Operating Instructions
39
Beginning Recommendations are:
♦
Learn operation of the mower in an open
area away from buildings, fences, and
ob structions. Learn operation on flat
ground BEFORE operating on slopes.
♦
Start maneuvering the mower with
SLOW engine speed and SLOW For-
ward Speed Control setting until famil-
iar with all operat ing characteristics.
♦
Remember it is not necessary to hold
the steering levers forward (a unique
Walker feature); always PULL on the le-
vers for steering or for reverse motion
of the mower.
♦
Learn to operate the mower with your
left hand on the steering levers and right
hand on Forward Speed Control. The
use of two hands on the steering levers
tends to cause overcontrol.
♦
Learn to operate the steering levers
with smooth action. Jerky movements
are hard on the transmission and lawn.
For sharp turns, do not allow the inside
wheel to stop and twist on the grass.
Pull the steering le ver controlling the
inside wheel into reverse for a smooth
“rolling” turn (one wheel roll ing forward
while the other rolls backward).
♦
Practice maneuvering the mower until
you can make it go exactly where you
are aiming.
♦
Remember, for an emergency stop, or in
case of loss of control, machine move-
ment can always be stopped quickly by
pulling the Forward Speed Control into
the NEU TRAL-PARK position.
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 highquality cutting action.
5. Stop ground travel by pulling both steering
levers
backward to the
NEUTRAL
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
position, the transmission control needs
to be adjusted. Refer to
ADJUSTMENTS
for
Transmission Control, Step 3 -
Neutral Func-
tion Adjustment
in the
Maintenance Instructions.
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.
