15
DRIVING THE TRACTOR
NOTE:
Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sud-
den stops.
WARNING: Do not leave the seat of the
tractor without disengaging the PTO and
engaging the parking brake. If leaving the
tractor unattended, turn the ignition key
off and remove the key.
IMPORTANT:
When using PTO driven equipment, the
throttle lever should be in the “FAST” position.
•
Depress the brake pedal to release the parking
brake and let the pedal up. Move the throttle lever
to the position where the engine operates best for
the load to be handled (usually full throttle).
Driving With Forward Or Reverse Pedals.
WARNING: Do not use the forward or
reverse control pedals to change the
direction of travel when the tractor is in
motion. Use the brake pedal to bring the
tractor to a stop before changing
direction with either the forward or
reverse control pedal.
1.
To move in the forward direction, slowly depress
the forward control pedal until the desired speed is
achieved.
2.
To move in the reverse direction, check that the
area behind is clear then fully depress the reverse
control pedal. Always look down and behind
before and while backing up.
Using The Cruise Control Feature.
IMPORTANT:
The cruise control feature can only be
operated in the forward direction.
1.
Slowly depress the forward control pedal until the
desired speed is achieved.
2.
Lightly push the parking brake/cruise control
lever downward as far as possible and hold in this
position.
3.
While continuing to hold the parking brake/cruise
control lever down, lift your foot from the forward
control pedal (you should feel the cruise latch
engage).
4.
If properly engaged, the cruise lever and forward
control pedal should lock in the down position,
and the tractor will maintain the approximate
same forward speed.
5.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the
following methods:
•
Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and stop the tractor.
•
Lightly depress the forward control pedal.
•
To change to the reverse direction when operat-
ing with cruise control, depress the brake pedal to
disengage the cruise control and stop the tractor;
then depress the reverse control pedal.
DRIVING ON SLOPES
Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 7 to help deter-
mine slopes where you may not operate 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.
WARNING: Operate the tractor up and
down slopes, never across slopes. Do
not drive so that the tractor may tip over
sideways .
Before operating the tractor on any slope, walk the
slope to look for possible hazards such as rocks.
mounds, ruts, stumps or other surface irregularities
which could cause the tractor to overturn.
Back the tractor with implement up the steepest portion
of each slope you intend to work. If the tractor cannot
negotiate the slope in reverse, the slope is too steep to
be worked.
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 neces-
sary to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly
and carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the
tractor over backward.
WARNING: The hydrostatic transmis-
sion will not hold the tractor on a hill.
Normal internal leakage in the transmis-
sion will allow the tractor to roll
downhill. To avoid an accident and/or
possible injury, engage the brake pedal
lock.
STOPPING THE TRACTOR
WARNING: Always engage the brake
pedal lock, push the PTO switch to the
“OFF” position, lower the equipment and
shut off the engine before dismounting.
•
Fully depress the brake pedal to bring the tractor
to a complete stop (and disengage the cruise
control). Push downward on the parking brake/
cruise control lever and hold the lever down while
releasing the brake pedal. The lever should lock
in the down position and the parking brake should
be engaged.
•
Depress the PTO switch knob to disengage the
PTO.
Summary of Contents for GT 2544
Page 46: ...46 NOTES ...
