MTD Series 600 Operator's Manual page 17

Setting the Cutting Height Driving The Tractor
1. Selectthe heightpositionof the cuttingdeck by ,A WARN{NG:Avoid sudden starts, ex-ces- //1
placingthedeckliftleverinanyofthesixdifferent _ sive speed and sudden stops. (' LJ E1
cuttingheightnotcheson the right sideof the fender. ,................... _ r J
vvAN{_{{_:uo no[ leave me sea[ or me
2. Adjustthe deck wheelsso that they are between tractor without firstplacing the PTO(Blade
1A-inch and Y2-inch abovetheground whenthetractor Engage) knob (or lever) in the disengaged
ison a smooth,flat surfacesuch as a driveway.
,_ WARN{NG:Keep hands and feetaway from
the discharge opening of the cutting deck.
NOTE:The deckwheels areananti-scalp f eature ofthedeck
andarenotdesigned t osupport t heweight d thecutting deck.
Refer toLevelingtheDeckonpage20ofthismanual f ormore
detailed instructions regarding v arious deckadjustments.
Starting the Engine
WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if
the interlock system is malfunctioning.
This system was designed for your safety
and protection.
IMPORTANT: Y ourtractorisshippedwith motoroil in the
engine.However, y ou MUSTcheckthe oil levelbefore
operating.Be carefulnot to overfill.Refer tothe Engine
Operator'sManual i ncluded withyourlawntractor f or
complete Gasoline andOilfill-upinstructions.
1. Insertthe tractorkey intothe ignition switch.
2. Placethe PTO(Blade Engage)knob(or lever)in the
disengaged(OFF) position.
3. Engagethe tractor'sparkingbrake.
4. Activatethe chokecontrol.
5. Turnthe ignitionkey clockwiseto the STARTposition.
Afterthe engine starts,releasethe key.It will returnto
the ON position.
IMPORTANT:DoNOThold the key in the STARTposi-
tionfor longerthanten secondsat a time.Doingso may
causedamageto your engine'selectricstarter.
6. Afterthe engine starts,deactivatethechokecontrol
and placethe throttlecontrol inthe FASTposition.
NOTE:Do NOTleavethe chokecontrolon while operat-
ingthe tractor.Doingso will resultina "rich"fuel mixture
and causethe engineto run poorly.
Stopping the Engine
,_ WARNING:If you strike a foreign object,
stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug
wire(s) and ground against the engine.
Thoroughly inspect the machine for
any damage. Repair the damage before
restarting and operating.
1. If thebladesare engaged, p lacethePTO(Blade
Engage) knob(or lever)inthedisengaged (OFF)
position.
2. Turnthe ignitionkey counterclockwise to the STOP
position.
3. Removethe keyfrom the ignition switchto prevent
unintendedstarting.
(OFF) position,depressing the brake pedal
and engaging the parkingbrake. If leaving
the tractor unattended, also turn the
ignition key off and remove the key.
1. Depressthe brakepedalto releasethe parkingbrake
and let the pedal up.
2. Movethe throttleleverintothe FAST(rabbit)position.
IMPORTANT: D o NOTusethe shift leverto changethe
directionof travelwhenthe tractoris in motion.Always
usethe brakepedalto bring the tractorto a complete
stopbeforeshifting.
3. To moveforward,placethe shift leverin the FOR-
WARDposition,thenslowlydepressthe drivepedal
untilthedesiredspeedisachieved.
4. To movein reverse,placethe shift leverin the
REVERSE position,checkthat the area behindis
clearthen slowlydepressthe drivepedal.
Driving On Slopes
Referto the SLOPEGAUGEon page 3 to help determine
slopeswhereyou mayoperatethetractorsafely.
,_ WARN{NG:Do not mow on inclines with
a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of
approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10feet). The
tractor could overturn and cause serious
injury.
• Mowup and down slopes,NEVERacross.
• Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon
slopes.
• Watchfor holes,ruts,bumps,rocks,or otherhidden
objects. Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.
Tallgrass can hideobstacles.
• Avoidturnswhen drivingon a slope.If a turnmustbe
made,turn downthe slope.Turningup a slopegreatly
increasesthe chanceof a roll over.
Avoidstoppingwhen drivingup a slope.If it is
necessaryto stopwhile drivingup a slope,start up
smoothlyand carefullyto reducethe possibilityof
flippingthe tractorover backward.
WARNING
If you strike a foreign
object, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark
plugwire(s) and
groundagainst the
engine. Thoroughly
inspectthe machine for
any damage. Repair the
damage before restart-
ing and operating.
Avoid sudden starts,
ex-cessive speed and
sudden stops.
Do not leave the seat
of the tractor without
first placingthe PTO
(B{ade Engage) knob
(or lever) in the disen-
gaged (OFF) position,
depressing the brake
pedal and engaging
the parking brake, if
leavingthe tractor
unattended, also turn
the ignition key off and
remove the key.
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 trac-
tor could overturn and
.'ause serious injury.
17