WARNING
AVOID SERIOUS INJURY ORDEATH
• GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES,
NOT ACROSS.
• AVOID SUDDEN TURNS.
• DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE
IT COULD SLIP OR TIR
• IF MACHINE
STOPS GOING UPHILL,
STOP BLADE(S)
AND BACK
DOWNHILL
SLOWLY.
• DO NOT MOW WHEN CHILDREN
OR OTHERS ARE AROUND.
• NEVER CARRY CHILDREN,
EVEN WITH BLADES OFR
• LOOK DOWN AND BEHIND BEFORE
AND WHILE BACKING.
• KEEP SAFETY DEVICES
(GUARDS,
SHIELDS, AND SWITCHES)
IN
PLACE AND WORKING.
• REMOVE OBJECTS
THAT COULD BE THROWN BY THE BLADE(S).
• KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTION
OF ALL CONTROLS.
• BE SURE BLADE(S)
AND ENGINE ARE STOPPED
BEFORE
PLAC-
ING HANDS OR FEET NEAR BLADE(S).
• BEFORE
LEAVING
OPERATOR'S
POSITION,
DISENGAGE
BLADE(S),
PLACE
THE
SHIFT
LEVER
IN NEUTRAL,
ENGAGE
BRAKE LOCK, SHUT ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE KEY.
READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL
SettingtheCutting Height
Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing
the deck lift lever in any of the five different cutting
height notches on the right side of the fender. Then
adjust the deck wheels, if so equipped, so that they are
between 1A-inch and _/2-inchabove the ground when the
tractor is on a smooth, flat surface such as a driveway.
_,
ARNING:
Keep hands and feet away
from the discharge
opening
of the cutting
deck.
NOTE:
On models so equipped, the deck wheels are
an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed
to support the weight of the cutting deck.
Refer to LevelingtheDeckon page 18 of this manual for
more detailed instructions regarding various deck
adjustments.
Starting the Engine
WARNING:
Do not operate the tractor if the
interlock
system
is
malfunctioning.
This
system
was designed
for your safety and
protection.
NOTE:
Refer to the TRACTOR SET-UPon page 8 of this
manual for Gasoline and Oil till-up instructions.
•
Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
•
Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the
disengaged (OFF) position.
•
Engage the tractor's parking brake.
•
Activate the choke control.
•
Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START
position. After the engine starts, release the key. It
will return to the ON position.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT hold the key in the START
position for longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so
may cause damage to your engine's electric starter.
•
After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control
and place the throttle control in the FAST position.
NOTE:
Do NOT leave
the throttle control
in the
CHOKE position while operating the tractor. Doing so
will result in a "rich" fuel mixture and cause the engine
to run poorly.
Stopping theEngine
_.
WARNING:
If you strike a foreign object,
stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug
wire(s)
and
ground
against
the
engine.
Thoroughly
inspect
the
machine
for any
damage. Repair the damage before restarting
and operating
•
If the blades are engaged, place the PTO (Blade
Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position.
•
Turn the ignition key counterclockwise
to the OFF
position.
•
Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent
unintended starting.
DrivingTheTractor
WARNING:
Avoid
sudden
starts,
ex-
cessive speed and sudden stops.
WARNING:
Do not leave the seat of the
tractor without first placing the PTO (Blade
Engage)
lever
in the
disengaged
(OFF)
position,
depressing
the brake
pedal and
engaging the parking brake. If leaving the
tractor unattended, also turn the ignition key
off and remove the key.
WARNING:
Always look down and behind
before and while backing up to avoid a back-
over accident.
•
Depress the brake pedal to release the parking
brake and let the pedal up.
•
Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit)
position.
•
Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or
REVERSE position.
IMPORTANT:Do NOT use the shift lever to change the
direction of travel when the tractor is in motion. Always
use the brake pedal to bring the tractor to a complete
stop before shifting.
•
Release the parking brake by depressing the
clutch-brake pedal and positioning the speed
control lever in desired position.
15