Who reads the owners/operators manual?

[LazerZLandscaping]

I've been a mechanic for all my life who needs a manual

Just chuck them in the recycle bin

 

[gfp55]

I've been a mechanic for all my life who needs a manual

Just chuck them in the recycle bin

Its always nice to give someone who buys a machine from me the Owners manual with all the service records and receipts to prove they are getting a well cared for machine. "But thats just me"

 

[Bison]

I have operators and repair manuals for just about any truck tractor and piece of equipment.
They are invaluable refer material if one does all maintenance and repairs himself like me with 45 years mechanic experience on just about every kind of farm and industrial equipment around
It takes a lot of guesses out of the game.
No one knows it all...although some people think they do,...i ain't one of them.

 

[7394]

As was previously posted, I also read manuals Prior to a purchase..

But I save them also, just in case I need to check for service list, etc. particularly if it is a new style machine to me.. Like my ZTR is.. But I did grow up on excavating equipment..

Wrenching & operating..

And when I sold my 2008 46" Craftsman, I had all documentation for the new owner, & that helped..

 

[detdrbuzzard]

when I first bought my house my GF bagged up all the owners manuals she saw. we stopped dating long time ago now but I still don't know where she hid the manuals but most of them I've down loaded and read but I would like to find the hard copys

 

[Elendil]

I just got a new Kubota ZTR. I've read the owners manual cover to cover (except for the Spanish portion). In a way I wish I hadn't. I raised more questions than it answered:

1. Everyone says to do the first oil change at 15 hours. Owners manual just specifies 1st oil change at 100 hours. Do I listen to experienced real world users or do I listen to what the manufacturer says to do with the equipment they make and sell?

2. In the manual it shows an LED work light kit as an available accessory. Unfortunately Kubota doesn't actually make a kit like this. WTF?

Sometimes ignorance is bliss........

 

[7394]

Just my 02 cents...

But I would want the 'break-in' oil' & filter changed early.. That's when all the new parts are getting mated to their locations, lots a srcubbing going on, particularly with the piston rings & cylinder wall(s).. Don't want that in you oil do ya ?

My Toro Z w/ Kawasaki V-twin, called for it being done @ 8 hrs..

I have been building engines since I was a kid in the 70's. Fresh oil & filter are cheap insurance to start off the new engine to a long healthy life..

 

[X-man]

I have always read the owners manual with any machine I have, car/truck/tractor/washer/dryer/pool filter, etc. Great info in a manual. I have a file cabinet just for manuals. I know now you can get them online, but before that the paper manual is good reading so you know how to run your machine right so it will last. "But thats just me"

I'll skim through them but usually I just keep them somewhere and let them collect dust.

 

[Bison]

I've been a mechanic for all my life who needs a manual

Just chuck them in the recycle bin

One might get by without a manual for a simple lawn mower but I would like to see how you would fare with trouble shooting and repair of electrical problems on today's vehicles and machinery without a manual,. and i don't care how long you've been mechanic but with an attitude like you know it all you can't be a good one.

That is the stupidest thing i've heard in a long time

 

[Fuzzy1]

I not only read the Owner's Manual cover-to-cover, but I also normally pop for the appropriate Shop Manual(s). Can't have too much information.