SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR RIDE-ON MOWERS IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROW ING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I. GENERAL OPERATION • Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual and on the machine before starting.
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SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR RIDE-ON MOWERS • Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • Never carry passengers or children even with the blades off. • Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Al ways look down and behind before and while backing.
Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier.
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INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3) Seat position should be adjusted forward or backward so that the operator can comfortably reach clutch/brake pedal and safely operate the tractor. • Remove the two (2) bolts and fl at washers securing the seat to cardboard packing. Keep the two (2) bolts only and place them with the two (2) identical bolts and four (4) washers in the parts bag.
TO ATTACH NOSE ROLLER (See Fig. 5) • Assemble brackets "A" and "B" to the inside of mower mounting brack ets as shown. Tighten securely. NOTE: Be sure bracket tabs are po si tioned in tab holes in mower brackets. •...
• Connect anti-sway bar to chassis bracket under left foot rest and retain with double loop retainer spring. • If equipped, turn height adjustment knob clock wise to remove slack from mower sus pen sion. • Raise deck to highest position. •...
These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their mean- ing. REVERSE NEUTRAL LIGHTS ON ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE FUEL OVER TEMP LIGHT ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED FREE WHEEL (Automatic Models only) Failure to follow instructions...
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KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR. Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this man ual for future reference. THROTTLE CONTROL BRAKE PEDAL MOTION DRIVE BELT TENSION...
The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye dam age. Always wear safety glass es or eye shields while op- erating your tractor or per form ing any adjustments or repairs. We rec om mend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or stan dard safety glasses.
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 9) Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain conditions.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.). TOWING CARTS AND OTHER AT TACH - MENTS Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and comply with specifi...
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP • Before driving the unit in cold weather, the trans mis sion should be warmed up as follows: • Be sure the trac tor is on level ground. • Place the motion control lever in neu tral. Release the parking brake and let the brake slowly return to operating position.
TRACTOR Always observe safety rules when performing any main- te nance. BRAKE OPERATION If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See “TO ADJUST BRAKE” in the Service and Ad just ments section of this manual).
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to “leak” power. • Remove terminal guard. • Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst then RED bat- tery cable and remove battery from tractor. •...
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CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fi ns, and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean at all times. Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing and other cooling shrouds.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SER VICE OR AD JUSTMENTS: • Depress brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. • Turn ignition key to “STOP” and remove key. •...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • Position front plate assembly between front mower brackets. Raise deck and plate assembly to align holes and insert fl anged pins. Secure pins with double loop retainer springs between the plate assembly and mower brack ets. NOTE: To assist in locating hole in fl...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE MOWER DRIVE BELT MOWER DRIVE BELT REMOVAL (See Fig. 23) • Park tractor on a level surface. En gage parking brake. • Lower mower to its lowest position. • Disengage belt tention rod from lock bracket. CAUTION: Rod is spring loaded.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO ADJUST ATTACHMENT CLUTCH (See Fig. 25) The electric clutch should provide years of service. The clutch has a built-in brake that stops the pulley within 5 seconds. Eventually, the internal brake will wear which may cause the mower blades to not engage, or, to not stop as required.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO AD JUST STEER ING WHEEL ALIGN- MENT If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal (left to right) when wheels are positioned straight forward, remove steer- ing wheel and reassemble per instructions in the Assembly section of this manual. FRONT WHEEL TOE-IN/CAMBER The front wheel toe-in and camber are not adjustable on your tractor.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS KEPS NUT TERMINAL ACCESS DOOR TERMINAL GUARD FIG. 32 TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULB • Raise hood. • Pull bulb holder out of the hole in the backside of the grill. • Replace bulb in holder and push bulb holder securely back into the hole in the backside of the grill.
Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or more. WARNING: Never store the trac tor with gas o line in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open fl...
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE Will not start Out of fuel. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. Engine fl ooded. Bad spark plug. Dirty air fi lter. Dirty fuel fi lter. 7. Water in fuel. Loose or damaged wiring. Carburetor out of adjustment. Engine valves out of adjustment.
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE Engine continues to run Faulty operator-safety presence control system. when operator leaves seat with attachment clutch engaged Poor cut - uneven 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. Mower deck not level. Buildup of grass, leaves, and trash under mower. Bent blade mandrel.
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TRACTOR - MODEL NO. GTH2248XP (GTH2248XPB), PRODUCT NO. 954 56 78-88 SCHEMATIC AMMETER (OPTIONAL) IGNITION SWITCH IGNITION SWITCH POSITION CIRCUIT “MAKE” M + G + A1 NONE ON + LIGHTS B + A1 L + A2 B + A1 NONE...
REPAIR PARTS TRACTOR - MODEL NO. GTH2248XP (GTH2248XPB), PRODUCT NO. 954 56 78-88 MOWER DECK KEY PART DESCRIPTION 532 18 18-48 Deck Weldment Mower 48 532 17 89-15 Bracket Asm., Sway Bar 532 12 46-70 Retainer Spring 532 17 80-24...
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SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION WARNING: To avoid serious injury, operate your tractor up and down the face of slopes, never across the face. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees. Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control.