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Operating Instructions
34
Correct Operator Hand Position on the Controls
3. Reverse direction of the mower by pulling both
levers backward.
NOTE: Smooth action on the steering levers
will produce smooth mower operation. Remem-
ber to keep the engine and ground speed slow
until learning the control response.
4. The FSC may be adjusted forward for faster
ground speed and backward for slower ground
speed. When mowing, ground speed should
be adjusted to match the load on the cutter
blades, i.e., as the engine pulls down in heavy
cutting, pull back on the FSC lever to reduce
ground speed. Adjusting ground speed helps
maintain a balance between engine power and
blade speed for high-quality cutting action.
5. Stop ground travel by pulling both steering
levers backward to the NEUTRAL position
(tractor not moving) and then moving the FSC
lever to the NEUTRAL-PARK position.
NOTE: If the tractor creeps forward or back-
ward with the FSC lever in the NEUTRAL-PARK
position, the transmission control needs to be
adjusted. Refer to ADJUSTMENTS of Trans-
mission Control in Maintenance Instructions.
ENGAGING THE MOWER
1. Set the engine throttle at about 1/3 speed. Do
not attempt to engage the blade clutch at
high engine speeds. This will drastically
shorten drive belt life. Use only moderate
engine speed when engaging the blade clutch.
2. Pull the blade clutch lever SLOWLY up to
engage the mower blades.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT engage the blade
clutch when transporting the mower across
drives, sidewalks, loose materials, etc. DO NOT
engage the blade clutch with the PTO shaft
disconnected (the mower deck removed from
tractor).
Pull Steering Levers
With Left Hand
Forward Speed Control
(FSC)
Keep Feet On Footrest
When Moving
CAUTION
A safety interlock switch (seat switch) will
cause the engine to stop if the blade
clutch is engaged and the operator is not
in the seat. The function of this switch
should be checked by the operator rais-
ing off the seat and engaging the blade
clutch; the engine should stop. If the
switch is not working, it should be re-
paired or replaced before operating the
mower. DO NOT disconnect the safety
switches; they are for the operator’s pro-
tection.
CAUTION
If the cutting blades strike a stationary ob-
ject while mowing, stop the mower imme-
diately, disconnect the electrical plug on
the fuel shut-off solenoid, lift the deck, and
inspect the deck and blades thoroughly
for damage. Make sure that the blade tim-
ing has not been disturbed (the blades
should be at 90 degrees to each other). Re-
fer to REPLACING/REPAIRING the Blade
Overload Shear Bolts in Maintenance In-
structions if blades are out of time. Also,
make sure the blade retaining nuts are
torqued to 60 ft-lb (81.3 N·m).