Poulan Pro 438511, Operator'S Manual

11

TO OPERATE ON HILLS 

WARNING:  Do not drive up or down 

hills with slopes great er than 15° and 

do not drive across any slope.

• 

Choose the slowest speed  before starting up or down 

hills.

•  Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
•  If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to 

slower position.

•  If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake 

pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking 

brake.

•  Move gearshift  lever to 1st gear.  Be sure you have 

allowed room for tractor to roll slightly as you restart 

movement.

• 

To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and 

clutch/brake pedal.

•  Make all turns slowly.

OPERATION

Fig. 7

AT TACH MENT 

CLUTCH LEVER

"DISENGAGED" 

PO SI TION

ATTACHMENT

LIFT LEVER

HIGH PO SI TION

"ENGAGED" POSITION

LOW

POSITION

DEFLECTOR 

SHIELD

REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS)

Your tractor is equipped with a Reverse Operation System 

(ROS). Any attempt by the operator to travel in the reverse 

direction with the attachment clutch engaged will shut off 

the engine unless ignition key is placed in the ROS "ON" 

position.

 WARNING:

  Backing up with the attachment clutch en-

gaged while mowing is strongly discouraged. Turning the 

ROS "ON", to allow reverse operation with the attachment 

clutch engaged, should only be done when the operator 

decides it is necessary to reposition the machine with the 

attachment engaged. 

Do not mow in reverse unless 

absolutely necessary

.

USING THE REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (See Fig.6)
Only use if you are certain no children or other bystanders 

will enter the mowing area.
• 

Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way down and hold.

• 

With engine running, turn ignition key counterclockwise 

to ROS "ON" position.

•  Look down and behind before backing.
• 

Move gear shift lever to reverse (R) po si tion and slowly 

release clutch/brake pedal to start movement.

•  When use of the ROS is no longer needed, turn the 

ignition key clockwise to engine "ON" position.

ROS "ON" 

POSITION

ENGINE "ON" POSITION

(NORMAL OPERATING)

02828

Fig. 6

TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 7)

Your tractor  is equipped with an operator presence sens-

ing switch.  Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat 

with the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged 

will shut off the engine. You must remain fully and centrally 

positioned in the seat to prevent the engine from hesitating 

or cutting off when operating your equipment on rough, 

rolling terrain or hills.
•  Select desired height of cut.
•  Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch 

control.

TO STOP MOWER BLADES (See Fig. 7)

Disengage attachment clutch con trol.

CAUTION: Do not operate the mower without 

either the en tire grass catcher, on mowers so 

equipped, or the deflector shield in place.

TO TRANSPORT

• 

Raise attachment lift to highest position with at tach ment 

lift control. 

• 

When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift 

lever is in neutral (N) position.

•  Do not push or tow tractor at more than five (5) MPH.

NOTE

:  To protect hood from damage when transporting 

your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed 

and secured to tractor.  Use an appropriate means of tying 

hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER AT TACH MENTS

Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and 

comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your trac-

tor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, 

while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with 

the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor.