Operation. Gravely 915015 1742 9150156 2048, 1742 ZT, 915016, 915015, 9150156 - 2048 ZT, 2048 ZT, 915015 - 1742 ZT, 9150156 - 2048 ZT

CONTROLS AND FEATURES

CAUTION:

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can cause severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over eye glasses, or standard safety glasses.

Operator Presence System

Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence switch. When engine is running, any attempt by the operator to leave the seat, without first disengaging attachment and placing the Steering Control Levers in neutral, will shut off the engine.

The engine must shut off if the operator leaves the seat while the Travel-Speed Control Levers are in any position other than the "NEUTRAL LOCK" position, or while the PTO Switch is in the "ON" position.

Do not operate tractor unless operator presence system functions as described. Contact your Gravely

Dealer for repair.

OPERATION

Throttle Control (2048 only)

Always operate engine at full throttle.

Moving the lever to the "FAST" position increases the engine speed.

Moving the lever to the "SLOW" position decreases the engine speed.

• Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the battery charging rate.

• Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower performance.

Throttle / Choke Control (1742 only)

Always operate engine at full throttle.

Place the lever in the "Choke" position to start a cold engine.

Move the lever to the "FAST" position to increase the engine speed.

Move the lever to the "SLOW" position to decrease the engine speed.

• Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the battery charging rate.

• Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower performance.

Ignition Switch

The ignition switch is operated with a removable key. To start the unit, the switch is turned clockwise from the

"OFF" position to the "START" position. The key will spring back to the "RUN" position.

OFF

"OFF" Position:

Ignition system is shut down.

RUN

START

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"RUN" Position:

All controls are operable.

"START" Position:

Starter turns over the engine.

To stop the engine, turn the key to the "OFF" position.

FAST

SLOW

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FAST

SLOW

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Power Take-Off (PTO) Switch

The Power Take Off Switch is used to engage and disengage the attachment.

When the PTO Switch is pulled out, it is in the "ON" position and the attachment is engaged.

When the PTO Switch is pushed in, it is in the "OFF" position and the attachment is disengaged.

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Travel/Speed Control Levers Choke Control (2048 only)

When starting a cold engine:

Pull the choke control out to engage choke.

Push the choke control in after engine has warmed up for about 10 seconds.

Parking Brake

To engage the Parking Brake, lift up on lever.

To disengage the Parking Brake, push lever down.

If one or both of the wheels do not turn easily, check the brake to assure it is disengaged.

Parking Brake Interlock

Engine will shut off if control levers are taken out of neutral lock with brake engaged.

WARNING:

This tractor is steered and stopped through the rear drive tires which are controlled by the Steering Control Levers. Any loss of tire traction will also result in loss of braking and steering control. Care must be exercised not to use unit on a slope greater than recommended. Loss of tire traction, and loss of steering and brake control could result, leading to serious injury.

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Neutral Lock

To start, lock unit in neutral by pushing both Travel-Steering Control Levers outward – to each side – from centered

(neutral) position.

Neutral Lock Position

-A-

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Straight Forward

Push the Travel-Steering Control Levers

SLOWLY forward the same distance from the centered (neutral) position. The further you move the levers, the faster the unit will travel forward. (Travel-Steering Control

Levers have quick response timing.)

Straight Backward

Pull the Travel-Steering Control Levers back the same distance from the centered

(neutral) position. The further you move the levers, the faster the unit will travel in reverse.

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Turns

Move one Travel-Steering Control Lever forward and the other backward. Pushing the lever forward from the centered position moves the unit forward on that side; pulling the lever back from the centered position moves the unit backward on that side.

1. Left Lever further forward than Right

Lever: Turns the unit to the Right.

NOTE:

Aggressive turning can scuff or damage lawns.

ALWAYS keep both wheels rotating when making sharp turns. DO NOT make turns with inside wheel completely stopped. To obtain minimum turning radius, slowly reverse inside wheel while moving outside wheel slowly forward.

Attachment Lift Lever

The position of the lift lever determines the cutting height.

To adjust the attachment height:

1. Squeeze locking lever into handle.

2. Raise or lower attachment handle to desired height.

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3. Release locking lever to set position.

Maximum cutting height is 4-3/8 inches; lowest cutting height is 1-3/8 inches. Intermediate positions allow cutting heights between these values.

The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip with the engine NOT running. These heights may vary depending upon the soil conditions, height of grass and types of grass being mowed.

NOTE:

On the 42" Deck, the Anti-scalp roller height must be adjusted to correspond with the attachment height or so the anti-scalp rollers are not lower than the desired cutting height. See

Adjustments

.

• For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut relatively high (4 inches); the second to desired height.

WARNING:

AVOID injury from stored energy in lift assist spring. DO NOT unlock attachment lift lever with mower deck removed. ALWAYS engage Attachment Lift

Lever Lock when removing mower deck.

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2. Right Lever further forward than Left

Lever: Turns the unit to the Left.

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Attachment Lift Lever Lock

WARNING:

AVOID injury from stored energy in lift assist spring. DO NOT unlock attachment lift lever with mower deck removed. ALWAYS engage Attachment Lift

Lever Lock when removing mower deck. See

Service and Adjustments

.

1

5

4

3

2

1

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ALWAYS engage the attachment Lift Lever Lock when removing or servicing the mower deck.

Lift lever can spring up quickly if released while mower deck is removed.

Before removing the mower deck,

❶ lower the attachment lift lever to position 1, then

❷

latch and lock the lock pin.

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2

1

3

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To properly latch and lock the lock pin.

❶

Pull the pin out of the latched unlocked position.

❷

Rotate the lock pin downward 90°.

❸

Push lock pin in to locked position.

Transmission Dump Valves

Opening the Dump Valves allows the unit to be pushed by hand. Dump Valves must be closed to drive unit.

PRESTART

1. Check Engine Oil Level

The engine in your tractor has been shipped from the factory, already filled with summer weight oil. Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.

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1. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean.

2. Reinsert the dipstick and rest the oil fill cap on the tube. Tighten the cap lightly.

3. Wait a few seconds, remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until "FULL" mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.

For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See "Oil Viscosity Chart" in Engine

Manual). To change oil, see Engine Manual.

2. Check Fuel Level

The fuel level is shown through a window in the control panel next to the parking brake.

WARNING: Fuel is highly flammable and its vapors are explosive. Handle with care.

NO smoking, NO sparks, NO flames.

Refer to Engine Manual for proper fuel.

To add fuel to the fuel tank:

1. ALWAYS place unit in open or well ventilated area.

2. Stop engine and allow to cool for two minutes.

3. Clean the fuel cap and the area around the fuel cap to prevent dirt from entering the fuel tank.

Fuel Cap

Dump Valve Rod

Trailer Hitch

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Fuel Level Window

• To Open the Dump Valves: Lift up on the Dump

Valve Rod Knob and pull rearward until the expanded section of the rod comes through the hole in the trailer hitch. Push the rod back down to lock it in position.

• To Close the Dump Valves: Lift up on the Dump

Valve Rod and push it forward.

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4. Remove the cap from the fuel tank.

5. Fill the fuel tank to not less than 1/2 inch of bottom of tank filler neck. Use care; do not spill fuel.

6. Replace the cap on the fuel tank and tighten.

7. ALWAYS clean up any spilled fuel before starting the engine.

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STARTING THE ENGINE

NOTE: Before starting, read warm and cold starting procedures below.

1. The operator must be seated.

2. Travel-Steering Control levers must be in the

"NEUTRAL-LOCK" position.

3. The PTO Switch must be in the "OFF" position.

4. For 2048 - If the engine is cold, apply choke. For

1742 - Place Throttle/Choke control in Choke position. See Engine Manual for detailed instructions.

5. Set throttle to proper starting position (2048 only).

See Engine Manual.

6. Turn the ignition key clockwise to the "START" position. Release the key when the engine starts.

IMPORTANT: Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds. If the engine does not start after several attempts, move throttle control to "FAST" position, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, move the throttle control back to the choke position and retry. If engine still does not start, refer to Troubleshooting.

7. After the engine starts, allow it to run for about 10 seconds with choke engaged. Disengage choke slowly.

8. Set throttle to "Fast" position.

9. Wait until the engine is running smoothly before operating unit.

Warm Weather Starting (50˚F and above)

1. After engine starts, let it run with choke engaged for about 10 seconds.

2. Disengage the choke and move the throttle slowly to the fast position (2048). Move the

Throttle/Choke control to the fast position (1742).

3. The attachments and ground drive should now operate. If they do not, allow engine to warm up for one minute.

Cold Weather Starting (50˚F and below)

1. When the engine starts, allow engine to run with the throttle in the choke position until the engine runs roughly.

2. Move the throttle control to the fast position

(2048). Move the Throttle/Choke control to the fast position (1742). This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the temperature.

3. Do not engage attachment during the warm-up period.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

1. With both Travel-Steering Control Levers pulled back to centered (neutral) position, bring unit to a complete stop on level ground.

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2. Put PTO in the "OFF" position.

3. Move the Throttle Lever to "SLOW" position and let unit idle for 30 seconds.

4. Turn Ignition Key to the "OFF" position.

5. Engage the Parking Brake.

TO OPERATE MOWER

Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with the engine running, the PTO Switch engaged, or a Steering Control Lever out of the Neutral

Lock Position will shut off the engine.

Speed

CAUTION: Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher on mowers so equipped, or the discharge guard in place.

WARNING: DO NOT operate at too fast a rate. Sudden forward or backward movement in Travel-Steering Control Lever(s) at fast speeds can cause accidents resulting in injury or death.

Move one or both Travel-Steering Control Lever(s) forward or backward SLOWLY until you learn how to operate the unit properly. The further you move the levers, the faster the unit will travel.

NOTE: This unit is designed to be highly maneuverable and responds quickly to movement of the

Travel-Steering Control Levers. Practice operation of the controls in a flat open area until you are comfortable with their operation. ALWAYS start and backup slowly, and make turns with caution.

To mow with the unit:

1. With mower engine OFF, adjust deck to desired height of cut.

For the 42" deck, be sure to adjust the height of the anti-scalp rollers to the correct height. See

Adjustments.

2. Start the mower engine.

3. Move Throttle Lever to about half speed.

4. Pull PTO Switch to the "ON" position to engage the mower.

5. Move the Throttle Lever forward to full engine speed.

6. Move Travel-Steering Control Levers forward to mow.

IMPORTANT: NEVER engage the PTO if the mower is plugged with grass or other material. This may cause damage to the PTO belt.

7. TO STOP MOWER BLADES – disengage PTO

Switch.

TO OPERATE ON HILLS

CAUTION: Do not drive up or down hills with slopes greater than 10˚ and do not drive across any slope.

• Use a slow speed before starting up or down hills.

• Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.

• If slowing is necessary, move Travel-Steering

Control Levers to slower position.

• If stopping is absolutely necessary; use

Travel-Steering Control Levers to hold machine on hill as it may roll down the hill in neutral.

• Do not park on hills.

• To restart movement, slowly move

Steering-Control Levers forward.

STOPPING

Brake Operation

This tractor uses hydrostatic braking, through the transmission, to slow the tractor.

Stopping the Ground Drive

• Bring Steering-Control Levers back toward neutral to slow the tractor.

• To stop the tractor drive, move the

Steering-Control Levers into the neutral position.

Stopping the Engine

• Move throttle control to slow position and allow engine to idle for 30 seconds.

NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to slow position and allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine to "Backfire".

• Turn ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key. Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized use.

IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition in any other position than "OFF" will cause the battery to be discharged.

NOTE: Under conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may cause "browning" of grass. To eliminate this possibility, always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.

CAUTION: Always stop tractor completely, as described above, before leaving the operator’s position for any reason.

TO TRANSPORT THE MOWER

IMPORTANT: Never push or pull (tow) the unit with another vehicle. Use a truck or trailer when transporting or transmission damage can occur.

• Disengage PTO.

• Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control.

• When pushing your tractor, be sure the transmission dump valves are OPEN.

• Do not push tractor at more than five (5) mph.

• To protect engine cover when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure engine cover is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).

FOR BEST MOWING RESULTS

• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See Deck Leveling in

Service and Adjustments.

• The left side of mower should be used for trimming.

• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has been cut. Keep the cut area to the right of the machine. This will result in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cut.

• When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so the clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished.

• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clippings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height.

• Do not mow when grass is wet. Wet grass will clog mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing.

• Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper discharge of material. Regulate ground speed by using the Steering Control

Levers.

• When operating attachments, select a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the attachment being used.

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MULCHING OPERATION (OPTIONAL)

The special mulching blades and baffles will allow the grass clippings to be cut many times to reduce their size. As the grass falls onto the lawn,it disperses into the grass and will not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass biodegrades quickly and provides nutrients for the lawn.

• Always operate engine at full throttle when mulching to assure the best cutting action of the blades.

• For best performance, set the height of your mower deck so that no more than 1/3 of the total grass length is removed at any one time.

• Grass should be cut when it is dry, not when it is wet from dew, rain or from watering. Wet grass tends to pack inside mower pan and will not disperse evenly.

• If grass does not disperse evenly, it is possible that too much grass is being removed per cutting, grass is too wet or travel speed is too fast.

• This mulcher is not recommended for newly seeded lawns. A new lawn has much softer blades of grass and a higher moisture content.

New lawns should be cut with conventional side discharge or bagging for the first few mowings.

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