Cub Cadet 23HP Z-Force 50 Maintenance Service, Cleaning your Deck, Parking the Mower

h.Gasoline Engine: Once the engine starts, move the choke/throttle to the detent as the engine warms.

4.Operating the Mower: Operating a zero-turn- ing-radius mower is not like operating a trac- tor-type riding mower. The zero-turning-radius mower is much more maneuverable and much less fatiguing to operate. However, get- ting used to the fingertip control of the zero- turning-radius mower takes some practice. We strongly recommend that you locate a “test area” where you can operate the mower for about 30 minutes without being disturbed.

a.Get into the operator’s seat.

b.Start the engine.

c.Use the transport lever to raise the mowing deck to the transport position. Make sure the blade clutch switch is off.

d.After the engine has warmed, adjust the throttle to the fast position.

e.Release the parking brake.

f.Fold in the steering levers to the operating position.

WARNING:

When operating this mower forward, do not allow the steering levers to return to the neu- tral position on their own. Always maintain a firm grip on the steering levers, operate them smoothly and avoid any sudden movements of the levers when starting or stopping.

g.To go forward, move both steering levers slightly forward and the mower will slowly move forward. The farther you move the levers forward the faster the mower will go forward.

h.To back up, move both steering levers slightly backward and the mower will slowly move backward. The farther you move the levers backward the faster the mower will go backward.

i.To turn, pull the lever back on the side to which you want to turn. The farther back you pull the lever, the faster and more sharply you will turn. Initially, you will have to be careful to avoid turning too fast and too far.

j.After you have mastered operating the mower, use the transport lever to lower the mowing deck to the cutting position and pull on the electric blade clutch switch to start the blades rotating.

k.Practice mowing in straight passes. When you feel confident, slowly practice mowing around obstacles such as trees.

5.Parking the Mower:

a.Push off the electric blade clutch switch.

b.Use the Deck Lift Handle to raise the mow- ing deck to the transport position.

c.Drive the mower to the cleanup or storage area.

d.Move the throttle to slow.

e.Place the steering levers in the neutral position.

f.Set the parking brake.

g.Turn off the ignition switch and take the key from the switch.

h.Close the fuel shutoff valves.

MAINTENANCE AND

SERVICE

WARNING:

Disconnect the spark plug wires or remove the key from the ignition to prevent the engine from accidentally starting before performing any maintenance on this mower.

A. Cleaning your Deck

Use the Deck Wash System to rinse grass clip- pings fro the deck’s underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals. Complete the fol- lowing steps after each mowing:

IMPORTANT: Make certain the machine’s dis- charge chute is directed away from people, chil- dren, animals, and your house, garage, parked cars, etc.

a.Drive the machine to a level, clear spot on your lawn, near enough to a water faucet (spigot) for your garden hose to reach.

b.Make sure that the PTO (mower deck blade engage) control is in the “OFF” posi- tion.

c.Move shift lever or speed control into the “Neutral” position.

d.Set the parking brake, and turn the ignition key to the “STOP” position to stop the engine.

e.Thread hose coupler (packaged with this manual) onto the end of your garden hose. See Figure 7.

f.Attach the hose coupler to the water port on your mower deck’s surface. See Figure 7. Turn the water on.

g.While sitting in the machine operator’s position, re-start the engine and place throttle lever in the Fast (rabbit) position.

h.Move the PTO control to the “ON” position.

i.Remain in the machine operator’s position, and with the mower deck engaged for a minimum of two minutes per wash out, start with the trim (operator’s left) side, and

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