Cub Cadet THE TANK S7237 - Manual (Page 11)

11
g. Slow-down before turning and come to a complete
stop before any zero turn maneuver.
h. Do not stop machine or park machine over com-
bustible materials such as dry grass, leaves, debris,
etc.
3. To Mow Grass and Produce a Striped Pattern
a. Pick a point on the opposite side of the area to be
mowed (post, tree, shrub, etc.).
b. If on an hillside, start at the bottom so that the turns
are uphill rather than downhill.
c. Align the mower so as to head directly toward the
object on the far side.
d. Slowly increase the speed of the machine to match
cutting conditions, terrain, and operator familiarity
with the controls and keep the machine headed
directly toward the alignment object. Do not go
fast as to reduce cut quality or to be uncomfortable
in controlling the speed and direction of the
machine.
e. When approaching the other end of a strip, slow
down or stop before turning. A U-turn is recom-
mended unless a zero turn is required. The speed
of a U-turn that will allow for machine controlla-
bility and minimal turf defacement will be depen-
dent on several factors including: the speed of the
turn, the radius of the turn, the tire tread pattern,
the traction coefficient of the tire to the traction
surface, the slope of the traction surface.
f. Remember, a zero turn requires that the forward or
reverse travel of the machine be stopped prior to
the initiation of the turn or severe turf defacement
can occur.
g. To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf, change
the direction that the strips are mowed by approxi-
mately 45 degrees the next and each subsequent
time that the area is mowed.
B.Controls
1. Engine Ignition and Start Switch: (See Figure 4.)
Located on the instrument housing below the right
side of the operator’s seat. When the key is inserted
and turned clockwise, 45 degrees, the ignition circuit
is closed. Turning the switch further against spring
pressure starts the engine. The engine will only start if
the blade clutch switch is in the “off” position, the
parking brake is engaged and the speed control pedals
are in their neutral position. The key should always be
removed from the switch if the operator leaves the
mower’s seat.
2. Engine Throttle Control: (See Figure 4.) Located on
the right side of the mower next to the operator’s seat.
Moving the throttle control from the rear to the front
will increase the engine speed from slow to fast.
3. Speed Control Pedals: (See Figure 6.) The pedals
control all of the speed and direction movements of
the mower. Pushing the forward pedal causes the
mower to move forward. Pushing the reverse pedal
causes the mower to move backward.
In order to start the engine, the speed control pedals
must be in the neutral position; the parking brake
must be engaged; and the blade clutch switch must be
“off”. However, once the engine starts, the parking
brake must be released before the operator moves the
speed control pedals, since they are interlocked.
Note:
The speed control pedals will return toward
neutral when released.
4. Electric Blade Clutch Switch: (See Figure 4.)
Located on the right side of the mower beside the igni-
tion switch. This is an “on/off” push pull switch that
controls the electric blade clutch which supplies
power to the cutting blades through the PTO. The
switch must be turned off to start the engine and
should be turned off for safety any time another per-
son approaches the mower or the mowing deck is
raised to the transport position. Power to the electric
clutch will also be cut off if the operator leaves the
operator’s seat.
5. Parking Brake: (See Figure 6.) Located on the left
side of the traction unit. The Park brake pedal applies
the drum-type brake on each of the drive wheels when
the pedal is pushed. The park brake must be engaged
in order to start the engine. To engage, push the latch
on the side of the pedal and the pedal downward until
it latches. To release, push the pedal downward (not
the latch) and release.
6. Power Implement Lift: (See Figure 5.) Located on
the left control panel, a lever controls a hydraulic
valve which activates a hydraulic cylinder which lifts
the implement (usually the mower deck). For chang-
ing implement height, at least one hand is required to
reposition the pins to provide 1/4” height-of-cut incre-
ments.
The mechanism includes: A hydraulic cylinder that is
used to raise the implement. A height adjustment link
and index provide predetermined height for the imple-
ment - it is settable in 1/4” increments; a lock position
for the height adjustment link settable by the pin in the
Forward Pedal
Figure. 6
Reverse Pedal
Parking
Brake