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2. Squeeze the OPC levers against the handles.
3. Move the shift lever into a forward gear.
4. Release the parking brakes; refer to Releasing the
Parking Brakes, page 19.
5. Slowly release the drive levers.
Note: To go straight, release the drive levers equally. To
turn, squeeze the drive lever on the same side as the
direction you want to turn.
Driving Backward
1. Ensure that the parking brakes are engaged.
2. Squeeze the OPC levers against the handles.
3. Move the shift lever into the reverse gear.
4. Release the parking brakes; refer to Releasing the
Parking Brakes, page 19.
5. Slowly release the drive levers together to move
rearward.
Note: You must pull the mower backward to assist its
rearward movement.
Stopping the Mower
1. Squeeze the drive levers all the way back to engage the
brakes.
2. Set the parking brakes. Refer to Setting the Parking
Brakes, page 19.
3. Shift transmission into the Neutral position.
4. Turn the ignition key to the Off position, and wait for
all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating
position.
Children or bystanders may be injured if they
move or attempt to operate the machine while it is
unattended.
Always set the parking brakes when you leave the
machine unattended, even for a few minutes.
Caution
Transporting the Mower
Use a heavy-duty trailer or truck to transport the mower.
Ensure that the trailer or truck has all the necessary lighting
and marking as required by law. Please carefully read all
the safety instructions. Knowing this information could
help you, your family, pets, or bystanders avoid injury.
To transport the mower:
•
Lock the brakes and block the wheels.
•
Securely fasten the mower to the trailer or truck with
straps, chains, cable, or ropes.
•
Secure the trailer to the towing vehicle with safety
chains.
Side Discharging or Mulching
the Grass
This mower has a hinged grass deflector that disperses
clippings to the side and down toward the turf.
Danger
Without the grass deflector, discharge cover, or
complete grass catcher assembly mounted in place,
you and others are exposed to blade contact and
thrown debris. Contact with rotating mower
blades and thrown debris will cause injury or
death.
•
Never remove the grass deflector from the
mower because the grass deflector routes the
material down toward the turf. If the grass
deflector is ever damaged, replace it
immediately.
•
Never put your hands or feet under the mower.
•
Never try to clear the discharge area or the
mower blades unless you disengage the power
take-off (PTO), stop the engine, remove the key,
wait for all moving parts to stop, and disconnect
the wires from the spark plugs.
Adjusting the Wheel Drive
Tension
You may need to increase the wheel drive belt tension
under certain operating conditions, such as mower over
hilly terrain or while pulling a sulky.
1. Stop the engine, remove the key, and wait for all
moving parts to stop.