Cadet 1212, Operator'S Manual

14

•

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

•

Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is 
necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up 
smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility of 
flipping the tractor over backward.

Setting the Cruise Control

NOTE: 

The cruise control feature should only be

utilized while traveling in the forward direction.

•

Place the shift lever in the FORWARD position, 
then slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired 
speed is achieved.

•

Lightly depress the cruise control button.

•

While continuing to hold the cruise button in, lift 
your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the 
cruise latch engage).

•

Once engaged, the cruise control button and the 
drive pedal will lock in the “down” position, and the 
tractor will maintain the same forward speed.

NOTE: 

 Cruise control can not be engaged at the

tractor’s fastest ground speed. If the operator should
attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically
decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed.

Disengage the cruise control using one of the following 
methods: 

•

Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise 
control and stop the tractor.

•

Lightly depress the drive pedal.

To change to the reverse direction when operating with 
cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage 
the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete 
stop. Then place the shift lever in the REVERSE 
position and depress the drive pedal.

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.

Engaging the PTO

Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck 
or other (separately available) attachments. To engage 
the PTO, proceed as follows:

•

Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) 
position.

•

Pull the PTO knob outward into the engaged (ON) 
position. See Figure 8.

Figure 8

•

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 electric PTO clutch will automatically 

shut off if the PTO is engaged with the shift lever in 
position for reverse travel. Refer to 

Safety Interlock 

Switches

 on page 12.

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.

This tractor is equipped with one of 

Cub Cadet’

s high 

quality cutting decks. 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.

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