12
OPERATION
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER AT TACH MENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and
comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your trac-
tor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load,
while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with
the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor.
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
CAUTION: Do not drive up or down hills
with slopes great er than 15° and do not
drive across any slope.
• Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down
hills.
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to
slower position.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake
pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking
brake.
• Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Ensure you have
allowed room for tractor to roll slightly as you restart
movement.
• To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
clutch/brake pedal.
• Make all turns slowly.
REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS)
(See Fig. 12)
Your tractor is equipped with a Reverse Operation System
(ROS). Any attempt by the operator to travel in the reverse
direction with the attachment clutch engaged will shut off
the engine unless ignition key is placed in the ROS "ON"
position.
WARNING: Backing up with the attachment clutch en-
gaged while mowing is strongly discouraged. Turning the
ROS "ON", to allow reverse operation with the attachment
clutch engaged, should only be done when the operator
decides it is necessary to reposition the machine with the
attachment engaged. Do not mow in reverse unless
absolutely necessary.
USING THE REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (See Fig. 13)
Only use if you are certain no children or other bystanders
will enter the mowing area.
• Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way down and hold.
• With engine running, turn ignition key counterclockwise
to ROS "ON" position.
• Look down and behind before backing.
• Move gear shift lever to reverse (R) po si tion and slowly
release clutch/brake pedal to start movement.
• When use of the ROS is no longer needed, turn the
ignition key clockwise to engine "ON" position.
ROS "ON"
POSITION
ENGINE "ON" POSITION
(NORMAL OPERATING)
0
2
8
2
8
Fig. 12
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift to highest position with at tach ment
lift control.
• When pushing or towing your tractor, ensure gearshift
lever is in neutral (N) position.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than five (5) mph
(8 km/h).
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting
your tractor on a truck or a trailer, ensure hood is closed
and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying
hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been shipped from the fac-
tory already filled with sum mer weight oil.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the
dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds,
remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until
“FULL” mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.
• For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting. (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the
Maintenance sec tion of this manual.)
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in
this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill.
Use fresh, clean, regular gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel
in quantities that can be used within 30 days to ensure
fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F (0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP ENSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.