MTD Series 790 Operator's Manual page 16

4. Once activated (indicator light ON), the tractor can be 3.
driven in reverse with the cutting blades (PTO) engaged. 4.
5. Always look down and behind before and while backing to 5.
make sure no children are around.
6.
After resuming forward motion, return the key to the
NORMAL MOWING position.
IMPORTANT:
The REVERSECAUTION MODE will remain
activated until:
a_
b.
The key is placed in either the NORMAL MOWING
position or STOP position.
The operator engages the parking brake by fully
depressing the brake pedal and holding it down
while moving the parking brake lever into the PARK
BRAKE position.
Engagingthe ParkingBrake.
Toengage the parking brake:
1. Fully depressthe brake pedal and hold it down with your foot.
2. Move the parking brake leverall the way down and into the
ON position.
3. Releasethe brake pedal to allow the parking brake to engage.
Toreleasethe parkingbrake:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the parking brake lever
out of the ON position and into the OFF position.
Setting the Cutting Height
1. Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing
the deck lift lever in any of the five different cutting height
notches on the right side of the fender.
2. Adjust the deck wheels, if equipped, so that they are
between 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch above the ground when the
tractor is on a smooth, flat surface such as a driveway.
i_ WARNING!
Keep hands and feet away from the
discharge opening of the cutting deck.
NOTE: On models so equipped, the deck wheels are an anti-scalp
feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight
of the cutting deck.
Refer to Leveling the Deck in the Maintenance & Adjustments
section of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding
various deck adjustments.
Starting the Engine
WARNING! Do not operate the tractor if the
interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was
designed for your safety and protection.
NOTE: Refer to the TRACTOR SET-UP on page 11 of this manual
for Gasoline and Oil fill-up instructions.
1. Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
2. Place the PTO (blade engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF)
position.
Engage the tractor's parking brake.
Activate the choke control.
Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position. After
the engine starts, release the key. It will return to the ON (or
Normal Mowing) position.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT hold the key in the STARTposition for
longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so may cause damage
to your engine's electric starter.
6. After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control and
place the throttle control in the FASTposition.
NOTE: Do NOT leave the choke control on while operating the
tractor. Doing so will result in a "rich" fuel mixture and cause the
engine to run poorly.
Stopping the Engine
_ ARNING! If you strike a foreign object, stop the
engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and
ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the
machine for any damage. Repair the damage before
restarting and operating
1. If the blades are engaged, place the PTO (blade engage)
lever in the disengaged (OFF) position.
2. Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the STOP
position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent
unintended starting.
Driving TheTractor
2_
3.
WARNING! Always look down and behind before
and while traveling in reverse to avoid a back-over
accident.
WARNING! Before leaving the operator's position.
Always place the PTO(blade engage) lever in the
disengaged (PTO OFF) position, place speed control
lever in neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and
remove key to prevent unintended starting. Depress
the parking brake pedal to release the parking brake
and let the pedal up.
Move the throttle lever into the FAST(rabbit) position.
NOTE:Always operate the tractor with the throttle control
lever in the FAST(rabbit) position for the most efficient
use of the cutting deck or other (separately available)
attachments.
Depress the parking brake pedal to release the parking
brake.
Slowly move the speed control lever in desired "F" forward
or "R" reverse position. The further forward or rearward
that the lever is moved, the faster the tractor will travel.
Refer to Figure 4-4.
WARNING! Do NOT attempt to change the
direction of travel when the tractor is in motion.
Always bring the tractor to a complete stop before
moving the speed control lever from forward to
reverse or vice versa. Failure to do so could result in
serious damage to your tractor's transmission.
SECTION 5-- OPERATION