16
00272
FIG. 14
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER
HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN
AFTER EACH USE.
• The spe cial mulch ing blade will recut the grass clip-
pings many times and reduce them in size so that as
they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass
and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biode-
grade quick ly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always
mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this
will pro vide the best recutting action of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends
to form clumps and interferes with the mulch ing action.
The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon.
At this time the grass has dried the newly cut area will
not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so
that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the
grass blades (See Fig. 15). For ex tremely heavy mulch-
ing, re duce your width of cut on each pass and mow
slow ly.
mulcher_9
MAX 1/3
FIG. 15
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per-
formance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-
ming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
machine. This will result in a more even dis tri bu tion of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so
that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences,
driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the
opposite direction making left hand turns until fi nished
(See Fig. 14).
OPERATION
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fi re hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make fi rst cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
• Always operate engine at full throttle when mow-
ing to assure better mowing performance and proper
dis charge of material. Regulate ground speed by se-
lect ing a low enough gear to give the mower cut ting
per for mance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the at tach ment being used.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run-
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is rec om -
mend ed that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the fi rst time. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have de-
vel oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION RE QUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD
BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING
THE TRACTOR.
• Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set.
• Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this
section of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) po si tion, slowly dis-
engage clutch/brake pedal.
• Move motion control lever to full forward position and
hold for fi ve (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for fi ve (5) seconds. Repeat this
procedure three (3) times.
NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement
of drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic
drive system.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut-
off engine and set parking brake.
• Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
driving position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this sec tion
of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the
tractor moves approximately fi ve (5) feet, slowly move
motion control lever to reverse position. After the trac-
tor moves approximately fi ve (5) feet return the mo-
tion control lever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat
this procedure with the motion control lever three (3)
times.
• Your transmission is now purged and now ready for
normal op er a tion.