14
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.
•
Place the shift lever in the FORWARD position,
then slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired
speed is achieved.
•
Lightly depress the cruise control button.
•
While continuing to hold the cruise button in, lift
your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the
cruise latch engage).
•
Once engaged, the cruise control button 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 engaged 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.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the following
methods:
•
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. Then place the shift lever in the REVERSE
position and depress the drive pedal.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the
left, then place it in the notch best suited for your
application. Refer to
Setting The Cutting Height
earlier in
this section.
Engaging the PTO
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck
or other (separately available) attachments. To engage
the PTO, proceed as follows:
•
Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit)
position.
•
Grasp the PTO lever and pivot it all the way forward
into the engaged (ON) position.
•
Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position
for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments.
NOTE:
The operator must remain in the tractor seat at
all times. If the operator should leave the seat without
moving the PTO lever into the disengaged (OFF)
position, the tractor’s engine will automatically shut off,
regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged.
IMPORTANT:
The engine will automatically shut off if the
PTO lever is moved into the engaged (ON) position with
the drive pedal in position for reverse travel. Refer to
Safety Interlock Switches
on page 12.
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.
This tractor is equipped with one of
MTD
’s high quality
cutting decks. 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.
•
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 cut the grass too short. Short grass invites
weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
•
Mowing should always be done with the engine at
full throttle.
•
Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go
back over the cut area a second time to get a clean
cut.
