16
S
ection
3 — c
ontrolS
& o
peration
Carefully move (or have moved) the tractor to
the practice area. When performing the practice
session, the PTO knob should not be engaged. While
practicing, operate the tractor at approximately 1⁄2-3⁄4
throttle and at less than full speed in both forward
and reverse.
Always wear appropriate clothing and personal
protection equipment (e.g. safety glasses,
long pants, gloves, hearing protection, safety
shoes, hard hat) when operating or maintaining
this machine. Follow all federal, state and
local guidelines regarding the use of personal
protective equipment.
Carefully practice maneuvering the machine using
the instructions in the following section “Driving
the Tractor.” Practice until you are confident that
you can safely operate the tractor.
Driving the Tractor
Warning!
Avoid sudden starts,
excessive speed and sudden stops.
1.
Turn on the fuel valve(s).
NOTE:
IF both tanks are on, and one is
empty the engine will not start. Be certain
to make sure both tanks have fuel or that
the empty tank’s fuel valve is closed.
2.
Adjust the operator’s seat to the most
comfortable position that allows you to
operate the controls. Refer to the Assembly &
Set-Up section for instructions on adjusting
the seat.
3.
Move the RH and LH drive control levers
inward in the neutral position. Refer to
Figure 3-1.
Control Levers Moved
Inward & in Neutral
Figure 3-1
NOTE:
If the control levers are not even in the
neutral position, refer to the Assembly & Set-
Up section for instructions to adjust the levers
so that they are even.
4.
Move the throttle control to the FAST
position.
NOTE:
Although the tractor’s engine is
designed to run at full throttle, when
performing a practice session the tractor
must be operated at less than full throttle.
This only applies to practice.
Warning!
Always maintain a firm
grip on the control levers. DO NOT
release the control levers to slow or
stop the tractor; move levers to
neutral position using your hands.
5.
To drive the tractor, firmly grasp the
respective drive control levers with your
right and left hands and continue with
Driving the Tractor Forward.
Driving the Tractor Forward
Warning!
Keep all movement of the
drive control levers slow and
smooth. Abrupt movement of the
control levers can affect the stability
of the tractor and could cause the
tractor to flip over, which may result
in serious injury or death to the
operator.
1.
Slowly and evenly move both drive control
levers forward. The tractor will start to move
forward. See Figure 3-2.
Driving Forward
Faster
Slower
Neutral
Position
Figure 3-2
2.
As the control levers are pushed farther
forward the speed of the tractor will
increase.
3.
To slow the tractor move the controls lever
rearward to attain the desired speed, or
move the levers to the neutral position to
stop the tractor.
Warning!
Always maintain your
grasp on the drive control levers. Do
not release the levers to slow the
tractor or to return to neutral.
Turning the Tractor While Driving Forward
Warning!
When reversing the
direction of travel, we recommend
performing gradual ‘U’ turns where
possible. Sharper turns increase the
possibility of turf defacement, and
could affect control of the tractor.
ALWAYS slow the tractor before
making sharp turns.
To turn the tractor while driving forward, move
the control levers as necessary so that one lever is
rearward of the other. The tractor will turn in the
direction of the rearward control lever.
1.
To turn to the left, move the left drive
control lever rearward of the right lever. See
Figure 3-3.
Forward Left Turn
Figure 3-3
2.
To turn to the right, move the right drive
control lever rearward of the left lever. See
Figure 3-4.
Forward Right Turn
Figure 3-4
3.
The greater the fore-to-aft distance
between the two levers, the sharper the
tractor will turn.
4.
To execute a “pivot turn,” move the turn side
drive control lever to the neutral position,
while moving the other control lever
forward.
NOTE:
Making a “pivot turn” on grass
will greatly increase the potential for
defacement of the turf.
