Before Starting the Engine

tip with the engine not running. These heights are approximate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass and types of grass being mowed.

•The average lawn should be cut to ap- proximately 2-1/2 inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches during hot months. For healthier and better looking lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.

•For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in height should be mowed twice. Make the ﬁrst cut relatively high; the second to desired height.

TO OPERATE MOWER

Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine.

1.Select desired height of cut.

2.Start mower blades by engaging at- tachment clutch control.

TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage attachment clutch control.

CAUTION: Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher, on mowers so equipped, or the deﬂector shield in place.

Attachment Clutch Lever

“Engaged” Position

Attachemnt

Lift Lever

High Position

Low

Position

“Disengaged” Position

Deﬂector

Shield

TO OPERATE ON HILLS

WARNING: Do not drive up or down hills with slopes greater than 15° and do not drive across any slope. Use the slope guide provided at the back of this manual.

•Choose the slowest speed before start- ing up or down hills.

•Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.

•If slowing is necessary, move throttle

control lever to slower position.

•If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi- tion and engage parking brake.

•Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be sure you have allowed room for tractor to roll slightly as you restart movement.

•To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.

•Make all turns slowly.

TO TRANSPORT

•Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control.

•When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N) position.

•Do not push or tow tractor at more than

ﬁve (5) MPH.

NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH- MENTS

Tow only the attachments that are recom- mended by and comply with speciﬁcations of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor.

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already ﬁlled with summer weight oil.

1.Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.

2.Remove oil ﬁll cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds, re-

move and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until “FULL” mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overﬁll.

•For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the Mainte- nance section of this manual).

•To change engine oil, see the Mainte- nance section in this manual.