11
Section 4
-IMPORTANT-
Start practice with a slow engine speed and slow
forward travel.
Do not push the steering control levers forward
when traveling forward. They are only used to
steer the mower and to travel in reverse by
pulling back on the levers.
Learn to operate the mower with the left hand
on the steering levers and the right hand on
speed control as shown in Figure 4-5. Using
both hands on the steering levers often causes
overcontrol.
Learn to feather the steering controls to obtain
a smooth operating action. Jerky movements
tend to place extreme force on the drive pumps
and axles, as well as damage the lawns.
Practice operating the mower until you can
make it go exactly where you are aiming.
In case of an emergency, such as loss of control,
stop the mower’s movement by quickly pulling
the speed control lever to the neutral position.
Figure 4-5 Hands On Controls
Forward Travel
-NOTE-
Use one hand on both steering levers as shown in
Figure 4-5 to minimize overcontrol.
To travel forward with the mower, move the speed control
lever forward. Do not push the steering control levers
forward as they are used only for steering the mower left
or right. When the speed control is moved forward, the
mower will travel forward at the speed the control lever is
set at. To increase the speed, push the control lever
forward and to decrease the speed, pull the control lever
back. It is not necessary to hold the speed control in
position, since a friction system holds the lever in
position.
To stop the forward travel, pull the speed control lever
back to the neutral position.
To steer the mower left while traveling forward, pull the
left steering lever back. The further the lever is pulled
back, the further the mower will turn left.
To steer the mower right while traveling forward, pull the
right steering control lever back. The further the lever is
pulled back, the further the mower will turn right.
-NOTE-
Smooth operation of the steering levers will
produce a smooth mower operation. While
learning the operation of the steering controls,
keep the travel speed low.
-IMPORTANT-
Do not travel forward over a curb. The mower
will hang up on the curb. Tilt the deck and
travel backwards over the curb at a 45 degree
angle. (see section 4.15 for cutter deck tilting
instructions)