Operating Instructions25Ignition SwitchEngine ChokeThe choke control lever (black knob) is located onthe left side of the seat. To start a cold engine, movethe choke control forward to the ON position. Afterengine starts, move the choke control toward theOFF position, keeping enough choke to allow theengine to run smoothly as it warms up. As soon aspossible, move the choke to the OFF position. Awarm engine requires little or no choke for starting.IMPORTANT: Make sure the choke is in the OFFposition during normal engine operation; runningwith the choke in the ON position CAN damage theengine.Engine ThrottleThe throttle control lever (red knob) is located on theleft side of the seat and is used to control enginespeed. Moving the lever forward toward the FASTposition increases engine speed; moving it back-ward toward the IDLE position decreases enginespeed.Choke and Throttle LocationForward Speed Control (FSC)Forward Speed Control (FSC) has two functions:One is to set forward travel speed, and the other isto establish the NEUTRAL-PARK position. Whenthe FSC lever is moved into the FORWARD posi-tion, a friction lock holds any forward speed settingfrom 0 to 5 mph (0 to 8 km/h). The ground speed isproportional to the lever position; the further the le-ver is advanced forward, the faster the tractormoves. It is not necessary to hold the FSC in posi-tion since the friction lock maintains the selected le-ver position. Pulling back on the steering leversoverrides the FSC setting and slows or stops for-ward travel. Releasing the steering levers allowsthe tractor to resume forward travel at the speed setby the FSC lever. To stop and park the machine, theFSC lever is moved backward to the NEUTRAL-PARK position.Steering LeversEach drive wheel is controlled by its own indepen-dent steering lever, for both steering function andFORWARD/REVERSE motion. The FSC lever setsthe maximum forward speed, and also sets the for-ward position of the steering levers. The steering le-vers operate only with a backward pullingmovement of the lever, which causes the drivewheel for that lever to first slow down, stop, and thenreverse with a full backward lever stroke. The leversare released to the FORWARD position for “straight-ahead” ground travel.NOTE: Pushing forward on the steering levers willnot cause any change in tractor motion - there willbe no steering lever reaction and there will be nomachine damage.Blade Clutch (PTO)The blade clutch lever has two positions. Pulling thelever UP engages the PTO that drives the mowerblades. Pushing the lever DOWN disengages thePTO and engages the blade brake.NOTE: On GHS equipped models, the Powerfil ®motor and Grass-Pak ® full signal switch are activat-ed by engaging the blade clutch. Refer to Using theGHS Catcher in this section for a complete descrip-tion of GHS operation.ONOFFSTARTThrottle Choke