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Operating Instructions
40
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 le-
vers backward to the NEUTRAL position (trac-
tor 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 short-
en drive belt life. Use only moderate engine
speed when engaging the blade clutch.
2. Pull the blade clutch lever SLOWLY up to en-
gage the mower blades.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT engage the blade clutch
when transporting the mower across drives, side-
walks, 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 spark plug wires,
lift the deck, and inspect the deck and
blades thoroughly for damage. Make sure
that the blade timing has not been dis-
turbed (the blades should be at 90 degrees
to each other). Refer to REPLACING/RE-
PAIRING the Blade Overload Shear Bolts
in Maintenance Instructions if blades are out
of time. Also, make sure the blade retain-
ing nuts are torqued to 60 ft-lb (81.3 N
⋅m).