Maintenance And Service; Cleaning Your Deck - Cub Cadet 20HP Z-Force 44 Operator's And Service Manual

e. Push the throttle control to the full forward
position.
f. Insert the key in the ignition and start switch
and turn the switch to "On".
g. Gasoline Engine: If the engine is cold, pull
the choke to the "on" (up) position.
h. Turn the ignition key in a clockwise direction
to the "Start" position until the engine
starts.
Note:
Do not hold the key in the "Start"
position for more than 10 seconds or you may
damage the starter. If the engine does not start
in this time, wait about 30 seconds and try
again.
i. Gasoline Engine: Once the engine starts,
move the choke halfway and as the engine
warms, push the choke to "off" (down).
4. Operating the Mower: Operating a zero-turn-
ing-radius mower is not like operating a trac-
tor-type riding mower. The zero-turning-radius
mower is much more maneuverable and much
less fatiguing to operate. However, getting
used to the fingertip control of the zero-turn-
ing-radius mower takes some practice. We
strongly recommend that you locate a "test
area" where you can operate the mower for
about 30 minutes without being disturbed.
a. Get into the operator's seat.
b. Start the engine.
c. Use the deck lift pedal to raise the mowing
deck to the transport position. Make sure
the blade clutch switch is off.
d. After the engine has warmed, adjust the
throttle to the fast position.
e. Release the parking brake.
f. Fold in the steering levers to the operating
position.
WARNING:
When operating this mower forward, do not
allow the steering levers to return to the neu-
tral position on their own. Always maintain a
firm grip on the steering levers, operate them
smoothly and avoid any sudden movements of
the levers when starting or stopping.
g. To go forward, move both steering levers
slightly forward and the mower will slowly
move forward. The farther you move the
levers forward the faster the mower will go
forward.
h. To back up, move both steering levers
slightly backward and the mower will slowly
move backward. The farther you move the
levers backward the faster the mower will
go backward.
i. To turn, pull the lever back on the side to
which you want to turn. The farther back
you pull the lever, the faster and more
sharply you will turn. Initially, you will have
to be careful to avoid turning too fast and
too far.
j. After you have mastered operating the
mower, use the deck lift pedal to lower the
mowing deck to the cutting position and pull
on the electric blade clutch switch to start
the blades rotating.
k. Practice mowing in straight passes. When
you feel confident, slowly practice mowing
around obstacles such as trees.
5. Parking the Mower:
a. Push off the electric blade clutch switch.
b. Use the deck lift pedal to raise the mowing
deck to the transport position.
c. Drive the mower to the cleanup or storage
area.
d. Move the throttle to slow.
e. Place the steering levers in the neutral
position.
f. Set the parking brake.
g. Turn off the ignition switch and take the key
from the switch.
h. Close the fuel shutoff valves.
i. Never park near open flames or ignition
sources.
MAINTENANCE AND
SERVICE
Disconnect the spark plug wires or remove the
key from the ignition to prevent the engine
from accidentally starting before performing
any maintenance on this mower.
A. Cleaning your Deck
Use the Deck Wash System to rinse grass clip-
pings from the deck's underside and prevent the
buildup of corrosive chemicals. Complete the fol-
lowing steps after each mowing:
IMPORTANT: Make certain the machine's dis-
charge chute is directed away from people, chil-
dren, animals, and your house, garage, parked
cars, etc.
a. Drive the machine to a level, clear spot on
your lawn, near enough to a water faucet
(spigot) for your garden hose to reach.
b. Make sure that the PTO (mower deck blade
engage) control is in the "OFF" position.
c. Move shift lever or speed control into the
"Neutral" position.
d. Set the parking brake, and turn the ignition
key to the "STOP" position to stop the
engine.
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WARNING: