Operating Instructions
38
Keep Feet on
Footrest when
Moving
Pull Steering
Levers with
Left Hand
Forward Speed Control
(FSC)
Correct Operator Hand Position
on the Controls
3. Reverse direction of the mower by pulling both
levers backward.
NOTE:
Smooth action on the steering levers will
produce smooth mower operation. Remem ber
to keep the engine and ground speed slow until
learning the control response.
WARNING
When moving forward, DO NOT suddenly
put the tractor in reverse by rapidly pull-
ing on the steering levers, especially
when going downhill, as this can lift the
tractor tail wheel off the ground and set
up a bucking motion due to operator over-
control. If bucking does occur, immedi-
ately stop the bucking action by pulling
the Forward Speed Control (FSC) lever
into the NEUTRAL-PARK position.
4. The FSC may be adjusted forward for faster
ground speed and backward for slower ground
speed. When mowing, ground speed should be
adjusted to match the load on the cutter blades,
i.e., as the engine pulls down in heavy cutting,
pull back on the FSC lever to reduce ground
speed. Adjusting ground speed helps maintain
a balance between engine power and blade
speed for highquality cutting action.
5. Stop ground travel by pulling both steering le
vers backward to the
NEUTRAL
position (trac
tor not moving) and then moving the FSC lever
to the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position.
NOTE:
If the tractor creeps forward or back ward
with the FSC lever in the
NEUTRAL-PARK
posi
tion, the transmission control needs to be ad
justed. Refer to
ADJUSTMENTS
for
Step 3 -
Neutral Function Adjustment
in the
Maintenance
Instructions.
ENGAGING THE BLADE DRIVE
1. Set the engine throttle at about 1/3 speed.
DO
NOT attempt to engage the blade clutch at
high engine speeds.
This will drastically short
en drive belt life. Use only moderate engine
speed when engaging the blade clutch.
2. Engage the blade clutch by moving the blade
clutch lever forward
SLOWLY.
For disengage
ment, move the blade clutch lever backward
SLOWLY.
CAUTION
An operator presence switch (seat switch)
will cause the engine to stop if the blade
clutch is engaged and the operator is not
in the seat. The function of this switch
should be checked by the op erator raising
off the seat and engaging the blade clutch;
the engine should stop. If the switch is not
working, it should be repaired or replaced
before operating the mower. DO NOT
disconnect the safety switches; they are
for the operator’s protection.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT
engage the blade clutch
when transporting the mower across drives, side
walks, loose materials, etc.
DO NOT engage the
blade clutch with the PTO shaft disconnected
(the mower deck removed from tractor).