13
OPERATION
00155
The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result
in severe eye dam age. Always wear safety glass es or eye shields while operating your trac-
tor or per form ing any adjustments or repairs. We rec om mend a wide vision safety mask over
spectacles or stan dard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 10)
Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sens-
ing switch. When engine is running, any attempt by the
op er a tor to leave the seat without fi rst setting the parking
brake will shut off the engine.
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full “BRAKE” position
and hold.
• Place parking brake lever in “ENGAGED” position and
re lease pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should
re main in “BRAKE” position. Make sure parking brake
will hold tractor secure.
02921
PARKING BRAKE
"ENGAGED"
POSITION
MOTION
CONTROL
LEVER
THROTTLE/CHOKE
CONTROL LEVER
IGNITION
KEY
"BRAKE"
POSITION
CLUTCH/BRAKE
PEDAL "DRIVE"
POSITION
PARKING BRAKE
"DISENGAGED" POSITION
FIG. 10
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
(See Fig. 10)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
motion control lever.
• Start tractor with motion control lever in neutral (N)
position.
• Release parking brake.
• Slowly move motion control lever to desired position.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 10)
Always operate engine at full speed (fast).
• Operating engine at less than full speed (fast) reduces
the engine's operating effi ciency.
• Full speed (fast) of fers the best mower per for mance.
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 10)
The cutting height is controlled by turning the height ad-
just ment knob in desired direction.
• Turn knob clockwise (
) to raise cutting height.
• Turn knob counterclockwise (
) to lower cutting
height.
The cutting height range is approximately 1-1/2" to 4". The
heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip with
the engine not running. These heights are ap proxi mate and
may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass
and types of grass being mowed.
• The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1/2
inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches
during hot months. For healthier and better looking
lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.
• For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches
in height should be mowed twice. Make the fi rst cut
relatively high; the second to desired height.
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
LEVER "ENGAGED"
POSITION
"DIS EN GAGED"
POSITION
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 11)
Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly
off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height
in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck
in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain
conditions.
NOTE:
Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a fl at level
surface.
STOPPING (See Fig. 10
)
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades,move attachment clutch lever
to “DIS EN GAGED” po si tion.
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground drive, depress clutch/brake pedal into
full “BRAKE” position.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position.
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control to slow po si tion.
NOTE:
Failure to move throttle control to slow position and
allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine
to “back fi re”.
• Turn ignition key to “
STOP
” position and remove key.
Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent
un author ized use.
• Never use choke to stop engine.
IMPORTANT:
LEAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ANY
POSITION OTHER THAN "STOP" WILL CAUSE THE BATTERY
TO BE DIS CHARGED, (DEAD).
NOTE:
Under certain conditions when tractor is standing
idle with the engine running, hot en gine exhaust gases may
cause “browning” of grass. To eliminate this possibility, al-
ways stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.
CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
plete ly, as described above, before leav-
ing the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
