20
Section 2: Operating Procedures
ZST40 & ZST48 Zero Turn Mowers 357-505M
9/09/11
Keep blades sharp. Many problems with incorrect
cutting patterns are due to dull blades or blades which
have been sharpened incorrectly. Information on
sharpening blades is listed in this manual’s maintenance
section. In addition, most communities have individuals
or companies which specialize in sharpening mower
blades. Blade sharpness should be checked daily.
General Operating Information
After thoroughly familiarizing yourself with the Operator’s
Manual and completing the Operator’s Checklist, you are
almost ready to begin mowing.
Approach the mower from the front and spread the
steering levers fully apart. Stand just to the outside rear
of the left front anti-scalp wheel and with your right hand
grab the left side steering lever for support. Taking care
not to slip on the mower deck, step up onto the operator’s
platform and comfortably seat yourself. The park brake
lever just to your left and adjacent to the operator’s seat
should be fully raised and in the (ON) position. With both
steering levers still wide apart now reach for the throttle
and choke control to your right side. Position the throttle
control at half throttle and pull the choke to the “up/on”
position. Insert your ignition key and rotate the ignition
key clockwise until you hear the engine begin to start.
Release the ignition key and push the choke to
“down/off” position. Allow the engine to warm up
momentarily. If your mower has just been running and the
engine is already warm, using the choke is probably not
necessary.
With the engine at half throttle, release the parking brake
by pushing the lever forward and down all the way. Then
reach forward and bring both steering levers equally
together in the neutral position just in front of you. It’s now
time to test your steering skills. Gently push both steering
levers equally forward. The farther forward you push the
levers the faster you will go. Pull back equally and you will
slow down coming to a stop when you reach the neutral
position. Now slowly pull the levers back toward your
body past neutral position. The mower will reverse
direction and increase in speed as you pull further back.
If you push one lever forward and pull one lever back the
mower will do a zero turn in the direction of the steering
lever closest to your body. Now take a few moments in a
safe open area to practice maneuvering and steering
your mower with the engine still at half throttle. Gradually
increase your throttle speed until you feel totally
confident of your mower steering and handling ability
around obstacles and in tight areas.
It’s now time to cut the grass. Hopefully, you have already
removed any obstacles from the lawn that you do not
want run over. With your mower at half throttle, place your
right foot on the deck lift pedal and release and lower the
deck to your preset cutting height. With your right hand,
pull up on the cutting blade engagement knob and
increase the engine speed to full throttle. You may now
begin mowing. When you are done mowing or just want
to take a break, make sure you do all of the following.
•
Park on level ground if possible.
•
Disengage cutting blades.
•
Throttle back.
•
Place steering levers in wide-open neutral position.
•
Engage park brake lever.
•
Turn engine off and remove switch key.
•
Step carefully off the left side of the operator’s
platform.
•
You may want to chock the wheels as an added
measure of safety, if and when you must park on an
incline.
In the unlikely event that you lose electrical power and
the Riding Mower shuts completely down, you will lose
hydrostatic steering capability. Should the engine fail for
any reason and you need to push or pull the unit a short
distance for loading or servicing, make sure you open
bypass valves on the pumps using the bypass valve rods.
The Land Pride Zero Turn Riding Mowers are designed
to deliver professional cutting quality, while delivering
high productivity and sustained comfort over extended
periods of operation. With just a little bit of practice you
should become very good at operating your mower. See
the “Features and Benefits” section of this manual for
additional product information and performance
enhancing options.
