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Read the Safety section and following pages, if you are unfamiliar with the machine.
Training
Due to unique steering capabilities, zero turn mowers are far more maneuverable than typical riding mowers.
This section should be reviewed in its entirety prior to attempting to move the mower under its own power.
When first operating the mower or until becoming comfortable with controls, use a reduced throttle speed and reduced ground speed. DO NOT move control levers to the furthest forward or reverse positions during initial operation.
First time users should become familiar with the mower’s movement on a hard surface, such as concrete or blacktop PRIOR to attempting to operate on turf. Until the operator becomes comfortable with the mower controls and zero turning capability, overly aggressive maneuvers may damage turf.
Steering
To move forward and backward
The direction and speed of the mower’s movements is effected by the movement of the control lever(s) on each side of mower. The left control lever controls the left wheel. The right control lever controls the right wheel.
First time users should push mower (see Manual
Transport in the Operation section) to an open, flat area, without other people or vehicles/obstacles nearby. To move unit under its own power, the operator must be in the seat, start engine (see Before
Starting in Operation section), adjust engine speed to idle, disengage parking brake, do not engage blades at this time, rotate control levers inward. As long as the control levers have not been moved forward or backwards, mower will not move. Slowly move both control levers forward slightly. This will allow mower to start moving forward in a straight line.
Pull back on control levers to the neutral position and mower should stop moving. Pull back slightly on control levers, this will allow mower to start moving backwards. Push forward on control levers to the neutral position and mower should stop moving.
To turn to the right
While moving in a forward direction, pull the right lever back towards the neutral position while maintaining the position of the left lever, this will slow the rotation of the right wheel and cause the machine to turn in that direction.
To turn to the left
While moving in a forward direction pull the left lever back towards the neutral position while maintaining the position of the right lever, this will slow the rotation of the left wheel and cause the machine to turn in that direction.
To zero turn
While moving in a forward direction, first pull both control levers back until the mower stops or slows dramatically.
Then by alternating one lever slightly to the forward position and the other in the reverse position, complete the turn.
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Before Starting
• Read the sections Safety Instructions and
Controls before starting the machine.
• Perform the daily maintenance before starting
(see Maintenance Schedule in the Maintenance section).
• Check that there is sufficient fuel in the fuel tank.
• Adjust the seat to the desired position.
The following conditions must be fulfilled before the engine can be started:
• The driver must be seated on the seat.
• The blade control lever for engaging the mower blades must be down in the lower position.
• The parking brake must be on.
• Both steering controls must be in the locked
(outer) neutral position.
Start conditions
Starting the Engine
1. Sit on the seat.
2. Raise the mower deck by pulling the lifting lever upward to the transport position (F).
3. Activate the parking brake.
4. Disengage the mower blades by lowering the blade control lever out of the lock notch and into the down position.
Raise the mower deck
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8058-085
Set the blade control lever to the down position
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oPeRAtIon
5. Move the steering controls outward to the locked
(outer) neutral position.
6. Move the throttle to the middle position.
Place controls in neutral position
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7. If the engine is cold, the choke control should be pushed forward to the choke position.
Set the throttle
Choke control
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8. Open the fuel valve.
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9. Press in and turn the ignition key to the start position.
Open the fuel valve
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10. When the engine starts, immediately release the ignition key back to the run position.
11. Slowly push the choke control down when the engine has started.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Do not run the starter for more than 5 seconds each time. If the engine does not start, wait approximately 10 seconds before retrying.
Turn to START position
Release ignition to the RUN position
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8050-136
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12. Set the desired engine speed with the throttle.
Allow the engine to run at a moderate speed, approximately mid throttle, for 3-5 minutes before loading it too heavily. USE FULL THROTTLE
WHEN MOWING (no choke).
WARNING!
Engine exhaust and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals considered to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive system damage. The engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is a odorless, colorless, poisonous gas. Do not use the machine in enclosed spaces.
Use full throttle when mowing
WARNING!
Lead-acid batteries generate explosive gases. Keep sparks, flame and smoking materials away from batteries. Always wear eye protection when around batteries.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Your mower is equipped with a 12-volt negative grounded system. The other vehicle must also be a 12-volt negative grounded system. Do not use your mower to start other vehicles.
If your battery is too weak to start the engine, it should be recharged. (See Battery in the Maintenance section.)
If jumper cables are used for emergency starting, follow this procedure:
Jumper cables
1. Connect each end of the RED cable to the
POSITIVE (+) terminal on each battery, taking care not to short against chassis.
2. Connect one end of the BLACK cable to the
NEGATIVE (-) terminal of the fully charged battery.
3. Connect the other end of the BLACK cable to a good CHASSIS GROUND on the mower with the discharged battery, away from the fuel tank and battery.
To remove cables, reverse order
1. Remove BLACK cable first from chassis and then from the fully charged battery.
2. Remove RED cable last from both batteries.
Jumper cable connection
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Running
1. Release the parking brake by moving the lever downward.
NOTE: The mower is equipped with an operator presence system. When the engine is running, any attempt by the operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking brake will shut off the engine.
2. Move the steering controls to the neutral position
(N).
3. Select the cutting height by placing the lever into the desired notch.
Parking brake not activated
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WARNING!
Ensure that no one is near mower when engaging blade control lever.
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4. Move throttle control to full throttle.
5. Engage the mower blade by sliding the lever upwards and into the lock notch.
6. The machine’s speed and direction are continuously variable using the two steering controls. When both controls are in the neutral position, the machine stands still.
By moving both controls an equal amount forward or backward, the machine moves in a straight line forward or backward respectively.
In order, for example, to turn right while moving forward, move the right control towards the neutral position. The rotation of the right wheel is reduced and the machine turns to the right.
Turning on the spot (zero turn) can be achieved by moving one control backward (behind the neutral position) and carefully moving the other steering control forward from its neutral position.
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Mower deck’s lifting lever
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Mower blade control lever locked into blade engagement
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Operating on Hills
Read the Safety Instructions Driving on Slopes in the
Safety Instructions.
WARNING!
Do not drive up or down hills with slopes greater than 10 degrees. Do not drive across slopes.
• The slowest speed possible should be used before starting up or down hills.
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, pull drive levers into the neutral position and push to the outside of the unit and engage the parking brake.
• To restart movement, release the parking brake.
• Pull the control levers back to the center of the mower and press forward to regain forward motion.
• Make all turns slowly.
Place controls in neutral position
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Parking brake, released
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Mowing Tips
• Observe and flag rocks and other fixed objects to avoid collisions.
• Begin with a high cutting height and reduce it until the desired mowing result is attained.
The average lawn should be cut to
2½" (64 mm) during the cool season and over 3"
(76 mm) during the hot months. For healthier and better looking lawns, mow often after moderate growth.
For best cutting performance, grass over 6" (15 cm) in height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut relatively high, the second to the desired height.
• The mowing result will be best with a high engine speed (the blades rotate rapidly) and low speed
(the rider moves slowly). If the grass is not too long and dense, the driving speed can be increased without negatively affecting the mowing result.
• The finest lawns are obtained by mowing often.
The lawn becomes more even and the grass clippings more evenly distributed over the mown area. The total time taken is not increased as a higher operating speed can be used without poor mowing results.
• Avoid mowing wet lawns. The mowing result is poorer because the wheels sink into the soft lawn, clumps build, and the grass clippings fasten under the cowling.
• Hose the mower deck underside with water after each use. When cleaning, the mower deck shall be raised into the transport position. Make sure the mower is cooled and the engine is off.
• Use compressed air to clean top surface of the deck. Avoid flooding water on top surface, engine and electrical components.
• When the mulching kit is used, it is important that the mowing interval is frequent.
WARNING!
Clear the lawn of stones and other objects that can be thrown out by the blades.
Mowing pattern
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WARNING!
Never drive the rider on terrain that slopes more than 10 degrees. Mow slopes up and down, never side to side.
Avoid sudden directional changes.
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Stopping the Engine
Allow the engine to idle a minute to attain normal operating temperature before stopping it, if it has been worked hard. Avoid idling the engine for longer periods, as there is a risk of the spark plugs fouling.
1. Disengage the mower deck by sliding the blade control lever out of the lock notch and down into the lower position.
Disengage the mower blades
2. Raise the mower deck by pulling the lifting lever upward to the transport position.
3. When the machine is standing still, activate the parking brake by pulling the lever backward.
4. Move the throttle to the minimum position (tortoise symbol). Turn the ignition key to the stop position.
Never use choke to stop the engine.
5. Move the steering controls outward.
6. Remove the key. Always remove key when leaving the mower to prevent unauthorized use.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Leaving the ignition switch in any other position than OFF will cause the battery to be discharged.
Raise the mower deck with the lifting lever
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Moving Machine By Hand
When pushing or pulling the mower, be sure to engage the EZT Hydrogear bypass linkages. The EZT bypass linkages are located on the rear of the frame, below the rear engine guard.
1. Raise the deck into the highest cutting position.
2. Pull the EZT bypass linkages out and into the slots. Release linkages to hold in the bypass position.
3. Release park brake.
4. To reengage the EZT’s to drive, reverse the above procedure.
WARNING!
Bypass linkages are located close to the muffler. To prevent burns, the engine should be shut off and allowed to cool before the bypass linkage levels are handled.
Set bypass linkages into slots on both sides
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