18
DRIVING THE TRACTOR
WARNING: Avoid sudden starts, exces-
sive speed and sudden stops.
WARNING: Do not leave the seat of the
tractor without disengaging the PTO
and engaging the parking brake. If
leaving the tractor unattended, turn the
ignition key off and remove key.
• Adjust the operator’s seat to the most comfort-
able position that allows you to operate all
controls and pedals. See seat adjustment in the
ADJUSTMENTS section.
WARNING: DO NOT use the seat belt if
the ROPS structure is in the folded
position or has been removed from the
tractor.
• Adjust the seat belt to fit snugly but comfortably
around your lap, then buckle the seat belt.
Refer to ADJUSTMENTS section.
• Shift the transmission Hi/Lo range shift lever on
the right fender to the desired speed setting.
Refer to USING THE HI/LO RANGE SHIFT
LEVER in paragraphs below.
• Use the position control lever and/or the
auxiliary hydraulic lift lever to raise all tractor
attachments from the ground if transporting the
tractor to a work site.
• Depress the brake pedal to release the parking
brake, then slowly release the brake pedal.
• Move the throttle handle to the position where
the engine operates best for the load to be
handled (normally full throttle).
• Slowly depress either the front or rear of the
forward/reverse pedal to move the tractor in the
desired direction. Refer to USING THE
FORWARD/REVERSE PEDAL in paragraphs
below.
DRIVING ON SLOPES
WARNING: Do not operate 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.
IMPORTANT: Always shift the transmission
into the LOW speed range BEFORE beginning
the climb or descent of any slope.
Operate the tractor up and down slopes, never
across slopes. Do not drive so that the tractor may
tip over sideways.
Before operating the tractor on a slope, walk the
slope to look for possible hazards such as rocks,
mounds, stumps, or surface irregularities which
could cause the tractor to be upset.
Back the tractor with attachment up the steepest
portion of each slope you intend to work. If the
tractor cannot negotiate the slope in reverse, the
slope is too steep to be worked.
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.
STOPPING THE TRACTOR
• Fully depress the brake pedal to bring the
tractor to a complete stop. Push downward on
the parking brake lever and release the pedal
to engage the parking brake. Refer to Figure
15.
• Depress the rear of the PTO switch to
disengage the PTO.
• Place the throttle control lever in the “SLOW”
position and allow the engine to idle for about
one minute.
• Turn the ignition switch to “OFF’” and remove
the key from the switch before dismounting.
• Depress the button in the center of the seat belt
buckle to release the seat belt.
USING THE FORWARD/REVERSE PEDAL
The hydrostatic transmission provides constantly
variable ground speeds within the speed rating of
each transmission range. The tractor speed is
controlled by the forward/reverse rocker pedal on
the right floorboard.
The forward/reverse pedal is self neutralizing. The
transmission and pedal return to neutral and the
tractor stops when the pedal is released.
• To move forward, slowly depress the front of
the forward/reverse pedal until the desired
speed is achieved. The speed of the tractor is
directly related to the distance the pedal is
depressed. Refer to Figure 15.