Ariens Lawn Tractor 54 Owners Manual - Page 11

OPERATION TO OPERATE MOWER Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine. You must remain fully and centrally positioned in the seat to prevent the engine from hesitating or cutting off when operating your equipment on rough, rolling terrain or hills. • Select desired height of cut. (See "TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT.") • Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch control. TO STOP MOWER BLADES Disengage attachment clutch control. CAUTION: Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher, on mowers so equipped, or the deflector chute (S) in place (See Fig. 10). S • Depress brake pedal all the way down. • With engine running, turn ignition key counterclockwise to ROS "ON" position. • Look down and behind before and while backing. • Slowly depress reverse drive pedal to start movement. • When use of the ROS is no longer needed, turn the ignition key clockwise to engine "ON" position. TO TRANSPORT (See Fig. 12) When pushing or towing your tractor, ensure to disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling position. Free wheel control is located at the rear drawbar of tractor. • Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control. • Pull freewheel control out and into the slot and release so it is held in the disengaged position. • Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2) MPH. • To reengage transmission, reverse above procedure. TRANSMISSION ENGAGED Fig. 10 REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS) Your tractor is equipped with a Reverse Operation System (ROS). Any attempt by the operator to travel in the reverse direction with the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine unless ignition key is placed in the ROS "ON" position. WARNING: Backing up with the attachment clutch engaged while mowing is strongly discouraged. Turning the ROS "ON", to allow reverse operation with the attachment clutch engaged, should only be done when the operator decides it is necessary to reposition the machine with the attachment engaged. Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. USING THE REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (See Fig. 11) Only use if you are certain no children or other bystanders will enter the mowing area. ROS "ON" POSITION 02828 ENGINE "ON" POSITION (NORMAL OPERATING) TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED Fig. 12 NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, ensure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.). TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor. SERVICE REMINDER/HOUR METER Service reminder shows the total number of hours the engine has run and indicates when the engine or mower needs servicing. After every 50 hours of operation the oil can icon will stay on for 2 hours or until a manual reset occurs. To reset the display manually turn the ignition switch to the on position, then the off position five times (1 second on, 1 second off). To service engine and mower, see the Maintenance section of this manual. Note: Service reminder runs when the ignition key is in any position but "STOP". For accurate reading, be sure key remains in the "STOP" position when engine is not running. Fig. 11 11