Driving On Slopes

Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 9 to help determine slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.

WARNING: Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). The tractor could overturn and cause serious injury.

•Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.

•Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

•Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

•Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly increases the chance of a roll over.

•Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the tractor over backward.

Setting The Cruise Control

NOTE: The cruise control feature should only be utilized while traveling in the forward direction.

•Slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired speed is achieved.

•Lightly depress the cruise control lever.

•While continuing to hold the cruise lever down, lift your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the cruise latch engage).

•Once engaged, the cruise control lever and the drive pedal will lock in the “down” position, and the tractor will maintain the same forward speed.

NOTE: Cruise control can not be set at the tractor’s fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed.

To disengage the cruise control, either:

•Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and stop the tractor.

•Lightly depress the drive pedal.

To change to the reverse direction when operating with cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete stop.

Engaging the Parking Brake

To engage the parking brake:

•Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it while gently pushing the parking brake lever downward.

•Hold the parking brake lever down while removing your foot from the brake pedal.

•Once engaged, the parking brake lever and the brake pedal will lock in the “down” position.

To disengage the parking brake:

•Slightly depress the brake pedal.

NOTE: The parking brake must be engaged if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off.

Moving The Tractor Manually

Your tractor’s transmission is equipped with a hydrostatic relief valve for occasions when it is necessary to move the tractor manually. Opening this valve permits the fluid in the transmission to bypass its normal route, allowing the rear tires to "freewheel." To open the hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:

•Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the tractor. See Figure 7.

Hydrostatic

Bypass Rod

Figure 7

•Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then up, to lock it in place.

NOTE: The transmission will NOT engage when the hydrostatic bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to its normal position prior to operating the tractor.

IMPORTANT: Never attempt to move the tractor manually without first opening the hydrostatic relief valve. Doing so will result in serious damage to the tractor’s transmission.