14
R
Section 4
STARTING THE ENGINE4.4
CAUTION
DO NOT USE STARTING FLUIDS. Use of starting
fluids in the air intake system may be potentially
explosive or cause a “runaway” engine condition
that could result in engine damage and/or
personal injury.
Be sure the fuel shutoff valve, located behind the 1.
operator's seat, is completely open. (See Section
7.5.)
Secure the ROPS in the upright and locked position.2.
Sit in the operator’s seat, fasten seat belt and place 3.
the steering control levers in the neutral position.
Engage the parking brake.4.
Place the PTO switch in the disengaged position.5.
If the engine is cold, choke the engine as needed.6.
Move the engine throttle control to about half engine 7.
speed.
Turn the ignition key to the START position and 8.
release the key as soon as the engine starts. Do
not hold the key in the START position for more
than 15 seconds at a time. Allow at least 60
seconds between each cranking attempt to prevent
overheating of the starter motor. Prolonged cranking
can damage the starter motor and shorten battery
life.
Allow engine to warm before operating the mower.9.
GROUND TRAVEL AND STEERING4.5
- IMPORTANT -
If you are not familiar with the operation of a
machine with lever steering and/or hydrostatic
transmissions, the steering and ground speed
operations should be learned and practiced in
an open area, away from buildings, fences, or
obstructions.
Learn the operation on flat ground before operating
on slopes.
Start practicing with a slow engine speed and slow
forward travel.
Learn to feather the steering controls to obtain a
smooth operating action.
Practice operating the mower until you are
comfortable with the controls before proceeding
to mow.
FORWARD TRAVEL
To travel forward with the mower, disengage the parking
brake, pull levers inward out of the neutral lock position
and slowly push the steering control levers forward an
equal distance. The further the steering control levers
are pushed forward the greater the forward speed will
be. To increase the speed, push the steering control
levers further forward and to decrease the speed, pull the
steering control levers back.
To stop the forward travel, pull the steering control levers
back to the neutral position.
To steer the mower left while traveling forward, pull the left
steering lever back. The further the lever is pulled back,
the quicker the mower will turn left.
To steer the mower right while traveling forward, pull the
right steering control lever back. The further the lever is
pulled back, the quicker the mower will turn right.
- NOTE -
Smooth operation of the steering levers will
produce smooth mower operation. While learning
the operation of the steering controls, keep the
travel speed low.
- IMPORTANT -
Do not travel forward over a curb. The mower will
hang up on the curb. Raise the deck and travel
backwards over the curb at a 45 degree angle.
(See Section 4.1, items 12 - 14, on page 14 for
cutter deck raising descriptions.)