MTD i1046, i1050 warranty Starting the Engine, Stopping the Engine, Driving The Tractor

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Operation

WARNING

If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair dam- age before restarting.

Starting the Engine

NOTE: Refer to the TRACTOR SET-UP on page 8 of this manual for gasoline and oil fill-up instructions.

1.Insert the tractor key into the key switch module.

2.Disengage the PTO (Blade Engage) lever/knob.

3.Engage the tractor’s parking brake.

4.Pull the choke control knob outward into the full choke position (a warm engine may not require choking).

5.Move the throttle control lever to midway between the slow and fast positions.

5.Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position. After the engine starts, release the key. It will return to the Normal Mowing position.

IMPORTANT: Do not hold the key in the START position for longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so may cause damage to your engine’s electric starter.

6.After the engine starts, gradually push the choke knob fully inward as the engine warms up.

NOTE: Do not use the choke control to enrich the fuel mixture, except as necessary to start and warm up the engine.

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Stopping the Engine

WARNING: If you strike a foreign ob- ject, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire(s). Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair damage before restarting.

1.If the blades are engaged, disengage the PTO.

2.Move the throttle control lever to midway between the half and full throttle. Then turn the ignition key counter- clockwise to the OFF position.

3.Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent unintended starting.

Driving The Tractor

IMPORTANT: Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops.

•Briefly depress the brake pedal to release the parking brake. Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit) position.

•To travel forward: Slowly depress the upper portion of the drive pedal forward until the desired speed is achieved. See Figure 7.

•To travel in reverse: Check that the area behind is clear, then slowly depress the lower portion of the drive pedal with the ball of your foot (not your heel) until the desired speed is achieved. See Figure 7.

•Release the drive pedal and depress the brake pedal to stop the tractor.

Brake Pedal Drive Pedal

Do not leave the seat of the tractor without first placing the PTO lever in the disen- gaged (Blade Stop) position, depressing the brake pedal and engaging the parking brake. If leaving the tractor unattended, also turn the ignition key off and remove the key.

Do not leave the seat of the tractor without

1.Disengaging PTO lever

2.Depressing brake pedal

3.Engaging parking brake

If leaving the tractor unattended, also turn the ignition key off and remove the key.

Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops while driving the tractor.

Do not mow on slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet).

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

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.

Reverse Forward

Figure 7

IMPORTANT: Do not use the drive pedal to change the direction of travel when the tractor is in motion. Always bring the tractor to a complete stop before pivoting the drive pedal from forward to reverse or vice versa.

WARNING: Do not leave the seat of the tractor without first placing the PTO knob in the disengaged (Blade Stop) position, depressing the brake pedal and engaging the parking brake. If leaving the tractor unattended, also turn the ignition key off and remove the key.

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