Driving On Slopes - Yard-Man 604 series Operator's Manual

4
Operating
Your Lawn
Tractor
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.
To help avoid blade
contact or a thrown
object injury, keep
bystanders, helpers,
children and pets
at least 75 feet from
the machine while it
is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone
enters the area.
4. To move in reverse, place the shift lever in the
REVERSE position, check that the area behind is
clear then slowly depress the drive pedal.

Driving On Slopes

Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 3 to help deter-
mine slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.
WARNING: Do not mow on
inclines with a slope in excess
of 15 degrees (a rise of approxi-
mately 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.
Setting The Cruise Control
1. Place the shift lever in the FORWARD position,
then slowly depress the drive pedal until the desired
speed is achieved.
2. Lightly depress the cruise control button.
3. While continuing to hold the cruise 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 can not 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.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the following
methods:
1. Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise
control and stop the tractor.
2. Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change to the reverse direction when operating with
cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage the
cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete stop.
Then place the shift lever in the REVERSE position and
depress the drive pedal.
Engaging the Blades
Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the
cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments.
To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit)
position.
Models with Manual PTO
2. a. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all
the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
Models with Electric PTO
b. Pull the PTO (Blade Engage) knob outward into the
engaged (ON) position.
3. Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position
for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments
IMPORTANT: The engine (on models with a manual PTO)
or electric PTO clutch (on models with an electric PTO)
will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the
shift lever in position for reverse travel with the ignition
key in the NORMAL MOWING position. Refer to Safety
Interlock Switches earlier in this section.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the
left, then place it in the notch best suited for your applica-
tion. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this
section.
Mowing
WARNING: To help avoid blade
contact or a thrown object injury,
keep bystanders, helpers, children
and pets at least 75 feet from the
machine while it is in operation.
Stop machine if anyone enters the
area.
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