Briggs & Stratton SIMPLICITY SZT350 Manuel D'utilisation page 14

Mowing
1. Make sure the PTO switch is disengaged, the ground
speed control levers are locked in their START/PARK
positions, and the operator is in the seat.
2. Start the engine. See Starting the Engine .
3. Set the mower cutting height. See Cutting Height
Adjustment .
4. Set the engine speed control to FAST.
5. Engage the PTO by pulling up on the PTO switch.
6. Pivot the ground speed levers in from the START/PARK
position to the neutral 'N' position.
7. Begin mowing. See Operator Safety for tips on safe
mowing practices.
8. When finished, shut off the PTO.
9. Stop the engine. See Stopping The Rider And Engine .
Pushing the Rider By Hand
WARNING
Unsafe Operation Hazard.
DO NOT disengage the transmissions and coast down
slopes. DO NOT use Roll Release to disengage the
transmissions unless machine motion can be controlled and
engine is off.
NOTICE
Do not tow rider. Towing the unit will cause transmission
damage. Do not use another vehicle to push or pull this
unit.
1. Disengage the PTO, lock the ground speed levers into
their START/PARK positions, turn the ignition OFF,
remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. To disengage the transmissions, move the roll release
levers (A or B, Figure 6, depending on model), into the
PUSH position as shown.
3. Pivot the ground speed levers in from the START/ PARK
position to the neutral 'N' position to disengage the
parking brake. The rider can now be pushed by hand.
4. After moving the rider, re-engage the transmissions
by moving the roll release levers back to the DRIVE
position.
Driving
Zero Turn Driving Practice
Before attempting to drive the zero-turn riding mower make
sure you have read the Features and Controls section
and understand the location and function of all of the unit's
controls.
The ground speed control levers of this zero-turn riding
mower are responsive, and learning to gain a smooth and
efficient control of the unit's forward, reverse, and turning
movements will take some practice.
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Spending some time going through the maneuvers shown
and becoming familiar with how the unit accelerates, travels,
and steers, before you begin mowing, is absolutely
essential to getting the most out of the zero-turn riding
mower.
Locate a smooth, flat area of your lawn, one with plenty of
room to maneuver. Clear the area of objects, people, and
animals before you begin. Operate the unit at mid-throttle
during this practice session (ALWAYS operate at full throttle
when mowing), and turn slowly to prevent tire slippage and
damage to your lawn.
We suggest you begin with the Smooth Travel procedure,
and then advance through the forward, reverse, and turning
maneuvers.
Smooth Travel
The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider are responsive.
The BEST method of handling the ground speed control
levers is in three steps — as shown in Figure 7.
FIRST place your hands onto the levers as shown.
SECOND, to go forward gradually push the levers forward
with your palms.
THIRD, to speed up move the levers farther forward. To slow
down smoothly, slowly move the levers toward neutral.
Basic Driving
Forward Travel Practice
Gradually move both ground speed control levers — evenly
FORWARD from neutral. Slow down and repeat.
NOTE: Straight forward travel takes practice. If necessary, top
speed can be balance-adjusted — see the Speed Balancing
Adjustment in the Adjustments section near the back of this
manual.
Reverse Travel Practice
LOOK DOWN & BEHIND, then gradually move both ground
speed control levers evenly BACK from neutral. Slow down
and repeat.
NOTE: Practice backing up for several minutes before
attempting to do so near objects. The rider turns sharply in
reverse as well as forward, and backing up straight takes
practice.
Practice Turning Around A Corner
While traveling forward allow one handle to gradually return
back toward neutral. Repeat several times.
NOTE: To prevent pivoting directly on the tire tread, it is best
to keep both wheels going at least slightly forward.
Practice Turning in Place
To turn in place, "Zero Turn," gradually move one ground
speed control lever forward from neutral and one lever back
from neutral simultaneously. Repeat several times.