15
2-18 Final Checks
To check the operation of the safety interlock harness
perform the following:
A. Start mower
B. While seated in the operator’s seat, rotate the
engagement handle of the collection system away
from the mower.
C. With the blower engaged, stand up from the
operator’s seat. This action will shut off the mower
which verifies proper installation of the harness.
D. Check the mower’s safety interlock, see mower’s
manual for more detail.
NOTE: If the mower does not shut off, turn off mower
and refer to page 6 to verify proper installation of the
harness. If problem persists contact your local dealer.
SECTION III
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
3-1 General Safety
Only qualified people familiar with this operator’s manual
and the mower’s operator’s manual should operate this
machine.
3-2 Operation And Tips On Mowing
A. Perform BEFORE EACH USE maintenance list in
paragraph 4-1.
B. Start mower.
C. With the mower at high idle speed, engage the mower
deck.
D. While seated in the operator’s seat, rotate the
engagement handle of the collection system away
from the mower. Continue to rotate the handle until it
stops in an over center position. With the blower
engaged, you can proceed to operate the control
levers of the mower.
NOTE: If the collection system does not appear to be
collecting the grass clippings; disengage the deck,
and blower, engage the parking brake and turn the
mower off. Proceed to section 3-3, and review the
section 2-9, in this manual.
To obtain the maximum effectiveness from your
collection system the tips listed below should be
followed:
* Watch your speed- Normal conditions will allow a
speed of up to approximately 5 mph, but thick, heavy
damp conditions will require reduced ground speed.
* Mow with sharp blades- A sharp blade cuts cleaner.
* Wet grass and leaves will decrease effectiveness and
will increase horsepower requirements.
* Mow at higher cutting heights- Remove and mulch no
more than 2” of grass length with each mowing.
(Experts recommend not cutting off more than 1/3 of
the grass blade length at any given time.)
* Mow twice, at different height settings, (high, then low),
if grass is extra tall.
* Remember that horsepower requirements will vary with
the mowing conditions such as type and height of turf
grass, moisture content, amount of leaves, whether the
terrain is flat or hilly, etc.
3-3 Disengagement Of The Blower
A. To disengage the blower, rotate the engagement
handle towards the mower.
WARNING: The blower will continue to spin. DO NOT
TOUCH the blower, pulleys, or the belt until the tractor is
turned off. DO NOT adjust the belt tension until the
mower is turned off. Refer to section 2-9 of the manual.
3-4 Unloading The Collection System
NOTE: Press the tab, located behind the operator’s left
side, downward to feel if the collection system is full. If
the container is full there will be resistance when
depressing the tab.
A. Stop the forward movement of the mower.
B. Disengage the mower deck.
C. Disengage the blower.
D. Verify that the dump area is clear.
E. Push the dump handle, on the left of the operator,
away from the unit. While holding the handle pushed
away, move the handle upward. The container door
will swing upward and the container will rotate
downward. The container will release its contents.
F. Once the contents of the container have fallen out, the
container is ready to move back into its normal
operating position. With the handle in the ‘away’
position, pull the handle downward until it stops.
Move the handle towards the center of the mower.
This motion will allow the latch to lock back into
collection position.
NOTE: If you do not hold the handle away from the
mower as you pull the handle downward, the latch will
not lock and the container can unexpectedly release the
contents collected.
SECTION IV
MAINTENANCE
4-1 Maintenance Checklist
Before each use:
1. Check blades and spindles to be sure that no foreign
objects, such as wire or steel strapping bands, are
wrapped around them.
2. Inspect blades for wear. Replace if necessary. If it is
necessary to sharpen the blades, remove the blades
from the spindles before sharpening. DO NOT
sharpen blades while still attached to the mower.