MTD 1438 Clutch-Brake Pedal, Parking Brake, Shift Lever, Speed Control Lever, Deck Lift Lever

To stop the engine, turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF position. See Fig. 4-3B.

Ignition Switch Module

To start the engine, insert the key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the key into the NORMAL MOWING MODE position once the engine has fired. The headlights will be activated in the Normal (and Reverse Caution Modes).

To stop the engine, turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF position. See Fig. 4-3C.

WARNING! Never leave a running machine unattended. Always disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.

IMPORTANT: Prior to operating the tractor, refer to both Safety Interlock Switches and Starting The Engine in the Operation section of this manual for detailed instructions regarding the Ignition Switch Module and operating the tractor in REVERSE CAUTION MODE.

Clutch-Brake Pedal

The clutch-brake pedal is located on the left side of the lawn tractor, along the running board. Depress the clutch-brake pedal part way down when slowing the tractor by changing speeds (Refer to Speed Control Lever). Depress the pedal all the way down to engage the disc brake and bring the tractor to a complete stop.

NOTE: The pedal must be depressed to start the engine. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches in the Operation section of this manual.

Parking Brake

To set the parking brake, fully depress the clutch-brake pedal. Move the speed control lever all the way down and into the parking brake position. Release the clutch-brake pedal to allow the parking brake to engage.

To release the parking brake, depress the clutch-brake pedal and move the speed control lever out of the notches to the desired position. Release the speed control lever and the clutch-brake pedal.

NOTE: The parking brake must be set if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off.

Shift Lever

The shift lever is located on the left side of the fender and has three positions, FORWARD, NEUTRAL and REVERSE. The brake pedal must be depressed and the tractor must not be in motion when the moving shift lever. See Fig. 4-4.

IMPORTANT: Never force the shift lever. Doing so may result in serious damage to the tractor’s transmission.

Figure 4-4

Speed Control Lever

The speed control lever, located on the left side of the tractor’s dash console, allows you to regulate the ground speed of the lawn tractor. To use, depress the clutch-brake pedal and move the lever out of the parking brake notch and forward to increase the tractor’s ground speed. When a desired speed has been reached, release the lever into an appropriate notch to maintain that speed.

To slow the tractor’s ground speed, depress the clutch-brake pedal and move the speed control lever rearward and release it into a notch.

NOTE: Lawn tractors vary by model and are available with either a 6- or 7-speed control lever.

PTO (Blade Engage) Lever

Found on the tractor’s right fender, the PTO (blade engage) lever is used to engage power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments.

To operate, move the lever all the way forward. Moving the lever all the way rearward into the PTO OFF position disengages power to the cutting deck/ attachment.

NOTE: The PTO (blade engage) lever must be in the disengaged (PTO OFF) position when starting the engine.

Deck Lift Lever

Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use, move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best suited for your application.

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Section 4 — Controls and Features