Operating Your Garden Tractor - MTD 14BI845H129 Operator's Manual

SECTION 6: OPERATING Y OUR GARDEN TRACTOR
Maintaining Safety
_ ARNING" As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of
the operator can result in serious injury. Read
and follow the instructions in this manual very
carefully. Avoid serious injury or death by
mishandling the equipment
Do:
Go up and down slopes, not across; avoid sudden
turns.
• If machine stops while going uphill, stop blade(s)
and come back downhill slowly.
• Look down and behind before and while backing.
• Keep safety devices (guards, shields, and
switches) in place and working.
• Remove objects that could be thrown by the
blade(s).
• Know location and function of all controls. Refer to
earlier section on page 15.
• Be sure blade(s) and engine are stopped before
placing hands or feet near blade(s).
• Before leaving operator's position, disengage
blade(s), place the shift lever in neutral, engage
brake lock, shut engine off and remove key.
Do Not:
• Do not operate the unit where it could slip or tip.
• Do not mow when children or others are around.
• Never carry children on the tractor, even with the
blades off.
GasandOilFill-Up
• Check oil level and add if necessary.
IMPORTANT:Your tractor is shipped with oil in the
engine; however, you must check the engine oil level
before operating. Be careful not to overfill.
• Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in
the separate engine manual packed with your
tractor. Read instructions carefully.
• The fuel tank is located under the seat. The filler
neck is behind the seat. Fill up with the required
amount of gasoline. However, do not overfill.
,_ WARNING" Never fill fuel tank indoors, with engine running or while engine is hot.
StartingEngine
IMPORTANT: This unit is equipped with a safety
interlock system for your protection. The safety
interlock system is to prevent the engine from cranking
or starting unless the clutch-brake pedal is depressed
and the PTO lever is in the disengaged position. In
addition, the PTO lever must be in the disengaged
position when the unit is put into reverse or the engine
will shut off. If the operator leaves the seat with the PTO
lever engaged and/or without setting the parking brake,
the engine will automatically shut off.
_b WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning because it is
a safety device designed for your protection.
• Place the PTO lever in the disengaged (down)
position.
• Depress the clutch-brake pedal and set the parking
brake.
• Place the shift lever in the NEUTRAL position.
• Set the throttle control in the FAST position.
• Pull out the choke control (a warm engine may not
require choking).
• Turn ignition key to the right to START position.
After the engine starts, release the key. It will return
to the ON position.
• Slowly push in the choke as the engine warms up.
Stopping Engine
• Turn ignition key to the left to the OFF position.
Remove the key to prevent accidental starting.
IMPORTANT: If the tractor strikes a foreign object, stop
the engine. Remove wire from spark plug, thoroughly
inspect the unit for any damage, and repair the damage
before restarting and operating the equipment.
Stopping Tractor
• Depress the clutch brake pedal, and pull on the
parking brake knob. Remember that it takes a few
seconds more for the moving parts of the tractor to
come to a complete stop after the parking brake
has been activated. Remove the key after the
tractor is completely parked.
SettingCutting Height
• Select the position for the tractor lift lever at the
desired cutting height. Then move the wheels on
the deck so that the wheels are 1/4 to 1/2 inch
above the ground.
NOTE: To obtain uniform cut, the deck is designed to
be suspended from the tractor at the desired cutting
height. The deck wheels or the deck roller should be
just off the ground for a smooth cut.
17