OperatingTheLawnTractor, EngagingTheCuttingBlades

OperatingTheLawnTractor

before and while backing up to avoid a back-

,_ WARNING: Always Iookdown and behind over accident.

WARNING: Before leaving the operator's position. Always place the deck engagement! lift lever in the BLADES STOP position, shift into 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.

°Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or REVERSE position.

°Release the parking brake by depressing the clutch-brake pedal and positioning the speed control lever in desired position.

IMPORTANT: First-time operators should use speed positions 1 or 2. Become completely familiar with the tractor's operation and controls before operating the tractor in higher speed positions.

°Release clutch-brake pedal slowly to put unit into motion.

°The lawn tractor is brought to a stop by depressing the clutch-brake pedal.

NOTE: When operating the unit initially, there will be little difference between the highest two speeds until after the belts have seated themselves into the pulleys during the break-in period.

position for any reason, disengage the

,_ WARNING: Before leaving the operator's blades, place the shift lever in neutral,

engage the parking brake, shut engine off and remove the key.

IMPORTANT: When stopping the tractor for any reason while on a grass surface, always

•Place the shift lever in neutral,

,, Engage the parking brake,

•Shut engine off and remove the key.

Doing so will minimize the possibility of having your lawn "browned" by hot exhaust from your tractor's running engine.

If unit stalls with speed control in high speed, or if unit wilt not operate with speed control lever in a low speed position, proceed as follows.

°Place shift lever in NEUTRAL.

°Restart engine.

°Place speed control lever in high speed position.

°Release clutch-brake pedal fully.

°Depress clutch-brake pedal.

°Place speed control lever in desired position.

°Place shift lever in either FORWARD or REVERSE, and follow normal operating procedures.

EngagingTheCuttingBlades

WARNING: Keep feet and hands away from the discharge opening, the blades or any part of the deck. When the unit is used for anything other than mowing operations, the blade drive should be disengaged.

To engage power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachment, proceed as follows:

°Move the deck engagement!lift lever to the right and forward,

°Place the lever a notch for your desired cutting height.

°Moving the lever to the right and all the way rearward placing it into the BLADES STOP position raises and disengages power to the cutting deck.

NOTE: The deck engagement/lift lever must be in the disengaged (BLADES STOP) position when starting the engine, when traveling in reverse and if the operator

leaves the seat. Refer to SafetyInterlock Switcheson page 13

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.

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.

. Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine.

°For best results and to insure more even grass

distribution, do not mow when lawn is excessively wet.

°Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed.