Operating Instructions
28
Throttle
Choke
Choke and Throttle Location
Engine Throttle
The throttle control lever (red knob) is located on the
left side of the seat and is used to control engine
speed. Moving the lever
forward
toward the
FAST
position
increases
engine speed; moving it
back-
ward
toward the
IDLE
position
decreases
engine
speed.
Forward Speed Control (FSC)
Forward Speed Control (FSC) has two functions:
One is to set forward travel speed, and the other is
to establish the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position. When
the FSC lever is moved into the
FORWARD
posi-
tion, a friction lock holds any forward speed setting
from 0 to 7 mph (0 to 11 km/h). The ground speed
is proportional to the lever position; the further the
lever is advanced forward, the faster the tractor
moves. It is not necessary to hold the FSC in posi-
tion since the friction lock maintains the selected
lever position. Pulling back on the steering levers
overrides the FSC setting and slows or stops for-
ward travel. Releasing the steering levers allows
the tractor to resume forward travel at the speed set
by the FSC lever. To stop and park the machine, the
FSC lever is moved backward to the
NEUTRAL-
PARK
position.
Steering Levers
Each drive wheel is controlled by its own indepen-
dent steering lever, for both steering function and
FORWARD/REVERSE
motion. The FSC lever sets
the maximum forward speed, and also sets the for-
ward position of the steering levers. The steering
levers operate
only with a backward pulling
move-
ment of the lever, which causes the drive wheel for
that lever to first slow down, stop, and then reverse
with a full backward lever stroke. The levers are
released to the
FORWARD
position for “straight-
ahead” ground travel.
NOTE:
Pushing forward on the steering levers will
not cause
any
change in tractor motion - there will
be no steering lever reaction and there will be no
machine damage.
Blade Clutch (PTO)
The blade clutch lever has two positions. Pulling the
lever
UP engages
the PTO that drives the mower
blades. Pushing the lever
DOWN disengages
the
PTO and engages the blade brake.
NOTE:
On GHS equipped models, the Powerfil
®
motor and Grass-Pak
®
full signal switch are acti-
vated by engaging the blade clutch. Refer to
Using
the GHS Catcher
in this section for a complete de-
scription of GHS operation.
Front Body Latch Release
The front portion of the tractor body hinges forward
for maintenance access and is latched down in the
OPERATING
position. To raise the body, pull the
latch release up and forward.
Front Body
Latch Release
Front Body Latch Release
