MTD 616 Operating Your Lawn Tractor, Engaging the Parking Brake, Setting the Cutting Height

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Operating

Your Lawn

Tractor

WARNING

Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck.

Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection.

Use extreme caution while operating the tractor in the

REVERSE CAUTION MODE. Always look down and behind before and while backing. Do not operate the tractor when children or others are around. Stop the tractor im- mediately if someone enters the area.

	2EVERSE
)NDICATOR	0USH "UTTON
,IGHT	2EVERSE
3TOP	#AUTIONT-ODE
	0OSITION
0OSITION
	3TART
	0OSITION

Figure 4-5

2.Turn the key from the NORMAL MOWING (Green) position to the REVERSE CAUTION MODE (Yellow) position of the key switch module. See Figure 4-5.

3.Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON (Orange, Triangular Button) at the top, right corner of the key switch module. The red indicator light at the top, left corner of the key switch module will be ON while activated. See Figure 4-5.

4.Once activated (indicator light ON), the tractor can be driven in reverse with the cutting blades (PTO) engaged.

5.Always look down and behind before and while backing to make sure no children are around.

6.After resuming forward motion, return the key to the NORMAL MOWING position.

IMPORTANT: The REVERSE CAUTION MODE will remain activated until:

a.The key is placed in either the NORMAL MOW- ING position or STOP position.

b.The operator leaves the seat (Models with Electric PTO ONLY).

c.The operator engages the parking brake by fully depressing the brake pedal and holding it down while gently pushing the parking brake button inward (Models with Manual PTO ONLY).

Engaging the Parking Brake

To engage the parking brake:

1.Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with your foot while gently pushing the parking brake button inward.

2.Hold the parking brake button in while removing your foot from the brake pedal.

3.Once engaged, the parking brake button and the brake pedal will lock in the “down” position.

To disengage the parking brake:

1. Slightly depress the brake pedal.

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

WARNING

AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

•GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS.

•AVOID SUDDEN TURNS.

•DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP.

•IF MACHINE STOPS GOING UPHILL, STOP BLADE(S) AND BACK DOWNHILL SLOWLY.

•DO NOT MOW WHEN CHILDREN OR OTHERS ARE AROUND.

•NEVER CARRY CHILDREN, EVEN WITH BLADES OFF.

•LOOK DOWN AND BEHIND BEFORE AND WHILE BACKING.

•KEEP SAFETY DEVICES (GUARDS, SHIELDS, AND SWITCHES) IN PLACE AND WORKING.

•REMOVE OBJECTS THAT COULD BE THROWN BY THE BLADE(S).

•KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF ALL CONTROLS.

•BE SURE BLADE(S) AND ENGINE ARE STOPPED BEFORE PLACING HANDS OR FEET NEAR BLADE(S).

•BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR’S POSITION, DISENGAGE BLADE(S), PLACE THE SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL, ENGAGE BRAKE LOCK, SHUT ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE KEY.

READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Setting the Cutting Height

1.Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the six different cutting height notches on the right side of the fender.

2.Adjust the deck wheels so that they are between ¼-inch and ½-inch above the ground when the tractor is on a smooth, flat surface such as a driveway.

WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck.

NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight of the cutting deck.

Refer to Leveling the Deck on page 20 of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding various deck adjustments.

Starting the Engine

WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection.

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