17
Driving On Slopes
Refer to the
SLOPE GAUGE
on page 9 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.
Setting The Cruise Control
NOTE:
The cruise control feature should only be
utilized while traveling in the forward direction.
•
Slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired
speed is achieved.
•
Lightly depress the cruise control lever.
•
While continuing to hold the cruise lever down, lift
your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the
cruise latch engage).
•
Once engaged, the cruise control lever and the
drive pedal will lock in the “down” position, and the
tractor will maintain the same forward speed.
NOTE:
Cruise control can not be set at the tractor’s
fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to
do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the
fastest optimal mowing ground speed.
To disengage the cruise control, either:
•
Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and stop the tractor.
•
Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change to the reverse direction when operating with
cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage
the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete
stop.
Engaging the Parking Brake
To engage the parking brake:
•
Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it while
gently pushing the parking brake lever downward.
•
Hold the parking brake lever down while removing
your foot from the brake pedal.
•
Once engaged, the parking brake lever and the
brake pedal will lock in the “down” position.
To disengage the parking brake:
•
Slightly depress the brake pedal.
NOTE:
The parking brake must be engaged if the
operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the
engine will automatically shut off.
Moving The Tractor Manually
Your tractor’s transmission is equipped with a
hydrostatic relief valve for occasions when it is
necessary to move the tractor manually. Opening this
valve permits the fluid in the transmission to bypass its
normal route, allowing the rear tires to "freewheel." To
open the hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:
•
Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the
tractor. See Figure 7.
Figure 7
•
Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then up, to
lock it in place.
NOTE:
The transmission will NOT engage when the
hydrostatic bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to
its normal position prior to operating the tractor.
IMPORTANT:
Never attempt to move the tractor
manually without first opening the hydrostatic relief
valve. Doing so will result in serious damage to the
tractor’s transmission.
Hydrostatic
Bypass Rod
