Yard-Man 53AA1A3G401 manual Driving On Slopes, Mowing, Pushing Your Unit, Quick Reference Chart

NOTE: The Z-Series speed is based on the position of the drive handles. Push the handles forward to increase speed and back toward neutral for slower speeds.

Driving On Slopes

Before operating the Z-Series on any slope:

•Use the SLOPE GAUGE to determine if the slope is safe for operation.

WARNING: Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). The tractor could overturn and cause serious injury.

•If safe for operation, walk the slope and look for hazards such as rocks, mounds, ruts, stumps, or other irregularities.

•After removing debris and identifying irregularities of the slope, back the Z-Series up the steepest slope you intend to work. If it cannot negotiate the slope in reverse, the slope is too steep.

Use the following guidelines when operating on a slope:

•Drive UP and DOWN slopes. Never drive across slopes.

•Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If you must turn, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly increases the chance of roll over.

•Avoid stopping when driving on a slope. If you must stop, start slowly and smoothly to reduce the chance of flipping the Z-Series over backwards.

Mowing

•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 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.

•Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if mulching or bagging.

•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, weeds, or extremely tall grass. Your Z-Series is designed to mow lawns, not clear brush.

•Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer to the MAINTENANCE section of the manual for proper blade sharpening instructions.

Pushing Your Unit

To push your unit you will have to first relieve the hydrostatic pumps.

WARNING: The hydraulic relief levers are near engine parts that can be hot. To avoid injury wait until engine parts have cooled before disengaging.

•Position the Z-Series on a flat and level surface and engage the parking brake.

•Remove the hydraulic relief levers from the lock position. There is a lever for the right and left hydraulic pump.

•Slide the levers into the slots to relieve the hydraulic pumps. See Figure 9.

•Disengage parking brake and push unit.

Relief
Lever
Lock Position
(Unit will
not roll)
Neutral Position
(Unit will roll)	Left Relief Lever Shown

Figure 9

Quick Reference Chart

The Z-Series can turn with a zero radius. The Z-Series uses the rear tires to turn. When turning with a zero radius, the rear tires are used as the pivot point. A conventional tractor can make a circle but it needs a turning radius, usually based on the distance between the front and rear wheels. With a shorter overall length and a zero turn radius, the Z-Series has an excellent maneuverability.

The Z-Series does not have a steering wheel, instead drive handles are used to steer and to move the unit. When the drive handles are in the full positions (pull or push), the wheels turn at full speed based on the throttle setting. Positions between neutral and full are proportional across the range based on the throttle setting. The quick reference chart indicates the direction the Z-Series will move based on the position of the drive handles. See Figure 10.

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