Using the Mower Deck

Warning! Make certain the area to be mowed is free of debris, sticks, stones, wire or other objects that can be thrown by the rotating blades.

NOTE: Do not engage the mower deck when lowered in grass. Premature wear and possible failure of the ‘V” belt and PTO clutch will result. Fully raise the deck or move to a non grassy area before engaging the mower deck.

1.Mow across slopes, not up and down. If mowing a slope, start at bottom and work upward to ensure turns are made uphill.

2.On the first pass pick a point on the opposite side of the area to be mowed.

3.Engage the PTO clutch using the PTO switch and move the throttle/choke control to the fast position.

4.Lower the mower deck to the desired height setting using the lift handle.

5.Slowly and evenly push the RH and LH drive control levers forward to move the tractor forward, and keep the tractor headed directly toward the alignment point.

NOTE: The speed of the tractor will affect the quality of the mower cut. Mowing at full speed will adversely affect the cut quality. Control the ground speed with the control levers.

6.When approaching the other end of the strip, slow down or stop before turning. A U-turn is recommended unless a pivot or zero turn is required.

7.Align the mower with an edge of the mowed strip and overlap approximately 3”.

8.Direct the tractor on each subsequent strip to align with a previously cut strip.

9.To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf, if possible, change the direction that the strips are mowed by approximately 45° for the next and each subsequent mowing.

WARNING! Be careful when crossing gravel paths or driveways. Disengage the PTO and raise the deck to the highest position before crossing.

NOTE: When stopping the tractor for any reason while on a grass surface, always:

•Place the shift lever in neutral,

•Engage the parking brake,

•Shut engine off and remove the key.

•Doing so will minimize the possibility of having your lawn

‘‘browned’’ by hot exhaust from your tractor’s running engine.

Checking the Safety Interlock Circuits

Periodically check the safety interlock circuits to ensure they are working properly. If a safety circuit is not working as designed, contact you Troy-Bilt dealer to have the tractor inspected. DO NOT operate the tractor if any safety circuit is not functioning properly. To check the safety circuits, proceed as follows:

1.Sitting in the tractor seat with both drive control levers opened fully outward, disengage the parking brake and momentarily turn the ignition switch to the start position. The engine should not crank.

2.Engage the parking brake and pull the PTO switch upward to the engaged position. Momentarily turn the ignition switch to the start position; the engine should not crank.

3.Push the PTO switch downward to the disengaged position and engage the parking brake. Start the engine and move one of the drive control levers from the fully outward neutral position. The engine should stop running. Repeat the procedure with the opposite control lever.

4.Move both control levers fully outward in the neutral position and disengage the parking brake; then lift upward from the operator’s seat. The engine should stop.

5.With both control levers fully outward in the neutral position and the parking brake engaged, engage the PTO. Lift upward from the operator’s seat; the engine should stop.

6.Start the tractor, disengage the parking brake, and move the control levers inward to the neutral operating position.

Engage the PTO and move both control lever slowly into the slow reverse position; the PTO should disengage and the mower deck should stop until one or both of the control levers is moved to the neutral or forward position.

Section 5 — Operation

 

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