Troy-Bilt ZT42 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
se c t i O n 5 — Op e r a t i O n
Using the Mower Deck
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.
NOTE: Do not engage the mower deck when lowered in grass.

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.
2.
area to be mowed.
3.
throttle/choke control to the fast position.
Lower the mower deck to the desired height setting using 
the lift handle.
5.
forward to move the tractor forward, and keep the tractor
headed directly toward the alignment point.
 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 7.

Direct the tractor on each subsequent strip to align with a 8.
previously cut strip.
To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf, if possible, 
change the direction that the strips are mowed by

mowing.
Be careful when crossing gravel paths

to the highest position before crossing.
NOTE: When stopping the tractor for any reason while on a grass
surface, always:

Engage the parking brake, 
Shut engine off and remove the key. 
Doing so will minimize the possibility of having your lawn 

engine.
Checking the Safety Interlock Circuits

working properly. If a safety circuit is not working as designed,


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.
2.
to the engaged position. Momentarily turn the ignition
switch to the start position; the engine should not crank.
3.
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

With both control levers fully outward in the neutral 5.


stop.
Start the tractor, disengage the parking brake, and move 
the control levers inward to the neutral operating position.


and the mower deck should stop until one or both of the
control levers is moved to the neutral or forward position.