Walker MC (20 HP) - Manual (Page 35)

Operating Instructions
31
Pull Steering
Levers With
Left Hand
Keep Feet on Footrest
When Moving
Forward Speed Control
(FSC)
Correct Operator Hand Position
on the Controls
3. Reverse direction of the mower by pulling both
levers backward.
NOTE: Smooth action on the steering levers
will produce smooth mower operation. Remem­
ber to keep the engine and ground speed slow
until learning the control response.
4. The FSC may be adjusted forward for faster
ground speed and backward for slower ground
speed. When mowing, ground speed should be
adjusted 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 ground
speed. Adjusting ground speed helps maintain
a balance between engine power and blade
speed for high­quality cutting action.
5. Stop ground travel by pulling both steering le­
vers backward to the NEUTRAL position (trac­
tor not moving) and then moving the FSC lever
to the NEUTRAL-PARK position.
NOTE: If the tractor creeps forward or back­
ward with the FSC lever in the NEUTRAL-PARK
position, the transmission control needs to be
adjusted. Contact your Walker dealer.
ENGAGING THE MOWER
1. Set the engine throttle at about 1/3 speed. Do
not attempt to engage the blade clutch at
high engine speeds. This will drastically short­
en drive belt life. Use only moderate engine
speed when engaging the blade clutch.
2. Pull the blade clutch lever SLOWLY up to en­
gage the mower blades.
CAUTION
A safety interlock switch (seat switch) will
cause the engine to stop if the blade clutch
is engaged and the operator is not in the
seat. The function of this switch should be
checked by the op erator raising off the seat
and engaging the blade clutch; the engine
should stop. If the switch is not working, it
should be repaired or replaced before op-
erating the mower. DO NOT disconnect the
safety switches; they are for the operator’s
protection.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT engage the blade clutch
when transporting the mower across drives, side­
walks, loose materials, etc. DO NOT engage the
blade clutch with the PTO shaft disconnected
(the mower deck removed from tractor).
CAUTION
If the cutting blades strike a stationary ob-
ject while mowing, stop the mower imme-
diately, disconnect the spark plug wires, lift
the deck, and inspect the deck and blades
thoroughly for damage. Make sure that the
blade timing has not been dis turbed (the
blades should be at 90 degrees to each
other). Refer to REPLACING/RE PAIRING
the Blade Overload Shear Bolts in Mainte-
nance Instructions if blades are out of time.
Also, make sure the blade retain ing nuts
are torqued to 60 ft-lb (81.3 N·m).