How to Stop and Park the Mower

about half of the way from idle speed. Release the parking brake. The higher engine speed will make the controls much more responsive and the mower much quicker; Use caution if it is your first time. Now try moving the hand control levers, one at a time, very slightly, forward and backward. Gradually increase your speed until you are well acquainted with the operation of the hand controls and the mower’s behavior. After gaining a good feel for how the mower handles, gradually attempt higher engine speeds until familiar with operation at full throttle engine speed.

Come to a complete stop. If the blades are on, turn them off using the switch on the instrument panel. Make sure the control levers are in the exact neutral position. Set the parking brake, reduce the engine speed to idle, shut off the ignition switch to stop the engine and then remove the key from the ignition switch. The mower is now parked. Do not leave mower unattended on a sloped surface.

Driving the Mower Over a Curb

To climb a curb, first see the Safety Instructions section of this manual, especially the parts on:

•Initial Operating Safety Guidelines

•Operation In Reverse

•Operation In Forward Direction

Next, raise the mower deck into the highest position. Then drive the mower in reverse at a

45 degree angle to the curb (with the left side of the mower closest to the curb) until you are within an inch or two of the left-rear tire hitting the curb. Stop and then gradually bump into the curb with that tire until it is just on top of the curb. If the tire slips even while lurching the mower into the curb, then the curb is too high and you should use ramps or find another way. The mower should still be at a 45 degree angle to the curb. Now, while maintaining the same angle to the curb, continue to back up until the right-rear tire is close to the curb. Using the same technique lurch the right tire onto the curb. After both wheels are on top of the curb, turn the mower counterclockwise and back up so the left caster wheel comes over and last should be he right caster wheel as the mower is twisting to the left (counterclockwise). The technique works the best if you try not to drive backwards at a near 90 degree angle to the curb but get all of

the wheels to go over while the mower is moving at least a 45 degree angle to the curb. To drive off a curb, first try driving up onto it to make sure the curb is not too high. If the curb is not too high, drive the right-front caster off first while driving toward the curb at a 45 degree angle (the curb should be to your right). Then, maintain that 45 degree angle so the left caster goes over, then the right-rear wheel, then the left rear wheel. Do NOT step off the mower during ANY maneuver.

WARNING

Never drive straight onto or off a curb.

Never drive straight onto or off a curb. If you do the whole procedure at a very sharp angle it will tend to minimize the contact of the mower deck with the curb and you will be able to more safely control the mower.

Mowing on Varying Terrain

See the Safety Instructions section of this manual, especially the parts on:

•Initial Operating Safety Guidelines

•Operation On Slopes

•Operation In Reverse

•Operation In Forward Direction

•Operation During Zero-Radius Turns

How to Adjust Neutral

Neutral refers to the mower movement when the engine is set to full throttle, parking brake is off, and the control levers are in the neutral position. The mower should not move forward or backward during this time. If the mower is moving forward or rearward, the neutral setting must be adjusted. The hydraulic pump has a Return-to-Neutral (RTN) device built into the linkage of the pump. Before adjusting neutral, it is necessary to lift the rear drive wheels off the ground using a jack and stands. To make the adjustment, loosen the ¼” Allen bolt and rotate the RTN device on the pump corresponding to the wheel that needs adjustment. If the right wheel turns in the neutral position, then the right pump RTN needs to be adjusted. The RTN mechanism should be rotated until the neutral position is found and then retighten the ¼” allen bolt. Use care not to over tighten the allen bolt. Repeat the procedure on the other pump if necessary.