Cub Cadet 53AH8ST5050 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
14
c. Become familiar with all of the machine con-
trols, instrumentation, safety and instruction
signs, and safety devices.
d. Move (or have moved) the machine to a safe,
level area with no obstructions including
objects, pedestrians, and animals.
2. Initial Operation:
a. Use protective equipment for eyes, hands,
hearing, feet, legs, head and other areas of
the body if needed — safety eye glasses,
gloves, earplugs, boots, hats, etc.
WARNING:
Hearing Protection is required for all operator
exposure exceeding two (2) hours.
b. Ensure that the area is free of animals and
bystanders, especially children!
c. Survey the area where the equipment is to be
used to make sure it is free of debris, sticks,
stones, wires, bones, and other foreign
objects which could cause injury to bystand
-
ers, damage to the machine, or damage to
nearby facilities.
d. Inspect the machine to make sure:
1. All guards, shields (including mower chute
deflector) are in their proper place, are
secure, and are functional.
2. That there are no spilled or leaking fuel or
oil sources, nor loose fuel or hydraulic tank
caps, hoses or fittings.
3. That there are no loose or missing hardware
nor any missing items.
4. That no non-approved devices are installed.
5. That all safety signs and decals are properly
installed and legible.
e. This is a one person machine, operator only!
Riders are not permitted under any circum
-
stance!
f. To start the engine on the machine:
1. Make sure the park brake is set to the “ON”
position, both lap bars are in the neutral/
start position, and the Power Take Off (PTO
also referred to as blade control switch) is in
the “off” (down) position.
2. Move the choke control forward and the
engine speed control (throttle) forward (half
way).
3. Insert the ignition key, turn the switch toward
the spring-loaded “Start” position, maintain
the Start position until the engine begins to
run, then release the switch (it will return to
the “Run” position).
4. Retard the choke slowly by moving it rear-
ward. If the engine is “cold”, the choke may
need to be partially applied for a few min
-
utes. Be sure to totally retard the choke after
the engine has “warmed up”.
g. Check safety devices:
1. With the park brake engaged, try to move
one of the lap bars (speed/directional con
-
trol) from the neutral/start position — the lap
bars should not move with the park brake
engaged.
2. Repeat this procedure with the opposite
side lap bars.
3. With the park brake engaged and the lap
bars in the neutral/start position, advance
the engine speed control completely forward
(Hi-idle), engage the PTO control switch
(pull upward), then lift off the seat — the
engine should stop running. Sit down and
the engine should run. Turn off the PTO by
pushing the control switch down.
h. To drive in the FORWARD direction:
1. Set the engine speed to 2000 to 2500 rpm
(refer to tachometer on right control panel).
This must be increased to full speed (3525-
3675 rpm) after becoming familiar with the
machine.
2. Release the park brake.
3. Slowly, move both lap bars toward the front
of the machine until the machine begins to
move forward — release the lap bars and
the machine should stop moving. The more
that the lap bars are moved toward the front
of the machine, the faster the machine will
move in the forward direction. Release the
lap bars and the machine should stop travel
-
ing forward. (This is a safety check, the nor-
mal procedure is for the operator to slowly
bring the lap bars to the neutral position).
4. Do not advance the lap bars rapidly as this
could cause turf defacement, loss of trac
-
tion, and/or instability.
5. To turn, advance one lap bar ahead of the
other and the machine will turn toward the
opposite from the side that was advanced
— I.E. to turn clockwise (to the Right), move
the LEFT lap bar forward more than the
right side, and to turn counter-clockwise (to
the LEFT), move the RIGHT lap bar forward
more than the left side. NOTE: If one lap bar
is in the neutral position and the other is
advanced, the turn side tire will not rotate
and a “pivot turn” will be executed — turf
defacement could occur (if on grass) as well
as potential damages to the traction surface
and the tire. If the lap bar on the turn side is
not brought all the way to neutral, then the
turn side tire will continue to rotate and a “U-
turn” will be executed with a low potential for
turf defacement as well as traction surface
and tire damage.
i. To drive in the REVERSE direction: