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Operating Your Lawn
Moving the Tractor Manually
Your tractor’s transmission is equipped with a hydro- static relief valve for occasions when it is necessary to move the tractor manually. Activating this valve forces the fluid in the transmission to bypass its normal route, allowing the rear tires to “freewheel.” To engage the hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:
•Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the tractor. See Figure
NOTE: Cruise control cannot be engaged at the tractor’s fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the following methods:
•Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and stop the tractor.
•Lightly depress the drive pedal.
Tractor
WARNING
NOTE: Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approxi- mately
10feet). The tractor could overturn and cause serious injury.
NOTE: To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, help- ers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Hydrostatic Bypass Rod
Figure
•Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then down, to lock it in place.
NOTE: The transmission will NOT engage when the hydrostatic bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to its normal position prior to operating the tractor.
IMPORTANT: Never attempt to move the tractor manu- ally without first engaging the hydrostatic relief valve. Doing so will result in serious damage to the tractor’s transmission.
Setting The Cruise Control
NOTE: The cruise control feature should only be utilized while traveling in the forward direction.
•Slowly depress the upper portion of the drive pedal until the desired speed is achieved.
•Lightly depress the cruise control button.
•While continuing to hold the cruise button in, lift your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the cruise latch engage).
•Once engaged, the cruise control button and the drive pedal will lock in the “down” position, and the tractor will maintain the same forward speed.
Engaging the Blades
Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments. To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
1.Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
Models with Manual PTO
2.a. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
Models with Electric PTO
b.Pull the PTO (Blade Engage) knob outward into the engaged (ON) position.
3.Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments
IMPORTANT: The engine (on models with a manual PTO) or electric PTO clutch (on models with an electric PTO) will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the shift lever in position for reverse travel with the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches earlier in this section.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place it in the notch best suited for your applica- tion. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this section.
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