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.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the following methods:
•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. Place the shift lever in the REVERSE position and depress the drive pedal.
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.
Engaging the Blades
Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments. To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
•Move the throttle/choke control to the FAST (rabbit) position.
•Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
•Keep the throttle/choke control in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments
IMPORTANT: The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the shift lever in position for reverse travel and the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position. Refer to Safety Interlock System on page 15.
Mowing
WARNING: To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
This tractor is equipped with one of Toro’s quality cutting decks. The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck with your tractor.
WARNING: Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
•Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
•For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the lawn.
•Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
•Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle.
•Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back over the cut area a second time to get a clean cut.
•Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
•Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer to Cutting Blades on page 23 of this manual for proper blade sharpening instructions.
17