Cub Cadet LT1050 Operator's Manual page 18

Engaging the PTO
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments. To engage the PTO:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit)
position.
2. Pull the PTO/Blade Engage knob outward into the engaged
(ON) position. See Fig. 5-3.
NOTE: Always operate the tractor with the throttle lever in the
FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting
deck or other (separately available) attachments.
ON
Mowing
WARNING!
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!
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.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass is prone to weed
growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• Always operate the tractor with the throttle lever in the
FAST (rabbit) position while mowing
• For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be
cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the
first two laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge
to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a
better appearance to the lawn.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds or
extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns,
NOT clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn.
1 s 5— O
ectiOn peratiOn
OFF
Figure 5-3
To help avoid blade contact or a
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
Mulching
Cub Cadet Series 1000 tractors are equipped with a mulch kit
which incorporates special blades, already standard on your
tractor, in a process of recirculating grass clippings repeatedly
beneath the cutting deck. The ultra-fine clippings are then
forced back into the lawn where they act as a natural fertilizer.
Observe the following points for the best results when mulching.
• Never attempt to mulch if the lawn is damp. Wet grass
tends to stick to the underside of the cutting deck
preventing proper mulching of the clippings.
• Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1⁄3 the total height of
the grass. Doing so will cause the clippings to clump up
beneath the deck and not be mulched effectively.
• Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass clippings
more time to effectively be mulched.
• Always keep the throttle control lever in the FAST (rabbit)
position while mowing. Failing to keep the engine at full
throttle places strain on the tractor's engine and does not
allow the blades to properly mulch the grass clippings.
To operate the cutting deck without mulching:
1. Locate two rectangular holes on the cutting deck surface.
2. Pivot the discharge chute up to access the deck opening.
3. Insert the mulch plug, aligning the top edge of the plug
with the deck as shown in Fig. 5-4. Make sure the notches
on the plug are in the slots on the deck opening.
4. Lightly tap on the plug with your hand to assure that the
notches fit snugly under the chute tabs. See Fig. 5-4.
WARNING!
Never install or remove the mulch plug
while the engine is running.
Figure 5-4