13
Driving the Tractor
IMPORTANT:
Avoid sudden starts, high speed and
sudden stops.
•
Briefly depress the brake pedal to release the
parking brake and let the pedal up. Move the
throttle lever into the fast (rabbit) position.
•
To travel forward, slowly depress the upper portion
of the drive pedal forward until the desired speed is
achieved. See Figure 4.
Figure 4
•
To travel in reverse, check that the area behind is
clear then slowly depress the lower portion of the
drive pedal with the ball of your foot (not your heel)
until the desired speed is achieved. See Figure 4.
IMPORTANT:
Do not attempt to change the direction of
travel when the tractor is in motion. Always bring the
tractor to a complete stop before pivoting the drive
pedal from forward to reverse or vice versa.
Engaging the Parking Brake
To engage parking brake:
•
Fully depress brake pedal and hold it there while
gently pushing the parking brake button inward.
•
Hold parking brake button in while removing your
foot from the brake pedal.
•
Once engaged, the parking brake button and the
brake pedal will lock in the “down” position.
To disengage parking brake:
•
Slightly depress the brake pedal.
NOTE: The parking brake must be engaged if the
operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the
engine will automatically shut off.
Driving on Slopes
Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 7 to help
determine slopes where you may operate tractor safely.
•
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.
To engage cruise control:
•
Slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired
speed is achieved.
•
Lightly depress the cruise control button.
•
Holding the cruise control 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 cannot 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.
To disengage cruise control: (Follow one of two
methods described below.)
1.
Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and stop the tractor.
2.
Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change direction to reverse when operating with
cruise control:
•
Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and bring the tractor to a complete stop.
•
Depress the lower portion of the drive pedal with
the ball of your foot to travel in reverse.
WARNING:
Do not leave the seat of the
tractor without first placing the PTO lever in the
disengaged (off) position, depressing the
brake pedal and engaging the parking brake. If
leaving the tractor unattended, also turn the
ignition key off and remove the key.
Reverse
Forward
Drive Pedal
Fender /
Brake Pedal
Running Board
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.
