D21d
Operating Instructions
41
GETTING STARTED RECOMMENDATIONS:
♦
Learn operation of the mower in an
open area away from buildings, fenc-
es, and ob structions. Learn opera-
tion on flat ground BEFORE operat
-
ing on slopes.
♦
Start maneuvering the mower with
SLOW engine speed and SLOW For-
ward Speed Control setting until fa-
miliar with all operat ing characteris-
tics.
♦
Remember it is not necessary to hold
the steering levers forward (a unique
Walker feature); always PULL on the
levers for steering or for reverse mo-
tion of the mower.
♦
Learn to operate the mower with your
left hand on the steering levers and
right hand on Forward Speed Con-
trol. The use of two hands on the
steering levers tends to cause over-
control.
♦
Learn to operate the steering levers
with smooth action. Jerky move-
ments are hard on the transmission
and lawn. For sharp turns, do not al-
low the inside wheel to stop and twist
on the grass. Pull the steering le ver
controlling the inside wheel into re-
verse for a smooth “rolling” turn (one
wheel roll ing forward while the other
rolls backward).
♦
Practice maneuvering the mower un-
til you can make it go exactly where
you are aiming.
♦
Remember, for an emergency stop,
or in case of loss of control, machine
movement can always be stopped
quickly by pulling the Forward Speed
Control into the NEU TRAL-PARK po-
sition.
Pull Steering Levers
with Left Hand
Keep Feet on Footrest
When Moving
Forward Speed Control
(FSC)
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.
