16
•
Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position
for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments.
IMPORTANT:
The engine or electric PTO clutch will
automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the
drive pedal in position for reverse travel. Refer to
SAFETY INTERLOCK SWITCHES earlier in this
section.
Using the Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the lift lever to the left,
then place it in the notch best suited for your
application. Refer to SETTING THE CUTTING
HEIGHT earlier in this section.
Operating The Headlights
To turn the tractor’s headlights on:
•
Start the engine following the instructions earlier in
this section.
•
Turn the key one notch counterclockwise into the
On/Lights position of the ignition switch. Refer to
Figure 4.
To turn the tractor’s headlights off:
•
Turn the key either into the On position (to leave the
engine running) or the Off position (to shut the
engine off). Refer to Figure 4.
NOTE:
Never move the key into the Start position
while the engine is running. Doing so may cause
damage to your engine’s electric starter.
Mowing
WARNING:
To help avoid blade contact or
a thrown object injury, keep bystanders,
helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from
the machine while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
This tractor is equipped with a high quality cutting deck.
The following information will be helpful when using the
cutting deck with your tractor.
•
Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a
mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
WARNING:
Plan your mowing pattern to
avoid discharge of materials toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
•
For best results it is recommended that the first two
laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the
center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction
to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance
of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the
lawn.
•
Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites
weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
•
Mowing should always be done with the engine at
full throttle.
•
Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go
back over the cut area a second time to get a clean
cut.
•
Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds
and extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to
mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
•
Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when
worn. Refer to the SERVICE section of this manual
for proper blade sharpening instructions.
Mulching
Tractors come equipped with a mulch kit which
incorporates special blades, already standard on your
tractor, in a process of recirculating grass clippings
repeatedly beneath the cutting deck. The ultra-fine
clippings are then forced back into the lawn where they
act as a natural fertilizer. Observe the following
recommendations for the best results when mulching.
NOTE:
The mulch kit is installed on models equipped
with a 42-inch deck. It is packed separately (with an
instruction sheet) in the crate on models equipped with
a 46-inch deck.
Figure 9
•
Never attempt to mulch if the lawn is damp. Wet
grass tends to stick to the underside of the cutting
deck preventing proper mulching of the clippings.
•
Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the total
height of the grass or approximately 1-1/2 inches.
Doing so will cause the clippings to clump up
beneath the deck and not be mulched effectively.
Carriage Screw
Plastic Wing Nut
Bell
Washer
Mulch Plug
