MTD 18HP Lawn Mower User Manual


 
8
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
A.General
1. When Mowing:
a. Keep adults, children, and pets away from
the area to be mowed.
b. When operating this mower, in the forward
direction, do not allow the steering levers
to return to Neutral on their own. Always
maintain a firm grip on the levers, operate
them smoothly and avoid any sudden
movements of the levers when starting and
stopping.
c. If the mower is equipped for side dis-
charge, never use the mower without the
discharge chute installed and placed in the
down position.
d. Always remove debris and other objects
from the area to be mowed (Note: debris
and loose grass will reduce traction).
e. Mow only in daylight.
f. Watch for holes, sprinkler heads, and other
hidden hazards.
g. Avoid driving to close to trees, creeks,
ditches, sand traps, and other obstacles.
h. Before backing up, check behind and
watch where you are going.
i. Always reduce speed when making a turn,
and when grass is wet.
j. Always mow across slopes, never up and
down the slope. Do not operate on steep
slopes and slow down before turning.
Avoid turning downhill if possible, start at
the bottom and work up to the top. Use
extra care and go slowly when turning
downhill.
k. Be careful when crossing gravel paths or
roadways. Always turn off the blade clutch
switch and wait until the blades stop rotat-
ing and raise the cutting deck to the trans-
port position. Always allow other vehicles
to have the right of way.
l. If you hit a solid object while mowing, turn
off the blade clutch switch, place the steer-
ing levers in the neutral, opened-out posi-
tion, move the throttle to slow, set the
parking brake, shut off the engine, and
take the key from the ignition switch.
Inspect for damage. Repair the damage.
Make sure the blades are in good condition
and that the blade bolts are tight before
restarting the engine.
m. Never leave the mower unattended without
observing the following: turn off the blade
clutch switch, placing the steering levers in
the neutral open-out position, moving the
throttle to slow, setting the parking brake,
shutting off the engine and taking the key
from the ignition switch.
n. Never walk or stand on the discharge side
of the mower when the engine is running.
Turn off the blade clutch switch if another
person approaches while you are operat-
ing the mower.
o. Never attempt to operate the traction unit
without having the mowing deck attached.
p. Keep the mower and especially the engine
and hydraulic components clean and free
of grease, grass, and leaves to reduce the
chance of fire and permit proper cooling.
2. Safety Awareness when Mowing
a. Do not operate on steep slopes, those
above 15 degrees (27% slope).
b. Avoid turning downhill if possible, if not use
extra care and go slowly.
Figure. 1 Figure. 2
Ignition Switch
Electric Blade
Clutch Switch
Tach and
Hour Meter
Engine throttle
Choke Lever