Operator's Manual

22
1. Set the parking brake and start the engine; refer to
Starting and Stopping the Engine, page 20.
2. Squeeze the blade control bail against upper control bar.
The blades should not rotate.
3. Then continue holding the blade control bail and pull up
on the blade control switch and release. The clutch
should engage and the mower blades begin rotating.
4. Release the blade control bail. The blades should stop
rotating.
5. With the engine running, pull up the power take off
switch (PTO) and release without holding the blade
control bail. The blades should not rotate.
Driving Forward or Backward
The throttle control regulates the engine speed as measured
in rpm (revolutions per minute). Place the throttle control in
the fast position for best mowing performance.
Driving Forward
1. To go forward, move the shift lever to a forward gear
(Fig. 20).
2. Release the parking brake; refer to Releasing the
Parking Brake, page 20.
3. Slowly press on the upper control bar to move forward
(Fig. 20).
To go straight, apply equal pressure to both ends of the
upper control bar (Fig. 20).
To turn, release pressure on the upper control bar side in the
direction you want to turn (Fig. 20).
2
1
3
m–6443
Figure 20
1. Upper control bar
2. Lower control bar
3. Shift lever
Driving Backward
1. To go backward, move the shift lever to reverse gear.
2. Release the parking brake; refer to Releasing the
Parking Brake, page 20.
3. Slowly squeeze the lower control bar and lower handle
together to move rearward (Fig. 20).
Using the Lower Control Bar
Operation
This procedure is for driving up a curb. This can be
performed while driving forward or backward.
Note: Some curbs do not allow the rear drive tires to
contact the curb. If this happens, drive the machine up the
curb at an angle.
A blade can be bent or damaged when driving up a
curb. Pieces of blade that may be thrown could
seriously injure or kill you or bystanders.
• Do not run blades while driving up a curb
forward or backward.
Warning
Driving Forward Up a Curb
1. Disengage the mower blades.
2. Select first gear to drive the machine.