Engaging the Parking Brake

To engage the parking brake:

•Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with your foot.

•Move the parking brake lever all the way down and into the ON position.

•Release the brake pedal to allow the parking brake to engage.

To release the parking brake:

•Depress the brake pedal and move the parking brake lever out of the ON position and into the OFF position.

Setting the Cutting Height

Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the five different cutting height notches on the right side of the fender. Then adjust the deck wheels, if so equipped, so that they are between ¼-inch and ½-inch above the ground when the tractor is on a smooth, flat surface such as a driveway.

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

NOTE: On models so equipped, the deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight of the cutting deck.

Refer to Leveling the Deck on page 18 of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding various deck adjustments.

Starting the Engine

WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection.

NOTE: Refer to the TRACTOR SET-UPon page 8 of this manual for Gasoline and Oil fill-up instructions.

•Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.

•Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever) in the disengaged (OFF) position.

•Engage the tractor’s parking brake.

•Activate the choke control.

•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.

•After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control and place the throttle control in the FAST position.

NOTE: Do NOT leave the throttle control in the CHOKE position while operating the tractor. Doing so will result in a "rich" fuel mixture and cause the engine to run poorly.

WARNING

AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

•GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS.

•AVOID SUDDEN TURNS.

•DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP.

•IF MACHINE STOPS GOING UPHILL, STOP BLADE(S) AND BACK DOWNHILL SLOWLY.

•DO NOT MOW WHEN CHILDREN OR OTHERS ARE AROUND.

•NEVER CARRY CHILDREN, EVEN WITH BLADES OFF.

•LOOK DOWN AND BEHIND BEFORE AND WHILE BACKING.

•KEEP SAFETY DEVICES (GUARDS, SHIELDS, AND SWITCHES) IN PLACE AND WORKING.

•REMOVE OBJECTS THAT COULD BE THROWN BY THE BLADE(S).

•KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF ALL CONTROLS.

•BE SURE BLADE(S) AND ENGINE ARE STOPPED BEFORE PLAC- ING HANDS OR FEET NEAR BLADE(S).

•BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR’S POSITION, DISENGAGE BLADE(S), PLACE THE SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL, ENGAGE BRAKE LOCK, SHUT ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE KEY.

READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Stopping the Engine

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 the damage before restarting and operating

•If the blades are engaged, place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position.

•Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the STOP position.

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

Driving The Lawn Tractor

WARNING: Always look down and behind before and while traveling in reverse to avoid a back-over accident.

WARNING: Before leaving the operator’s position. Always place the PTO (blade engage) lever in the disengaged (PTO OFF) position, place speed control lever in neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.

•Move throttle control lever to full throttle.

NOTE: Always operate the tractor with the throttle control lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments.