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4
Operating
Your Lawn
Tractor
Moving the Tractor Manually
Your tractor’s transmission is equipped with a hydro-
static relief valve for occasions when it is necessary to
move the tractor manually. Activating this valve forces
the fluid in the transmission to bypass its normal route,
allowing the rear tires to “freewheel.” To engage the
hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:
• Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the
tractor. See Figure 4-7.
NOTE: Cruise control cannot be engaged at the tractor’s
fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to do
so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest
optimal mowing ground speed.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the following
methods:
• Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and stop the tractor.
• Lightly depress the drive pedal.
Engaging the Blades
Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the
cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments.
To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit)
position.
Models with Manual PTO
2. a. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all
the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
Models with Electric PTO
b. Pull the PTO (Blade Engage) knob outward into the
engaged (ON) position.
3. Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position
for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments
IMPORTANT: The engine (on models with a manual PTO)
or electric PTO clutch (on models with an electric PTO)
will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the
shift lever in position for reverse travel with the ignition
key in the NORMAL MOWING position. Refer to Safety
Interlock Switches earlier in this section.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the
left, then place it in the notch best suited for your applica-
tion. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this
section.
WARNING
NOTE: To help avoid
blade contact or a
thrown object injury,
keep bystanders, help-
ers, children and pets
at least 75 feet from
the machine while it
is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone
enters the area.
NOTE: Do not mow on
inclines with a slope in
excess of 15 degrees
(a rise of approxi-
mately 2-1/2 feet every
10 feet). The tractor
could overturn and
cause serious injury.
Figure 4-7
Hydrostatic Bypass Rod
• Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then down,
to lock it in place.
NOTE: The transmission will NOT engage when the
hydrostatic bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to its
normal position prior to operating the tractor.
IMPORTANT: Never attempt to move the tractor manu-
ally without first engaging the hydrostatic relief valve.
Doing so will result in serious damage to the tractor’s
transmission.
Setting The Cruise Control
NOTE: The cruise control feature should only be utilized
while traveling in the forward direction.
• Slowly depress the upper portion of the drive pedal
until the desired speed is achieved.
• Lightly depress the cruise control button.
• While continuing to hold the cruise button in, lift your
foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the cruise
latch engage).
• Once engaged, the cruise control button and the
drive pedal will lock in the “down” position, and the
tractor will maintain the same forward speed.