Simplicity 2690716, 2690770 Driving Practice, Smooth Travel, Forward Travel Practice

DRIVING PRACTICE -

BASIC DRIVING

WARNING: Never operate on slopes greater than 17.6% (10°). See SLOPE OPERATION in the safety section. Zero turn riders operate differently from other four- wheeled vehicles. The drive wheels are also your steering wheels. If you cannot drive the unit on a hill, you will not be able to steer the unit on it. Operating zero turn units on slopes requires extra caution.

The lever controls of the zero turn rider are very responsive, and learning to gain a smooth and efficient control of the rider’s forward, reverse, and turning movements will take some practice.

Spend some time going through the following maneuvers and becoming familiar with how the unit accelerates, travels, and steers — before you begin mowing —is absolutely essential to getting the most out of the zero turn rider.

Avoid turf damage! To avoid turf damage, keep both drive wheels moving while executing turns. Pivoting on one wheel, or dragging a wheel through a turn will damage your lawn.

Locate a smooth, flat area of your lawn — one with plenty of room to maneuver. (Clear the area of objects, people and animals before you begin.) Operate the unit at mid-throttle during this practice session (ALWAYS operate at full throttle when mowing), and turn slowly to prevent tire slippage and damage to your lawn.

We suggest you begin with the Smooth Travel procedure to the right, and then advance through the forward, reverse, and turning maneuvers.

WARNING

Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while traveling in reverse.

Smooth Travel

The lever controls of the zero turn rider are highly responsive.

The BEST method of handling the ground speed control levers is in three steps — as shown in Figure 4.

FIRST place your hands onto the levers as shown.

SECOND, to go forward gradually push the levers forward with your palms.

THIRD, to speed up move the levers farther forward. To slow down smoothly, slowly move the levers back toward neutral.

Figure 4. Move Control

Levers Gradually

Forward Travel Practice

Gradually move both ground speed control levers evenly FORWARD from neutral. Slow down and repeat.

Reverse Travel Practice

LOOK DOWN & BEHIND, then gradually move both ground speed control levers evenly BACK from neutral. Slow down and repeat.

NOTE: Practice backing up for several minutes before attempting to do so near objects. The rider turns as sharply in reverse as when going forward, and backing up straight takes practice.

Forward Travel Reverse Travel

Figure 5. Forward Travel Figure 6. Reverse Travel

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