Use and Care Manual

14 Section 3 — controlS & operation
Stopping the Tractor
1. Move both drive control levers to the neutral
position to stop the motion of the tractor.
2. Push the PTO downward to the OFF position.
3. Use the deck lift handle to raise the deck to its
highest position.
4. If dismounting the tractor, move the
drive control levers fully outward in the
neutral position which also engages the
parking brake, move the throttle to the
FAST position, turn the key to STOP
and
remove the from the ignition module.
WARNING
Do not leave the seat of the tractor without disengaging
the PTO and moving drive control levers fully outward in
the neutral/parking brake engaged position. If leaving the
tractor unattended, turn the ignition key off and remove key.
Driving On Slopes
Refer to the slope gauge in the Safe Operation
Practices section to help determine slopes where
you may not operate safely.
WARNING
Do not operate on inclines with a slope in excess of 15
degrees (a rise of approximately 2-⁄ feet every 10 feet). The
tractor could overturn and cause serious injury.
1. Always drive across slopes, never up and
down. Control the speed and direction of
the tractor using primarily the drive control
lever on the downhill side of the tractor,
with the uphill drive control lever remaining
essentially in a fixed position.
2. Avoid turning downhill if possible. Start at
the bottom of a slope and work upward.
Always slow down before turning.
3. Use extra care and go slowly when turning
downhill.
Engaging the PTO
Electric PTO tractors
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting
deck or other (separately available) attachments.
To engage the PTO:
1. Move the throttle to the FAST
position.
2. Pull the PTO switch (a) up/out into the
engaged (ON) position. See Figure 3-13.
(a)
Figure 3-13
Note: When operating the tractor be certain
that the throttle is always in the FAST
position. Operating with the throttle at less
than full throttle may lead to premature
battery wear and a poor quality cut.
3. To disengage the PTO, push the PTO switch (a)
down/in to the disengaged (OFF) position.
Manual PTO tractors
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting
deck or other (separately available) attachments.
To engage the PTO:
1. Move the throttle to the FAST
position.
2. Push the PTO handle (a) forward and to
right locking position to the engaged (ON)
position. See Figure 3-14.
(a)
Figure 3-14
Note: When operating the tractor be certain
that the throttle is always in the FAST
position. Operating with the throttle at less
than full throttle may lead to premature
battery wear and a poor quality cut.
3. To disengage the PTO, pull the PTO
handle (a) out of the locking position and
then rearward into the disengaged (OFF)
position.
Mowing
WARNING
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep
bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from
the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone
enters the area.
WARNING
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. Premature wear and possible
failure of the ‘V” belt and PTO 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.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially
if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass is
prone to weed growth and yellows quickly
in dry weather.
• Always operate the tractor with the throttle
in the FAST position while mowing.
• On the first pass pick a point on the
opposite side of the area to be mowed.
• Engage the PTO and move the throttle
control or throttle/choke control to the FAST
position.
• Lower the mower deck to the desired height
setting using the lift handle.
• For best results it is recommended that
the first two laps be cut with the discharge
thrown towards the center. After the first
two laps, reverse the direction to throw the
discharge to the outside for the balance of
cutting. This will give a better appearance
to the lawn.
• Slowly and evenly push the RH and LH drive
control levers forward to move the tractor
forward, and keep the tractor headed
directly toward the alignment point.
Note: 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.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and
weeds or extremely tall grass. Your tractor is
designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the
blades when worn.
• 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 overlap approximately 3”.
• Direct the tractor on each subsequent strip
to align with a previously cut strip.
• To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf, if
possible, change the direction that the strips
are mowed by approximately 45° for the next
and each subsequent mowing.
WARNING
Be careful when crossing gravel paths or driveways. Disengage
the PTO and raise the deck to the highest position before crossing.
Note: When stopping the tractor for any
reason while on a grass surface, always:
• Place the drive control levers in the
neutral/parking brake engaged
position,
• Shut engine off and remove the key.
• Doing so will minimize the possibility
of having your lawn ‘‘browned’’ by hot
exhaust from your tractor’s running
engine.
Checking the Safety Interlock Circuits
Periodically check the safety interlock circuits
to ensure they are working properly. If a safety
circuit is not working as designed, contact you
Service dealer to have the tractor inspected. DO
NOT operate the tractor if any safety circuit is not
functioning properly. To check the safety circuits,
proceed as follows:
1. Pull the PTO upward to the engaged
position. Momentarily turn the ignition
switch to the START position; the engine
should not crank.
2. Move both control levers fully inward in the
neutral position; then lift upward from the
operator’s seat. The engine should stop.
3. With both control levers fully outward in the
neutral/parking brake engaged position,
engage the PTO. Lift upward from the
operator’s seat; the engine should stop.
4. Start the tractor and move the control levers
inward to the neutral operating position.
Engage the PTO and move both control lever
slowly into the slow reverse position with
the key in the NORMAL MOWING/RUN; the
PTO should disengage and the mower deck
should stop.