Operation; General Safety - Cub Cadet Z-Force 54-KH Operator's Manual

Operation

General Safety

• RECEIVE INSTRUCTION — Entirely read this operator's
manual. Learn to operate this machine SAFELY. Do not risk
INJURY or DEATH. Allow only those who have become
competent in its usage to operate this tractor.
• Before starting the engine or beginning operation, be
familiar with the controls. The operator should be in the
operator's seat. The PTO switch must be in the disengaged
position, the parking brake engaged, and the RH and LH
drive control levers moved to the neutral position.
• Keep all shields in place. Keep away from moving parts.
• NO RIDERS! Keep all people and pets a safe distance away.
Look behind and down to both sides of the tractor before
and while backing up.
• DO NOT direct the mower discharge at people. Never
walk or stand on the discharge side of the mower when
the engine is running. Turn off the PTO if another person
approaches while you are operating the mower.
• Avoid slopes where possible. Never operate on slopes
greater than 15°. Slopes with a greater incline present
dangerous operating conditions. Tractors can be rolled
over. Always mow across slopes, never up and down
the slope. Avoid turning downhill if possible, start at
the bottom and work up to the top. Use extra care and
go slowly when turning downhill. Control the speed
and direction of the zero turn machine "primarily" with
the speed/directional control (lap bar) of the downhill
side of the machine, i.e., maintain the uphill side lap bar
"essentially" in a fixed position.
• Before leaving the operator's seat: Shut off the PTO, move
the RH and LH drive control levers fully outward in the
neutral position, engage the parking brake, shut off the
engine and remove the ignition key. Wait for all movement
to stop before servicing or cleaning.
• When operating this mower, in the forward direction, do
not allow the steering levers to return to neutral on their
own. Operate the drive control levers smoothly and avoid
any sudden movements of the levers when starting and
stopping. Keep a firm grip on the control levers.
• Be careful when operating near gravel paths and roadways.
Stop the blades and tractor motion and wait for vehicles to
pass before operating along the road.
• Do not operate the tractor with the mower deck removed.
Removal of the deck will change the balance of the tractor,
and could contribute to a tractor rollover.
• Avoid operation on traction surfaces that are unstable; use
extreme caution if the surface is slippery. Always remove
debris and other objects from the area to be mowed -
debris and loose grass will reduce traction.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Watch for holes, sprinkler heads, and other hidden hazards.
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• Avoid driving too close to trees, creeks, ditches, sand traps,
and other obstacles.
• Slow down before turning and come to a complete stop
before any zero turn maneuver.
• If you hit a solid object while mowing, turn off the PTO,
place the steering levers in the neutral, opened-out
position, move the throttle to slow, set the parking brake,
shut off the engine, and take the key from the ignition
switch. Inspect for damage. Repair the damage. Make sure
the blades are in good condition and that the blade bolts
are tight before restarting the engine.
• Do not stop the tractor or park the tractor over
combustible materials such as dry grass, leaves, debris, etc.
• Keep the mower and especially the engine and hydraulic
components clean and free of grease, grass, and leaves to
reduce the chance of fire and permit proper cooling.
• Do not fill the fuel tank when the engine is running or
while the engine is hot. Allow the engine several minutes
to cool before refueling. Tighten the fuel cap securely.
Before Operating Your Tractor
1. Before you operate the tractor, study this manual carefully
to familiarize yourself with the operation of all the
instruments and controls. It has been prepared to help you
operate and maintain your tractor efficiently.
2. Fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline
with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher. When
the fuel reaches one inch from the top of the tank, stop. DO
NOT OVERFILL. Space must be left for expansion.
3. Check the engine oil level. Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it
off and reinsert it. Pull it out again and read the oil level. If
it is below the operating range, add oil through the fill tube
using a funnel to bring it up to the top of the operating
range.
4. Check the tire inflation pressures - 8-10 psi for the rear tires,
20-25 psi front caster tires.
NOTE: New tires are overinflated in order to properly seat
the bead to the rim.
5. Check that all nuts, bolts and screws are tight.
6. Check the tension of the deck drive belts.
a. Remove the deck cover
b. The tension of the deck drive belts are maintained
by a spring mechanism that adjusts for wear and
stretch.
c. Examine the belts for cuts, fraying, and excessive
wear. Replace if any of these are detected.
d. Replace the deck cover.
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