surface such as a concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, turn off the engine, and remove the ignition key. A 2. Remove the PTO drive belt (see MOWER BELT REPLACEMENT for removal instructions). D 3. Break the jam nut, that is located towards the rear of the machine on the spring anchor hook, loose.
Troubleshooting WARNING While normal care and regular maintenance will extend the life of your equipment, prolonged or constant use may eventually require that service be performed to allow it to continue operating properly. The troubleshooting guide below lists the most common problems, their causes and remedies. See the information on the following pages for instructions on how to perform most of these minor adjustments and service repairs yourself.
Rider Troubleshooting Continued. PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY Engine runs, but rider will not drive. 1. 1. Move lever(s) forward to “drive” position. See Pushing The Rider By Hand. 2. See Drive Belt Replacement. 3. See problem and cause below. 4. See authorized service dealer 1. Clean as required. 2. Adjust spring tension. See Drive Belt Replacement 3. Replace belt. 1. See Brake Adjustment. 2. Replace with new brake pads. 1. Check and tighten any loose connections. 2. See Regular Maintenance Section.
TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON CUTTING PROBLEMS PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY Streaking. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. Sharpen your blades. 2. Replace your blades. 3. Always mow at full throttle. 4. Slow down. 5. Clean out the mower. 6. Overlap your cutting rows. 3. 4. 5. Blades are not sharp. Blades are worn down to far. Engine speed is too slow. Ground speed is too fast. Deck is plugged with grass Not overlapping cutting rows enough. Not overlapping enough when turning. Lawn is uneven or bumpy.
Specifications Product Specifications Deck Size (inches) Height of Cut (inches) Transaxle Type Ground Speed - Fwd/Rev (mph) Engine Power (hp) 355ZB2654 54” 1.5” - 4.5” HydroGear ZT2800 0-7/0-5 26.0* Engine Displacement (cc) 570 Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) 6.
44 www.snapper.com 2 ALIGN THIS EDGE WITH A VERTICAL SURFACE (TREE, POLE, FENCE POST, BUILDING, ETC) SLOPE OPE E SL EGREE GRE 15 D E A 10 D IS A THIS IS THIS SLOPE INDENTIFICATION GUIDE 3 COMPARE THE ANGLE OF THE FOLD TO THE ANGLE OF THE SLOPE 1. Fold this page along the dotted line indicated above. 2. Align the left edge of this guide with a vertical tree, a power line pole, a fence post, or any vertical structure. 3. Compare the angle of the fold with the angle of the hill.
2 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY For two (2) years from purchase date for the original purchaser’s residential, non-commercial use, SNAPPER, through any authorized SNAPPER dealer will replace, free of charge (except for taxes where applicable), any part or parts found upon examination by the factory at McDonough, Georgia, to be defective in material or workmanship or both.
Engine Power Rating Information: The gross power rating for individual gas engine models is labeled in accordance with SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) code J1940 (Small Engine Power & Torque Rating Procedure), and rating performance has been obtained and corrected in accordance with SAE J1995 (Revision 2002-05). Torque values are derived at 3060 RPM; horsepower values are derived at 3600 RPM.
