SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER (NOT SHOWN)
The seat adjustment lever is located below the front/left of the seat.
The lever allows for adjustment of the fore to aft position of the
operator's seat. Refer to the Service and Maintenance section for
instructions on adjusting the seat position.
TRANSMISSION BYPASS RODS (NOT SHOWN)
The transmission bypass rods (one for each the RH and LH transmis-
sion) are located beneath the frame platform, just inside each rear
wheel. See Figure 1 on page 9.
When engaged, the two rods open a bypass within the hydrostatic
transmissions, which allows the riding mower to be pushed short
distances by hand. Refer to the Assembly section for instructions on
using the bypass feature.
CAUTION
Never tow your riding mower. Towing the riding mower with the rear
wheels on the ground may cause severe damage to the transmissions.
TRANSMISSION OIL EXPANSION RESERVOIR
(NOT SHOWN)
The transmission oil expansion reservoir is connected by hoses to
the RH and LH transmission assemblies, and is located beneath the
seat box. The function of the reservoir is to hold the natural expansion
of transmission oil that occurs as the transmission warms up during
operation. DO NOT FILL THE RESERVOIR.
Under normal operating conditions, no oil should be added to the
reservoir. The COLD oil level should be no higher than approximately
1⁄4" (the "Full Cold" mark) above the bottom of the reservoir. See
Figure 12.
Cold Oil Full Mark
NOTE: Prior to the initial operation of the riding mower, the oil level
in the reservoir may be slightly higher than the maximum due to air in
the oil lines. Operation of the riding mower will eventually purge the air
from the lines and the oil level will settle to the maximum.
OPERATION
Figure 12
General Safety
•
RECEIVE INSTRUCTION — Entirely read this operator's manual.
Learn to operate this machine SAFELY. Do not risk INJURY or
DEATH. Allow only those who have become competent in its
usage to operate this riding mower.
•
Before starting the engine or beginning operation, be familiar with
the controls. The operator should be in the operator's seat. The
PTO switch must be in the DISENGAGED position, the parking
brake ENGAGED, and the RH and LH drive control levers moved
to the neutral position.
•
Keep all shields in place. Keep away from moving parts.
•
NO RIDERS! Keep all people and pets a safe distance away.
Look behind and down to both sides of the riding mower before
and while backing up.
•
DO NOT direct the mower discharge at people. Never walk or
stand on the discharge side of the mower when the engine is
running. DISENGAGE the PTO if another person approaches
while you are operating the mower.
•
Avoid slopes where possible. Never operate on slopes greater than
15°. Slopes with a greater incline present dangerous operating
conditions. Riding mowers can be rolled over. Always mow across
slopes, never up and down the slope. Avoid turning downhill if pos-
sible, start at the bottom and work up to the top. Use extra care and
go slowly when turning downhill. Control the speed and direction of
the zero turn machine "primarily" with the speed/directional control
(lap bar) of the downhill side of the machine, i.e., maintain the uphill
side lap bar "essentially" in a fixed position.
•
Before leaving the operator's seat: DISENGAGE the PTO, move
the RH and LH drive control levers fully outward in the neutral
position, engage the parking brake
remove the ignition key. Wait for all movement to stop before
servicing or cleaning.
•
When operating this mower, in the forward direction, do not allow
the steering levers to return to neutral on their own. Operate the
drive control levers smoothly and avoid any sudden movements
of the levers when starting and stopping. Keep a firm grip on the
control levers.
•
Be careful when operating near gravel paths and roadways. Stop
the blades and riding mower motion and wait for vehicles to pass
before operating along the road.
•
Do not operate the riding mower with the mower deck removed.
Removal of the deck will change the balance of the riding mower,
and could contribute to a riding mower rollover.
•
Avoid operation on traction surfaces that are unstable; use
extreme caution if the surface is slippery. Always remove debris
and other objects from the area to be mowed - debris and loose
grass will reduce traction.
•
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
•
Watch for holes, sprinkler heads, and other hidden hazards.
•
Avoid driving too close to trees, creeks, ditches, sand traps, and
other obstacles.
14
, shut off the engine and