Troy-Bilt J609 User Manual

Operator’s Manual

Automatic Lawn Tractors

Super Bronco™

Bronco™

(Models T609 & J609)

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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 44136-0019.

MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A.	FORM NO. 770-10490F.fm
	(12/1/2004)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content	Page	Content	Page
Customer Support	2	Maintaining Your Lawn Tractor	18
Important Safe Operation Practices	3	Service	19
Slope Gauge	7	Off Season Storage	22
Tractor Set-Up	8	Attachments & Accessories	22
Know Your Lawn Tractor	9	Troubleshooting	23
Operating Your Lawn Tractor	12	Parts List	24
Making Adjustments	16	Warranty	40

FINDING MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate under the seat of the tractor and copy the information in the space provided below. A sample model plate is also given below. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s web site and/or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized service dealer.

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

TROY-BILT LLC

P. O. BOX 361131 www.troybilt.com CLEVELAND, OH 44136

330-558-7220

866-840-6483

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit troybilt.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately available.

The answer you are		The answer you are
looking for could be just		looking for could be just
a mouse click away!		a mouse click away!

To reach the Customer Support Line, please call 1-866-840-6483 or 1-330-558-7220.

	Engine			The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to
				performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine
	Manual
				manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, at the end of this manual, for more information.

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SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not 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 this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.

DANGER: This machine 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 machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

California Proposition 65 Warning:

WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

GENERAL OPERATION

1.Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2.Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.

3.Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

4.Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction.

5.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.

6.Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys, and other foreign objects which could be picked up and thrown by the blade(s). Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury.

7.Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.

8.Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.

9.Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes and jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never operate this machine in bare feet or sandals.

10.Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without the discharge cover or entire grass catcher in its proper place.

11.Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate hands and feet.

12.A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries.

13.Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads and while not cutting grass.

14.Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. This machine is not intended for use on any public roadway.

15.Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

16.Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

17.Never carry passengers.

18.Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse. Back up slowly. Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident.

19.Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.

20.Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine and wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop before removing grass catcher, emptying grass, unclogging chute, removing any grass or debris, or making any adjustments.

21.Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.

22.Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or down ramp(s), because the unit could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed manually on ramp(s) to load or unload properly.

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23.Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.

24.Check overhead clearances carefully before driving under low hanging tree branches, wires, door openings etc., where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in serious injury.

25.Disengage all attachment clutches, depress the brake pedal completely and shift into neutral before attempting to start engine.

26.Your machine 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. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine exhaust and/or build up on the mower deck presenting a potential fire hazard.

27.Use only accessories and attachments approved for this machine by the machine manufacturer. Read, understand and follow all instructions provided with the approved accessory or attachment.

28.Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above, are involved in a large percentage of riding mower-related injuries. These operators should evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to protect themselves and others from serious injury.

29.If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact an authorized MTD Service Dealer for assistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over 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 degrees as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.

DO:

1.Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

2.Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

3.Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes are functioning properly. Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.

4.Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.

5.Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.

6.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.

7.Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.

DO NOT:

1.Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.

2.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, ditch, or if an edge caves in.

3.Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

4.Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.

5.Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

6.Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Overspeeding may cause the operator to lose control of the machine resulting in serious injury or death.

7.Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5 degrees. When going down hill, the extra weight tends to push the tractor and may cause you to loose control. (e.g. tractor may speed up, braking and steering ability are reduced, attachment may jack-knife and cause tractor to overturn).

CHILDREN

1.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. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

a.Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.

b.Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.

c.Before and while backing, look behind and down for small children.

d.Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation.

4

e.Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may block your vision of a child who may run into the machine.

f.To avoid back-over accidents, always disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting into reverse. The “Reverse Caution Mode” should not be used when children or others are around.

g.Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.

h.Remove key when machine is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation.

9.Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

TOWING

1.Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the hitch point.

2.Follow the manufacturers recommendation for weight limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.

3.Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.

4.On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control.

5.Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.

6.Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.

SERVICE

SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE:

1.To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

a.Use only an approved gasoline container.

b.Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.

c.When practical, remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

d.Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.

e.Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

f.Never fuel machine indoors.

g.Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

h.Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion.

i.Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

j.If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.

k.To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.

l.Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.

m.Allow a machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.

GENERAL SERVICE:

1.Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless, and deadly gas.

2.Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade(s) and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

3.Periodically check to make sure the blades come to complete stop within approximately (5) five seconds after operating the blade disengagement control. If the blades do not stop within the this time frame, your unit should be serviced professionally by an authorized MTD Service Dealer.

4.Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected to wear during normal operation. Adjust and service as required.

5.Check the blade(s) and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade(s) for damage (e.g., excessive wear, bent, cracked).

Replace the blade(s) with the original equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) blade(s) only, listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!”

6.Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

7.Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.

5

8.Never tamper with the safety interlock system or other safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

9.After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating.

10.Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the machine while the engine is running.

11.Grass catcher components and the discharge cover are subject to wear and damage which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown.

For safety protection, frequently check components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!”

12.Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

13.Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.

14.Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.

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.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, DO NOT

OPERATE UNLESS DISCHARGE COVER OR

GRASS CATCHER IS IN ITS PROPER PLACE.

IF DAMAGED, REPLACE IMMEDIATELY.

6

SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE

Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes.

.slopes ofOperateRIDINGmowersslopes,acrossfaceneverdownandtheup	resultingseriousfootingcouldinjuryyourslip,andyouin.	maintain to difficult extremely is it slope, a such on moweroperatingoverturnseriousbehindcauseinjurycouldwalkandIfa-.	mower riding A .feet) 10 every feet 1/2-2 approximatelydegreesinclinesexcessofslopemowrisewithnotDo15on(aofina	WARNING				&OLD		3IGHTGANDTHOLDVERTICALLTREELEVELLWITHTHISA
								ALONG	BUILDING A CORNERCOF A OR
								DOTTEDNLINE
							A	REPRESENTS
								POST FENCEORA
						SLOPE
						7

SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP

Attaching the Battery Cables

NOTE: The positive battery terminal is marked Pos.

(+). The negative battery terminal is marked Neg. (–).

•The positive cable (heavy red wire) is secured to the positive battery terminal (+) with a hex bolt and hex nut at the factory. Make certain that the rubber boot covers the terminal to help protect it from corrosion.

•Remove the hex bolt and wing nut from the negative cable.

•Remove the black plastic cover, if present, from the negative battery terminal and attach the negative cable (heavy black wire) to the negative battery terminal (–) with the bolt and wing nut.

•Make certain the hold-down strap is in position over the battery, securing it in place. See Figure 1.

	Rubber Boot
Wing Nut	Hex Bolt

Figure 1

NOTE: If the battery is put into service after the date shown on top of battery, charge the battery as instructed on page 19 of this manual prior to operating the tractor.

Gas and Oil Fill-up

The gasoline tank is located under the hood and has a capacity of either two or three gallons. Do not overfill.

WARNING: Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.

Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate Briggs & Stratton Operator/Owner Manual packed with your tractor. Read instructions carefully.

IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before operating. Be careful not to overfill.

Shipping Brace Removal

WARNING: Make sure the riding mower’s engine is off, remove the ignition key, and set the parking brake before removing the shipping brace.

•Locate the shipping brace, if present, and accompanying warning tag found on the right side of the mower, between the discharge chute and the cutting deck. See Figure 2.

Shipping Brace

Warning Tag

Figure 2

•While holding the discharge chute with your left hand, remove the shipping brace with your right hand by grasping it between your thumb and index finger and rotating it clockwise.

WARNING: The shipping brace, used for packaging purposes only, must be removed and discarded before operating your riding mower.

WARNING: The mowing deck is capable of throwing objects. Failure to operate the riding mower without the discharge cover in the proper operating position could result in serious personal injury and/or property damage.

8

SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR

	G
	H
A
	I
B	J
	K
C
D	L
	E
	F

NOTE: Steering Wheel not shown for clarity.

Figure 3

A	PTO (Blade Engage) Lever	G	Throttle Lever
B	Ammeter	H	Ignition Switch Module
C	Choke Knob (Super Bronco Only)	I	Brake Pedal
D	Parking Brake Button	J	Drive Pedal
E	Shift Lever	K	Cruise Control Button
F	Cup Holder	L	Deck Lift Lever

NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s position.

9

Throttle Control Lever

The throttle control lever is located on the right side of the tractor’s dash panel. This lever controls the speed of the engine and, on the Bronco models, when pushed all the way forward, the choke control also. When set in a given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed. See Figure 4.

(Bronco)

(Super Bronco)

Choke

Position Fast

Position

Fast

Position

				Slow
Slow
				Position
Position

Figure 4

IMPORTANT: When operating the tractor with the cutting deck engaged, be certain that the throttle lever is always in the FAST (rabbit) position.

Choke Control

On Super Bronco models, the choke control can be found on the left side of the dash panel and is activated by pulling the knob outward. Activating the choke control closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine. Refer to Starting The Engine on page 13 of this manual for detailed starting instructions.

Brake Pedal

The brake pedal is located on the right front side of the tractor above the drive pedal along the running board. The brake pedal can be used for sudden stops or setting the parking brake.

NOTE: The brake pedal must be fully depressed to activate the safety interlock switch when starting the tractor.

Ignition Switch Module

WARNING: Never leave a running machine unattended. Always disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.

To start the engine, insert the key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the key into the NORMAL MOWING MODE position once the engine has fired.

To stop the engine, turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF position. See Figure 5.

.ORMAL $RIVINGV-ODE

3TOP

0OSITION

3TART

0OSITION

Figure 5

IMPORTANT: Prior to operating the tractor, refer to both

Safety Interlock Switches on page 12 and Starting The Engine on page 13 of this manual for detailed instructions regarding the Ignition Switch Module and operating the tractor in REVERSE CAUTION MODE.

Drive Pedal

The drive pedal is located below the brake pedal on the right front side of the tractor along the running board. Depress the drive pedal with your right foot when the tractor shift lever is in either FORWARD or REVERSE to cause the tractor to move. Ground speed is also controlled with the drive pedal. The further

down the pedal is depressed, the faster the tractor will travel. The pedal will return to its original position when it’s not depressed.

IMPORTANT: Always set the parking brake when leaving the tractor unattended.

10

Ammeter
The ammeter measures the	AM PS
electrical output of the engine’s
charging system. Under
normal operating conditions,
with engine at full throttle, the
ammeter should indicate
positive charge.

PTO (Blade Engage) Lever

ON

OFF PTO

04/4 /",!$% %.'!'%

The PTO (Blade Engage) lever is located on the left side of the dashboard next to the steering wheel. Move the PTO (Blade Engage) lever forward to engage the power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments; move the PTO (Blade Engage) lever rearward to disengage the power to the attachments.

NOTE: The PTO (Blade Engage) lever must be in the disengaged (OFF) position when starting the engine, when traveling in reverse and if the operator leaves the seat.

Seat Adjustment Lever

To adjust the seat position, loosen the two seat adjustment knobs and reposition the seat to the desired position. Once a comfortable position is found, tighten the adjustment knobs to lock the seat in place. Refer to Seat Adjustment on page 17 of this manual for more detailed instructions.

Deck Lift Lever

Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck. To use, move the lever to the left, then place in the notch best suited for your application.

Parking Brake Button
To set the parking brake, fully depress	P
the brake pedal and push the parking
brake button in. Hold the button in while
taking your foot off the brake pedal.
Both the parking button and the brake
pedal will then stay depressed. To
release the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal slightly. The parking brake
button will then return to its original
position.

NOTE: The parking brake must be set if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off.

IMPORTANT: Always set the parking brake when leaving the tractor unattended.

Cruise Control Button

The cruise control button is located on the tractor dash panel to the left of the ignition switch.

Push the cruise control button while traveling forward at a

desired speed. While holding the button in, release pressure from the drive pedal. This will engage the cruise control and allow the tractor to remain at that speed

without applying pressure to the drive pedal. Depress the brake pedal or the drive pedal to deactivate cruise control. Refer to Setting the Cruise Control on page 14 this manual for detailed instructions regarding the cruise control feature.

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.

Shift Lever

The shift lever is located on the left side of the fender and has three positions, FORWARD, NEUTRAL and REVERSE. The brake pedal must be depressed and the tractor must not be in motion when the moving shift lever. See Figure 6.

F

N

Shift Knob

R

Figure 6

IMPORTANT: Never force the shift lever. Doing so may result in serious damage to the tractor’s transmission.

11

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR

Safety Interlock Switches

This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of the operator. If the interlock system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor. Contact an authorized Troy-Bilt service dealer.

•The safety interlock system prevents the engine from cranking or starting unless the parking brake is engaged, and the PTO (Blade Engage) lever is in the disengaged (OFF) position.

•The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake.

•The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the tractor’s seat with the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the engaged (ON) position, regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged.

•The engine will automatically shut off if the operator engages the the PTO with the parking brake ON.

•With the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position, the engine will automatically shut off if the PTO (Blade Engage) lever is moved into the engaged (ON) position with the shift lever in Reverse.

WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection.

Reverse Caution Mode

WARNING: Use extreme caution while operating the tractor in the REVERSE CAUTION MODE. Always look down and behind before and while backing. Do not operate the tractor when children or others are around. Stop the tractor immediately if someone enters the area.

The REVERSE CAUTION MODE position of the key switch module allows the tractor to be operated in reverse with the blades (PTO) engaged.

IMPORTANT: Mowing in reverse is not recommended. To use the REVERSE CAUTION MODE:

IMPORTANT:The operator MUST be seated in the tractor seat.

1.Start the engine as previously instructed in this Operator’s Manual.

2.Turn the key from the NORMAL MOWING (Green) position to the REVERSE CAUTION MODE (Yellow) position of the key switch module. See Figure 7.

3.Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON (Orange, Triangular Button) at the top, right corner of the key switch module. The red indicator light at the top, left corner of the key switch module will be ON while activated. See Figure 7.

4.Once activated (indicator light ON), the tractor can be driven in reverse with the cutting blades (PTO) engaged.

5.Always look down and behind before and while backing to make sure no children are around.

6.After resuming forward motion, return the key to the

NORMAL MOWING position.

IMPORTANT: The REVERSE CAUTION MODE will remain activated until:

a.The key is placed in either the NORMAL MOWING position or STOP position.

b.The operator engages the parking brake by fully depressing the brake pedal and holding it down while gently pushing the parking brake button inward.

		2EVERSE
	)NDICATOR	0USH "UTTON
	,IGHT	2EVERSE
	3TOP	#AUTIONT-ODE
		0OSITION
	0OSITION
		3TART
		0OSITION

Figure 7

Engaging the Parking Brake

To engage the parking brake:

•Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with your foot while gently pushing the parking brake button inward.

•Hold the parking brake button in while removing your foot from the brake pedal.

•Once engaged, the parking brake button and the

brake pedal will lock in the “down” position. To disengage the parking brake:

•Slightly depress the brake pedal.

NOTE: The parking brake must be engaged if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off.

12