10
b.
Avoid turning downhill if possible, if not use
extra care and go slowly.
c.
Avoid turning when going downhill, traction
is at a minimum going downhill.
d. Do not operate with discharge side of the
mower toward streets, buildings, play-
grounds, parking lots, other machines, ani-
mals, and other people.
e. Avoid operation or use extreme care if the
traction surface is wet, unstable, or slip-
pery.
f.
Use extra care when grass clippings,
leaves, pine needles, or debris are present
as traction can be reduced.
g. Slow-down before turning and come to a
complete stop before any zero turn maneu-
ver.
h. Do not stop machine or park machine over
combustible materials such as dry grass,
leaves, debris, etc.
3.
To Mow Grass and Produce a Striped Pat-
tern
a.
Pick a point on the opposite side of the
area to be mowed (post, tree, shrub, etc.).
b.
If on an hillside, start at the bottom so that
the turns are uphill rather than downhill.
c.
Align the mower so as to head directly
toward the object on the far side.
d.
Slowly increase the speed of the machine
to match cutting conditions, terrain, and
operator familiarity with the controls and
keep the machine headed directly toward
the alignment object. Do not go fast as to
reduce cut quality or to be uncomfortable
in controlling the speed and direction of the
machine.
e.
When approaching the other end of a strip,
slow down or stop before turning. A U-turn
is recommended unless a zero turn is
required. The speed of a U-turn that will
allow for machine controllability and mini-
mal turf defacement will be dependent on
several factors including: the speed of the
turn, the radius of the turn, the tire tread
pattern, the traction coefficient of the tire to
the traction surface, the slope of the trac-
tion surface.
f.
Remember, a zero turn requires that the
forward or reverse travel of the machine be
stopped prior to the initiation of the turn or
severe turf defacement can occur.
g.
To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf,
change the direction that the strips are
mowed by approximately 45 degrees the
next and each subsequent time that the
area is mowed.
B.Controls
1.
Engine Ignition and Start Switch:
(See Fig-
ure 1.) Located on the instrument housing of
the seat in the center support. When the key
is inserted and turned clockwise, 45 degrees,
the ignition circuit is closed. Turning the switch
further against spring pressure starts the
engine. The engine will only start if the blade
clutch switch is in the “off” position, the park-
ing brake is engaged and the left and right
steering levers are in the neutral. The key
should always be removed from the switch if
the operator leaves the mower’s seat.
2.
Engine Throttle Control:
(See Figure 2.)
Located on the left side of the seat support.
Moving the throttle control from the rear to the
front will increase the engine speed from slow
to fast.
3.
Left and Right Steering Levers:
(See Figure
3.) These levers control all of the movements
of the mower. Pushing both levers forward
causes the mower to move forward. Pulling
both levers back causes the mower to move
backward. Pushing one lever ahead of the
other lever causes the traction wheel on the
side where the lever is ahead to rotate faster
than the other traction wheel, making the
mower turn toward the side where the lever is
behind. When one lever is pushed forward
and the other lever pulled back the same
amount, one traction wheel will turn in reverse
and the mower will turn within its own length.
In order to start the engine, both steering
levers must be in the neutral position; the
parking brake must be engaged; and the
blade clutch switch must be “off”. However,
once the engine starts, the parking brake
must be released before the operator moves
the steering levers out of neutral position or
the engine will automatically shut off.
Note:
The Steering Lever will return toward
neutral when released, but they should be
placed in neutral by the driver. If the Drive
Handles are not placed in neutral, the tractor
may creep.
