Cub Cadet Pro Z 160L EFI Owners Manual - Page 13

• Avoid slopes where possible. Never operate on slopes greater than 15°. Slopes with a greater incline present dangerous operating conditions. Tractors can be rolled over. Always mow across slopes, never up and down the slope. 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 "essentially" in a fixed position. • Before leaving the operator's seat: Shut OFF the PTO, move the RH and LH drive control levers fully outward in the neutral/parking brake engaged position, shut OFF the engine and remove the ignition key. Wait for all movement to stop before servicing or cleaning. • Operate the drive control levers smoothly and avoid any sudden movements of the levers when starting and stopping. Keep a firm grip on the control levers. • Be careful when operating near gravel paths and roadways. Stop the blades and tractor motion and wait for vehicles to pass before operating along the road. • Do not operate the tractor with the mower deck removed. Removal of the deck will change the balance of the tractor, and could contribute to a tractor rollover. • Avoid operation on traction surfaces that are unstable; use extreme caution if the surface is slippery. Always remove debris and other objects from the area to be mowed - debris and loose grass will reduce traction. • Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. • Watch for holes, sprinkler heads, and other hidden hazards. • Avoid driving too close to trees, creeks, ditches, sand traps, and other obstacles. • Slow down before turning and come to a complete stop before any zero turn maneuver. • If you hit a solid object while mowing, turn OFF the PTO, place the steering levers fully outward in the neutral/ parking brake engaged position opened-out position, move the throttle to slow, 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. • Do not stop the tractor or park the tractor over combustible materials such as dry grass, leaves, debris, etc. • 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. • Do not fill the fuel tank when the engine is running or while the engine is hot. Allow the engine several minutes to cool before refueling. Tighten the fuel cap securely. Checking the Safety Interlock Circuits Periodically check the safety interlock circuits to ensure they are working properly. If a safety circuit is not working as designed, contact your Cub Cadet dealer to have the tractor inspected. DO NOT operate the tractor if any safety circuit is not functioning properly. To check the safety circuits, proceed as follows: 1. Pull the PTO switch upward to the engaged position. Momentarily turn the ignition switch to the start position; the engine should not crank. 2. Move both control levers fully inward in the neutral position; then lift upward from the operator's seat. The engine should stop. 3. With both control levers fully outward in the neutral/parking brake engaged position, engage the PTO. Lift upward from the operator's seat; the engine should stop. Before Operating Your Tractor 1. Before you operate the tractor, study this manual carefully to familiarize yourself with the operation of all the instruments and controls. It has been prepared to help you operate and maintain your tractor efficiently. 2. Fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher and 10% ethanol maximum. When the fuel reaches one inch from the top of the tank, stop. DO NOT OVERFILL. Space must be left for expansion. 3. Unleaded gasoline is recommended because it leaves less combustion chamber deposits and reduces harmful exhaust emissions. Leaded gasoline is not recommended and must not be used where exhaust emissions are regulated. NOTE: Purchase gasoline in small quantities. Do not use gasoline left over from the previous season, to minimize gum deposits in the fuel system. 4. Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded gasoline by volume) is an approved fuel. Other gasoline/alcohol blends are not approved. 5. Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded gas blends (up to a maximum of 15% MTBE by volume) are approved fuels. Other gasoline/ether blends are not approved. 6. Check the engine oil level. Refer to the Engine Operator's Manual for instructions on checking the engine oil level. 7. Clean the air cleaner element if necessary. 8. Check the tire inflation pressures. See the tire side wall for proper inflation pressures. NOTE: New tires are overinflated in order to properly seat the bead to the rim. 9. Check that all nuts, bolts and screws are tight. 10. Check the tension of the deck drive belts. a. Remove the deck cover b. The tension of the deck drive belts are maintained by a spring mechanism that adjusts for wear and stretch. c. Examine the belts for cuts, fraying, and excessive wear. Replace if any of these are detected. d. Replace the deck cover. 11. Check if deck is level. When correctly adjusted the mower deck should be level side to side, and the front of the deck should be approximately 1⁄4" lower than the rear of deck. If deck needs to be leveled, refer to "Deck Leveling" on page 13. 12. Lubricate all pivot points listed in the "Lubrication" section on page 13. 13. Adjust the seat for operator's maximum comfort, visibility and for maintaining complete control of the tractor. Safety Interlock System 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 your authorized Cub Cadet Dealer. • The safety interlock system prevents the engine from cranking or starting unless the RH and LH drive control levers are moved fully outward in the neutral position - which engages the parking brake - and the PTO is disengaged. • The safety interlock system will shut off the engine if the operator leaves the seat before the RH and LH drive control levers are fully outward in the neutral position engaging the parking brake. • The safety interlock system will shut off the engine if the operator leaves the seat with the PTO engaged, regardless of whether the RH and LH drive control levers are fully outward in the neutral position engaging the parking brake. NOTE: The PTO switch must be moved to the "OFF" position to restart the engine. Section 3 - Controls & Operation 13