Mowing, Pushing your unit, Quick reference chart – Cub Cadet 365 User Manual
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•
If safe for operation, walk the slope and look for 
hazards such as rocks, mounds, ruts, stumps, or 
other irregularities.
•
After removing debris and identifying irregularities 
of the slope, back the Z-Series up the steepest 
slope you intend to work. If it cannot negotiate the 
slope in reverse, the slope is too steep.
Use the following guidelines when operating on a slope:
•
Drive UP and DOWN slopes. Never drive across 
slopes.
•
Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If you must 
turn, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope 
greatly increases the chance of roll over.
•
Avoid stopping when driving on a slope. If you must 
stop, start slowly and smoothly to reduce the 
chance of flipping the Z-Series over backwards. 
Mowing
•
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.
•
Do not cut grass too short. Short grass invites weed 
growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
•
Mowing should always be done with the engine at 
full throttle.
•
Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if 
mulching or bagging.
•
Under heavier conditions, it may be necessary to 
go back over the cut area a second time to get a 
clean cut.
•
Do not attempt to mow heavy brush, weeds, or 
extremely tall grass. Your Z-Series is designed to 
mow lawns, not clear brush. 
•
Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades 
when worn. Refer to the MAINTENANCE section of 
the manual for proper blade sharpening 
instructions.
Pushing Your Unit
To push your unit you will have to first relieve the 
hydrostatic pumps.
WARNING: The hydraulic relief levers are
near engine parts that can be hot. To avoid
injury wait until engine parts have cooled
before disengaging.
•
Position the Z-Series on a flat and level surface and 
engage the parking brake.
•
Remove each hydraulic relief levers from the lock 
position. There is a lever for the right and left 
hydraulic pump.
•
Slide the levers into the slots to relieve the 
hydraulic pumps. See Figure 9.
•
Disengage parking brake and push unit.
Figure 9
Quick Reference Chart
The Z-Series can turn with a zero radius. The Z-Series 
uses the rear tires to turn. When turning with a zero 
radius, the rear tires are used as the pivot point. A 
conventional tractor can make a circle but it needs a 
turning radius, usually based on the distance between 
the front and rear wheels. With a shorter overall length 
and a zero turn radius, the Z-Series has an excellent 
maneuverability.
The Z-Series does not have a steering wheel, instead 
drive handles are used to steer and to move the unit. 
When the drive handles are in the full positions (pull or 
push), the wheels turn at full speed based on the 
throttle setting. Positions between neutral and full are 
proportional across the range based on the throttle 
setting. The quick reference chart indicates the 
direction the Z-Series will move based on the position 
of the drive handles. See Figure 10.
Relief
Lever
Lock Position
(Unit will not roll)
Neutral Position
(Unit will roll)
