Operating Guide

13Section 3 — controlS & operation
To use the REVERSE CAUTION MODE:
IMPORTANT: The operator MUST be seated in the
lawn tractor seat.
1. Start the engine as instructed on page 13.
2. Turn the key from the NORMAL DRIVING
MODE (Green) position to the REVERSE
CAUTION MODE (Yellow) position of the
ignition switch module. See Figure 3-4.
Start
position
Indicator
Light
Reverse
Push
Button
Normal
Driving
Mode
Stop
position
Reverse
Caution
Mode
Position
Figure 3-4
3. Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON
(Orange, Triangular Button) at the top, right
corner of the ignition switch module. The
red indicator light at the top, left corner of
the ignition switch module will be ON while
activated. See Figure 3-4.
4. Once activated (indicator light ON), the lawn
tractor can be driven in reverse with the
cutting blades (PTO) engaged.
5. Always look down and behind before and while
backing to make sure no children are around.
6. After resuming forward motion, return
the key to the NORMAL DRIVING MODE
position.
IMPORTANT: The REVERSE CAUTION MODE will
remain activated until:
a. The key is placed in either the
NORMAL DRIVING MODE position or
STOP position.
b. The operator engages the parking
brake by fully depressing the brake
pedal and holding it down while
moving the parking brake lever into
the PARK BRAKE position.
Engaging the Parking Brake
To engage the parking brake:
1. Fully depress the brake pedal/clutch-brake
pedal and hold it down with your foot.
2. Move the parking brake lever all the way down
and into the ON position.
3. Release the brake pedal/clutch-brake pedal to
allow the parking brake to engage.
To release the parking brake:
1. Depress the brake pedal/clutch-brake pedal
and move the parking brake lever out of the
ON position and into the OFF position.
Setting the Cutting Height
1. Select the height position of the cutting
deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of
the five different cutting height notches on
the right side of the fender.
2. Adjust the deck wheels, if equipped, so
that they are between ¼” and ½” above
the ground when the lawn tractor is on a
smooth, flat surface such as a driveway.
WARNING! Keep hands and feet
away from the discharge opening of
the cutting deck.
NOTE: On models so equipped, the deck wheels
are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not
designed to support the weight of the cutting deck.
Refer to Leveling the Deck on page 17 for more
detailed instructions regarding various deck
adjustments.
Starting the Engine
WARNING! Do not operate the lawn
tractor if the interlock system is
malfunctioning. This system was
designed for your safety and
protection.
NOTE: Refer to Gas & Oil fill-up instructions on
page 9.
1. Insert the key into the ignition switch.
2. Place the PTO lever in the disengaged (PTO
OFF) position.
3. Engage the lawn tractor’s parking brake (if
equipped).
4. Activate the choke control.
5. Turn the key clockwise to the START
position. After the engine starts, release the
key. It will return to the PTO ON (or NORMAL
DRIVING MODE) position.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT hold the key in the
START position for longer than 10 seconds at
a time. Doing so may cause damage to your
engine’s electric starter.
6. After the engine starts, deactivate the
throttle/choke control lever and place the
throttle/choke control lever in the FAST
position.
NOTE: Do NOT leave the choke control on
while operating the lawn tractor. Doing so
will result in a “rich” fuel mixture and cause
the engine to run poorly.
Stopping the Engine
WARNING! If you strike a foreign
object, stop the engine, disconnect
the spark plug wire(s) and ground
against the engine. Thoroughly
inspect the machine for any
damage. Repair the damage before
restarting and operating.
1. If the blades are engaged, place the PTO
lever in the disengaged (OFF) position.
2. Turn the key counter-clockwise to the STOP
position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch to
prevent unintended starting.
Driving the Lawn Tractor
WARNING! Always look down and
behind before and while traveling in
reverse to avoid a back-over
accident.
WARNING! Before leaving the
operator’s position, place the PTO
lever in the disengaged (PTO OFF)
position, place speed control lever in
NEUTRAL (N), set parking brake, stop
engine and remove key to prevent
unintended starting. Depress the
parking brake pedal to release the
parking brake and let the pedal up.
Hydrostatic
1. Move the throttle lever into the FAST
(rabbit) position.
NOTE: Always operate the lawn tractor with
the throttle control lever in the FAST (rabbit)
position for the most efficient use of the
cutting deck or other (separately available)
attachments.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal to release
the parking brake.
3. Slowly move the speed control lever in
desired FORWARD (F) or REVERSE (R)
position. The further forward or rearward
that the lever is moved, the faster the lawn
tractor will travel.
WARNING! Do NOT attempt to
change the direction of travel when
the lawn tractor is in motion. Always
bring the lawn tractor to a complete
stop before moving the speed
control lever from forward to reverse
or vice versa. Failure to do so could
result in serious damage to your
lawn tractor’s transmission.
IMPORTANT: First-time operators should
use slower speeds. Become completely
familiar with the lawn tractor’s operation
and controls before operating the lawn
tractor at higher speed.
4. To stop, move the speed control lever to the
NEUTRAL (N) position.
IMPORTANT: In a sudden situation, fully
depress the brake pedal to bring the lawn
tractor to a stop and then immediately
move the speed control lever to the “N”
neutral position.
5. Set the parking brake by fully depressing
the parking brake pedal and keeping it
depressed while placing the parking brake
lever in the ON position. Release the parking
brake pedal to allow the parking brake to
engage.
WARNING! Before leaving the
operator’s position for any reason,
disengage the blades, place the
speed control lever in neutral,
engage the parking brake, shut
engine OFF and remove the key.
Parking the Lawn Tractor
IMPORTANT: When stopping the lawn tractor for
any reason while on a grass surface:
1. Place the speed control lever in N (neutral),
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shut engine OFF and remove the key. Doing
so will minimize the possibility of having
your lawn “browned” by hot exhaust from
your lawn tractor’s running engine.