Billy Goat FM3301EB owner manual Blade Clutch, Propulsion, Hillside Mowing

FM Owner’s Manual

BLADE CLUTCH

The FM mower blade clutch is controlled by an operator presence control. To engage the blade, depress the operator’s left hand control lever against operator’s handle. The blades are disengaged by releasing this lever. (See figure 16-5)

NOTE: The blade clutch must be either fully engaged for cutting or fully disengaged to bring the blades to a stop. Do not operate the unit with the blade clutch partially engaged. Premature belt wear and clutch failure will result from improper operation of the clutch.

CAUTION: Use extreme care when operating the blades. Inspect the work area for foreign objects that could cause damage to the unit or injure the operator if struck by the blade. Never operate the blades with bystanders in the work area. Lever operates the blade without either the discharge deflector chute or the grass catcher in place.

PROPULSION

This unit is self-propelled, and is controlled by an operator presence control. To engage the wheel drive, first push down on the BRAKE RELEASE lever on the right side, and then lift the operator's DRIVE lever on the right side against operator's handle. The drive is disengaged by releasing the lower lever. (See figure 16-6). Shift to neutral, push and hold the Brake lever to free wheel.

GROUND SPEED can be varied by selecting a higher or lower gear using the gearshift lever on top of the console (see figure 16-7). Note: Only change gear selection when unit is stopped. Under most conditions cutting should be done in second or third gear. Fourth gear should be reserved for conditions where grass is thinned out or not as tall. The quality of the cut produced is directly related to the unit's ground speed during cutting. If the quality of the cut is not satisfactory (i.e. material left standing), you should shift into a lower gear during cutting. For improved control in confined areas, this machine can be pushed forward or backward by releasing the drive lever located at the bottom of the operator's right-hand handle, and shifting to neutral while depressing the brake release lever.

HILLSIDE MOWING

WARNING! Never mow on any slope greater than 15 degrees. Always mow across the face of slopes; never up and down or diagonally (see figure 16-8). DO NOT attempt sudden starts or stop when mowing on a slope.

Avoid sudden turns and use extreme caution when changing direction on a slope.

Blade Clutch Lever

Operator’s Fig. 16-5handle

Brake release lever -down to release

Fig. 16-6

Fig. 16-7

Fig. 16-8

Operator’s handle

Drive lever -up to drive