Operating instructions – Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Commercial Riding Mower User Manual
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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
A.General
1.
When Mowing:
a.
Keep adults, children, and pets away from 
the area to be mowed.
b.
When operating this mower, in the forward 
direction, do not allow the steering levers 
to return to Neutral on their own. Always 
maintain a firm grip on the levers, operate 
them smoothly and avoid any sudden 
movements of the levers when starting and 
stopping.
c.
If the mower is equipped for side dis-
charge, never use the mower without the 
discharge chute installed and placed in the 
down position.
d.
Always remove debris and other objects 
from the area to be mowed (Note: debris 
and loose grass will reduce traction).
e.
Mow only in daylight.
f.
Watch for holes, sprinkler heads, and other 
hidden hazards.
g.
Avoid driving too close to trees, creeks, 
ditches, sand traps, and other obstacles.
h.
Before backing up, check behind and 
watch where you are going.
i.
Always reduce speed when making a turn, 
and when grass is wet.
j.
Always mow across slopes, never up and 
down the slope. Do not operate on steep 
slopes and slow down before turning. 
Avoid turning downhill if possible, start at 
the bottom and work up to the top. Use 
extra care and go slowly when turning 
downhill. Control the speed and direction 
of the zero turn machine “primarily” with 
the speed/directional control (lap bar) of 
the downhill side of the machine...I.E., 
maintain the uphill side lap bar “essen-
tially” in a fixed position.
k.
Be careful when crossing gravel paths or 
roadways. Always turn off the blade clutch 
switch and wait until the blades stop rotat-
ing and raise the cutting deck to the trans-
port position. Always allow other vehicles 
to have the right of way.
l.
If you hit a solid object while mowing, turn 
off the blade clutch switch, place the steer-
ing levers in the neutral, opened-out posi-
tion, move the throttle to slow, set the 
parking brake, shut off the engine, and 
take the key from the ignition switch. 
Inspect for damage. Repair the damage. 
Make sure the blades are in good condition 
and that the blade bolts are tight before 
restarting the engine.
m. Never leave the mower unattended without
observing the following: turn off the blade 
clutch switch, placing the steering levers in 
the neutral open-out position, moving the 
throttle to slow, setting the parking brake, 
shutting off the engine and taking the key 
from the ignition switch.
n.
Never walk or stand on the discharge side 
of the mower when the engine is running. 
Turn off the blade clutch switch if another 
person approaches while you are operat-
ing the mower.
o.
Never attempt to operate the traction unit 
without having the mowing deck attached.
p.
Keep the mower and especially the engine 
and hydraulic components clean and free 
of grease, grass, and leaves to reduce the 
chance of fire and permit proper cooling.
2.
Safety Awareness when Mowing
a. Do not operate on steep slopes, those
above 15 degrees (27% slope).
Figure. 1
Figure. 2
Ignition Switch
Electric Blade
Clutch Switch
Tach and
Hour Meter
Engine throttle
Choke Lever