Section 5 — operation 25
Using the Mower Deck
WARNING! Make certain the area to be mowed is 
free of debris, sticks, stones, wire or other objects 
that can be thrown by the rotating blades.
NOTE: Do not engage the mower deck when lowered in grass. 
Premature wear and possible failure of the ‘V” belt and PTO 
clutch will result. Fully raise the deck or move to a non grassy 
area before engaging the mower deck.
1.  Use the deck lift pedal to raise the deck to its highest 
position, place the clevis pin attached to the tractor into 
the desired index hole on the deck height index, then 
slowly release the deck lift pedal. See Figure 5-10.
Deck Lift Pedal
Clevis Pin
Figure 5-10
2.  Mow across slopes, not up and down. If mowing a slope, start 
at bottom and work upward to ensure turns are made uphill.
3.  On the first pass pick a point on the opposite side of the 
area to be mowed.
4.  Engage the PTO clutch and move the throttle control to the 
fast   position. 
5.  Lower the mower deck to the desired height setting using 
the deck lift pedal.
6.  Slowly and evenly push the RH and LH drive control levers 
forward to move the tractor forward, and keep the tractor 
headed directly toward the alignment point.
NOTE: The speed of the tractor will affect the quality of the 
mower cut. Mowing at full speed will adversely affect the cut 
quality. Control the ground speed with the control levers.
7.  When approaching the other end of the strip, slow down 
or stop before turning. A U-turn is recommended unless a 
pivot or zero turn is required.
8.  Align the mower with an edge of the mowed strip and 
overlap approximately 3”.
9.  Direct the tractor on each subsequent strip to align with a 
previously cut strip.
10.  To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf, if possible, change 
the direction that the strips are mowed by approximately 45° 
for the next and each subsequent mowing.
WARNING! Be careful when crossing gravel paths 
or driveways. Disengage the PTO and raise the deck 
to the highest position before crossing.
NOTE: When stopping the tractor for any reason while on a 
grass surface, always:
•  Place the shift lever in neutral.
•  Engage the parking brake.
•  Shut the engine off and remove the key. 
•  Doing so will minimize the possibility of having your 
lawn ‘‘browned’’ by hot exhaust from your tractor’s 
running engine.