9 WARNING Never drive straight onto or off a curb.
speed. Release the parking brake. The higher
engine speed will make the controls much more
responsive and the mower much quicker; Use
caution if it is your first time. Now try moving the
hand control levers, one at a time, very slightly,
forward and backward. Gradually increase your
speed until you are well acquainted with the
operation of the hand controls and the mower’s
behavior. After gaining a good feel for how the
mower handles, gradually attempt higher engine
speeds until familiar with operation at full throttle
engine speed.
How to Stop and Park the Mower
Come to a complete stop. If the blades are on,
turn them off using the switch on the instrument
panel. Make sure the control levers are in the
exact neutral position. Set the parking brake,
reduce the engine speed to idle, shut off the
ignition switch to stop the engine and then
remove the key from the ignition switch. The
mower is now parked. Do not leave mower
unattended on a sloped surface.
Driving the Mower Over a Curb
To climb a curb, first see the Safety Instructions
section of this manual, especially the parts on:
• Initial Operating Safety Guidelines
• Operation In Reverse
• Operation In Forward Direction
Next, raise the mower deck into the highest
position for. Then drive the mower in reverse at
a 45 degree angle to the curb (with the left side
of the mower closest to the curb) until you are
within an inch or two of the left-rear tire hitting
the curb. Stop and then gradually bump into the
curb with that tire until it is just on top of the
curb. If the tire slips even while lurching the
mower into the curb, then the curb is too high
and you should use ramps or find another way.
The mower should still be at a 45 degree angle
to the curb. Now, while maintaining the same
angle to the curb, continue to back up until the
right-rear tire is close to the curb. Using the
same technique lurch the right tire onto the curb.
After both wheels are on top of the curb, turn the
mower counterclockwise and back up so the left
caster wheel comes over and last should be he
right caster wheel as the mower is twisting to the
left (counterclockwise). The technique works
the best if you try not to drive backwards at a
near 90 degree angle to the curb but get all of
the wheels to go over while the mower is moving
at least a 45 degree angle to the curb. To drive
off a curb, first try driving up onto it to make sure
the curb is not too high. If the curb is not too
high, drive the right-front caster off first while
driving toward the curb at a 45 degree angle (the
curb should be to your right). Then, maintain
that 45 degree angle so the left caster goes
over, then the right-rear wheel, then the left rear
wheel. Do NOT step off the mower during ANY
maneuver.
Never drive straight onto or off a curb. If you do
the whole procedure at a very sharp angle it will
tend to minimize the contact of the mower deck
with the curb and you will be able to more safely
control the mower.
Mowing on Varying Terrain
See the Safety Instructions section of this
manual, especially the parts on:
• Initial Operating Safety Guidelines
• Operation On Slopes
• Operation In Reverse
• Operation In Forward Direction
• Operation During Zero-Radius Turns
How to Adjust Neutral
Neutral refers to the mower movement when the
engine is set to full throttle, parking brake is off,
and the control levers are in the neutral position.
The mower should not move forward or
backward during this time. If the mower is
moving forward or rearward, the neutral setting
must be adjusted. The hydraulic pump has a
Return-to-Neutral (RTN) device built into the
linkage of the pump. Before adjusting neutral, it
is necessary to lift the rear drive wheels off the
ground using a jack and stands. To make the
adjustment, loosen the ¼” Allen bolt and rotate
the RTN device on the pump corresponding to
the wheel that needs adjustment. If the right
wheel turns in the neutral position, then the right
pump RTN needs to be adjusted. The RTN
mechanism should be rotated until the neutral
position is found and then retighten the ¼” allen
bolt. Use care not to over tighten the allen bolt.
Repeat the procedure on the other pump if
necessary.