Simplicity 543777-0113-E1 Zero-Turn Driving Practice, Basic Driving, Operation, Smooth Travel

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Zero-Turn Driving Practice

Operation

Zero-Turn Driving Practice

The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive, and learning to gain a smooth and efficient control of the rider’s forward, reverse, and turning movements will take some practice.

Spending some time going through the maneuvers shown and becoming familiar with how the unit accelerates, travels, and steers — before you begin mowing —is absolutely essential to getting the most out of the Zero Turn rider.

Locate a smooth, flat area of your lawn — one with plenty of room to maneuver. (Clear the area of objects, people and animals before you begin.) Operate the unit at mid-throttle during this practice session (ALWAYS operate at full throttle when mowing), and turn slowly to prevent tire slippage and damage to your lawn.

We suggest you begin with the Smooth Travel procedure to the right, and then advance through the forward, reverse, and turning maneuvers.

You must release the parking brake prior to moving the control levers inward.

Smooth Travel

The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive.

The BEST method of handling the ground speed control levers is in three steps — as shown in Figure 7.

FIRST place your hands onto the levers as shown.

SECOND, to go forward gradually push the levers forward with your palms.

THIRD, to speed up move the levers farther forward. To slow down smoothly, slowly move the levers toward neutral.

Figure 7. Move Control Levers

Gradually

Basic Driving

Forward Travel Practice

Gradually move both ground speed control levers — evenly FORWARD from neutral. Slow down and repeat.

NOTE: Straight forward travel takes practice. If necessary, top speed can be balance-adjusted — see the Speed Balancing Adjustment in the Adjustments section near the back of this manual.

Reverse Travel Practice

LOOK DOWN & BEHIND, then gradually move both ground speed control levers evenly BACK from neutral. Slow down and repeat.

NOTE: Practice backing up for several minutes before attempting to do so near objects. The rider turns sharply in reverse as well as forward, and backing up straight takes practice.

Forward Travel

Reverse Travel

Figure 8. Forward Travel

Figure 9. Reverse Travel

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Contents 30HP Zero-Turn Riders OPERATOR’S MANUALCobalt Series Mfg. NoDATE PURCHASED Features & Controls Table of ContentsOperator Safety Regular MaintenanceOperating Safety Operator SafetyOperator Safety Read the ManualThrown Objects Slope OperationMoving Parts Retaining Walls, Drop-offs, and Water Roll Bar UseOverhead Obstacles Fuel and Maintenance Enclosed AreasGeneral Operation Transporting and StorageIgnition System Towed Equipment Ride-On UnitsEmissions Operating on steep slopes can be dangerousService & Maintenance Service and MaintenanceSafe Handling of Gasoline Operational Warnings Roll Bar InstructionsInspection of the Roll Bar Protective Structure Inspection and Maintenance of the Roll Bar Seat Belt INSPECT BUCKLE LATCH INSPECT WEBBINGSafety Decals Safety Icons Safety Interlock SystemOperational SAFETY Checks North American Safety IconsIdentification Numbers Features and ControlsFeatures and Controls CE ModelsControl Functions Deck Lift Pedal, Cutting Height Adjustment Pin & Deck Lift Lock LeverPTO Power Take Off Switch Parking BrakeSeat Adjustment Lever Ignition SwitchHour Meter / Maintenance Reminder Throttle ControlOperation General Operating SafetyOperation Checks Before StartingPushing the Rider by Hand Seat AdjustmentCheck Tire Pressures OperationTo Adjust Pedal Position Mowing Height AdjustmentFoot Pedal Adjustment Figure 5. Mowing Height Adjustment A. Cutting Height Adjustment PinStopping the Rider Starting the Engine2. NOTE A warm engine may not require choking Smooth Travel Zero-Turn Driving PracticeBasic Driving Figure 7. Move Control Levers GraduallyFigure 10. Turning Around a Corner Advanced DrivingPractice Turning Around a Corner Figure 11. Turning in PlaceTo Raise the Roll Bar Raise and Lower the Roll BarTo Lower the Roll Bar StorageHeight of Grass MowingMowing Recommendations Figure 14. Proper Cutting HeightNote Always operate the engine at full throttle when mowing Mowing MethodsWhen and How Often to Mow How Much Grass to Cut Off When BroadcastingProper Mulching Attaching a TrailerFigure 17. Trailer Weight Recommendations A. Clevis Pin B. Clip Mulching Requires EXCELLENT Mowing ConditionsMaintenance Schedule Regular MaintenanceRegular Maintenance Safety ItemsChange Oil & Filter Checking / Adding FuelFuel Filter Inspect Muffler and Spark ArresterChange Interval Every 250 Hours Filter Part Number Check Hydraulic Oil LevelChange Hydraulic Oil Filter Figure 19. Checking Hydraulic Oil Level A. Hydraulic Oil ReservoirLubricating the Front Casters LubricationGrease Figure 21. Deck LubricationAvoid injury! Mower blades are sharp Servicing The Mower BladesRemoving the Mower Blade Inspecting the Mower BladesC. Mower Blade Air Lift Points Up For Installation Reinstalling the Mower BladesFigure 31. Tightening the Mower Blade for Installation Sharpening the Mower BladeNOTE This unit is equipped with a maintenance-free BCIU1 battery Battery ChargingBattery Maintenance Cleaning the Battery and CablesTo Adjust the Handle Alignment Ground Speed Control Lever AdjustmentSpeed Balancing Adjustment To Adjust the Handle PlacementChecking the Adjustment Neutral AdjustmentReturn-to-Neutral Adjustment Figure 35. Neutral Adjustment RH side shown A. Adjustment Linkage RodFigure 37. Parking Brake Adjustment A. Brake Spring B. Adjustment Nut Parking Brake AdjustmentHydraulic Pump Drive Belt Replacement Figure 38. Hydraulic Pump Drive Belt Replacement A. Pump Drive BeltSpring loaded components can kick back causing injury Suspension AdjustmentTo adjust the spring pre-load To adjust the upper mounting position Rear Shocks4. To adjust the inner lift rod Refer to Figure Deck Lift Rod Timing AdjustmentChecking the Deck Lift Rod Timing Adjustment 9. To adjust the outer lift rod Refer to FigureRegular Maintenance Deck Leveling AdjustmentDeck Lift Spring NOTE Before adjusting the deck level, the deck lift rodC. 1/2” Breaker Bar D. Spring Mower Belt ReplacementFigure 46. Mower PTO Belt A. Idler Arm B. Stationary Idler Pulley Figure 47. Mower PTO Belt Routing A. Spindle Pulley B. PTO Drive BeltTroubleshooting the Rider TroubleshootingTroubleshooting PROBLEMRider drive belt slips Troubleshooting the Rider continuedTroubleshooting the Mower Brake will not holdScalping Troubleshooting Common Cutting ProblemsStreaking Stepped CuttingDIMENSIONS SpecificationsSpecifications Technical ManualsANGLE OF THE SLOPE LINEALONG APPROPRIATE DOTTED FOLDPage Product Quick Specs BELTS AND BLADES