MTD 611 Operator's Manual page 17

Disengage the cruise control using one of the following
methods:
• Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and stop the tractor.
• Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change the direction of travel to reverse when
operating with cruise control, depress the brake pedal
to disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to a
complete stop. Then depress the lower portion of the
drive pedal with the ball of your foot to travel in reverse.
Moving The Tractor Manually
Your tractor's transmission is equipped with a
hydrostatic relief valve for occasions when it is
necessary to move the tractor manually. Activating this
valve allows the rear tires to "freewheel." To engage the
hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:
• Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the
tractor. See Figure 13.
Hydrostatic
Bypass Rod
Figure 13
• Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then
down, to lock it in place.
NOTE:
The transmission will NOT engage when the
hydrostatic bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to
its normal position prior to operating the tractor.
Never attempt to move the tractor
IMPORTANT:
manually without first engaging the hydrostatic relief
valve. Doing so will result in serious damage to the
tractor's transmission.
Engaging the PTO
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck
or other (separately available) attachments. To engage
the PTO, proceed as follows:
• Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit)
position.
Models with Manual PTO
• Grasp the PTO lever and pivot it all the way forward
into the engaged (ON) position.
Models with Electric PTO
• Pull the PTO knob outward into the engaged (ON)
position. See Figure 14.
Front View
• Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position
for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments.
The engine (on models with a manual
IMPORTANT:
PTO) or electric PTO clutch (on models with an electric
PTO) will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged
with the shift lever in position for reverse travel with the
ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position. Refer
to Safety Interlock Switches on page 14.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the
left, then place it in the notch best suited for your
application. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in
this section.
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.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a
mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
17
Pull Out Push In
OFF
ON
Figure 14
To help avoid blade contact or
Plan your mowing pattern to