Safety Instructions and Operator’s Manual for PRO GEAR EXPRESS WALK BEHIND MOWERS MID-SIZE SERIES 1 POWER UNIT MODEL SPE131KW SPE151KW MOWER UNIT MODEL SPE361 SPE481 MODEL NUMBER EXPLANATION S P E 13 1 MODEL DESIGNATION MODEL TYPE MODEL OPTION S – Snapper Commercial Model P – Pro Mid Size Model E – Express Model KW ENGINE TYPE SERIES DESIGNATION ENGINE HP ENGINE HORSE POWER 13 – 13 Engine HP 15 – 15 Engine HP CUTTING DECK WIDTH 361 – 36” Cutting Deck 481 – 48” Cutting Deck 1 - Series Designation
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING: This powerful cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and can throw objects that can cause injury and damage! Failure to comply with the following SAFETY instructions could result in serious injury or death to the operator or other persons. The owner of the machine must understand these instructions and must allow only persons who understand these instructions to operate machine.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS PREPARATION OPERATION (Continued From Previous Page) 11. Protect yourself when mowing and wear appropriate clothing including safety glasses, long pants, ear protection, hardhat and substantial footwear with good traction. Long hair, loose clothing or jewelry may get tangled in moving parts. 12. Know how to STOP blades and engine quickly in preparation for emergencies. 13. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. 14.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS MAINTENANCE 1. Shut off fuel while storing or transporting. DO NOT store machine or fuel container inside where fumes may reach an open flame, spark or pilot light such as in a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliance. Allow engine to cool before storing machine in an enclosure. Store fuel container out of the reach of children in a well ventilated, unoccupied building. 2.
TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................2-4 TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... 5 SECTION 1 - FAMILIARIZATION ................................................................................................ 6 SECTION 2 - SAFETY MESSAGES & SYMBOLS...................................................................7-8 Controls...
SECTION 1 - FAMILIARIZATION OPERATOR’S PRESENCE CONTROL (OPC) IMPORTANT The figures and illustrations in this manual are provided for reference only and may differ from your specific model. Contact your Snapper dealer if you have questions. TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER OPERATOR’S TRACTION PRESENCE LOCK KEY CONTROL (OPC) SWITCH L.H. TRACTION LEVER ENGINE SPEED CONTROL R.H.
SECTION 2 - SAFETY MESSAGES AND SYMBOLS CHOKE BLADES ENGAGED“ON” ENGINE “STOP” ENGINE “RUN” FAST ENGINE SPEED KEYSWITCH BLADE SWITCH SLOW BLADES DISENGAGED“OFF” LEFT TRACTION LEVER SQUEEZE FOR LEFT TURN RIGHT TRACTION LEVER SQUEEZE FOR RIGHT TURN DANGER! ROTATING BLADES KEEP CHILDREN AND OTHERS OUT OF THE MOWING AREA DANGER! ROTATING BLADES 7
SECTION 2 - SAFETY MESSAGES AND SYMBOLS IMPORTANT SAFETY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 8
SECTION 2 - CONTROLS BLADE CLUTCH SWITCH OPERATOR’S PRESENCE CONTROL (OPC) ENGINE SPEED CONTROL KEY SWITCH SHOWN IN “STOP” POSITION TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER RIGHT HAND TRACTION LEVER TRACTION LOCK FIGURE 2.1 NOTE: TRACTION LOCK SHOWN IN THE TRACTION LEVER “LOCKED” POSITION WARNING To avoid sudden and unexpected turning, both Traction Levers must be moved the same way when stopping or starting machine motion.
SECTION 3 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS WARNING WARNING DO NOT allow operation of the machine by untrained personnel. When the Operator’s Presence Control (OPC) is released, the machine will continue to operate a few feet. DO NOT use this Operator’s Presence Control (OPC) to routinely stop the machine. 3.1 BEFORE OPERATING Be thoroughly familiar with all controls and how to use them before operating the machine.
SECTION 3 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 3. Place Transmission Shift Lever in position. See Figure 3.3. 3.4 PRE-START CHECK LIST Make the following checks and perform the services as required before each start-up: 1. If required, make cutting height adjustments. Refer to Section “CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT”. 2. Check tires and add air as needed to bring pressure to 25 psi in front and 12-15 psi in rear tires. 3. Check Guards, Deflector, and Belt Covers to make sure all are in place and secure. 4.
SECTION 3 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 9. Place Transmission Shift Lever in No. 1 position (first gear). See Figure 3.3. 10. Push Blade Clutch Switch to ON position. See Figure 3.5. 3.5 STARTING & OPERATING 5. 6. (Continued from previous page) Move Engine Speed Control Lever to the CHOKE position. See Figure 3.5. Turn Key Switch to RUN position.
SECTION 3 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 3.5 STARTING & OPERATING WARNING (Continued from previous page) 13. STOPPING MACHINE Simultaneously squeeze both Traction Levers firmly against the handle and hold. Pull both the right and left Traction Locks rearward with index fingers until both Traction Levers are locked in the Traction Locked position. 14. Pull the Blade Clutch Switch rearward to the OFF position. See Figure 3.7. DO NOT operate blades in reverse. Stop blades.
SECTION 3 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS WARNING WARNING Brakes require maintenance. Inspect for proper operation before operating machine. Refer to Section “ADJUSTMENTS, STEERING AND BRAKES”. Machine should always be in forward motion before attempting a turn. DO NOT attempt a turn from a stopped position. 3.8 TURNING MOWER 3.7 TRACTION LOCK OPERATION - 3.8.1. GRADUAL RIGHT & LEFT HAND TURN 3.7.1 TO LOCK 1. Simultaneously squeeze both Traction Levers toward the handle, to stop movement of machine. 2.
SECTION 3 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 3.10 CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT (Fixed Decks) 3.12 ADJUSTING BLADE ON CUTTER SPINDLE Mower has three methods of adjusting cutting height: 1. Moving position of BLADE on cutter spindle shaft. 2. Moving position of CASTER WHEEL on support. 3. Moving position of MOWER DECK on power unit. To change cutting height of Blades, move the Spacers from under the Cutter Housing to above the Cutter Housing Pulley.
SECTION 3 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 3.12 ADJUSTING BLADE ON CUTTER SPINDLE (Continued) SPACERS SPACERS ON TOP CUTTER HOUSING PULLEY CUTTER HOUSING BLADE SPACERS ON BOTTOM FIGURE 3.15C: MIDDLE HIGH CUT 3” TO 4” SPACERS FIGURE 3.14 3.13 ADJUSTING FIXED DECK ATTACHMENT The mower deck has four different positions for attaching it to the power unit.
SECTION 4 - TROUBLESHOOTING ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM PROBLEM SOLUTION Engine....................Key OFF. .............................................................................................. Turn Key to Run. does not.................Fuel Tank empty................................................................................... Fill Fuel Tank. start........................Fuel Shut-Off Closed. ........................................................................... Open Fuel Shut-Off.
SECTION 4 - TROUBLESHOOTING MOWER TROUBLESHOOTING (Continued) SYMPTOM PROBLEM SOLUTION Mower not.......................................Broken or slipping Blade Belt....................................... Replace Belt. cutting full ......................................Dull, Damaged or Worn Blades ................................... Sharpen Blades or Install new Blades width. Discharge .......................................Grass wet. ...................................................................
SECTION 5 - ADJUSTMENTS have completely declutched the belt. Release the Traction Locks and adjust as required. 4. Remove the hairpins from the traction rod adjustment blocks and remove the adjustment blocks from the traction links on each side of the mower. See Figure 5.2. 5.1 STEERING/BRAKES If machine is not as responsive as desired when either Traction Lever is squeezed, one or both brakes should be adjusted as follows: 1. Operate mower on level terrain with Transmission Shift Lever in No. 1 position.
SECTION 5 - ADJUSTMENTS 5.3 HANDLE HEIGHT 5.4 TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ADJUSTMENT The operator handle can be adjusted for operator comfort as follows: 1. Disconnect the hair pin from shift rod that connects to the Transmission Shift lever. See Figure 5.5. 2. Move the Transmission Shift Lever to the neutral position. Move the shift lever, located on the transmission, to the neutral position. 3.
SECTION 6 - POWER UNIT SERVICE 6.2.2. TRANSMISSION The Peerless MST 205 Series Transmission requires no routine maintenance. Return machine to an authorized Snapper dealer for service, maintenance or problems. 6.1 REPLACEMENT PARTS To retain the quality of your mower, use Genuine SNAPPER Replacement Parts only! Contact your local SNAPPER dealer for parts and service assistance. For the correct part or information for your mower, always mention Model and Serial Number of Power Unit and Mower Attachment.
SECTION 7 - MOWER ATTACHMENT SERVICE 4. 7.1 TRANSMISSION BELT REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT Adjust Traction Rod and Brake Rod as necessary. Refer to Section “ADJUSTMENTS STEERING/BRAKES and TRACTION LEVERS/RODS”. WARNING TRACTION BELT DO NOT attempt any maintenance, adjustments or service with the engine running. Stop engine. Stop blades. Lock Traction Levers. Remove key. Disconnect spark plug wires from spark plugs and secure wires away from spark plugs. Engine and components are HOT.
SECTION 7 - MOWER ATTACHMENT SERVICE 7.4 CUTTING BLADE SERVICE Check blades after each use for signs of excessive wear and damage. See Figure 7.4 for blade wear limits. WARNING Blades are extremely sharp and can cause severe injury. Wear heavy leather gloves when handling or working around blades. DO NOT use a blade that is excessively worn or damaged.
SECTION 7 - MOWER ATTACHMENT SERVICE 7.5 MOWER SPINDLES (Field Serviceable Spindles) BEARING REPLACEMENT In the event that a spindle bearing requires replacement, the SNAPPER Field Serviceable Spindles have been designed so that no special tools or presses are required. 1. Remove belt. Loosen blade nut and remove. Allow blade bolt, washer, blade and four spacers to drop down out of the spindle housing. See Figure 7.7. IMPORTANT: Spindle housing must be filled with grease before operating mower.
ELECTRICAL OPC SWITCH (PISTOL GRIP MODELS ONLY) KEY WITH COVER BLADE CLUTCH SWITCH KEYSWITCH CONNECTOR NOTCH OPC SWITCH (PISTOL GRIP MODELS) 15 AMP FUSE TO TRANSMISSION SWITCH KAWASAKI ENGINE ONLY KAWASAKI MODULE KAWASAKI PIGTAIL TO ELECTRIC CLUTCH KAWASAKI CAPACITOR TO MAIN HARNESS GROUND TO ENGINE TO ENGINE TERMINAL * NOTE: THIS TERMINAL HAS A LOCK-OUT BARB WHICH MUST SLIDE INTO THE CONNECTOR NOTCH. FIGURE 7.
ELECTRICAL ELECTRIC CLUTCH ENGINE YELLOW BLUE BLACK 15A FUSE GREEN GREEN BLADE SWITCH IGNITION RED RED WHITE BLACK YELLOW (SEE NOTE) OPC L.H. OPC R.H. YELLOW RED TRANSMISSION BLACK WIRING SCHEMATIC FOR PISTOL GRIP HANDLE & ELECTRIC BLADE BRAKE CLUTCH FIGURE 7.10 TRANS SWITCH (SEE NOTE) RED (16 GA) GREEN (14 GA) R.H. OPC ENGINE YELLOW (16 GA) WHITE (16 GA) L.H.
2 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY For two (2) years from purchase date for the original purchaser's 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.
SNAPPER PRODUCT REGISTRATION FORM IMPORTANT: KEEP THIS INFORMATION FOR YOUR PERSONAL RECORDS (Complete the following information on your Snapper purchase) Model Number__________________________________________________________ Serial Number __________________________________________________________ Date of Purchase ________________________________________________________ Retailer_________________________________________________________________ Retailer’s Phone Number ________________________________________
PRIMARY MAINTENANCE 29
PRIMARY MAINTENANCE 30
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Safety Instructions and Operator’s Manual for PRO GEAR EXPRESS MID-SIZE WALK BEHIND MOWERS SERIES 1 IMPORTANT Snapper products are built using engines that meet or exceed all applicable emissions requirements on the date manufactured. The labels on those engines contain very important emissions information and critical safety warnings. Read, Understand, and Follow all warnings and instructions in this manual, the engine manual, and on the machine, engine and attachments.
