Operating Suggestions - HUSTLER ATZ Owner's Manual

N
FORWARD TRAVEL
N = Neutral Position
Direction of arrows indicate direction of tractor movement.
To make a three point turn to the right, move the left control lever
farther forward from neutral than the right control lever and start the turn.
Next, pull back on the control levers until they are past neutral and the
machine starts to go rearward. Pull right control lever farther rearward
from neutral than the left control lever until the rear of the machine has
pivoted around. Then, push the control levers forward until they are both
past neutral and the machine starts to go forward. Push the left control
lever farther forward from neutral than the right control lever and finish the
turn. (Fig. 3-15)
IMPORTANT: Rapid movement of control levers is not recommended
as damage to the hydraulic system components may occur.
To increase speed, increase control lever's distance from neutral. The
farther forward control levers are from neutral, the faster tractor will travel
forward. The farther back control levers are from neutral, the faster tractor
will go in reverse.

Operating suggestions

DANGER: Prior to operating the tractor the operator should
be thoroughly familiar with the proper use and operation of
the equipment, should read the manual completely and
thoroughly, and should have attempted slow moving
maneuvers to become familiar with the operation of the
equipment before attempting normal speed operation. An
inexperienced operator should not mow on slopes or on
uneven terrain.
WARNING: If you lose steering control while operating
the machine, place the steering control levers in the park
brake position immediately. Inspect the machine and
involve your Hustler dealer to resolve the problem before
continuing to operate.
WARNING: The unit's steering control levers are very
responsive: Easy does it! For smooth operation, move lever
slowly, avoid sudden movement. Skill and ease of operation
come with practice and experience.
very rapidly. Use caution when making turns and slow down
before making sharp turns.
Inexperienced operators may have a tendency to oversteer and lose
control. Slow-moving practice maneuvers are recommended to become
familiar with these characteristics before attempting normal speed
operation.
WARNING: Sharp depressions or raised obstacles (such as
gutters or curbs) should not be directly approached at high
speed in an attempt to "jump" them as the operator could be
FRONT OF TRACTOR FACES THIS DIRECTION
ZERO DEGREE TURN FORWARD TRAVEL
RIGHT TURN
Figure 3-14
The machine can spin
REVERSE TRAVEL
RIGHT TURN
thrown from the equipment. Approach at a slow speed and
angle one drive wheel at the obstruction. Continue at an
angle until the wheel clears and then pivot the opposite wheel
around.
When turning on soft wet turf, keep both wheels rolling either forward
or backward. Pivoting on one stopped wheel can damage turf. This is
especially important when mowing.
Tractor performance is maximum when the throttle is set at full rpm.
This gives maximum power to the drive wheels and deck when needed.
Use the control levers to control ground speed rather than engine rpm.
Keep blades sharp. Many professional mowing companies have
additional sets of blades and change blades twice a day: once in the
morning and again at noon. Many problems with incorrect cutting
patterns are due to dull blades or blades which have been sharpened
incorrectly. Information on sharpening blades is listed in this manual's
maintenance section. In addition, most communities have individuals or
companies which specialize in sharpening mower blades. Blade sharpness
should be checked daily.
DANGER: Never work with blades while engine is running
or deck clutch switch is engaged (on). Always place deck
clutch switch in the disengaged position, place control levers
in the park brake position and turn engine off and disconnect
negative battery cable. Block up mower when you must
work under it. Wear gloves when handling blades. Always
check for blade damage if mower strikes rock, branch or
other foreign object during mowing!
Use high blade speed. Your mower is designed to operate at full
throttle. The throttle setting directly controls blade speed. The highest
blade speed generally gives best cut.
Direct grass discharge to right, away from unmown area. Select a
mowing pattern that directs grass discharge towards the outside, not
towards center, of mowing area. Generally, this means using a pattern
utilizing left turns because side discharge is to right. In any case, avoid
throwing grass discharge onto unmowed area because grass is then mowed
"twice". Mowing twice puts an unnecessary load on the unit and reduces
mowing efficiency.
When mowing a lawn for the first time cut grass slightly longer than
normal to avoid scalping uneven terrain. When possible, it is best to use
the cutting height that was used in the past. When cutting grass taller than
six inches, you may want to mow the lawn twice to achieve a better quality
of cut.
During normal mowing cut only about 1/3 of the grass blade.
Cutting more than that is not recommended unless grass is sparse or it is the
end of the mowing season.
16
N
REVERSE TRAVEL
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