Husqvarna Rider 13 C Manual

							
English – 21
Maintenance
Cleaning
Clean the machine directly after use. It is much easier to wash 
off grass cuttings before they dry.
Oily dirt can be removed using a cold degreasing agent. 
Spray on a thin layer.
Rinse at normal water pressure.
Do not direct the jet towards electrical components or 
bearings.
Do not rinse hot surfaces such as the engine and exhaust 
system.
It is recommended that you start the engine and run the 
mower for a short period after cleaning, so that any remaining 
water is blown off.
Lubricate the machine if necessary after cleaning. Carry out 
extra lubrication when the bearings have been exposed to a 
degreaser or a water jet.
There is a major risk of water penetrating into bearings and 
electrical connections. Corrosion attack can result, which will 
lead to running problems. Cleaning additives generally 
aggravate the damage.
Removing of the machine hoods
Engine cover
The engine becomes accessible for service when the engine 
cover is opened.
Fold the seat forward, loosen the rubber strap under seat and 
fold the cover backwards.
Front cover Rider 11
Remove the screws holding the front cover (3) and lift off the 
cover.
Front cover Rider 11 C, Rider 13 C, Rider 13 
AWD and Rider 15 C
Release the clip on the front hood and lift off the fender.
Right-hand fender
Remove the screws holding the wing cover (2 and 3). The 
knob (1) should also be removed on Rider 13 C, Rider 13 
AWD and Rider 15 C.
Left-hand fender
Remove the screws holding the wing cover (2) and lift off the 
cover.
IMPORTANT! Avoid using a high pressure washer or a 
steam cleaner. 
						

							
22 – English
Maintenance
Checking and adjusting the steering 
wires
The steering is controlled by means of wires. These can in 
time become slack, which implies that the adjustment of the 
steering becomes altered.
Check and adjust the steering as follows:
1 Remove the frame plate by loosening the screws (2) and  lift the frame plate by the rear edge.
2 Check the tension of the steering wires by squeezing them together by the arrows as illustrated. It should be 
possible to push them together so that the distance 
between them is half as much, without using unnecessary 
force.
3 If necessary, the wires can be adjusted by tightening the adjuster nuts on each side of the steering collar. Do not 
over tighten the cables; they should only be drawn in 
towards the steering collar.
Hold the cable, for example using an adjustable wrench, 
so that it does not twist.
If you only tension one side the steering wheel’s centre 
position may change.
Check the wire tension on completion of the adjustment 
as per item 2.
Checking the brake Rider 11 and 
Rider 11 C
The brake is a disc brake and is located on the gearbox. 
Check that the brake is adjusted correctly by measuring the 
distance between the brake lever and front edge of the cut-out 
on the chassis.
The distance should be 0-1 mm (0-0.040) when the brake is 
not actuated.
Adjusting the brake Rider 11 and 
Rider 11 C
1Loosen the locking nuts (1).
2 Tension the cable with the adjuster screw (2) so that the  distance between the brake lever and front edge of the 
cut-out on the chassis is 1 mm (0.040”).
3 Tighten the locking nuts (1) after adjustment.
Checking and adjusting the brake on 
Rider 13 C and Rider 15 C
Check that the brake is correctly adjusted by placing the 
machine on a slight downhill slope with the clutch disengaged 
and activating the brake.
When the machine does not stand still, the brake should be 
adjusted according to the following.
1 Loosen the locking nuts (1).
2 Tension the cable using the adjuster screw (2) until the  play in the cable is taken up.
3 Tighten the locking nuts (1).
4 The brake should be checked again after adjustment
211 
						

							
English – 23
Maintenance
Adjusting the parking brake Rider 13 
AW D
Check that the parking brake is adjusted correctly by placing 
the machine on a slope with the front and rear axles 
disengaged. Apply and lock the parking brake. When the 
machine does not stand still, the parking brake should be 
adjusted according to the following.
1 Remove the left-hand wing cover.
1  Loosen the locking nuts (1).
2 Tension the cable using the adjuster screw (2) until the  play in the cable is taken up.
3 Tighten the locking nuts (1).
4 The brake should be checked again after adjustment
5 Assemble the left-hand wing cover.
Adjusting the throttle wire
The throttle cable may need to be adjusted, if the engine does 
not respond as it should when accelerating, if it produces 
black smoke or maximum revs are not reached.
1 Release the clamping screw that secures the wire casing  and set the choke control to maximum choke.
2 Pull the choke wire casing to the far right and tighten the clamping screw.
3 Pull back the throttle to the full throttle position and check that the choke is no longer actuated.
Replacing the air filter
If the engine seems to lack power or does not run smoothly 
this may be because the air filter is clogged. It is therefore 
important to replace the air filter at regular intervals (see 
Maintenance/Maintenance Schedule for the correct service 
interval).
Replace the air filter as follows:
1 Open the engine cover.
2 Pull up the handle on the air filter cover, unhook and turn  towards the engine.
3 Remove the air filter cover.
4 Lift out the air filter cartridge from the fan housing.
!
WARNING! A poorly adjusted brake can 
result in reduced braking ability.
!
WARNING! A poorly adjusted parking brake 
can result in reduced braking ability. 
						

							
24 – English
Maintenance
5Replace the air filter cartridge, if clogged with dirt.
6 Carefully lift the precleaner out of the fan housing.
7  Carefully clean the fan housing so that dirt does not fall down into the carburettor.
8 Insert a new precleaner and air filter cartridge in the fan housing.
9 Align the tabs on the cover with the slits in the housing and replace the air filter cover.
10 Pull the handle outwards. Secure the handle in the air filter cover and close the cover by pressing it inwards.
Replacement of fuel filter
Replace the fuel filter every 100 running hours (once per 
season) or more frequently if it is clogged.
Replace the filter as follows:
1 Open the engine cover.
2 Move the hose clips away from the filter. Use a pair of flat  pliers.
3 Pull off the filter from the hose ends.
4 Press the new filter into the ends of the hoses. If necessary apply liquid detergent to the ends of the filter to 
facilitate connection.
5 Push the hose clips back on the filter and tighten.
Checking the fuel pump’s air filter
Check regularly that the fuel pump’s air filter is free from dirt.
The filter can when necessary be cleaned with a brush.
Checking the tyre pressure
The tyre pressure should be 60 kPa / 0.6 bar / 9 PSI on all 
wheels. In order to improve drive power, the pressure in the 
rear tyres can be reduced to 40 kPa / 0.4 bar / 6 PSI.
Check the level of the battery acid
Check that the level of the battery acid lies between the 
markings.
 Top up the cells with distilled water only.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Do not use compressed air to clean the paper filter.
Do not oil the paper filter. They must be fitted dry.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Different tyre pressures on 
the front tyres will result in the blades cutting the grass at 
different heights. 
						

							
English – 25
Maintenance
Ignition system
The engine is equipped with an electronic ignition system. 
Only the spark plug requires maintenance.
For recommended spark plug, see Technical data.
Replacing the spark plug
1Remove the ignition cable shoe and clean around the 
spark plug.
2 Remove the spark plug with a 5/8” (16 mm) spark plug  socket wrench.
3 Check the spark plug. Replace the spark plug if the electrodes are burned or if the insulation is cracked or 
damaged. Clean the spark plug with a steel brush if it is to 
be reused.
4 Measure the electrode gap with a gapping tool. The gap should be 0.75 mm/0.030”. Adjust as necessary by 
bending the side electrode.
5 Reinsert the spark plug, turning by hand to avoid damaging the threads.
6 Tighten the spark plug, once it touches the seating, with the spark plug spanner. Tighten the spark plug so that the 
washer is compressed. A used spark plug should be 
turned 1/8 of a turn from the seated position. A new spark 
plug should be turned a 1/4 turn from the seated position.
7 Replace the ignition cable shoe.
Fuses
The main fuse is placed in a detachable holder under the 
battery case’s cover, in front of the battery.
Type: Flat pin, 15 A.
Do not use any other type of fuse when replacing.
A blown fuse is indicated by a burnt connector. Pull the fuse 
from the holder when replacing.
The fuse is there to protect the electrical system. If it blows 
again shortly after replacement, it is due to a short circuit, 
which must be fixed before the machine can be put into 
operation again.
!
WARNING! Procedures on contact with acid
External: Rinse well with plenty of water.
Internal: Drink large quantities of water or 
milk. Contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Eyes: Rinse well with plenty of water. 
Contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Batteries emit explosive gas. Sparks, flames 
and cigarettes must absolutely not be 
brought into the vicinity of the battery.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Fitting the wrong spark plug type can damage the engine.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Inadequately tightened spark plugs can cause overheating 
and damage the engine. Tightening the spark plug too 
much can damage the threads in the cylinder head.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Do not turn over the engine if the spark plug or ignition cable 
has been removed. 
						

							
26 – English
Maintenance
Check the safety system
The machine is equipped with a safety system that prevents starting or driving under the following conditions.
The engine should only be possible to start when the cutting unit is in its raised position and the gear shift lever or hydrostat pedals 
are in the neutral position.
The driver does not need to be seated in the driver’s seat.
Rider 13 AWD, the engine can not be started if the parking brake is not pressed down.
Make daily inspections to ensure that the safety system works by attempting to start the engine when one of the conditions is n ot 
met. Change the conditions and try again.
Check that the engine stops if you temporarily move out of the driver’s seat while the cutting unit is lowered or the gear shif t lever/
hydrostat pedals are not in the neutral position.
 
Start motor
 
Ignition system
 
Works
 
Does not work
 
 
Rider 11 and Rider 11 C   
						

							
English – 27
Maintenance
Rider 13 C, Rider 15 C
Rider 13 AWD 
						

							
28 – English
Maintenance
Checking the engine’s cooling air 
intake
Clean the air intake grille in the engine cover behind the 
driver’s seat.
Open the engine cover.
Check that the cooling intake is free from leaves, grass and 
dirt.
Check the air duct, located on the inside of the engine cover, 
ensure it is clean and does not rub against the cooling air 
intake.
A blocked cooling intake will interfere with the cooling of the 
engine, which can damage the engine.
Checking and adjusting the cutting 
unit’s ground pressure Rider 11 C, 
Rider 13 C, Rider 13 AWD and Rider 
15 C
To achieve the best cutting results the cutting unit should 
follow the underlying surface without pressing too hard 
against it. Pressure is adjusted using a screw and spring on 
each side of the Rider.
1 Check the air pressure in the tyres 60 kPa / 0.6 bar / 9 PSI.
2 Place a set of bathroom scales under the cutting unit’s  frame (front edge) so that it rests on the scales. If 
necessary a block can be placed between the frame and 
scales so that the support wheels do not bear any weight.
3 Adjust the cutting unit’s ground pressure by screwing the adjuster screws, which are located behind the front 
wheels on both sides, in or out. The ground pressure 
should be between 12 and 15 kg and the springs evenly 
tensioned.
Checking the cutting unit’s 
parallelism
Check the cutting unit’s parallelism as follows:
1 Check the air pressure in the tyres 60 kPa/0.6 kp/cm2/8.5 
PSI.
2 Place the machine on a flat surface.
3 Measure the distance between the ground and cutting  unit’s edge at the front of the cover.
The cutting unit should have a slight slant, with the rear 
edge 2-4 mm (1/8”) higher than the front edge.
Adjusting the parallelism of the 
cutting unit, Rider 11
1Check the air pressure in the tyres 60 kPa/0.6 kp/cm2/8.5 
PSI.
2 Remove the front hood and right-hand fender.
3 Adjustment of the cutting unit is carried out using the adjuster nuts at the rear of the lifting strut.
4 Raise the cutting unit at the front edge by shortening the lifting strut.
Lower the cutting unit at the front edge by lengthening the 
lifting strut.
5 Tighten the nuts against each other after adjustment.
!
WARNING! The cooling air intake rotates 
when the engine is running. Mind your 
fingers.
2 
						

							
English – 29
Maintenance
6On completion of the adjustment the unit’s parallelism 
should be re-checked.
7 Fit the right-hand fender and the front hood.
Adjusting the parallelism of the 
cutting unit, Rider 11C, 13C, 13AWD, 
15C
1Check the air pressure in the tyres 60 kPa/0.6 kp/cm2/8.5 
PSI.
2 Remove the front cover.
3 Loosen the parallelism stay’s nuts, the inner nut has a left-hand thread.
4 Screw out (extend) the stay to raise the rear edge of the cover. Screw in (shorten) the stay to lower the rear edge 
of the cover.
5 Tighten the nuts after adjustment.
6 On completion of the adjustment the unit’s parallelism should be re-checked.
7 Fit the front cover.
Service position for the cutting unit
The cutting head can be placed in the service position to 
provide easy access for cleaning, repairs and servicing. In the 
service position the cutting unit is raised and locked in the 
vertical position.
Placing in the service position
1Position the machine on flat ground. Apply and lock the 
parking brake. Set the cutting height control in the lowest 
position and lift up the cutting unit.
2 Remove the front hood by removing the pin.
3 Loosen the spring on the drive belt’s belt idler by  loosening the handle.
4  Place the handle on the frame arch.
5 Lift off the drive belt and hang on the load-relieving hook.
6 Loosen on the cutting height stay and place in the holder. 
						

							
30 – English
Maintenance
7Grip the front edge of the unit and pull forwards until it 
stops.
8 Lift the unit until it stops and a clicking sound is heard.
9  The unit locks automatically in the vertical position.
Restoring from service position
1Grip the front edge of the unit and loosen the lock, fold 
down and slide in the unit.
2 Replace the cutting height stay and the belt. Tension the belt with the belt adjuster.
3 Fit the front cover.
4 Set the cutting height control to one of the positions 1-7