18
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.
•
Mow across slopes, not up and down. If mowing
a slope, start at bottom and work upward to
ensure turns are made uphill.
•
On the first pass pick a point on the opposite side
of the area to be mowed.
•
Lower the mower deck to the desired height
setting using the lift handle.
•
Engage the PTO clutch using the PTO switch and
move the throttle control to the fast position.
•
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
with adversely affect the cut quality. Control the
ground speed with the control levers.
•
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.
•
Align the mower with an edge of the mowed strip
and overlap approximately 3 inches.
•
Direct the tractor on each subsequent strip to
align with a previously cut strip.
•
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.
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 Cub Cadet
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:
•
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.
•
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.
•
Push the PTO switch downward to the disen-
gaged position and engage the parking brake.
Start the engine and move one of the drive con-
trol levers from the fully outward neutral position.
The engine should stop running. Repeat the pro-
cedure with the opposite control lever.
•
Move both control levers fully outward in the neu-
tral position and disengage the parking brake;
then lift upward from the operator’s seat. The
engine should stop.
•
With both control levers fully outward in the neu-
tral position and the parking brake engaged,
engage the PTO. Lift upward from the operator’s
seat; the engine should stop.
•
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 are moved to the neutral or for-
ward position.
