13
4
Operating
Your Lawn
Tractor
WARNING
Never leave a running
machine unattended.
Always disengage
PTO, move shift lever
into neutral position,
set parking brake, stop
engine and remove key
to prevent unintended
starting.
Throttle Control Lever
The throttle control lever is located on the right side of
the tractor’s dash panel. This lever controls the speed
of the engine and, on some models, when pushed all
the way forward, the choke control also. When set in a
given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine
speed. See Fig. 4-2.
IMPORTANT: When operating the tractor with the cutting
deck engaged, be certain that the throttle lever is always
in the FAST (rabbit) position.
Choke Control
On some models, moving the
throttle lever all the way forward
activates the engine’s choke
control. On all other models, the
choke control can be found on
the left side of the dash panel
and is activated by pulling the
knob outward. Activating the
choke control closes the choke
plate on the carburetor and aids
in starting the engine. Refer to Starting The Engine on
page 16 of this manual for detailed starting instructions.
Ignition Switch
The ignition switch is activated to start the engine. Insert
key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the
START position. Release the key into the ON position
once engine has fired. See Fig. 4-3A.
Ignition Switch Module (If So Equipped)
To start the engine, insert the key into the ignition switch
and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the
key into the NORMAL MOWING MODE position once
the engine has fired.
To stop the engine, turn the ignition key counterclockwise
to the OFF position. See Fig. 4-3B.
WARNING: Never leave a running machine
unattended. Always disengage PTO, move
shift lever into neutral position, set park-
ing brake, stop engine and remove key to
prevent unintended starting.
IMPORTANT: Prior to operating the tractor, refer to both
Safety Interlock Switches on page 14 and Starting
The Engine on page 16 of this manual for detailed
instructions regarding the Ignition Switch Module and
operating the tractor in REVERSE CAUTION MODE.
Deck Lift Lever
Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is
used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use,
move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best
suited for your application.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, fully depress the clutch-brake
pedal. Move the speed control lever all the way down and
into the parking brake position. Release the clutch-brake
pedal to allow the parking brake to engage.
To release the parking brake, depress the clutch-brake
pedal and move the speed control lever out of the
notches to the desired position. Release the speed
control lever and the clutch-brake pedal.
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3,/7
#(/+%
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3,/7
Figure 4-2
Start
Position
Stop
Position
Normal
Mowing Mode
Start
On
A
B
Off
On/Lights
STOP
Figure 4-3
IMPORTANT
Prior to operating the
tractor, refer to both
Safety Interlock
Switches on page
14 and Starting The
Engine on page 16
of this manual for
detailed instructions
regarding the Ignition
Switch Module and
operating the tractor in
REVERSE CAUTION
MODE.