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18 sectiOn 5— OperatiOn
Operating The PTO
Operate the PTO clutch as follows:
Move the throttle control lever to approximately the
mid throttle position.
Pull the PTO switch upward to the “ENGAGED” position.
Advance the throttle lever to the operating speed (full
engine speed).
The operator must remain in the tractor seat at all
times. If the operator should leave the seat without
turning off the power take-off switch, the tractor’s
engine will shut off.
The PTO clutch cannot be operated when the tractor is
driving in the reverse direction. The PTO will disengage
when both drive control levers are moved to the
reverse position, and will re-engage when one (or
both) control lever(s) is moved to the neutral or forward
position.
Using the Mower Deck
WARNING!: Make certain the area to be
mowed is free of debris, sticks, stones, wire
or other objects that can be thrown by the
rotating blades.
IMPORTANT: Do not engage the mower deck when lowered
in grass. Premature wear and possible failure of the ‘V” belt
and PTO clutch will result. Fully raise the deck or move to a
non grassy area before engaging the mower deck.
Mow across slopes, not up and down. If mowing a
slope, start at bottom and work upward to ensure turns
are made uphill.
On the first pass pick a point on the opposite side of
the area to be mowed.
Engage the PTO clutch using the PTO switch and move
the throttle control to the fast position.
Lower the mower deck to the desired height setting
using the lift handle.
Slowly and evenly push the RH and LH drive control
levers forward to move the tractor forward, and keep
the tractor headed directly toward the alignment point.
NOTE: The speed of the tractor will affect the quality of
the mower cut. Mowing at full speed will adversely affect
the cut quality. Control the ground speed with the control
levers.
When approaching the other end of the strip, slow
down or stop before turning. A U-turn is recommended
unless a pivot or zero turn is required.
Align the mower with an edge of the mowed strip and
overlap approximately 3 inches.
Direct the tractor on each subsequent strip to align
with a previously cut strip.
To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf, if possible,
change the direction that the strips are mowed by
approximately 45° for the next and each subsequent
mowing.
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WARNING!: Be careful when crossing gravel
paths or driveways. Disengage the PTO and
raise the deck to the highest position before
crossing.
IMPORTANT: When stopping the tractor for any reason while
on a grass surface, always:
Place the shift lever in neutral,
Engage the parking brake,
Shut engine off and remove the key.
Doing so will minimize the possibility of having your
lawn ‘‘browned’’ by hot exhaust from your tractor’s
running engine.
Checking the Safety Interlock Circuits
Periodically check the safety interlock circuits to ensure
they are working properly. If a safety circuit is not working
as designed, contact you authorized MTD Service dealer to
have the tractor inspected. DO NOT operate the tractor if
any safety circuit is not functioning properly. To check the
safety circuits, proceed as follows:
Sitting in the tractor seat with both drive control levers
opened fully outward, disengage the parking brake
and momentarily turn the ignition switch to the start
position. The engine should not crank.
Engage the parking brake and pull the PTO switch
upward to the engaged position. Momentarily turn the
ignition switch to the start position; the engine should
not crank.
Push the PTO switch downward to the disengaged
position and engage the parking brake. Start the
engine and move one of the drive control levers from
the fully outward neutral position. The engine should
stop running. Repeat the procedure with the opposite
control lever.
Move both control levers fully outward in the neutral
position and disengage the parking brake; then lift
upward from the operator’s seat. The engine should
stop.
With both control levers fully outward in the neutral
position and the parking brake engaged, engage the
PTO. Lift upward from the operator’s seat; the engine
should stop.
Start the tractor, disengage the parking brake, and
move the control levers inward to the neutral operating
position. Engage the PTO and move both control lever
slowly into the slow reverse position; the PTO should
disengage and the mower deck should stop until one
or both of the control levers is moved to the neutral or
forward position.
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