Filter
Top Products
18 Section 5— operation
WARNING! Before leaving the operator’s position
for any reason, disengage the blades, place the shift
lever in neutral, engage the parking brake, shut
engine off and remove the key.
IMPORTANT: When stopping the tractor for any reason while
on a grass surface, always:
1. Place the shift lever in neutral,
2. Engage the parking brake,
3. 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.
Driving On Slopes
Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE in the Important Safe Operation
Practices section in the front of this manual to help determine
slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.
WARNING! Do not mow on inclines with a slope in
excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet
every 10 feet). The tractor could overturn and cause
serious injury.
• Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.
• Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on
slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
• Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be
made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly
increases the chance of a roll over.
• Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary
to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and
carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the tractor
over backward.
Engaging the Blades
Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting
deck. To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way
forward 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 PTO (Blade Engage) lever must be in the
disengaged (OFF) position when starting the engine, when
traveling in reverse, and if the operator leaves the seat. Refer to
Safety Interlock Switches in the Operation section of this manual.
IMPORTANT: The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO
is engaged with the speed control lever in position for reverse
travel with the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position.
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 application. Refer to
Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this section.
Mowing
WARNING! To help avoid blade contact or a
thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers,
children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine
while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone
enters the area.
The following information will be helpful when using the cutting
deck with your tractor:
WARNING! Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
discharge of materials toward roads, sidewalks,
bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging
material against a wall or obstruction which may
cause discharged material to ricochet back toward
the operator.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit
or grass collector is installed.
• For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be
cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the
first two laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge
to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a
better appearance to the lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed
growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the engine at full
throttle.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back
over the cut area a second time to get a clean cut.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and
extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns,
NOT clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn.
Refer to Cutting Blades in the Service section of this manual
for proper blade sharpening instructions.
Headlights
• On some models, the lamps are ON whenever the tractor’s
engine is running. On other models, the lamps are ON
whenever the ignition key is moved out of the STOP
position.
• The lamps turn OFF when the ignition key is moved to the
STOP position.