18
S
ection
5— o
peration
Driving On Slopes
Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 8 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 across slopes, not up and down.
•
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.
•
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then turn slowly
uphill and use extra care while turning. Turning up a slope
greatly increases the chance of a rollover.
•
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.
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.
The following information will be helpful when using the cutting
deck with your tractor.
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.
•
Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit
or grass collector is installed.
•
Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass is prone to weed
growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
•
Always operate the tractor with the throttle lever in the
FAST (rabbit) position while mowing.
•
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 attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds or
extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns,
NOT clear brush.
•
Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn.
Using the Deck Lift Pedal
Push the pedal forward until it locks into the transport position,
locking behind the notch on the front of the index plate. Remove
and replace the lock pin into the desired height index hole, then
press down on the lift pedal and slowly allow the pedal to move
back until it reaches the lock pin.
Engaging the PTO
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments. To engage the PTO:
1.
Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit)
position.
2.
Pull the PTO/Blade Engage knob outward into the engaged
(ON) position. See Fig. 5-4.
NOTE:
Always operate the tractor with the throttle lever in the
FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting
deck or other (separately available) attachments.
ON
OFF
Figure 5-4
