Product Manual

12 Owner’s Manual for Field and Brush Mower
Operation
3. Move throttle lever to CHOKE or FAST if the
engine is already warm.
4. Rotate key to the START position until the engine
starts, then release. The key will return to the RUN
position.
5. Set throttle lever to the FAST position.
Engaging Wheel Drive
The unit has a three speed forward, single speed reverse
transmission. General guidelines are as follows:
• 1st Gear: Thick, woody vegetation
• 2nd Gear: Stalky material or field mowing
• 3rd Gear: Lighter mowing or for transporting.
• Reverse Gear: Maneuvering in tight spots.
• Set throttle in the FAST position for mowing.
• Transport the machine in 3rd gear and use the
throttle to adjust speed.
• Mowing speed impacts cutting performance. Mow
at a slower gear to improve cut quality.
• For best control, select a drive speed that matches
the conditions. Use a slower speed when in wet or
heavy growth, or on slippery or steep slopes.
1. See Figure 3-5. Set wheel speed lever (A) to the
desired gear.
Figure 3-5.
2. Gently push down traction drive lever (B) to
engage the wheels.
3. Release the traction drive lever to slow or stop.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The steering brakes will not stop
the machine if the machine is in gear and the traction
drive lever is engaged.
Engaging Mower Blade
1. See Figure 3-6. Press operator presence lever (A)
against handlebar grip.
2. Pull up blade control knob (B) to the BLADE
ENGAGE position to engage the blade.
NOTE: Pulling up the blade control knob before holding
down the operator presence lever shuts off the engine.
Figure 3-6. Mower Blade Controls
Disengaging Mower Blade
Stop the mower blade by pushing down the blade control
knob into the BLADE DISENGAGE position.
NOTE: Releasing the operator presence lever to disen-
gage the mower blade will shut off the engine.
Stopping the Engine
1. Disengage mower blade.
2. Set throttle control to the IDLE position.
3. Turn key to the STOP position and remove key.
NOTE: On units equipped with a fuel shutoff valve, close
the valve before transporting or storing the mower.
Operating Steering Brakes
The steering brakes apply a stopping force to the desired
wheel. Using the steering brakes can assist with:
• Shifting drive power from one wheel to the other to
improve traction.
• Keeping the mower driving straight on side slopes.
• Turning the mower left or right.
CAUTION
(000412)
Equipment damage. Always release the traction drive
lever before shifting gears. Failure to do so could result
engine and transmission damage.
005826
B
A
WARNING
(000405)
Personal injury, equipment damage. Always disengage
mower blade before shifting into reverse. Failure to do
so could result in serious injury or equipment damage.
005826
A
B