Ground Travel And Steering - Scag Power Equipment Freedom Z SFZ-48H-24SR Operator's Manual

Section 4

4.6 GROUND TRAVEL AND STEERING

- IMPORTANT -
If you are not familiar with the operation of a
machine with lever steering and/or hydrostatic
transmissions, the steering and ground speed
operations should be learned and practiced in
an open area, away from buildings, fences, or
obstructions.
Learn the operation on flat ground before operating
on slopes.
Start practicing with a slow engine speed and slow
forward travel.
Learn to feather the steering controls to obtain a
smooth operating action.
Practice operating the mower until you are
comfortable with the controls before proceeding
to mow.
FORWARD TRAVEL
To travel forward with the mower, disengage the parking
brake, pull levers inward out of the neutral lock position
and slowly push the steering control levers forward an
equal distance. The further the steering control levers are
pushed forward the greater the forward speed will be. To
increase the speed, push the steering control levers further
forward and to decrease the speed, pull the steering control
levers back.
To stop the forward travel, pull the steering control levers
back to the neutral position.
To steer the mower left while traveling forward, pull the left
steering lever back. The further the lever is pulled back, the
quicker the mower will turn left.
To steer the mower right while traveling forward, pull the
right steering control lever back. The further the lever is
pulled back, the quicker the mower will turn right.
- NOTE -
Smooth operation of the steering levers will
produce smooth mower operation. While learning
the operation of the steering controls, keep the
travel speed low.
- IMPORTANT -
Do not travel forward over a curb. The mower will
hang up on the curb. Raise the deck and travel
backwards over the curb at a 45 degree angle.
(See Figure 4-1 and Section 4-1 item 11 for cutter
deck raising description.)
REVERSE TRAVEL
CAUTION
Disengage power to the mower before backing
up. Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely
necessary and then only after observation of the
entire area behind the mower.
CAUTION
Before backing up, observe the rear for persons
and obstructions. Clear the area before backing
up. Possible injury or property damage could
occur.
To travel in reverse, pull levers inward out of the neutral
lock position and pull both handles back. Keep the travel
speed low while traveling in reverse.
The mower may not travel straight in reverse.
Slight adjustments may need to be made using
the steering controls.
To steer left while traveling in reverse, allow the left steering
control lever to move forward. The further the control is
allowed to move forward, the quicker the mower will turn
left.
To steer right while traveling in reverse, allow the right
steering control lever to move forward. The further the
control is allowed to move forward, the quicker the mower
will turn right.
To stop the reverse travel, allow the steering control levers
to return to the neutral position. If the mower is to be parked,
place the handles in the neutral lock position and engage
the parking brake.
15
- NOTE -
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