601396_0109 4-3
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
V Never leave machine unattended with ignition key in
switch, especially with children present.
V Children or bystanders may be injured if they move or
attempt to operate the tractor while it is unattended.
Always disengage deck clutch, place steering control
levers in park brake position, stop tractor engine, and
remove ignition key when leaving operator’s seat.
V Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the opera-
tor.
V Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter the
area.
V Before and while backing, look behind and down for
small children.
V Never carry children, even with the blades off. They may
fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe
machine operation. Children who have been given rides
in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for
another ride and be run over or backed over by the
machine.
V Never allow children to operate the machine.
V Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees,
the end of a fence or other objects that may obscure
vision.
V Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
Control Panel
A. Choke/Throttle control (Fig. 4-1) — a cable is linked to
engine throttle for controlling engine speed. Move lever
forward to increase engine rpm, move lever rearward to
decrease engine rpm.
To reach the choke position, push forward on the lever as
far as it will go. As the lever is pushed forward you will
notice a detente position, when the lever is moved past
this point, the choke is engaged. Do not operate the
machine in the choke position.
B. Deck clutch switch (Fig. 4-1) — this switch engages the
deck. Pull the switch up to engage and push switch down
to disengage the clutch.
IMPORTANT: Never engage clutch with engine running
at high rpm or when the deck is under load. Clutch, belts
or deck could be damaged.
C. Ignition switch (Fig. 4-1) — a three position switch: off,
run, and start. With key inserted, rotate it clockwise to
START position; release key when engine starts, and
switch will automatically return to the RUN position.
Controls
A. Steering control levers (Fig. 4-2 & Fig. 4-3) — these
levers control the tractor’s speed, direction, stopping,
neutral lock, and park brake. Levers are used to steer,
accelerate, decelerate, stop and change direction. When
the control levers are in the park brake position (Fig. 4-3)
the tractor will not move when the engine is on and drive
pumps are operating.
WARNING: The parking brake may not hold the trac-
tor if parked on a slope. Block or chock the machine
when parked on a slope
B. Deck lift pedal (Fig. 4-4) — the deck lift pedal is used to
raise or lower the deck. Push on the pedal to raise the
deck and then place the deck height locking pin into the
desired cutting height hole.
Push the deck lift pedal to raise the deck when going over
obstructions.
A. Choke/Throttle
B. Deck clutch switch
C. Ignition switch
Fig. 4-1
A
C
B
Fig. 4-2
Shown with steering control
levers in neutral position
Steering control lever