Use and Care Manual

12 Section 3 — controlS & operation
4. Have the tractor’s electrical system checked
and repaired as soon as possible to eliminate
the need for jump starting.
Stopping the Engine
1. Disengage the PTO.
2. Move the RH and LH drive control levers
fully outward in the neutral position.
3. Move the throttle control to midway
between the slow and fast positions.
4. Turn the key to the STOP position and remove
the key from the ignition module.
Note: Always remove the key from the ignition
module to prevent accidental starting or
battery discharge if the equipment is left
unattended.
Practice Operation (Initial Use)
Operating a zero-turn tractor is not like operating
a conventional type riding tractor. Although and
because a zero turn tractor is more maneuverable,
getting used to operating the drive control levers
takes some practice.
It is strongly recommended that you locate a
reasonably large, level and open “practice area”
where there are no obstructions, pedestrians, or
animals. You should practice operating the tractor
for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Carefully move (or have moved) the tractor to
the practice area. When performing the practice
session, the PTO should not be engaged. While
practicing, operate the tractor at approximately
⁄-⁄ throttle and at less than full speed in both
forward and reverse.
Carefully practice maneuvering the tractor using
the instructions in the following section “Driving
the Tractor.” Practice until you are confident that
you can safely operate the tractor.
Driving the Tractor
WARNING
Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops.
1. Adjust the operator’s seat to the most
comfortable position that allows you to
operate the controls. See seat adjustment in
the Assembly & Set-Up section.
2. Move the RH and LH drive control levers
inward in the neutral position which also
disengages the parking brake. Refer to
Figure 3-3.
Control Levers Moved
Inward & in Neutral
Figure 3-3
Note: Lap bars must be moved fully inward
before pushing forward or backward to
ensure brakes are fully disengaged. Parking
the tractor on uneven terrain or a hill may
cause the brakes to bind and not release fully.
In this case the tractor will not drive when the
lap bars are moved. If this happens, move the
lap bar in the opposite direction slightly to
take the load off the brakes and allow them
to release fully.
Note: If the control levers are not even in
the neutral position, refer to Maintenance
& Adjustments for instructions to adjust the
levers so that they are even.
3. Move the throttle to the full throttle position.
Note: Although the tractor’s engine is
designed to run at full throttle, when
performing a practice session the tractor
must be operated at less than full throttle.
This only applies to practice.
WARNING
Always maintain a firm grip on the control levers. DO NOT
release the control levers to slow or stop the tractor; move
levers to neutral position using your hands.
4. To drive the tractor, firmly grasp the
respective drive control levers with your
right and left hands and continue with
Driving the Tractor Forward in the next
section.
Driving the Tractor Forward
WARNING
Keep all movement of the drive control levers slow and smooth.
Abrupt movement of the control levers can affect the stability
of the tractor and could cause the tractor to flip over, which
may result in serious injury or death to the operator.
1. Slowly and evenly move both drive control
levers forward. The tractor will start to move
forward. See Figure 3-4.
Driving Forward
Faster
Slower
Neutral
Position
Figure 3-4
2. As the drive control levers are pushed farther
forward the speed of the tractor will increase.
3. To slow the tractor move the drive controls
lever rearward to attain the desired speed,
or move the drive control levers to the
neutral position to stop the tractor.
WARNING
Always maintain your grasp on the drive control levers. Do not
release the levers to slow the tractor or to return to neutral.
Turning the Tractor While Driving Forward
WARNING
When reversing the direction of travel, we recommend
performing gradual ‘U’ turns where possible. Sharper turns
increase the possibility of turf defacement, and could
affect control of the tractor. ALWAYS slow the tractor before
making sharp turns.
To turn the tractor while driving forward, move the
drive control levers as necessary so that one drive
control lever is rearward of the other. The tractor will
turn in the direction of the rearward drive control lever.
1. To turn to the left, move the left drive
control lever rearward of the right drive
control lever. See Figure 3-5.
Forward Left Turn
Figure 3-5
2. To turn to the right, move the right drive
control lever rearward of the left lever. See
Figure 3-6.
Forward Right Turn
Figure 3-6
3. The greater the distance between the two
levers, the sharper the tractor will turn.
4. To execute a “pivot turn,” move the turn side
drive control lever to the neutral position,
while moving the other control lever
forward.
Note: Making a “pivot turn” on grass
will greatly increase the potential for
defacement of the turf.