Operating Your Lawn Tractor, Deck Lift Lever

Seat Adjustment Lever

To adjust the seat forward or backward, slide the seat adjustment lever to the left and reposition the seat to the desired position. Once a comfortable position is found, release the seat adjustment lever to lock the seat in place. Refer to Seat Adjustment on page 17 of this manual for more detailed instructions.

Deck Lift Lever

Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use, move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best suited for your application.

SECTION 4: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR

WARNING

AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

•GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS.

•AVOID SUDDEN TURNS.

•DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP.

•IF MACHINE STOPS GOING UPHILL, STOP BLADE(S) AND BACK DOWNHILL SLOWLY.

•DO NOT MOW WHEN CHILDREN OR OTHERS ARE AROUND.

•NEVER CARRY CHILDREN, EVEN WITH BLADES OFF.

•LOOK DOWN AND BEHIND BEFORE AND WHILE BACKING.

•KEEP SAFETY DEVICES (GUARDS, SHIELDS, AND SWITCHES) IN PLACE AND WORKING.

•REMOVE OBJECTS THAT COULD BE THROWN BY THE BLADE(S).

•KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF ALL CONTROLS.

•BE SURE BLADE(S) AND ENGINE ARE STOPPED BEFORE PLAC- ING HANDS OR FEET NEAR BLADE(S).

•BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR’S POSITION, DISENGAGE BLADE(S), ENGAGE BRAKE LOCK, SHUT ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE KEY.

READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL

WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating.

Safety Interlock Switches

This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of the operator. If the interlock system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor. Contact a Cub Cadet dealer. The safety interlock system prevents the engine from cranking or starting unless the parking brake is engaged, and the PTO/ Blade Engage knob is in the disengaged (OFF) position.

•The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake.

•The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the tractor’s seat with the PTO/Blade Engage knob in the engaged (ON) position, regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged.

•The electric PTO clutch will automatically shut off if the PTO/Blade Engage knob is moved into the engaged (ON) position with the drive pedal in position for reverse travel.

WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection.

Setting the Gauge Wheels

Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the six different cutting height notches on the right fender.

To adjust the deck wheels so that they are between ¼- inch and ½-inch above the ground as follows.

WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck.

NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight of the cutting deck.

Place the tractor on a firm and level surface, preferably pavement, refer to Figure 5, and proceed as follows:

•Place the tractor’s deck lift handle in the normally desired mowing height setting, then check the gauge wheels for contact or excessive clearance with the surface below.

•If the wheels contact the surface adjust as follows:

a.Raise the deck lift handle to its highest setting.

b.Remove the rear gauge wheels by removing the lock nuts and shoulder screws which secure them to the deck.

c.Remove the lock nuts and shoulder screws, which secure the front gauge wheels to the deck.

d.Place the deck lift handle in the desired mowing height setting.

e.Insert the shoulder screw with the rear gauge wheel into the index hole that leaves approximately 1/2" between the bottom of the wheel and the pavement.

f.Note the position of the index hole used; then install the other rear gauge wheel and the front ball wheels into the corresponding index hole of the other gauge wheel brackets.