Cub Cadet 48-inch/54-inch/60-inch/72-inch service manual Mower Cutting Blades, Start the Engine

Release both lap bars and the machine should stop turning.

3.To turn counter-clockwise, slowly move the RIGHT lap bar forward while simulta- neously moving the LEFT lap bar rear- ward. 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 position).

3.Start the Engine:

a.Open the fuel shutoff valve.

b.Sit on the Seat. Set the parking brake “On”.

c.Make sure that the left and right steering levers are in their neutral position.

d.Turn the electric blade clutch switch “Off”.

e.Push the throttle control to a position a third of the way between slow and fast.

f.Insert the key in the ignition and start switch and turn the switch to “On”.

g.Gasoline Engine: If the engine is cold, push the choke to the on position.

Note: E.F.I. Tanks do not have a choke control.

h.Turn the ignition key in a clockwise direc- tion to the “Start” position until the engine starts.

Note: Do not hold the key in the “Start” position for more than 10 seconds or you may damage the starter. If the engine does not start in this time, wait about 30 seconds and try again.

i.Gasoline Engine: Once the engine starts, push the choke on halfway and as the engine warms, push the choke off all the way.

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 upper foot pedal to raise the mow- ing 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 to fast and too far.

j.After you have mastered operating the mower, use the second foot pedal 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 upper foot pedal 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.

E.Mower Cutting Blades

The blades normally “factory installed” on a mower afford the best grass cutting performance on the majority of grasses and mowing conditions; however, there will be occasions whereby the grass type, stage of grass growth, soil conditions, and weather conditions will require different cutting blade types. Since the mower decks are designed so that over-lap of the cutting blades generally exceed 1.5”, there is no need for orientation of one cutting blade to an

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