Operation

Zero-Turn Driving Practice

The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive, and learning to gain a smooth and efficient control of the rider’s forward, reverse, and turning movements will take some practice.

Spending some time going through the maneuvers shown and becoming familiar with how the unit accelerates, travels, and steers — before you begin mowing —is absolutely essential to getting the most out of the Zero Turn rider.

Locate a smooth, flat area of your lawn — one with plenty of room to maneuver. (Clear the area of objects, people and animals before you begin.) Operate the unit at mid-throttle during this practice session (ALWAYS operate at full throttle when mowing), and turn slowly to prevent tire slippage and damage to your lawn.

Smooth Travel

The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive.

The BEST method of handling the ground speed control levers is in three steps — as shown in Figure 3.

FIRST place your hands onto the levers as shown.

SECOND, to go forward gradually push the levers forward with your palms.

We suggest you begin with the Smooth Travel

THIRD, to speed

 

 

up move the levers

 

 

procedure to the right, and then advance through the

 

 

farther forward. To

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

 

forward, reverse, and turning maneuvers.

slow down smoothly,

 

 

You must release the parking brake prior to moving

for

 

 

slowly move the levers

 

 

the control levers inward.

 

t wa d neutral.

Figure 3. Move Control

 

Not

 

 

Levers Gradually

BASIC DRIVING

 

 

 

 

Forward Travel Practice

 

Reverse Travel Practice

 

Gradually move both ground speed control leve s

LOOK DOWN & BEHIND, then gradually move both

— evenly FORWARD from neutral. Slow down and

gr und speed control levers evenly BACK from

repeat.

 

neutral. Slow down and repeat.

 

NOTE: Straight forward travel takes practice. If

NOTE: Practice backing up for several minutes before

necessary, top speed can be balance-adjust d

attempting to do so near objects. The rider turns

— see the Speed Balancing Adjustment in the

sharply in reverse as well as forward, and backing up

Adjustments section near the back of this manual.

straight takes practice.

 

 

Forward

 

Reverse

 

 

Travel

 

Travel

 

 

Figure 4. Forward Travel

Figure 5. Reverse Travel

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