Operation; Training; Steering; Before Starting - Craftsman Z7400 Operator's Manual

Read the
Safety section and following pages, if you are
unfamiliar with the machine,
Training
Due to unique steering capabilities, zero turn mowers are far
more maneuverable than typical riding mowers,
This section should be reviewed in its entirety prior to
attempting to move the mower under its own power, When
first operating the mower or until becoming comfortable with
controls, use a reduced throttle speed and reduced ground
speed, DO NOT move control levers to the furthest forward or
reverse positions during initial operation,
First time users should become familiar with the mower's
movement on a hard surface, such as concrete or blacktop
PRIOR to attempting to operate on turf, Until the operator
becomes comfortable with the mower controls and zero turning
capability, overly aggressive maneuvers may damage turf,
Steering
To move forward and backward
The direction and speed of the mower's movements are
effected by the movement of the control lever(s) on each side
of mower, The left control lever controls the left wheel, The right
control lever controls the right wheel,
First time users should push the mower (see Manual Transport
in the Operation section) to an open, fiat area without other
people, vehicles or obstacles nearby, To move the unit under
its own power, the operator must sit in the seat and start the
engine (see Before Starting in the Operation section), Adjust
the engine speed to idle, disengage the park brake but do not
engage the blades at this time, Rotate control levers inward,
As long as the control levers have not been moved forward or
backwards, the mower will not move,
Slowly move both control levers forward slightly, This will allow
mower to start moving forward in a straight line. Pull the control
levers back to the neutral position and the mower should stop
moving,
Pull back slightly on control levers, allowing the mower to
move backwards. Push the control levers forward to the neutral
position and mower should stop moving,
To turn to the right
While moving in a forward direction, pull the right lever back
towards the neutral position while maintaining the position of
the left lever, this will slow the rotation of the right wheel and
cause the machine to turn in that direction,
To turn to the left
While moving in a forward direction pull the left lever back
towards the neutral position while maintaining the position of
the right lever, this will slow the rotation of the left wheel and
cause the machine to turn in that direction,
To zero turn
While moving in a forward direction, first pull both control
levers back until the mower stops or slows dramatically,
Then by alternating one lever slightly to the forward position
and the other in the reverse position, complete the turn,
Before Starting
1, Read the sections on Safetyand Controls before starting
the machine,
2, Perform the daily maintenance before starting (see
Maintenance Schedule in the Maintenance section),
3, Check that there is sufficient fuel in the fuel tank,
4, Adjust the seat to the desired position,
5, Set the deck cutting height by inserting the lift pin into the
desired cut height,
6, The following conditions must be fulfilled before the
engine can be started:
,, The blade switch must be pressed downward into the
disengaged position,
,, The park brake must be up into the activated position,
,, Both steering controls must be in the locked (outer) neutral
position,
_, WARNING! Engine exhaust and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals considered to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive system damage.
The engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is a
odorless, colorless, poisonous gas. Do not use the machine
in enclosed spaces.