Bolens LT-185 User Manual

WHITgjj^

Operators Manual
LT-185

Model Series

696
HYDROSTATIC
LAWN
TRACTOR
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-
covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.
^ WHITE OUTDOOR PRODUCTS COMPANY P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO. 770-10066
(9/98)

SECTION 1: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain your lawn tractor. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start to prepare your lawn tractor for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information from it in this Operator’s Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your dealer or the customer support department.
• Every lawn tractor has a model plate. You can locate it by pivoting the seat forward and looking under the seat at the seat pivot bracket. See Figure 1.
This is where your model number will be.
xxx-x-xxx-x-xxx xxxxxxxxxxx
This is where your serial number will be.
WHITC)j^
WHITE OUTDOOR
PRODUCTS COMPANY
P.O. BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
Copy the model number here:.
Copy the serial number here:.
Figure 1

SECTION 2; CALLING WARRANTY SERVICE

If you are having difficulty assembling this product or if you have any question regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Dealer Referral Line. You can reach them by calling:

1-800-949-4483

Before calling your local dealer, make sure that you have your model and serial numbers ready. By having the model and serial numbers ready, you help your local dealer give you faster service. To find your unit’s model and serial number, see SECTION 2: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER.

SECTION 3: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT
A
FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS WARNING.
WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the
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1. GENERAL OPERATION
State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
DANGER; Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this
manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can
result in serious injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the operator’s manual and on the machine before starting. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.
• Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the instructions to operate the machine. Know controls and how to stop the machine quickly.
• Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near rotating parts.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the blade. A small object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before
mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
• Never carry passengers.
• Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and backing up. Always look down and behind before and while backing.
• Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place.
• Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.
Never leave a running machine unattended. Always
turn off blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set
park brake, stop engine and remove key before
dismounting. Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.
Stop engine and wait until biade{s) comes to a
complete stop before (a) removing grass catcher or
unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass or debris.
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Do not operate the machine while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways. Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, because the unit could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload properly.
Never make a cutting height adjustment while engine
is running if operator must dismount to do so.
Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or
jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never
operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or sneakers. Check overhead clearance carefully before driving
under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree
branches, before entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situation where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in serious
injury.
Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral before
attempting to start engine.
• Your mower is designed to cut normal residential grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.
2. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip­over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15° as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.
DO:
Mow up and down slopes, not across. Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc. Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that
you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.
Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.
Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards which could cause serious injury.
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.
DO NOT:
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary: then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.
Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.
Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
3. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children wilt remain where you last saw them.
Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of an adult other than the operator.
Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.
Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children.
Never carry children, even with the blades off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with
the safe machine operation. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
the machine. Children 14 years and over should only operate machine under close parental supervision and proper instruction.
Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child or other hazard.
Remove key when machine is unattended to prevent
unauthorized operation,
4. SERVICE
Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Use only an approved container. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
Replace fuel cap securely and wipe off any spilled fuel before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or explosion.
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.
Never refuel the machine indoors because fuel vapors will accumulate in the area.
Never store the fuel container or machine inside where there is an open flame or spark, such as a gas hot water heater, space heater or furnace.
Never run a machine inside a closed area. To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free of
grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Aiso, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., excessive wear, bent, cracked). Replace with blade which meets original equipment specifications.
Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.
Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. Use alt guards as instructed in this manual.
After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
remove the wire from the spark plug and thoroughly
inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower.
Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose
moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For
your safety protection, frequently check components and replace with manufacturer’s
recommended parts when necessary.
Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution
when servicing blade(s).
Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and
service as required.
Muffler, engine and belt guards become hot during operation and can cause a burn. Allow to cool down before touching.
Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are dangerous.
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations.
Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm
the environment and the ecology.
Prior to disposal, determine the proper method to
dispose of waste from your local Environmental
Protection Agency. Recycling centers are established to properly dispose of materials in an
environmentally safe fashion.
Use proper containers when draining fluids. Do not use food or beverage containers that may mislead someone into drinking from them. Properly dispose of the containers immediately following the draining of fluids.
DO NOT pour oil or other fluids into the ground, down a drain or into a stream, pond, lake or other body of water. Observe Environmental Protection Agency regulations when disposing of oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, filters, batteries, tires and other harmful waste.
WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to persons
who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
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KEEP HANDS and FEET AWAY. 00 N01 OPERAfE MOWER UNLESS THIS GUARD OR ENTIRE GRASS­CATCHER IS IN ITS PROPER PLACE.
ASSEMBLE CHUTE DEFLECTOR TO THIS UNIT BEFORE OPERATING.

A DANGER

ASSEMBLE CHUTE DEFLECTOR
TO THIS UNIT
BEFORE OPERATING MACHINE
A DANGER
fll/OIO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
AMD FEET WIM FROM
POMrf«Gp;,BIS
01 08JECIS Ttwr cm 0[ THROWN B’i
O'NiCriOtl WEAR SAFETY GLASSES
joc MOW WHEN CHILOREH OR OTFTERS
'■Dr across avoid suodeh turns, use low gear
fcΣi|21î22il5!iNUAL. KEEPSAFETYDEVnÇESYjO^î!^
NEVER CARRY children
CAUIlOK ON SLOPES DO HOT MOW
greater than is row UP AHO DOWN
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, DO NOT OPERATE MOWER UNLESS DISCHARGE CHUTE COVER OR GRASS CATCHER IS IN ITS PROPER PLACE.
SAFETY SEAT
WHEN OPERATOn LEAVES SEAT THE ENGINE WILL STOP IF
pafikinc brake is not engages or blaoe.'s are engaged.
Figure 2 Safety labels found on your unit
5
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
----------A POWER POLE
---------------------A CORNER OF A BUILDING
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3 (0
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--------------------------------
-IfSeA/r,..
OR A FENCE POST
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WARNING
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Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain
your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes. Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.
SECTION 4: UNPACKING
TO REMOVE UNIT FROM CRATE
1. Remove all screws from the top of the crate using a 1/4" hex head socket or a flat blade screwdriver.
2. To remove ends, grasp top board on the end, and pull towards you in a downward motion.
(A hammer may be helpful).
3. Set panel aside to avoid tire punctures.
4. Repeat procedure for each side of the crate.
5. Remove and discard plastic bag which covers unit.
6. Loose parts (may include the owner’s guide,
7. Make certain parking brake and hydrostatic
SECTION 5; ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT; After assembly, service engine with gasoline, and check oil level as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit.
_____________________________________
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of
the unit is observed from the driver’s seat, facing
forward.
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY
(1) 1/4" socket wrench or flat blade screwdriver
(1) 1/2" wrench or socket wrench (1) 9/16" wrench or socket wrench (2) 7/16" wrenches or socket wrenches
BATTERY INFORMATION
E. NEVER connect or disconnect charger clips to
F. Keep all lighted materials (cigarettes, matches,
G. As a further precaution, only charge the battery
*Always shield eyes, protect skin and clothing
steering wheel, optional oil drain hose, battery fluid, chute deflector, etc.) are in a box wrapped in plastic. Carefully cut and remove the plastic wrap. Remove the loose parts.
transmission relief valve are released and unit is in neutral. See the controls section of this manual for the location of the parking brake
release and the hydrostatic relief valve. Raise
the deck and push the unit off the skid.
battery while charger is turned on as it can cause sparks.
lighters) away from the battery as the hydrogen gas generated during charging can be combusti ble.
in a well-ventilated area.
when working near batteries.
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WARNING
A.
Battery acid must be handled with great care as contact with it can burn and blister the skin. It is also advisable to wear protective clothing (gog gles, rubber gloves and apron) when working with it.
B.
Should battery acid accidentally splatter into the eyes or onto the face, rinse the affected area immediately with clean cold water. If there is any further discomfort, seek prompt medical atten tion.
If acid spills on clothing, first dilute it with clean
C.
water, then neutralize with a solution of ammonia/ water or baking soda/water.
D.
Since battery acid is corrosive, do not pour it into any sink or drain. Before discarding empty elec trolyte containers, rinse them with a neutralizing
solution.
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DANGER
Battery contains sulfuric acid. Refer to warning at right. Antidote: EXTERNAL—Flush with water.
INTERNAL—Drink large quantities of water or milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable oil. Call physician immediately. EYES: Flush with cool water for at least 15 minutes, then get prompt medical attention.
Since batteries produce explosive gases, keep all lighted materials (cigarettes, lighters, matches, etc.) away. Be sure to charge battery
only in well-ventilated areas. Make certain venting path of battery drain tube (if equipped) is always open.
KEEP BATTERIES
OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN!
BATTERY IDENTIFICATION
Compare the battery in your lawn tractor (located
under the seat) with the illustration above. Type “A” batteries are activated and are ready to use. Type “B” batteries must be filled with battery fluid (acid) and charged before they are put into service. Follow the instructions which apply to the battery in your
lawn tractor.
CHARGE THE BATTERY after the 30 minute standing period. Battery P/N 725-1705D—Charge at 2-3 amps for one hour. Battery P/N 725-1707D, 725­0453G and 725-1750—Charge at 6 amps for one hour.
NOTE: If you charge the battery at a lower AMP
rate, use a hydrometer to make sure the battery is completely charged. The hydrometer should read
1.260 minimum at an electrolyte temperature of 60­11CPF. DO NOT CHARGE AT MORE THAN 6
AMPS.
ATTACHING THE STEERING WHEEL
1. The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has been packed inside the steering wheel. Carefully pry off the steering wheel cap and remove the hardware.
2. With the wheels of the tractor pointing straight forward, place the steering wheel over
the steering shaft, positioning steering wheel as desired. See Figure 3.
3. Place the washer with the cupped side down over the steering shaft. Secure with hex lock bolt.
4. Place the steering wheel cap over the center of the steering wheel and seat it with your hand.
ACTIVATING AND CHARGING THE BATTERY
(TYPE “B” BATTERY ONLY) Do not activate battery (fill with battery acid)
until battery is actually placed in service. Be certain to read previous battery warnings before
activating the battery.
1. Pivot the seat pivot bracket forward. Unhook the strap which secures the battery (hook is on rear frame, urider fender). Disconnect the positive cable from the positive terminal. Save the hardware for reassembly.
2. Remove the battery from the lawn tractor, paying attention to how the battery is placed in the unit, and how the drain tube (attached to the battery)
is routed.
3. Activate the battery as instructed in the “Quick Start” brochure included with the battery fluid.
Read instructions carefully.
NOTE: You can continue assembling the lawn
tractor while battery is standing for 30 minutes (after filling with acid), and later while you are charging the
battery.
IMPORTANT: To obtain the maximum life from
your battery, it MUST BE CHARGED prior to initial use.
Steering Wheel -
Cap
Hex
Cupped Washer
Steering
Shaft
Figure 3
ATTACHING THE SEAT
Pull out the tab on seat stop and hold open while sliding seat out of seat pivot bracket. See Figure 4. Turn the seat around and line up plastic seat spacers with the slots in seat pivot bracket. Slide seat in until front seat spacer engages the seat stop. See Figure 4. To adjust the seat refer to the adjustment section in this manual.
Note: if your seat was shipped in a box, line up
plastic seat spacers with the slots in the seat pivot bracket and slide seat in untii front seat spacer engages seat stop. See Figure 5.
Warning: Before operating your unit,
dk
stand behind quick adjustment seat and
pull back on seat, making sure seat is engaged in seat stop.
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WARNING: Do not operate your unit
unless the chute deflector has been properly installed.
1. Make certain deck is raised to its highest position {lift lever pulled all the way back).
2. Remove the hex head cap screws, cupped washers and hex nuts which are attached to the deck next to the chute opening.
3. Place the chute deflector in position as shown in Figure 6. Secure with hardware just removed. Cupped sides of washers go against the chute deflector.
TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on your unit may be over-inflated for ship
ping purposes. Reduce the tire pressure before oper ating the unit. Recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 10 p.s.i. Check sidewall of tire for maximum p.s.i.
WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under any circumstances is 30 p.s.i. Equal tire
A
pressure should be maintained on alt tires.
LEVELING THE DECK
ATTACHING THE CHUTE DEFLECTOR
The chute deflector must be attached to the right side of the deck so that it covers the chute opening.
With unit on hard, level surface, measure the dis tance from the bottom edge of the center of the left side of deck to the ground. Measure the same dis tance on the center of the right side of the deck, just behind the chute area. Or, place the blades in a straight line, and measure the distance from the out side edge of the blade tips to the ground.
If adjustment is needed, proceed as follows.
1. Remove the hairpin clip and flat washer from the bottom of the adjustable lift link on the left side of the deck. See Figure 7. {Hairpin clip and flat washer are on the inside of the lift link.)
2. Pull the adjustable lift link out of the deck hanger. Turn the adjustable lift link up or down as necessary to level the deck. Usually only one or two turns are needed.
3. Insert the end of the adjustable lift link into the hole in the deck hanger. Recheck the adjustment. Readjust if necessary.
4. When deck is level, secure end of adjustable lift link with flat washer and hairpin clip.
Negative
Cable
Positive Terminal
(Inside Rubber Boot)
Negative Terminal
Compartment
Figure 8
Battery
Battery
INSTALLING THE BATTERY (TYPE “A”) NOTE: If battery is put into service after date
shown on top of battery, charge for minimum of 1 hour at 6-10 amps.
1. Lift the seat.
2. Remove the plastic cover from the negative terminal.
3. Remove the hex bolt and nut from the negative (black) cable. Attach negative cable to the negative terminal with this bolt and nut.
INSTALLING THE BATTERY (TYPE “B”)
1. Lift the seat. Make certain both the negative (black) cable and
2.
the positive (red) cable are routed up through the battery compartment as shown in Figure 8.
Replace the battery into the battery
3. compartment in the same position as it was before (positive terminal is toward the front of the unit).
10
4,
Attach the positive (red) cable to the positive terminal of the battery. Secure with hex bolt and
nut previously removed. Slide rubber boot down
over the positive terminal.
5.
Remove the hex bolt and nut from the negative (black) cable. Attach negative cable to the negative terminal with this bolt and nut.
6.
Secure battery by hooking battery strap into slot
SECTIONS: CONTROLS
in rear frame, under the fender. See Figure 9. Insert the drain tube through the hole in the
7. transaxle reinforcement bracket located on the
right side of the unit. See Figure 9. Be certain drain tube is routed away from the wheel rim.
Trim excess end of drain tube if necessary
8.
(about 4" should extend past the bracket or cable tie).
IGNITION SWITCH
The ignition switch is located on the dashboard. Turn the key to the START position to start the engine. When the engine is running, leave the key in the ON position. To stop the engine, turn the key to the OFF position. See Figure 10.
WARNING: Remove key from the
A
tractor when tractor is not in use to prevent accidental starting.
THROTTLE CONTROL
The throttle control is located on the dashboard and is used to regulate the engine speed. To get maximum efficiency from cutting, the throttle should be in the FAST position when operating the mower. See Figure 10.
Throttle
Control
Clutch-Brake Pedal
Deck Height
Adjustment Knob
PTO witch
AMMETER
The ammeter registers the rate of battery charge or discharge. The ammeter will register on the discharg ing side with starting the engine. It should register on the opposite side (charging) when the engine is run ning in the fast position until the battery is completely charged. With a fully charged battery or with the engine idling, the ammeter will not show a charge. See Figure 10.
HYDROSTATIC CONTROL LEVER
The hydrostatic control lever is located on top of the fender on the right side of the tractor. This single con trol lever, connected to the hydrostatic transmission, controls both the speed and direction of the tractor.
Infinite speed control is achieved by moving the con trol lever forward or backward. The farther forward or backward you move the control lever, the faster you will travel. Pulling the control lever into neutral (N) area will stop the tractor. See Figure 11.
Hydrostatic Control
Lever
Figure 10
CHOKE CONTROL
The choke control is located on the left side of the dashboard and is operated manually. Details for the choke operation are covered in the separate engine
manual packed with your unit. See Figure 10.
LIGHT SWITCH
The head tamps are operated by pushing the light switch located on the dashboard. The head lamps will only operate when the engine is running. See
Figure 10.
Figure 11
CLUTCH-BRAKE PEDAL
The clutch-brake pedal is located on the left side of
the tractor. See Figure 10. Depressing the pedal
returns the drive unit to neutral (N) and applies the brake.
NOTE: The clutch-brake pedal must be depressed
to start the engine.
11
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