Seat Adjustment Lever
To adjust the seat forward or backward, slide the seat adjustment lever to the left and reposition the seat to the desired position. Once a comfortable position is found, release the seat adjustment lever to lock the seat in place. Refer to Seat Adjustment on page 17 of this manual for more detailed instructions.
Deck Lift Lever
Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use, move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best suited for your application.
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR
WARNING
WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection.
AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
• GO UP AND DOWN SLOPES, NOT ACROSS.
• AVOID SUDDEN TURNS.
• DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WHERE IT COULD SLIP OR TIP.
• 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 OFF.
• 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), ENGAGE BRAKE LOCK, SHUT ENGINE OFF AND
REMOVE KEY.
READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL
WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating.
Safety Interlock Switches
This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of the operator. If the interlock system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor.
Contact a Cub Cadet dealer.
The safety interlock system prevents the engine from cranking or starting unless the parking brake is engaged, and the PTO knob is in the disengaged (OFF) position.
• The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake.
• The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the tractor’s seat with the PTO knob in the engaged (ON) position, regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged.
• The electric PTO clutch will automatically shut off if the drive pedal is depressed for reverse travel. The
PTO knob must be moved into the disengaged
(OFF) position prior to re-engaging the PTO.
Setting the Gauge Wheels
Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the six different cutting height notches on the right fender.
To adjust the deck wheels so that they are between ¼inch and ½-inch above the ground as follows.
WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck.
NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight of the cutting deck.
Place the tractor on a firm and level surface, preferably pavement, refer to Figure 7, and proceed as follows:
• Place the tractor’s deck lift handle in the normally desired mowing height setting, then check the gauge wheels for contact or excessive clearance with the surface below.
• If the wheels contact the surface adjust as follows: a. Raise the deck lift handle to its highest setting.
b. Remove the rear gauge wheels by removing the lock nuts and shoulder screws that secure them to the deck. c.
Remove the lock nuts and shoulder screws, that secure the front gauge wheels to the deck.
d. Place the deck lift handle in the desired mowing height setting.
e. Insert the shoulder screw with the rear gauge wheel into the index hole that leaves approximately 1/2" between the bottom of the wheel and the pavement.
f.
Note the position of the index hole used; then install the other rear gauge wheel and the front ball wheels into the corresponding index hole of the other gauge wheel brackets.
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Lock nut
Shoulder Screws
Lock nut
Figure 7
• If the gauge wheels have excessive clearance with the surface below, lower the wheels to the index hole that provides the approximate 1/2" clearance as described above.
Refer to Leveling the Deck on page 17 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-UP on page 8 of this manual for Gasoline and Oil fill-up instructions.
• Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
• Place the PTO knob in the disengaged (OFF) position.
• Engage the tractor’s parking brake.
• Move the throttle control to midway between its
SLOW and FAST positions.
• Pull the choke control outward.
• 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 five seconds at a time. Doing so may cause damage to your engine’s electric starter. If the engine does not start right away, wait 15 seconds and try again.
• After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control.
• After the engine starts, allow the engine to warm up by running it for 3 to 5 minutes at mid throttle before putting the equipment under load.
NOTE: Do NOT operate the tractor with the choke control in any position other than fully depressed
(choke open). Doing so will result in a "rich" fuel mixture and cause the engine to run poorly.
Stopping the Engine
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wires 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 knob in the disengaged (OFF) position.
• Move the throttle control to the SLOW position and allow the engine to idle for about one minute.
• Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the STOP position.
• Engage the parking brake and remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent unintended starting.
Engaging the Parking Brake
To engage the parking brake:
• Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it there while gently pushing the parking brake lever downward.
• Hold the parking brake lever down while removing your foot from the brake pedal.
• Once engaged, the parking brake lever and the brake pedal will lock in the “down” position.
To disengage the parking brake:
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
NOTE: The parking brake must be engaged if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off.
Driving The Tractor
WARNING: Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops.
WARNING: Do not leave the seat of the tractor without first placing the PTO knob 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.
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• Briefly depress the brake pedal to release the parking brake. Move the throttle lever into the FAST
(rabbit) position.
• To travel FORWARD, slowly depress the upper portion of the drive pedal forward until the desired speed is achieved. See Figure 8.
Brake Pedal
Drive Pedal
Figure 8
• To travel in REVERSE, check that the area behind is clear then slowly depress the lower portion of the drive pedal with the ball of your foot (NOT your heel) until the desired speed is achieved. See
Figure 8.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT attempt to change the direction of travel when the tractor is in motion. Always bring the tractor to a complete stop before pivoting the drive pedal from forward to reverse or vice versa.
Driving On Slopes
Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 7 to help determine slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.
WARNING: Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). The tractor could overturn and cause serious injury.
• Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.
• Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly increases the chance of a roll over.
• Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the tractor over backward.
Setting The Cruise Control
NOTE: The cruise control feature should only be utilized while traveling in the forward direction.
• Slowly depress the upper portion of the drive pedal until the desired speed is achieved.
• Lightly depress the cruise control lever.
• While continuing to hold the cruise lever down, lift your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the cruise latch engage).
• Once engaged, the cruise control lever and the drive pedal will lock in the “down” position, and the tractor will maintain the same forward speed.
NOTE: Cruise control cannot be engaged at the tractor’s fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the following methods:
• Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and stop the tractor.
• Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change the direction of travel to reverse when operating with cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete stop. Then slowly depress the lower portion of the drive pedal with the ball of your foot to travel in reverse.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place it in the notch best suited for your application. Refer to Setting The Gauge Wheels earlier in this section.
Operating The Headlights
To turn the tractor’s headlights on:
• Start the engine following the instructions earlier in this section.
• Turn the key one notch counterclockwise into the
On/Lights position of the ignition switch. Refer to
Figure 5.
To turn the tractor’s headlights off:
• Turn the key either into the On position (to leave the engine running) or the Off position (to shut the engine off). Refer to Figure 5.
NOTE: Never move the key into the Start position while the engine is running. Doing so may cause damage to your engine’s electric starter.
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Moving The Tractor Manually
Your tractor’s transmission is equipped with a hydrostatic relief valve for occasions when it is necessary to move the tractor manually. Opening this valve permits the fluid in the transmission to bypass its normal route, allowing the rear tires to "freewheel." To engage the hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:
• Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the tractor. See Figure 9.
Front View Pull Out
ON
Push In
OFF
Bypass
Disengaged
Bypass
Engaged
Hydrostatic
Bypass Rod
Figure 9
• Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then down, to lock it in place.
NOTE: The transmission will NOT engage when the hydrostatic bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to its normal position prior to operating the tractor.
IMPORTANT: Never attempt to move the tractor manually without first engaging the hydrostatic relief valve. Doing so will result in serious damage to the tractor’s transmission.
Engaging the PTO
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments. To engage the PTO, proceed as follows:
• Move the throttle control lever to between the MID throttle and FAST (rabbit) positions.
• Pull the PTO knob outward into the engaged (ON) position. See Figure 10.
• Move the throttle lever to the FAST (rabbit) position to attain the governed engine speed for which the cutting deck and other (separately available) attachments are designed.
IMPORTANT: The electric PTO clutch will automatically shut off if the drive pedal is depressed for reverse travel. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches on page 12.
Figure 10
Mowing
WARNING: To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
This tractor is equipped with one of Cub Cadet’s quality cutting decks. The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck with your tractor.
WARNING: Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
• For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to raise the deck to cut the area; then re-cut the area a second time at the lower deck setting to get a clean cut.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer to Cutting Blades on page 24 of this manual for proper blade sharpening instructions.
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