Engaging The Blade Drive - Walker T23 Operator's Manual

Operating Instructions
NOTE: Smooth action on the steering levers
will produce smooth mower operation. Remem-
ber to keep the engine and ground speed slow
until learning the control response.
When moving forward, DO NOT suddenly
put the tractor in reverse by rapidly pulling
on the steering levers, especially when go-
ing downhill, as this can lift the tractor tail
wheel off the ground and set up a bucking
motion due to operator overcontrol.
bucking does occur, immediately stop the
bucking action by pulling the Forward
Speed Control (FSC) lever into the NEU-
TRAL-PARK position.
4. The FSC may be adjusted forward for faster
ground speed and backward for slower ground
speed. When mowing, ground speed should be
adjusted to match the load on the cutter blades,
i.e., as the engine pulls down in heavy cutting,
pull back on the FSC lever to reduce ground
speed. Adjusting ground speed helps maintain
a balance between engine power and blade
speed for high-quality cutting action.
36
WARNING
5. Stop ground travel by pulling both steering le-
vers backward to the NEUTRAL-PARK posi-
tion (trac tor not moving) and then moving the
FSC lever to the NEUTRAL-PARK position.
NOTE: If the tractor creeps forward or back-
ward with the FSC lever in the NEUTRAL-PARK
position, the transmission control needs to be
adjusted. Refer to ADJUSTMENTS for Trans-
mission Control and Neutral Function Adjust-
ment in Mainte nance Instructions or contact
your Walker dealer.

ENGAGING THE BLADE DRIVE

If
1. Set the engine throttle at about 1/3 speed. Do
not attempt to engage the blade clutch at
high engine speeds. This will drastically short-
en drive belt life. Use only moderate engine
speed when engaging the blade clutch.
2. Engage the blade clutch by pulling the blade
clutch lever SLOWLY up. For disengagement,
push the blade clutch lever down SLOWLY.
An operator presence switch (seat switch)
will cause the engine to stop if the blade
clutch is engaged and the operator is not in
the seat. The function of this switch should
be checked by the op erator raising off the
seat and engaging the blade clutch; the en-
gine should stop. If the switch is not work-
ing, it should be repaired or replaced be-
fore operating the mower.
disconnect the safety switches; they are
for the operator's protection.
IMPORTANT:
when transporting the mower across drives, side-
walks, loose materials, etc. DO NOT engage the
blade clutch with the PTO shaft disconnected
(the mower deck removed from tractor).
CAUTION
DO NOT
DO NOT engage the blade clutch