Operating Instructions
34
Forward Speed Control
(FSC)
Pull Steering
Levers with
Left Hand
Keep Feet on
Footrest when
Moving
Correct Operator Hand Position on the Controls
3. Reverse direction of the mower by pulling both
levers backward.
NOTE:
Smooth action on the steering levers will
produce smooth mower operation. Remem ber to
keep the engine and ground speed slow until
learning the control response.
WARNING
When moving forward, DO NOT suddenly
put the tractor in reverse by rapidly pulling
on the steering levers, especially when go-
ing downhill, as this can lift the tractor tail
wheel off the ground and set up a bucking
motion due to operator overcontrol. If
bucking does occur, immediately stop the
bucking action by pulling the Forward
Speed Control (FSC) lever into the NEU-
TRAL-PARK position.
4. The FSC may be adjusted forward for faster
ground speed and backward for slower ground
speed. When mowing, ground speed should be
adjusted to match the load on the cutter blades,
i.e., as the engine pulls down in heavy cutting,
pull back on the FSC lever to reduce ground
speed. Adjusting ground speed helps maintain
a balance between engine power and blade
speed for high-quality cutting action.
5. Stop ground travel by pulling both steering le-
vers backward to the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position
(tractor not moving) and then moving the FSC
lever to the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position.
NOTE:
If the tractor creeps forward or back ward
with the FSC lever in the
NEUTRAL-PARK
posi-
tion, the transmission control needs to be adjust-
ed. Refer to
ADJUSTMENTS
for
Step 3 - Neutral
Position Adjustment
in the
Maintenance Instruc
tions.
ENGAGING THE BLADE DRIVE
1. Set the engine throttle at about 1/3 speed.
Do
not attempt to engage the blade clutch at
high engine speeds.
This will drastically short-
en drive belt life. Use only moderate engine
speed when engaging the blade clutch.
2. Engage the blade clutch by moving the blade
clutch lever forward
SLOWLY.
For disengage-
ment, move the blade clutch lever backward
SLOWLY.
CAUTION
An operator presence switch (seat switch)
will cause the engine to stop if the blade
clutch is engaged and the operator is not
in the seat. The function of this switch
should be checked by the op erator raising
off the seat and engaging the blade clutch;
the engine should stop. If the switch is not
working, it should be repaired or replaced
before operating the mower. DO NOT
disconnect the safety switches; they are
for the operator’s protection.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT
engage the blade clutch
when transporting the mower across drives, side-
walks, loose materials, etc.
DO NOT engage the
blade clutch with the PTO shaft disconnected
(the mower deck removed from tractor).
