Craftsman ZTS 7500 Operator's Manual page 14

DRiViNG PRACTICE-
BASIC DRIWNG
WARNING: Never operate on sUopesgreater than 17.6%
(10°). See SLOPE OPERATION in the safety section.
Zero turn riders operate differentUy from other four°
wheeUed vehicUes. The drive wheeUs are aUsoyour
steering wheeUs, ff you cannot drive the unit on a hill you
wHU not be aMe to steer the unit on it. Operating zero
turn units on sUopes requires extra caution.
The Uevercontrols of the zero turn rider are very
responsive, and Uearning to gain a smooth and efficient
controUof the rider's forward, reverse, and turning
movements wHU take some practice.
Spend some time going through the foflowing maneuvers
and becoming familiar with how the unit accelerates,
travels, and steers -- before you begin mowing --is
absolutely essential to getting the most out of the zero
turn rider.
Locate a smooth, fiat area of your tawn -- one with
plenty of room to maneuver. (Clear the area of objects,
people and animals before you begin.) Operate the unit
at mid-throttle during this practice session (ALVVAYS
operate at full throttle when mowing), and turn slowly to
prevent tire slippage and damage to your lawn.
We suggest you begin with the Smooth Travel procedure
to the right, and then advance through the forward,
reverse, and turning maneuvers.
WARNING
Do not mow in reverse. Always took down and
behind before and while travelling in reverse.
Forward Trave_
Smooth Trave_
The lever controls of the
zero turn rider are
highly responsive,
The BEST method of
speed control levers is in
three steps -- as shown
in Figure 4.
FIRST place your hands
onto the levers as
shown.
SECOND, to go forward
gradually push the levers
forward with your palms.
THIRD, to speed up
move the levers farther
forward. To slow down
smoothly, slowly move
the levers back toward
neutral.
Figure 4. Move Controt
Levers Gradually
Forward Trave_ Practice
Gradually move both ground speed control levers evenly
FORWARD from neutral. Slow down and repeat.
Reverse Trave_ Practice
LOOK DOWN & BEHIND, then gradually move both
ground speed control levers evenly BACK from neutral.
Slow down and repeat.
NOTE: Practice backing up for several minutes before
attempting to do so near objects. The rider turns as
sharply in reverse as when going forward, and backing
up straight takes practice.
Reve rse Trave J
Figure 5. Forward Travet Figure 6. Reverse Travel
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