Troy-Bilt Wide-Cut 34342, Owner'S Manual

9

IMPORTANT: 

THE MOWER IS

EQUIPPED WITH A BLADE-BRAKE-
CLUTCH CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH IS
DESIGNED TO STOP THE MOWER
BLADES WITHIN THREE (3) SECONDS
AFTER RELEASE OF THE OPERATOR
PRESENCE CONTROL.  THIS SYSTEM
WILL STOP THE BLADES BUT NOT THE
ENGINE. THEREFORE, YOU CAN DISEN-
GAGE THE BLADE DRIVE AT ANYTIME
WITHOUT HAVING TO STOP AND
RESTART THE ENGINE.  THIS FEATURE
IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL WHEN YOU
NEED TO CROSS GRAVEL DRIVES OR
ROUGH TERRAIN AND YOU DO NOT
WANT THE SPINNING BLADES 
TO STRIKE STONES OR HIDDEN 
OBSTACLES.

MOWER FEATURES AND
CONTROLS

This section describes the various

features and controls on the unit. Refer
to the next section “Operation” for 
detailed operating instructions.  Also,
read the separate Engine Owner’s
Manual for a detailed explanation of the
proper use of the engine controls.

Operator Presence Control 

The Operator Presence Control lever

(A, Figure 3-1) regulates the operation of
the rear wheel brake and the separate
Blade Drive Control.  Always engage this
control before engaging the separate
blade drive or wheel drive controls.
Always disengage this control before
starting the engine. 

To engage the Operator Presence

Control, press and hold the lever against
the handlebar grip.  Doing so releases
the brake on the rear wheels, allowing
the wheels to turn. The engaged position
also permits the separate Blade Drive
Control to lock in its engaged position
(allows the mower blades to turn).  

Releasing the lever (disengaged 

position) applies the rear wheel brake
and quickly stops the wheels. Releasing 

the lever will also disengage the Blade
Drive Control, which will apply a brake
that stops the blades within three (3)
seconds.  

Blade Drive Control

Use this lever (B, Figure 3-1) to en-

gage drive to the mower blades.  

To engage the blades, first engage the

Operator Presence Control (A, Figure 3-
1).  Then, push the spring-loaded Blade
Drive Control lever (B) forward until it
stays in the engaged position.  

To stop the blades, release the

Operator Presence Control (A).  Doing so
will disengage the Blade Drive Control
(B) and automatically apply the brake
that stops the blades. 

Always disengage the Blade Drive

Control before starting the engine.  This
helps to ensure that the blades will not
start turning when the engine starts.

NOTE: Pushing the Blade Drive Control
forward will engage the blades even
though the Operator Presence Control is
not engaged. However, this procedure is
NOT RECOMMENDED as you must main-
tain constant pressure on the lever (re-
leasing lever disengages blades). Always
engage the Operator Presence Control
before engaging the Blade Drive Control.

Before operating mower, be sure to
read all safety, controls and operating
instructions in this Manual and on 
decals located on machine.

Severe personal injury or property
damage could result if this instruction
is not followed.

WARNING

The blade-brake-clutch control system
should stop the mower blades within
three (3) seconds after release of the
Operator Presence Control. 

If the blades do not stop within three
(3) seconds, put the Engine Throttle
Control in the STOP position.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and do
not operate the mower until the blade-
brake-clutch control system has been
repaired.

WARNING

B – BLADE 

DRIVE CONTROL

A – OPERATOR 

PRESENCE CONTROL

C – GEAR 

SELECT LEVER

Disengage

Disengage

Engage

Engage

Figure 3-1

Features and Controls

3

Section