17
S
ection
5 — o
peration
Driving The Tractor
WARNING!
Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed
and sudden stops.
WARNING!
Do not leave the seat of the tractor
without first placing the PTO
(Blade Engage)
lever in
the disengaged (OFF) position, depressing the brake
pedal and engaging the parking brake. If leaving
the tractor unattended, also turn the ignition key off
and remove the key.
WARNING!
Always look down and behind before
and while backing up to avoid a back-over accident.
1. Depress the brake pedal to release the parking brake and let
the pedal up.
2. Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit) position.
3. Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or REVERSE
position.
IMPORTANT:
Do NOT use the shift lever to change the
direction of travel when the tractor is in motion. Always use
the brake pedal to bring the tractor to a complete stop before
shifting.
4. Release the parking brake by depressing the clutch-brake
pedal and positioning the speed control lever in desired
position.
IMPORTANT:
First-time operators should use speed positions 1
or 2. Become completely familiar with the tractor’s operation and
controls before operating the tractor in higher speed positions.
5. Release clutch-brake pedal slowly to put unit into motion.
6. The lawn tractor is brought to a stop by depressing the
clutch-brake pedal.
NOTE:
When operating the unit initially, there will be little
difference between the highest two speeds until after the belts
have seated themselves into the pulleys during the break-in
period.
WARNING!
Before leaving the operator’s position
for any reason, disengage the blades, place the shift
lever in neutral, engage the parking brake, shut
engine off and remove the key.
IMPORTANT:
When stopping the tractor for any reason while
on a grass surface, always:
1. Place the shift lever in neutral,
2. Engage the parking brake,
3. Shut engine off and remove the key. Doing so will minimize
the possibility of having your lawn ‘‘browned’’ by hot
exhaust from your tractor’s running engine.
If unit stalls with speed control in high speed, or if unit will
not operate with speed control lever in a low speed position,
proceed as follows:
1. Place shift lever in NEUTRAL.
2. Restart engine.
3. Place speed control lever in highest speed position.
4. Release clutch-brake pedal fully.
5. Depress clutch-brake pedal.
6. Place speed control lever in desired position.
7. Place shift lever in either FORWARD or REVERSE, and follow
normal operating procedures.
Driving On Slopes
Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE in the Important Safe Operation
Practices section of the manual to help determine slopes where
you may operate the tractor safely.
WARNING!
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in
excess of 15 degrees
(a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet
every 10 feet)
. The tractor could overturn and cause
serious injury.
•
Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.
•
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on
slopes.
•
Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects.
Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can
hide obstacles.
•
Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be made,
turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly increases
the chance of a roll over.
•
Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary
to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and
carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the tractor over
backward.
Engaging the Blades
Engaging the PTO
(Blade Engage)
transfers power to the cutting
deck or other
(separately available)
attachments. To engage the
blades, proceed as follows:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Grasp the PTO
(Blade Engage)
lever and pivot it all the way
forward into the engaged (ON) position.
3. Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the
most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately
available)
attachments.
Models with Reverse Caution Mode:
The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with
the shift lever in position for reverse travel with the ignition key
in the NORMAL MOWING position.
Models without Reverse Caution Mode:
The PTO
(Blade Engage)
lever must be in the disengaged (OFF)
position when starting the engine, when traveling in reverse, and
if the operator leaves the seat. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches
in the Operation section of this manual.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck 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.
17
