Operation
Driving the Machine
Drive Lever/Neutral Lock Latch Operation
To lock the drive levers in “neutral lock”, squeeze the drive levers to the “neutral” position (Do Not squeeze the drive levers all the way back as this will cause the drive wheels to go into full reverse direction). See Figure 4. Place thumbs on the upper portion of the neutral lock latches and move them to the rear. See Figure 4. Release the drive levers.
CAUTION
If the neutral lock latches are not completely engaged the drive levers could unexpectedly slip into the forward drive position. If the drive levers slip into the drive position the unit could lurch forward and cause injury or property damage.
Be sure the pins protruding through the slots of each neutral lock latch are completely engaged in the rear slot of each latch.
To place the drive levers in the “forward” position, firmly hold the drive levers, place thumbs on the upper portion of the neutral lock latches and move them forward to release the drive levers. Slowly and smoothly release the drive levers.
Driving Forward
1.Release the parking brake.
2.With drive levers locked in “neutral”, shift speed control lever to desired forward speed.
3.Slowly squeeze and hold both drive levers in the neutral position and rotate both neutral lock latches from the neutral lock position to the forward position.
Note: Do Not squeeze both drive levers all the way back. This will cause the drive wheels to engage in the reverse direction.
4.To move forward in a straight line, smoothly release both drive levers to engage drive wheels.
To turn left or right, squeeze the right hand drive lever to turn right and the left hand drive lever to turn left.
To make a “zero turn”, squeeze either the left hand or the right hand drive lever back into the
reverse position while the opposite drive lever is in a forward position at an equal but opposite speed.
Note: For smooth operation of this machine, avoid quick, jerky movements of the drive levers. Move the drive levers smoothly and deliberately.
To stop, squeeze drive levers back to the “neutral” position. Move the neutral lock latches into the “neutral lock” position and release drive levers. Move the speed control lever to the neutral position.
Driving in Reverse
To move rearward in a straight line, squeeze drive levers into the reverse position.
To turn left or right, squeeze the right hand drive lever to turn right and the left hand drive lever to turn left.
To make a “zero turn”, squeeze either the left hand or the right hand drive lever back into the reverse position while the opposite drive lever is in a forward position at an equal but opposite speed.
Adjusting the Cutting Height
WARNING
When the two front support rod hairpins are removed from the mower deck, the weight of the tractor section may cause the front frame of the unit to rise suddenly. If the unit rises suddenly, injury may occur.
Securely hold down the front of the unit when the front support rod hairpins are removed.
The cutting height of the mower deck is adjusted from 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches (3.81 cm to 11.4 cm) in 1/2 inch increments.
1.Stop the machine and move the drive levers to the neutral locked position.
2.Disengage the PTO.
3.Engage the park brake.
4.Stop the engine, remove the key and wait for all moving parts to stop.
5.Install hairpin clips in the holes for the desired cutting height. See Figure 5.
Important: To maintain correct cutting height and rake, check the following for proper adjustment.
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