Craftsman 107.289920 manual Forward Travel Practice, Reverse Travel Practice

DRIVING PRACTICE -

BA SiC DRIVING

WARNING: Never operate on slopes greater than 17.6% (10°). See SLOPE OPERATION in the safety section. Zero turn riders operate differently from other four- wheeled vehicles. The drive wheels are also your steer- ing wheels. If you cannot drive the unit on a hill, you will not be able to steer the unit on it. Operating zero turn units on slopes requires extra caution.

The lever controls of the zero turn rider are very respon- sive, and learning to gain a smooth and efficient control of the rider'sforward, reverse, and turning movements will take some practice.

Spend some time going through the following maneuvers 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.

WARNING

Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while travelling in reverse.

Forward Travel

Figure 10. Forward Travel

Smooth Travel

The lever controls of the zero turn rider are highly responsive.

The BEST method of handling the ground speed control levers is in

three steps - as shown ! in Figure 9.

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 back toward neutral.

Figure 9. Move Control

Levers Gradually

Forward Travel Practice

Gradually move both ground speed control levers evenly FORWARD from neutral (see Figure 10). Slow down and repeat.

Reverse Travel Practice

LOOK DOWN & BEHIND, then gradually move both ground speed control levers evenly BACK from neutral (see Figure 11). Slow down and repeat.

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

Reverse Travel

Figure 11. Reverse Travel

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