Operating - Mower

Check Ground Conditions

· Clear mowing area of objects that might be thrown. Keep people and pets out of mowing area.

· Study mowing area. Set up safe mowing pattern. Do not mow under conditions where traction or stability is doubtful.

· First, test drive area with PTO OFF and mower lowered. Slow down when you travel over rough ground.

Avoid Injury From Contacting Blades

Before you dismount to unplug or adjust mower:

· STOP the engine.

· LOCK the park brake.

· DISENGAGE PTO to stop mower blades.

· Remove key.

· Wait for mower blades to STOP.

· Keep hands, feet and clothing away from mower deck when engine is running.

· DISENGAGE PTO to stop mower blades when you are not using mower.

Adjusting The Cutting Height And Gauge Wheel

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you adjust the mower, STOP the engine. LOCK the park brake.

NOTE: The pointer (A) does not show the cutting height on the decal (B). The numbers 1-4 are for reference only.

M73373

1. Turn the crank (C) to put the mower at the desired cutting height-from 25-100 mm (1-4 in). One turn of the crank will raise or lower the mower approximately 6 mm (1/4 in). Leave the crank at the bottom of a turn.

2. Cut a short strip of grass. For best results, measure the height of the grass at several places in the strip.

3. When the mower is set at the desired cutting height, note the pointer number on the decal. Use this number as a reference to set the cutting height in the future.

M73381

4. Remove the ring (D) and drilled pin (E) from the wheel arm.

5. Adjust the wheel height:

· For normal operation: Adjust the wheel to 6 mm (1/4 in.) above the ground.

· For rough or uneven ground: If scalping is a problem, try running the wheel on the ground.

6. Install the drilled pin and the ring.

Checking Blade Stop Time

M56998

To check blade stop time:

1. Run engine at HALF-THROTTLE (A).

2. ENGAGE PTO:

· Pull up knob (B).

3. Move throttle lever to FAST (r) position.

4. Push PTO knob down to OFF and begin timing.

5. Watch mower drive belt. Note time when belt stops to get blade stop time.

6. If belt stop time is more than 6 seconds, adjust PTO clutch.

Leveling The Mower Side-To-Side

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you adjust the mower: · STOP the engine. · LOCK the park brake.

1. Park the Front Mower on a hard, level surface.

2. Check the tire pressure:

· Front Mower drive tires: 60 kPa (8 psi)

· Front Mower rear tires: 100 kPa (15 psi)

· Mower tires: 310 kPa (45 psi)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The blades may have sharp edges. Wear heavy gloves or use a rag to protect your hands.

3. Use the crank to put the mower at the desired cutting height.

4. Turn the blades sideways.

NOTE: Use a short ruler or leveling gauge (B) for measuring.

M62304

5. Lift the mower chute. Measure from the right blade tip to the floor: Dimension (A).

6. Measure from the left blade tip to the floor: Dimension (A).

7. Dimension (A) must be same on each side in). If not, adjust the level.

Adjusting Mower Level

M73387

To adjust the level:

1. Raise and block one side of the mower-about 150 mm (6 in).

2. Remove the snap ring (A).

3. Remove the wheel from the mower.

4. Put the top washer(s) (B) in the bottom position (C) to raise one side of the mower, OR put the bottom washer(s) in the top position to lower the mower. Keep the thin thrust washer between washer(s) (C) and the bottom bushing.

5. Install the snap ring.

Leveling The Mower Front-To-Rear

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you adjust the mower: · STOP the engine. · LOCK the park brake.

1. Park the Front Mower on a hard, level surface.

2. Check the tire pressure:

· Front Mower drive tires: 60 kPa (8 psi)

· Front Mower rear tires: 100 kPa (15 psi)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The blades may have sharp edges. Wear heavy gloves or use a rag to protect your hands.

· Mower tires: 310 kPa (45 psi)

M40137

3. Turn the right blade to point straight ahead.

4. Measure from the right, front blade tip to the floor: Dimension (A).

5. Turn the right blade 180 degrees. Measure from the right, rear blade tip to the floor.

6. Dimension (A) at the rear of the blade should be 3-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in.) more than Dimension (A) at the front of the blade. If not, adjust the level.

Adjusting Mower Level Front-To-Rear

M73442

1. Loosen the nut (A).

2. Turn the turnbuckle (B) to raise or lower the rear of the mower.

3. When the adjustment is correct, tighten the nut (A).

4. Repeat Steps 3-9 on the left side of the mower.

Engaging And Disengaging The Mower

M56998

To ENGAGE the mower:

· Put the throttle lever (A) in the ONE-HALF speed position.

· Pull the PTO knob (B) up to the ON position.

To DISENGAGE the mower:

· Push the knob (B) down.

Using The Differential Lock Pedal

Push the pedal down to help improve traction on slopes and in slippery places.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not LOCK the differential at high speed or turn the Front Mower when the differential is LOCKED.

M73384

To LOCK the differential:

· Push the pedal down.

· The differential will stay LOCKED as long as you hold the pedal down OR as long as the wheel slip is unequal.

To UNLOCK the differential: RELEASE the pedal.

Using The Weight Transfer Control

M73396

Use the weight transfer control (A) to help improve traction.

NOTE: When you transfer some of the mower weight to the drive wheels, the mower will not follow the ground contour as well.

To help transfer some of the mower weight to the drive wheels:

· Check the position of the notch (B) with the plus (+) and minus (-) signs on the base.

· Turn the knob clockwise toward the plus (+) sign to help add weight to the drive wheels.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not lift the mower on a slope or at fast speed. This could cause the Front Mower to become unstable.

· Turn the knob counterclockwise toward the minus (-) sign to transfer less weight to the drive wheels.

To LIFT the mower when you come to an obstacle:

· PULL THE KNOB UP: The mower will stay UP as long as you hold the knob up.

· RELEASE THE KNOB: The knob and the mower will go back down.