Models with Manual PTO
•Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
Models with Electric PTO
•Pull the PTO (Blade Engage) knob outward into the engaged (ON) position. See Figure 12.
Front View Pull Out | Push In |
OFF
ON
Figure 12
•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.
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 application. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this section.
Mowing
WARNING: To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck with your tractor.
WARNING: Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
•Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
•For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction
to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the lawn.
•Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
•Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle.
•Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back over the cut area a second time to get a clean cut.
•Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
•Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer to Cutting Blades of this manual for proper blade sharpening instructions.
Mulching
Tractors come equipped with a mulch kit which incorporates special blades, already standard on your tractor, in a process of recirculating grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck. The
•Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the total height of the grass or approximately
•Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass clippings more time to effectively be mulched.
•Always position the throttle control lever in the FAST (rabbit) position and allow it to remain there while mowing. Failing to keep the engine at full throttle places strain on the tractor’s engine and does not allow the blades to properly mulch grass.
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the discharge chute to operate the mower with the mulch kit installed.
NOTE: The mulch kit is installed on models equipped with a
To operate the cutting deck without mulching, simply remove the mulch plug by unthreading the plastic wing nut and removing the cupped washer, which fastens it to the cutting deck. This will allow the clippings to discharge out the side.
Headlights
On some models, the lamps are ON whenever the tractor’s engine is running. On other models, the lamps are ON whenever the ignition key is moved out of the STOP position.
On all models, the lamps turn OFF when the ignition key is moved to the STOP position.
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