Cub Cadet ZT2 54 Operation Manual - Page 15

OPERATION Mowing WARNING To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • Doing so will minimize the possibility of having your lawn ''browned'' by hot exhaust from your tractor's running engine. WARNING Make certain the area to be mowed is free of debris, sticks, stones, wire or other objects that can be thrown by the rotating blades. Note: Do not engage the mower deck when lowered in grass. Premature wear and possible failure of the 'V" belt and PTO clutch will result. Fully raise the deck or move to a non grassy area before engaging the mower deck. • Mow across slopes, not up and down. If mowing a slope, start at bottom and work upward to ensure turns are made uphill. • Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed. • Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass is prone to weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather. • Always operate the tractor with the throttle in the FAST position while mowing. • On the first pass pick a point on the opposite side of the area to be mowed. Follow the point to maintain a straight line • Engage the PTO and move the throttle control or throttle/choke control to the FAST position. • Lower the mower deck to the desired height setting. • For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the lawn. • Slowly and evenly push the RH and LH lapbar drive control levers forward to move the tractor forward, and keep the tractor headed directly toward the alignment point. Note: The speed of the tractor will affect the quality of the mower cut. Mowing at full speed will adversely affect the cut quality. Control the ground speed with the lapbar drive control levers. • Your tractor is designed to cut normal residential grass of a height no more than 10" (25cm). Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine exhaust and/or build up on the tractor. • Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds or extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush. • Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. • When approaching the other end of the strip, slow down or stop before turning. A U-turn is recommended unless a pivot or zero turn is required. • Align the mower with an edge of the mowed strip and overlap approximately 3" (7.6 cm). • Direct the tractor on each subsequent strip to align with a previously cut strip. • To prevent rutting or grooving of the turf, if possible, change the direction that the strips are mowed by approximately 45° for the next and each subsequent mowing. When stopping the tractor for any reason while on a grass surface, always: • Move the RH and LH lapbar drive control levers fully outward into the Park Brake engaged position. • Shut engine off and remove the key. 15