Walker H27i Operator's Manual

Also see for H27i: Operator's manual Operator's manual

Operating Instructions39Beginning Recommendations are:♦ Learn operation of the mower in an openarea away from buildings, fences, andob structions. Learn operation on flatground BEFORE operating on slopes.♦ Start maneuvering the mower withSLOW engine speed and SLOW For-ward Speed Control setting until famil-iar with all operating characteristics.♦ Remember it is not necessary to holdthe steering levers forward (a uniqueWalker feature); always PULL on the le-vers for steering or for reverse motionof the mower.♦ Learn to operate the mower with yourleft hand on the steering levers and righthand on Forward Speed Control. Theuse of two hands on the steering leverstends to cause overcontrol.♦ Learn to operate the steering leverswith smooth action. Jerky movementsare hard on the transmission and lawn.For sharp turns, do not allow the insidewheel to stop and twist on the grass.Pull the steering lever controlling theinside wheel into reverse for a smooth“rolling” turn (one wheel rolling forwardwhile the other rolls backward).♦ Practice maneuvering the mower untilyou can make it go exactly where youare aiming.♦ Remember, for an emergency stop, or incase of loss of control, machine move-ment can always be stopped quickly bypulling the Forward Speed Control intothe NEUTRAL-PARK position.3. Reverse direction of the mower by pulling bothlevers backward.NOTE: Smooth action on the steering leverswill produce smooth mower operation. Remember to keep the engine and ground speed slowuntil learning the control response.WARNINGWhen moving forward, DO NOT suddenlyput the tractor in reverse by rapidly pullingon the steering levers, especially when go-ing downhill, as this can lift the tractor tailwheel off the ground and set up a buckingmotion due to operator overcontrol. Ifbucking does occur, immediately stop thebucking action by pulling the ForwardSpeed Control (FSC) lever into the NEU-TRAL-PARK position.4. The FSC may be adjusted forward for fasterground speed and backward for slower groundspeed. When mowing, ground speed should beadjusted to match the load on the cutter blades,i.e., as the engine pulls down in heavy cutting,pull back on the FSC lever to reduce groundspeed. Adjusting ground speed helps maintaina balance between engine power and bladespeed for highquality cutting action.5. Stop ground travel by pulling both steeringlevers backward to the NEUTRAL position(tractor not moving) and then moving the FSClever to the NEUTRAL-PARK position.NOTE: If the tractor creeps forward or backward with the FSC lever in the NEUTRAL-PARK position, the transmission control needsto be adjusted. Refer to ADJUSTMENTS forTransmission Control, Step 3 - Neutral Func-tion Adjustment in the Maintenance Instructions.ENGAGING THE BLADE DRIVE1. Set the engine throttle at about 1/3 speed. Donot attempt to engage the blade clutch athigh engine speeds. This will drastically shorten drive belt life. Use only moderate enginespeed when engaging the blade clutch.2. Engage the blade clutch by moving the bladeclutch lever forward SLOWLY. For disengagement, move the blade clutch lever backwardSLOWLY.