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15

MAINTENANCE

BLADE

BLADE BOLT 

(SPECIAL)

CENTER HOLE

STAR

MANDREL ASSEMBLY

TRACTOR

Always observe safety rules when per form ing any 

main te nance.

BRAKE OPERATION

If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to stop at highest 

speed in high est gear on a level, dry concrete or paved 

surface, then brake must be checked and ad just ed. (See 

“TO CHECK BRAKE” in the Ser vice and Ad just ments 

section of this manual).

TIRES

•  Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See the sides 

of tires for proper PSI).

•  Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control 

chemi cals which can harm rubber.

•  Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and 

other hazards that may cause tire damage.

NOTE: 

To seal tire punctures and pre vent flat tires due 

to slow leaks, tire sealant may be purchased from your 

local parts dealer. Tire sealant also pre vents tire dry rot 

and corrosion.

OPERATOR PRESENCE SYS TEM AND REVERSE 

OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS) (See Fig. 13)

Be sure operator presence and reverse operation sys tems 

are work ing properly.  If your tractor does not function as 

described, repair the problem immediately.
•  The engine should not start unless the brake pedal is 

fully de pressed, and the attachment clutch con trol is 

in the dis en gaged position.

CHECK OPERATOR PRESENCE SYSTEM
• 

When the engine is running, any attempt by the op er a tor 

to leave the seat without first setting the parking brake 

should shut off the engine.

• 

When the engine is running and the at tach ment clutch 

is engaged, any attempt by the operator to leave the 

seat should shut off the engine.

•  The attachment clutch should never operate unless 

the operator is in the seat.

CHECK REVERSE OPERATION (ROS) SYSTEM
•  When the engine is running with the ignition switch in 

the engine "ON" position and the at tach ment clutch 

engaged, any attempt by the operator to shift into 

reverse should shut off the engine.

•  When the engine is running with the ignition switch 

in the ROS "ON" position and the at tach ment clutch 

engaged, any attempt by the operator to shift into 

reverse should NOT shut off the engine.

BLADE CARE

For best results mower blades must be kept sharp.  Re place 

bent or damaged blades.

CAUTION: Use only a replacement blade ap-

proved by the manufacturer of your tractor. 

Using a blade not approved by the manu-

facturer of your tractor is hazardous, could 

damage your tractor and void your warranty.

BATTERY

Your tractor has a battery charging system which is suf fi cient 

for normal use.  However, periodic charging of the battery 

with an automotive charger will extend its life.
•  Keep battery and terminals clean.
•  Keep battery bolts tight.
•  Keep small vent holes open.
•  Recharge at  6-10 amperes for 1 hour.

NOTE:

 The original equipment battery on your tractor is main-

tenance free. Do not attempt to open or remove caps or cov-

ers. Adding or checking level of electrolyte is not necessary.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause 

the battery to “leak” power.
• Raise 

hood.

•  Disconnect BLACK battery cable first  then RED  bat-

 tery cable and remove battery from tractor.

•  Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
• 

Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush 

until bright.

•  Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
• 

Reinstall battery (See “REPLACING BATTERY" in the 

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS section of this man u al).

Fig. 13

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 14)

•  Raise mower to highest position to allow access to 

blades.

NOTE: 

Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade 

with heavy cloth.
•  Remove blade bolt by turning counterclockwise.
•  Install new or resharpened blade with stamped "THIS 

SIDE UP" facing deck and mandrel assembly.

IMPORTANT:

 TO ENSURE PROPER ASSEMBLY, CENTER 

HOLE IN BLADE MUST ALIGN WITH STAR ON MANDREL 

ASSEMBLY.

•  Install and tighten blade bolt securely (45-55 Ft. Lbs. 

torque).

IMPORTANT

:  SPECIAL BLADE BOLT HEAT TREATED.

Fig. 14

ROS "ON" 

POSITION

ENGINE "ON" POSITION

(NORMAL OPERATING)

02828

Summary of Contents for 85-50

Page 1: ...TECTION DURING OPERATION Visit our website www poulan pro com WARNING Read this Manual and follow all Warnings and Safety Instructions Failure to do so can result in serious injury IMPORTANT MANUAL Do Not Throw Away 03032 532 43 85 50 09 20 10 TH Printed in the U S A ...

Page 2: ...op engine and remove keys before dismounting Disengage blades when not mowing Shut off engine and wait for all parts to come to a complete stop before cleaning the machine removing the grass catcher or unclogging the discharge chute Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial light Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs Watch for traffic when operating nea...

Page 3: ...ch towed equipment except at the hitch point Follow the manufacturer s recommendation for weight limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment On slopes the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop V SERVICE SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE To avoid personal injury ...

Page 4: ...and the proper tools to service or repair this tractor Please read and retain this manual The instructions will enable you to assemble and maintain your tractor properly Always observe the SAFETY RULES CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES Read and observe the safety rules Follow a regular schedule in maintaining caring for and using your tractor Follow the instructions under Maintenance and Stor age sections...

Page 5: ...ING TRACTOR FROM SKID TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier Standard wrench sizes are listed 1 1 2 wrench Tire pressure gauge 2 7 16 wrenches Utility knife Pliers Whenrightorlefthandismentionedinthismanual itmeans when you are in the operating position seated behind the steering wheel For battery and battery cable installation see RE PLACINGBATTERY inthe Service...

Page 6: ...htened securely All tires are properly inflated For shipping purposes the tires were overinflated at the factory Be sure mower deck is properly leveled side to side front to rear for best cutting results Tires must be properly inflated for leveling Check mower and drive belts Be sure they are routed properly around pulleys and inside all belt keepers Check wiring See that all connections are still...

Page 7: ...ety inform ation about hazards which can result in death serious injury and or property damage DANGER indicates a hazard which if not avoided will result in death or serious injury WARNING indicates a hazard which if not avoided could result in death or serious injury CAUTION indicates a hazard which if not avoided might result in minor or moderate injury CAUTION when used without the alert symbol...

Page 8: ...dtocontrolenginespeed E ATTACHMENT CLUTCH SWITCH Used to engage the mower blades or other attachments mounted to your tractor F IGNITION SWITCH Used for starting and stopping the engine G REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM ROS ON POSITION Allows operation of mower or other powered attachment while in reverse H LIGHT SWITCH Turns the headlights on and off J CRUISE CONTROL LEVER Used to set forward movement o...

Page 9: ...o STOP positionandremovekey Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized use Never use the choke to stop the engine IMPORTANT LEAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN STOP WILL CAUSE THE BATTERY TO BE DISCHARGED DEAD NOTE Under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running hot engine exhaust gases may cause browning of grass To eliminate t...

Page 10: ...ted when they are slightly offthegroundwhenmowerisatthedesiredcuttingheightin operatingposition Gaugewheelsthenkeepthedeckinprop erpositiontohelppreventscalpinginmostterrainconditions NOTE Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a flat level surface Adjust mower to desired cutting height See TO AD JUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT in this section of manual With mower in desired height of cut position gauge wh...

Page 11: ...o reposition the machine with the attachment engaged Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary USING THE REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM Only use if you are certain no children or other bystanders will enter the mowing area Depress brake pedal all the way down Withenginerunning turnignitionkeycounterclockwise to ROS ON position Look down and behind before and while backing Slowly depress reverse ...

Page 12: ...ngine has run out of fuel it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine Besurefreewheelcontrolisinthetransmissionengaged position Sit on seat in operating position depress brake pedal and set parking brake Move attachment clutch to DISENGAGED position Move throttle control to choke position NOTE Before starting read the warm and cold starting procedures below Insertkeyi...

Page 13: ...ol to half 1 2 speed Disengage parking brake Drive tractor forward for approximately five feet then backwards for five feet Repeat this driving procedure three times Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal operation OPERATION MOWING TIPS Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is attached to tractor Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance See TO LEVE...

Page 14: ...MENDATIONS The warranty on this tractor does not cover items that have beensubjectedtooperatorabuseornegligence Toreceive full value from the warranty operator must maintain tractor as instructed in this manual Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your tractor At least once a season check to see if you should make any of the adjustments described in the Service a...

Page 15: ...e should shut off the engine When the engine is running with the ignition switch in the ROS ON position and the attachment clutch engaged any attempt by the operator to shift into reverse should NOT shut off the engine BLADE CARE Forbestresultsmowerbladesmustbekeptsharp Replace bent or damaged blades CAUTION Useonlyareplacementbladeap proved by the manufacturer of your tractor Using a blade not ap...

Page 16: ...e oil filter every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one year OIL DRAIN VALVE 02463 CLOSED AND LOCKED POSITION YELLOW CAP DRAIN TUBE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM To ensure proper cooling make sure the grass screen cooling fins and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean at all times Every 100 hours of operation more often under extremely dusty dir...

Page 17: ...ive the tractor to a level clear spot on your lawn near enough to a water spigot for your garden hose to reach IMPORTANT Make certain the tractor s discharge chute is directed AWAY from your house garage parked cars etc Remove bagger chute or mulch cover if attached 2 Make sure the attachment clutch control is in the DISENGAGED position set the parking brake and stop the engine 3 Threadthenozzlead...

Page 18: ...ull mower toward you until the bar falls from the hole in bracket Turn tractor steering wheel to the left as far as it will go Slide mower out from under right side of tractor TO INSTALL MOWER AND DRIVE BELT See Figs 20 31 1 SET PARKING BRAKE LEVER AND LOWER ATTACHMENT LIFT See Fig 21 Depress clutch brake pedal all the way down and hold Pull parking brake lever up and hold release pressure from cl...

Page 19: ...ll go and position mower on right side of tractor with deflector shield Q to the right 2 ASSEMBLEFRONTGAUGEWHEEL W TOFRONT OF MOWER See Fig 22 NOTE Depending on model bracket T may be differ ent than shown but hole for anti sway bar will be in same position location Fromrightsideofmower firstinsert90 endofanti sway bar S into hole in transaxle bracket T located near left rear tire in front of tran...

Page 20: ... LIFT LINKS C See Fig 29 Insert rod end of rear lift link C into hole U in tractor lift shaft suspension arm and pivot link down to mower Lift rear corner of mower and position slot in link as sembly over pin on rear mower bracket D and secure with large washer and large retainer spring Repeat on opposite side of tractor C REAR LIFT LINK S D RIGHT SIDE REAR MOWER BRACKET U HOLE D C U 9 INSTALL BEL...

Page 21: ...ransmission disengaged position Pull freewheel control out and into the slot and release so it is held in the disengaged position The rear wheels must lock and skid when you try to manu ally push the tractor forward If the rear wheels rotate then the brake needs to be serviced Contact a qualified service center TO LEVEL MOWER Make sure tires are properly inflated to the PSI shown on tires If tires...

Page 22: ...t clutch harness A 8 Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves and inside all belt guides and keepers 9 Install mower See TO INSTALL MOWER section in this manual FRONT TO BACK ADJUSTMENT See Figs 35 36 IMPORTANT Deck must be level side to side To obtain the best cutting results the mower blades should be adjusted so the front tip is 1 8 to 1 2 lower than the rear tip when the mower is in its highest...

Page 23: ...LY AXLE COVER TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BATTERY See Fig 39 WARNING Lead acidbatteriesgenerate explosivegases Keepsparks flameand smoking materials away from batteries Alwaysweareyeprotectionwhenaround batteries If your battery is too weak to start the engine it should be recharged See BATTERY in the MAINTENANCE sec tion of this manual If jumper cables are used for emergency starting follow this ...

Page 24: ...perate properly due to suspected carburetor problems take your tractor to an authorized service center for repair and or adjustment Fig 41 HEADLIGHT WIRE CONNECTOR HOOD 05000 POSITIVE RED CABLE TERMINAL COVER NEGATIVE BLACK CABLE Fig 40 TRANSMISSION REMOVAL REPLACEMENT Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement it should be purged after reinstallation and beforeoperatingth...

Page 25: ...ALFUELSYSTEMPARTSSUCH AS CARBURETOR FUEL FILTER FUEL HOSE OR TANK DURING STORAGE ALSO EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT ALCOHOL BLENDED FUELS CALLED GASOHOL OR USING ETHANOLORMETHANOL CANATTRACTMOISTUREWHICH LEADSTOSEPARATIONANDFORMATIONOFACIDSDURING STORAGE ACIDIC GAS CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE Empty the fuel tank by starting the engine and let it run until the fuel lines an...

Page 26: ...ing 7 Faulty ignition switch 7 Check replace ignition switch 8 Faulty solenoid or starter 8 Check replace solenoid or starter 9 Faulty operator presence switch es 9 Contact an authorized service center department Engine clicks but will not start 1 Weak or dead battery 1 Recharge or replace battery 2 Corroded battery terminals 2 Clean battery terminals 3 Loose or damaged wiring 3 Check all wiring 4...

Page 27: ...led 9 Reinstall blades sharp edge down 10 Improper blades used 10 Replace with blades listed in parts manual 11 Cloggedmowerdeckventholesfrombuildup of grass leaves trash around mandrels 11 Clean around mandrels to open vent holes Headlight s not working if so equipped 1 Switch is OFF 1 Turn switch ON 2 Bulb s or lamp s burned out 2 Replace bulb s or lamp s 3 Faulty light switch 3 Check replace li...

Page 28: ...used for rental or commercial purposes is limited to 90 days from the date of origi nal purchase 5 This Warranty applies only to products which have been properly assembled adjusted operated and maintained in ac cordance with the instructions furnished This Warranty does not apply to any product which has been subjected to altera tion misuse abuse improper assembly or installation delivery damage ...

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