13
• While continuing to hold the cruise button in,
lift your foot from the AutoDrive™ pedal (you
should feel the cruise latch engage).
• If properly engaged, the cruise control button
and the AutoDrive™ pedal should lock in the
down position, and the tractor will maintain the
same forward speed.
• Disengage the cruise control using one of the
following methods:
�� Depress the brake pedal to disengage the
cruise control and stop the tractor.
• Lightly depress the AutoDrive™ pedal.
To change to the reverse direction when operating
with cruise control, depress the brake pedal to
disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to
a complete stop. Then place the shift lever in the
REVERSE position and depress the AutoDrive™
pedal.
DRIVING ON SLOPESRefer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 6 to help
determine slopes where you may not operate safely.
WARNING: Do not mow on inclines with
a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of
approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet).
The tractor could overturn and cause
serious injury.
Operate the tractor up and down slopes, never
across slopes. Do not drive so that the tractor may
tip over sideways.
Before operating the tractor on any slope, walk the
slope to look for possible hazards such as rocks.
mounds, ruts, stumps or other surface irregularities
which could cause the tractor to be upset.
Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must
be made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope
greatly increases the chance of a roll over.
Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is
necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up
smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility of
flipping the tractor over backward.
OPERATING THE HEADLIGHTSTo turn the tractor’s headlights on:
• Start the engine following the instructions
earlier in this section .
• Turn the key one notch counterclockwise into
the On/Lights position of the ignition switch.
Refer to Figure 4.
To turn the tractor’s headlights off:
• Turn the key either into the On position (to
leave the engine running) or the Off position
(to shut the engine off). Refer to Figure 4.
IMPORTANT: Never move the key into the Start
position while the engine is running. Doing so may
cause damage to your engine’s starter.
STOPPING THE ENGINE• Place the PTO lever in the disengaged (OFF)
position.
• Move the t hrottle control into the SLOW
position and allow the engine to "idle down"
for ten seconds, then turn the ignition key
counterclockwise to the OFF position.
• Remove the key from the ignition switch to
prevent accidental starting.
IMPORTANT: If you think yo u’ve s truck a forei gn
object, stop the engine immediately. Remove the
wire(s) from the spark plug(s), thoroughly inspect the
unit for any damage, and repair the damage before
restarting and operating the mower.
USING THE LIFT LEVERTo raise the cutting deck, move the lift lever to the
left, then place it in the notch best suited for your
application. Refer to SETTING THE CUTTING
HEIGHT earlier in this section.
ENGAGING THE PTO (POWER TAKE-OFF) LEVER• Move the throttle control lever to the FAST
(rabbit) position.
• Move the PTO lever forward into the engaged
(ON) positio n.
• Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit)
position for the most efficient use of the
cutting deck and other attachments.
• The operator must remain in the tractor seat
at all times. If the operator should leave the
seat without moving the PTO lever into the
disengaged (OFF) position and setting the
parking brake, the engine will shut off.
IMPORTANT: The PTO lever cannot be in the
engaged (ON) position when the tractor is driving in
the reverse direction. The safety interlock system will
automatically shut off the engine if the PTO lever is
moved into the engaged (ON) position with the shift
lever in the REVERSE position. Refer to
SAFETY
INTERLOCK SWITCHES