Section 4
4.5 GROUND TRAVEL AND STEERING
If you are not familiar with the operation of a machine with lever steering and/or hydrostatic transmissions, the steering and ground speed operations should be learned and practiced in an open area, away from buildings, fences, or obstructions. Practice until you are comfortable with the handling of the machine before attempting to mow. Learn the operation on flat ground before operating on slopes.
Start practicing with a slow engine speed and slow forward travel.
Learn to feather the steering controls to obtain a smooth operating action.
Practice operating the mower until you are comfortable with the controls before proceeding to mow.
Forward Travel
To travel forward with the mower, place one hand on the steering control, disengage the parking brake and push down and forward on the speed control lever to set the desired speed. Once the desired forward speed is selected with the speed control lever, slowly push downward on the steering control to start forward movement. The further the speed control lever is moved forward and the steering control is pushed downward, the greater the forward speed will be. To decrease the speed, pull upward on the steering control or pull back on the speed control lever to set the desired speed. See Figure
To stop the forward travel completely, pull the speed control lever back to the neutral position.
To steer the mower to the left while traveling forward, move the steering control to the right. The further the steering control is moved, the quicker the mower will turn left. See Figure
To steer the mower to the right while traveling forward, move the steering control to the left. The further the steering control is moved, the quicker the mower will turn right. See Figure
Smooth operation of the steering control lever will produce smooth mower operation. While learning the operation of the steering controls, keep the travel speed low.
Reverse Travel
To travel in reverse, pull upward on the steering control. Keep the travel speed low while traveling in reverse.
The mower may not travel straight in reverse. Slight adjustments may need to be made using the steering controls.
To steer left while traveling in reverse, move the steering control to the left. The further the control is moved, the quicker the mower will turn left.
To steer right while traveling in reverse, move the steering control to the right. The further the control is moved, the quicker the mower will turn right.
To stop the reverse travel, allow the steering control to return to the neutral position. If the mower is to be parked, engage the parking brake.
FORWARD SPEED
CONTROL
PULL UP
FOR REVERSE 
NEUTRAL 
PUSH DOWN
FOR FORWARD
Figure
13
