Husqvarna Z454 Owner Manual - Page 19

O P E R AT I O N • Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills. • If stopping is necessary, pull drive levers into the neutral position and push outward. Engage the park brake. • To restart movement, release the park brake. • Pull the control levers back to the center of the mower and push forward to regain forward motion. • Make all turns slowly. WARNING! Do not drive the rider on terrain that slopes more than 10 degrees. Mow slopes up and down, never side to side. Avoid sudden directional changes. Mowing Tips • Observe and flag rocks and other fixed objects to avoid collisions. • Begin with a high cutting height and reduce it until the desired mowing result is attained. Cut the average lawn to 6.35 cm during the cool season and over 7.62 cm during the hot months. For healthier and better looking lawns, mow frequently after moderate growth. • For best cutting performance, mow grass over 15.24 cm in height twice. Make the first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height. • The mowing result will be best with a high engine speed (the blades turn rapidly) and low speed (the rider moves slowly). If the grass is not too long and dense, the driving speed can be increased without negatively affecting the mowing result. • The finest lawns are obtained by mowing frequently. The lawn becomes more even and the grass clippings more evenly distributed over the mown area. The total time taken is not increased as a higher operating speed can be used without poor mowing results. • When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished. • Avoid mowing wet lawns. The mowing result is poorer because the wheels sink into the soft lawn, clumps build, and grass clippings fasten under the cowling. • Hose the mower deck underside with water after each use. When cleaning, the mower deck shall be raised into the transport position. Make sure the mower is cooled and the engine is off. • Use compressed air to clean top surface of the deck. Avoid flooding water on top surface, engine and electrical components. • When the mulching kit is used, it is important that the mowing interval is frequent. Moving Machine By Hand When pushing or pulling the mower, engage the bypass levers. The bypass levers are located at the front of each transmission. 1. Lower the deck if needed. 2. Move the steering controls inward out of the park brake position. 3. Lift the seat. 4. Rotate each bypass lever to the horizontal position. 5. Lower the seat. 6. Push the mower using the sturdy feature of the mower's structure. Do not push the mower with the control levers. 7. To reengage the transmission, rotate the bypass levers to the vertical position. 19