MTD 660 Operator's Manual page 14

Operating The Lawn Tractor
WARNING:
before and while backing up to avoid a back-
over accident.
WARNING:
position. Always place the deck engagement/
lift lever in the BLADES STOP position, shift
into neutral, set parking brake, stop engine
and remove key to prevent unintended
starting.
• Move throttle control lever to full throttle.
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.
• Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or
REVERSE position.
• Release the parking brake by depressing the
clutch-brake pedal and positioning the speed
control lever in desired position.
First-time operators should use speed
IMPORTANT:
positions 1 or 2. Become completely familiar with the
tractor's operation and controls before operating the
tractor in higher speed positions.
• Release clutch-brake pedal slowly to put unit into
motion.
• The lawn tractor is brought to a stop by depressing
the clutch-brake pedal.
NOTE:
When operating the unit initially, there will be
little difference between the highest two speeds until
after the belts have seated themselves into the pulleys
during the break-in period.
WARNING:
position for any reason, disengage the
blades, place the shift lever in neutral,
engage the parking brake, shut engine off
and remove the key.
When stopping the tractor for any reason
IMPORTANT:
while on a grass surface, always
• Place the shift lever in neutral,
• Engage the parking brake,
• Shut 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.
If unit stalls with speed control in high speed, or if unit
will not operate with speed control lever in a low speed
position, proceed as follows.
• Place shift lever in NEUTRAL.
Always look down and behind
Before leaving the operator's
Before leaving the operator's
• Restart engine.
• Place speed control lever in high speed position.
• Release clutch-brake pedal fully.
• Depress clutch-brake pedal.
• Place speed control lever in desired position.
• Place shift lever in either FORWARD or REVERSE,
and follow normal operating procedures.
Engaging The Cutting Blades
WARNING:
from the discharge opening, the blades or
any part of the deck. When the unit is used
for anything other than mowing operations,
the blade drive should be disengaged.
To engage power to the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachment, proceed as follows:
• Move the deck engagement/lift lever to the right
and forward,
• Place the lever a notch for your desired cutting
height.
• Moving the lever to the right and all the way
rearward placing it into the BLADES STOP position
raises and disengages power to the cutting deck.
NOTE:
The deck engagement/lift lever must be in the
disengaged (BLADES STOP) position when starting
the engine, when traveling in reverse and if the operator
leaves the seat. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches on page
13
Mowing
WARNING:
a thrown object injury, keep bystanders,
helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet
from the machine while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
The following information will be helpful when using the
cutting deck with your tractor.
WARNING:
avoid discharge of materials toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
• Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire,
or other objects which could damage lawn mower
or engine.
• For best results and to insure more even grass
distribution, do not mow when lawn is excessively
wet.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a
mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
14
Keep feet and hands away
To help avoid blade contact or
Plan your mowing pattern to