Troy-Bilt TB30 Operation Manual - Page 18

Operation 5 WARNING Avoid Serious Injury or Death • Know location and function of all controls. • Remove objects which could be thrown by the blades. • Go up and down slopes, not across. • Use extra caution on slopes. Do not mow slopes greater than 12 degrees. Avoid sudden turns. Use low speed. • Do not operate machine where it could tip or slip. • If machine stops going uphill, stop blades and back down slowly. • Before leaving operator's position, disengage blades, engage parking brake, shut off and remove key. • Be sure blades and engine are stopped before placing hands or feet near blades. • Keep safety devices (guards, shields, switches, etc.) in place and working. • Keep bystanders away. • Allow machine to cool before fueling or storing. • Keep machine free of debris. Read Operator's Manual Safety Interlock Switches 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 an authorized service dealer. • The safety interlock system prevents the engine from cranking or starting unless the parking brake is engaged, and the PTO (Blade Engage) lever is in the disengaged (OFF) position. • The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake. • The engine will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the tractor's seat with the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the engaged (ON) position, regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged. • With the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position, the PTO (Blade Engage) clutch will automatically shut off if the PTO (Blade Engage) lever is moved into the engaged (ON) position with the shift lever in position for reverse travel. • The engine will automatically shut off if the mulch plug, deck chute or bagger chute is removed, regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged or the PTO (Blade Engage) lever is in the disengaged (OFF) position. WARNING! Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection. Engaging the Parking Brake To engage the parking brake: 1. Fully depress the clutch-brake pedal and hold it down with your foot. 2. Move the parking brake lever down into the parking brake position. 3. Release the clutch-brake pedal to allow the parking brake to engage. To release the parking brake: 1. Depress the clutch-brake pedal and move the parking brake lever out of the parking brake position. Setting the Cutting Height 1. Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in any of the different cutting height notches on the right side of the fender. WARNING! Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck. Refer to Leveling the Deck in the Maintenance & Adjustments section of this manual for more detailed instructions regarding deck adjustment. Starting the Engine WARNING! Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection. NOTE: Refer to the Assembly & Set-Up section of this manual for gasoline and oil fill-up instructions. 1. Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch module. 2. Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position. 3. Engage the tractor's parking brake. 4. Activate the choke control by moving the throttle/choke control all the way forward into the choke position. 5. Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position. After the engine starts, release the key. It will return to the NORMAL MOWING position. CAUTION: Do NOT hold the key in the START position for longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so may cause damage to your engine's electric starter. 6. After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control by placing the throttle control into the FAST position. NOTE: Do NOT operate this unit with the Choke control activated. Doing so will result in a "rich" fuel mixture and can cause the engine to run poorly. 18