Using the deck lift lever, Operating the headlights, Moving the tractor manually – Cub Cadet GT-1554 User Manual
Page 15: Engaging the pto, Mowing

15
•
Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change the direction of travel to reverse when 
operating with cruise control, depress the brake pedal 
to disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to a 
complete stop. Then slowly depress the rear portion of 
the drive pedal with the ball of your foot to travel in 
reverse.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the 
left, then place it in the notch best suited for your 
application. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in 
this section.
Operating the Headlights
The lamps are ON whenever the ignition key is moved 
out of the STOP position.
The lamps turn OFF when the ignition key is moved to 
the STOP position.
Moving The Tractor Manually
Your tractor’s transmission is equipped with a 
hydrostatic relief valve for occasions when it is 
necessary to move the tractor manually. Opening this 
valve permits the fluid in the transmission to bypass its 
normal route, allowing the rear tires to "freewheel." To 
open the hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:
•
Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the 
tractor. See Figure 8.
Figure 8
•
Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward until the 
two locking ears are outside of the keyhole in the 
drawbar; then lift upward to lock in the engaged 
position. See Figure 8.
NOTE:
The transmission will NOT drive the tractor
when the hydrostatic bypass rod is pulled out. Return
the rod to the disengaged position prior to operating the
tractor.
IMPORTANT:
Never attempt to move the tractor
manually without first opening the hydrostatic relief 
valve. Doing so will result in serious damage to the 
tractor’s transmission.
Engaging the PTO
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck 
or other (separately available) attachments. To engage 
the PTO, proceed as follows:
•
Move the throttle control lever to approximately the 
3/4 throttle position.
•
Pull the PTO control switch knob outward into the 
engaged (ON) position. See Figure 9.
•
Move the throttle lever to the FAST (rabbit) position 
as required for use of the cutting deck or other 
(separately available) attachments
IMPORTANT:
The electric PTO clutch will automatically
shut off if the PTO is engaged when the drive pedal is 
depressed for reverse travel while the key switch 
module is in the normal mowing position. Refer to Safety 
Interlock Switches on page 12.
Figure 9
Mowing
WARNING:
To help avoid blade contact or
a thrown object injury, keep bystanders,
helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet
from the machine while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
This tractor is equipped with one of Cub Cadet’s quality 
cutting decks. The following information will be helpful 
when using the cutting deck with your tractor.
WARNING:
Plan your mowing pattern to
avoid discharge of materials toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
•
Do not mow at high ground speed. High speeds will 
adversely affect the quality of cut.
Hydrostatic
Bypass Rod
Keyhole
Engaged
Disengaged
ON
OFF
Front View
PTO
OFF ON
Side View
