MTD 609 Operator's Manual page 14

Engaging the ParkingBrake
To engage the parking brake:
Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with
your foot while gently pushing the parking brake
button inward.
Hold the parking brake button in while removing
your foot from the brake pedal.
Once engaged, the parking brake button and the
brake pedal will lock in the "down" position.
To disengage the parking brake:
Slightly depress the brake pedal.
NOTE:
The parking brake must be engaged if the
operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the
engine will automatically shut off.
DrivingOnSlopes
Refer to the SLOPEGAUGE on page 7 to help determine
slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.
WARNING:
Do not mow on inclines with a
slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of
approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). The
tractor could overturn and cause serious
injury.
Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes.
Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other
hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the
machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must
be made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope
greatly increases the chance of a roll over.
Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is
necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up
smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility of
flipping the tractor over backward.
SettingThe CruiseControl
NOTE:
The cruise control feature is NOTstandard on
all models.
Place the shift lever in the FORWARD position,
then slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired
speed is achieved.
Lightly depress the cruise control button.
While continuing to hold the cruise button in, lift
your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the
cruise latch engage).
Once engaged, the cruise control button and the
drive pedal will lock in the "down" position, and the
tractor will maintain the same forward speed.
NOTE:
Cruise control can not be engaged at the
tractor's fastest ground speed. If the operator should
attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically
decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed.
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 to the reverse direction when operating with
cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage
the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete
stop. Then place the shift lever in the REVERSE
position and depress the drive pedal.
Engaging thePTO
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 ManualPTO
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 7.
Front View Pull Out Push In
Figure 7
Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position
for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments
IMPORTANT: The engine (on models with a manual
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, Refer to
SafetyInterlockSwitcheson page 12.
Usingthe DeckLift 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 SettingThe Cutting Heightearlier in
this section.
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