Troy-Bilt Automatic Lawn Tractor - Manual (Page 17)

17
Models with Manual PTO
• Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all
the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
Models with Electric PTO
• Pull the PTO (Blade Engage) knob outward into the
engaged (ON) position. See Figure 12.
Figure 12
• 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.
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
application. 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.
The following information will be helpful when using the
cutting deck with your tractor.
WARNING: Plan your mowing pattern to
avoid discharge of materials 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.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a
mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
• For best results it is recommended that the first two
laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the
center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction
to throw the discharge to the outside for the
balance of cutting. This will give a better
appearance to the lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites
weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the engine at
full throttle.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go
back over the cut area a second time to get a clean
cut.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds
and extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to
mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades
when worn. Refer to Cutting Blades of this manual for
proper blade sharpening instructions.
Mulching
Tractors come equipped with a mulch kit which
incorporates special blades, already standard on your
tractor, in a process of recirculating grass clippings
repeatedly beneath the cutting deck. The ultra-fine
clippings are then forced back into the lawn where they
act as a natural fertilizer. Observe the following
recommendations for the best results when mulching.
• Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the total
height of the grass or approximately 1-1/2 inches.
Doing so will cause the clippings to clump up
beneath the deck and not be mulched effectively.
• Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass
clippings more time to effectively be mulched.
• Always position the throttle control lever in the
FAST (rabbit) position and allow it to remain there
while mowing. Failing to keep the engine at full
throttle places strain on the tractor’s engine and
does not allow the blades to properly mulch grass.
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the discharge
chute to operate the mower with the mulch kit installed.
NOTE: The mulch kit is installed on models equipped
with a 42-inch deck. It is packed separately (with an
instruction sheet) in the crate on models equipped with
a 46-inch deck.
To operate the cutting deck without mulching, simply
remove the mulch plug by unthreading the plastic wing
nut and removing the cupped washer, which fastens it
to the cutting deck. This will allow the clippings to
discharge out the side.
Headlights
On some models, the lamps are ON whenever the
tractor’s engine is running. On other models, the lamps
are ON whenever the ignition key is moved out of the
STOP position.
On all models, the lamps turn OFF when the ignition
key is moved to the STOP position.
ON
OFF
Front View Pull Out Push In