Troy-Bilt D609G Operator's Manual page 13

Driving theTractor
IMPORTANT: Avoid sudden starts, high speed and
sudden stops.
,_ WARNING: Do not leave the seat of the
tractor without first placing the PTO lever in the
disengaged (OFF) position, depressing the
brake pedal and engaging the parking brake. If
leaving the tractor unattended, also turn the
ignition key off and remove the key.
• Depress the brake pedal to release the parking
brake and let the pedal up. Move the throttle lever
into the FAST (rabbit) position.
IMPORTANT: Do not move the shift lever from
FORWARD to REVERSE or vice versa when the
tractor is in motion. Always use the brake pedal to bring
the tractor to a complete stop before shifting.
• To move forward, place the shift lever in the
FORWARD position, then slowly depress the drive
pedal until the desired speed is achieved.
• To move in reverse, place the shift lever in the
REVERSE position, check that the area behind is
clear and then slowly depress the drive pedal.
Engaging the Parking Brake
To engage parking brake:
• Fully depress brake pedal and hold it there while
gently pushing the parking brake button inward.
• Hold 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 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 SLOPE GAUGE on page 7 to help
determine slopes where you may operate 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 should only be
utilized while traveling in the forward direction.
To engage cruise control:
• 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.
• Holding the cruise control 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 cannot 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.
To disengage cruise control: (Follow one of two
methods described below.)
1. Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and stop the tractor.
2. Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change direction to reverse when operating with
cruise control:
• Depress brake pedal to disengage cruise control
and bring the tractor to a complete stop.
• Place shift lever in the REVERSE position and
depress the drive pedal.
Usingthe DeckLiftLever
• 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 Setting The Cutting
Height earlier in this section.
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.
• Grasp the PTO lever and pivot it all the way forward
to the engaged (ON) position.
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