12
OPERATION

TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 7)

Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing
switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with
the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will
shut off the engine.
•Select desired height of cut.
•Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch
control.
•TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage attachment
clutch control.

TO OPERATE ON HILLS

CAUTION: Do not drive up or down hills
with slopes greater than 15° and do not
drive across any slope.
•Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down
hills.
•Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
•If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to
slower position.
•If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake
pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking
brake.
•Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be sure you have
allowed room for tractor to roll slightly as you restart
movement.
•To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
clutch/brake pedal.
•Make all turns slowly.

TO TRANSPORT

•Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment
lift control.
•When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift
lever is in neutral (N) position.
•Do not push or tow tractor at more than five (5) MPH.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your
tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood
to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH-

MENTS

Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and
comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your
tractor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a
load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction
with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

•The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weight oil.
•Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
•Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the
dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds,
remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until
“FULL” mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.
•For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
•To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibilities
section in this manual.
FIG. 6
FIG. 7
LOW
POSITION
ATTACHMENT LIFT
LEVER HIGH POSITION
"ENGAGED" POSITION
DEFLECTOR
SHIELD
ATTACHMENT
CLUTCH LEVER
"DISENGAGED"
POSITION
3/8 WASHER
3/8-16
LOCKNUT
GAUGE
WHEEL
MOUNTING
BRACKET
SHOULDER
BOLT
GAUGE WHEEL

TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 6)

Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly
off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in
operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in
proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain
conditions.
NOTE:Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a flat level
surface.
•Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See “TO AD-
JUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT” in the Operation
section of this manual).
•With mower in desired height of cut position, gauge
wheels should be assembled so they are slightly off the
ground. Install gauge wheel in appropriate hole with
shoulder bolt, 17/32 washer, 3/8 washer, and 3/8-16
locknut and tighten securely.
•Repeat for opposite side installing gauge wheel in same
adjustment hole.
CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield in place.
17/32 WASHER