Cub Cadet 23HP Z-Force 60 - Manual (Page 10)

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a. Do not operate on steep slopes, those above 15
degrees (27% slope).
b. Avoid turning downhill if possible, use extra
care and go slowly.
c. Avoid turning when going downhill, traction is
at a minimum going downhill.
d. Do not operate with discharge side of the
mower toward streets, buildings, playgrounds,
parking lots, other machines, animals, and
other people.
e. Avoid operation or use extreme care if the trac-
tion surface is wet, unstable, or slippery.
f. Use extra care when grass clippings, leaves,
pine needles, or debris are present as traction
can be reduced.
g. Slow-down before turning and come to a com-
plete stop before any zero turn maneuver.
h. Do not stop machine or park machine over
combustible 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 a 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
recommended unless a zero turn is required.
The speed of a U-turn that will allow for
machine controllability and minimal turf
defacement will be dependent on several fac-
tors including: the speed during turning, 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 for-
ward 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 approximately 45 degrees the next and each
subsequent time that the area is mowed.
B. Controls
1. Engine Ignition and Start Switch: (See Figure
1.) 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 fur-
ther 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 left and right steering levers are in the neu-
tral position. The key should always be removed
from the switch if the operator leaves the mower’s
seat.
2. Engine Throttle Control: (See Figure 2.) Located
on the left 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. Left and Right Steering Levers: (See Figure 3.)
These hinged levers open out to the side in any
position to permit the operator to be seated or to
leave the mower’s seat. The operator, when seated,
can pull the levers up to the operating position, a
comfortable forearm’s length away. These levers
control all of the movements of the mower. Push-
ing both levers forward causes the mower to move
forward. Pulling both levers back causes the
mower to move backward. Pushing one lever
ahead of the other lever causes the traction wheel
on the side where the lever is ahead to rotate faster
than the other traction wheel, making the mower
turn toward the side where the lever is behind.
When one lever is pushed forward and the other
lever pulled back the same amount, one traction
wheel will turn in reverse and the mower will turn
within its own length.
In order to start the engine, both steering levers
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 can move the steering levers.
Note:
The Steering Lever will return toward
neutral when released, but they should be placed in
neutral by the driver. If the Drive Handles are not
placed in neutral, the tractor may creep.