of grease, grass, and leaves to reduce the chance of fire and permit proper cooling.

Note: If low traction conditions occur, follow these procedures for “zero turns”:

To turn clockwise (front of machine moves toward RIGHT) when traveling FORWARD:

1.Come to a stop,

2.Then slowly move both lap bars rearward (no more than 1/2 maximum reverse speed) to initiate REVERSE travel,

3.Then slowly move the LEFT lap bar forward while maintaining the RIGHT lap bar in the rearward travel position.

4.To stop the turn and reintiate FORWARD travel, slowly move the RIGHT lap bar from the REVERSE travel position to a FORWARD travel position equal t that of the LEFT lap bar.

5.Alternatively, release both lap bars and the machine should stop turning, (this is a safety check, the normal procedure is for the operator to slowly bring the lap bars to the Neutral psoition).

To turn counter-clockwise (front of machine moves toward LEFT) when traveling FORWARD:

1.Come to a stop,

2.Then slowly move both lap bars rearward (no more than 1/2 maximum reverse speed) to initiate REVERSE travel,

3.Then slowly move the RIGHT lap bar forward while

maintaining the LEFT lap bar in the rearward travel posi- tion.

4.To stop the turn and reintiate FORWARD travel, slowly move the LEFT lap bar from the REVERSE travel position to a FORWARD travel position equal t that of the RIGHT lap bar.

5.Alternatively, release both lap bars and the machine should stop turning, (this is a safety check, the normal procedure is for the operator to slowly bring the lap bars to the Neutral psoition).

2.Safety Awareness when Mowing

a.Do not operate on steep slopes, those above 15 degrees (27% slope).

b.Avoid turning downhill if possible, if not use extra care and go slowly.

c.Avoid turning when going downhill, traction is at a minimum going downhill.

d.Do not operate with discharge side of the mower toward streets, buildings, playgrounds, parking lots, other machines, animals, and other people.

e.Avoid operation or use extreme care if the traction surface is wet, unstable, or slippery.

f.Use extra care when grass clippings, leaves, pine needles, or debris are present as traction can be reduced.

g.Slow-down before turning and come to a com- plete stop before any zero turn maneuver.

h.Do not stop machine or park machine over combustible materials such as dry grass, leaves, debris, etc.

3.To Mow Grass and Produce a Striped Pattern

a.Pick a point on the opposite side of the area to be mowed (post, tree, shrub, etc.).

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b.If on an hillside, start at the bottom so that the turns are uphill rather than downhill.

c.Align the mower so as to head directly toward the object on the far side.

d.Slowly increase the speed of the machine to match cutting conditions, terrain, and operator familiarity with the controls and keep the machine headed directly toward the alignment object. Do not go fast as to reduce cut quality or to be uncomfortable in controlling the speed and direction of the machine.

e.When approaching the other end of a strip, slow down or stop before turning. A U-turn is recommended unless a zero turn is required. The speed of a U-turn that will allow for machine controllability and minimal turf defacement will be dependent on several fac- tors including: the speed of the turn, the radius of the turn, the tire tread pattern, the traction coefficient of the tire to the traction surface, the slope of the traction surface.

f.Remember, a zero turn requires that the for- ward or reverse travel of the machine be stopped prior to the initiation of the turn or severe turf defacement can occur.

g.To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf, change the direction that the strips are mowed by approximately 45 degrees the next and each subsequent time that the area is mowed.

B.Controls

1.Engine Ignition and Start Switch: (See Figure 1.) Located on the instrument housing below the right side of the operator’s seat. When the key is inserted and turned clockwise, 45 degrees, the ignition circuit is closed. Turning the switch fur- ther against spring pressure starts the engine. The engine will only start if the blade clutch switch is in the “off” position, the parking brake is engaged and the left and right steering levers are in the neutral position. The key should always be removed from the switch if the operator leaves the mower’s seat.

2.Engine Throttle Control: (See Figure 1.) Located on the left side of the mower next to the operator’s seat. Moving the throttle control from the rear to the front will increase the engine speed from slow to fast.

3.Left and Right Steering Levers: (See Figure 3.) These hinged levers open out to the side in any position to permit the operator to be seated or to leave the mower’s seat. The operator, when seated, can pull the levers up to the operating position, a comfortable forearm’s length away. These levers control all of the movements of the mower. Pushing both levers forward causes the mower to move forward. Pulling both levers back causes the mower to move backward. Pushing one lever ahead of the other lever causes the traction wheel on the side where the lever is ahead to rotate faster than the other traction

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Cub Cadet 48-inch/54-inch/60-inch/72-inch Safety Awareness when Mowing, To Mow Grass and Produce a Striped Pattern