Setting The Cutting Height; Stopping The Engine; Driving The Tractor - Troy-Bilt 26J Mini-Rider Operator's Manual

Setting the Cutting Height

1. Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing
the deck lift lever in any of the different cutting height
notches on the right side of the fender.
WARNING!
discharge opening of the cutting deck.
Refer to Leveling the Deck in the Maintenance & Adjustments
section of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding
various deck adjustments.
Starting the Engine
WARNING!
interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was
designed for your safety and protection.
NOTE: Refer to the Assembly & Set-Up section of this manual for
gasoline and oil fill-up instructions.
1. Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
2. Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF)
position.
3. Engage the tractor's parking brake.
4. Activate the choke control.
5. Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position. After
the engine starts, release the key. It will return to the ON
position.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT hold the key in the START position
for longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so may cause
damage to your engine's electric starter.
6. After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control by
placing the throttle control into the FAST position.
NOTE: Do NOT operate this unit with the Choke control
activated. Doing so will result in a "rich" fuel mixture and can
cause the engine to run poorly.

Stopping the Engine

WARNING!
engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground
against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine
for any damage. Repair the damage before
restarting and operating.
1. If the blades are engaged, place the PTO (Blade Engage)
lever in the disengaged (OFF) position.
1. Move the throttle lever into the SLOW position.
2. Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the STOP
position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent
unintended starting.
18 18 S S 5— o 5— o
ection ection peration peration
Keep hands and feet away from the
Do not operate the tractor if the
If you strike a foreign object, stop the

Driving The Tractor

WARNING!
Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed
and sudden stops.
WARNING!
Do not leave the seat of the tractor
without first placing the PTO (Blade Engage) 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.
WARNING!
Always look down and behind before
and while backing up to avoid a back-over accident.
1. Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or REVERSE
position.
3. Depress the clutch-brake pedal and move the speed
control lever out of the parking brake position into desired
speed position.
IMPORTANT:
Do NOT use the shift lever to change the
direction of travel when the tractor is in motion. Always use
the brake pedal to bring the tractor to a complete stop before
shifting.
IMPORTANT:
First-time operators should use speed positions 1
or 2. Become completely familiar with the tractor's operation and
controls before operating the tractor in higher speed positions.
4. Release clutch-brake pedal slowly to put unit into motion.
5. The lawn tractor is brought to a stop by depressing the
clutch-brake pedal.
NOTE: When operating the unit initially, there will be little
difference between the highest two speeds until after the belts
have seated themselves into the pulleys during the break-in
period.
WARNING!
Before leaving the operator's position
for any reason, disengage the blades, place the shift
lever in neutral, engage the parking brake, shut
engine off and remove the key.
IMPORTANT:
When stopping the tractor for any reason while
on a grass surface, always:
1. Place the shift lever into neutral.
2. Engage the parking brake,
3. Shut the engine off and remove the key. Doing so will
minimize the possibility of having your lawn ''browned'' by
hot exhaust from your tractor's running engine.
If unit stalls with speed control in high speed, or if unit will
not operate with speed control lever in a low speed position,
proceed as follows:
1. Place shift lever in NEUTRAL.
2. Restart engine.
3. Place speed control lever in highest speed position.
4. Release clutch-brake pedal fully.
5. Depress clutch-brake pedal.
6. Place speed control lever in desired position.
7. Place shift lever in either FORWARD or REVERSE, and follow
normal operating procedures.