Operation
5
16
TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
•
KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF ALL CONTROLS.
•
REMOVE OBJECTS WHICH COULD BE THROWN BY THE
BLADES.
•
GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS.
•
USE EXTRA CAUTION ON SLOPES. DO NOT MOW SLOPES
GREATER THAN 12°.
•
AVOID SUDDEN TURNS. USE LOW SPEED.
•
DO NOT OPERATE MACHINE WHERE IT COULD TIP OR SLIP.
•
IF MACHINE STOPS GOING UPHILL, STOP BLADES AND BACK
DOWN SLOWLY.
•
BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR’S POSITION, DISENGAGE
BLADES, ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE, SHUT OFF AND REMOVE
KEY.
•
BE SURE BLADES AND ENGINE ARE STOPPED BEFORE
PLACING HANDS OR FEET NEAR BLADES.
•
KEEP SAFETY DEVICES (GUARDS, SHIELDS, SWITCHES, ETC.)
IN PLACE AND WORKING.
•
KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY.
•
ALLOW MACHINE TO COOL BEFORE FUELING OR STORING.
•
KEEP MACHINE FREE OF DEBRIS.
READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Safety Interlock Switches
This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the
protection of the operator. If the interlock system should ever
malfunction, do not operate the tractor. Contact an authorized
MTD service dealer.
•
The safety interlock system prevents the engine from
cranking or starting unless the parking brake is engaged,
and the PTO
(Blade Engage)
lever is in the disengaged (OFF)
position.
•
The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves
the seat before engaging the parking brake.
•
The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves
the tractor’s seat with the PTO
(Blade Engage)
lever in the
engaged (ON) position, regardless of whether the parking
brake is engaged.
•
The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO
(Blade
Engage)
lever is moved into the engaged (ON) position with
the shift lever in Reverse.
WARNING!
Do not operate the tractor if the
interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was
designed for your safety and protection.
Engaging the Parking Brake
To engage the parking brake:
1.
Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with your
foot.
2.
Move the parking brake lever down into the parking brake
position.
3.
Release the brake pedal to allow the parking brake to
engage.
To release the parking brake:
1.
Depress the brake pedal and move the speed control lever
out of the parking brake position.
Setting the Cutting Height
1.
Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing
the deck lift lever in any of the different cutting height
notches on the right side of the fender.
WARNING!
Keep hands and feet away from the
discharge opening of the cutting deck.
Refer to Leveling the Deck in the Maintenance & Adjustments
section of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding
deck pitch adjustment.
Starting the Engine
WARNING!
Do not operate the tractor if the
interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was
designed for your safety and protection.
NOTE:
Refer to the Assembly & Set-Up section of this manual for
gasoline and oil fill-up instructions.
1.
Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
2.
Place the PTO
(Blade Engage)
lever in the disengaged (OFF)
position.
3.
Engage the tractor’s parking brake.
4.
Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position. After
the engine starts, release the key. It will return to the ON
position.
IMPORTANT:
Do NOT hold the key in the START position
for longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so may cause
damage to your engine’s electric starter.
