Section 5: Operating Your Garden Tractor; Safety Interlock Switches; Driving The Tractor; Stopping The Engine - Cub Cadet 1222 Operator's Manual

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR

Safety Interlock Switches

This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system
for the protection of the operator. If the interlock system
should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor;
contact a Cub Cadet dealer. The safety interlock
system prevents the engine from cranking or starting
unless the parking brake is engaged, and the PTO knob
is in the disengaged (OFF) position.
The engine will automatically shut off if
1. The operator leaves the seat before engaging the
parking brake;
2. The operator leaves the tractor's seat with the PTO
knob in the engaged (ON) position, regardless of
whether the parking brake is engaged; and
3. The PTO knob is moved to engaged (ON) position
with the shift lever in position for reverse travel.
WARNING:
Do not operate the tractor if the
interlock system is malfunctioning. This system
was designed for your safety and protection.

Setting the Cutting Height

• Select the height position of the cutting deck by
placing the deck lift lever in any of the six different
cutting height notches on the right side of the
fender.
• Adjust the deck wheels so that they are between ¼-
inch and ½-inch above the ground when the tractor
is on a smooth, flat surface such as a driveway.
WARNING:
Keep hands and feet away from
the discharge opening of the cutting deck.
NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the
deck and are not designed to support the weight of the
cutting deck.
Refer to Leveling the Deck on page 15 of this manual
for more detailed instructions regarding various deck
adjustments.

Starting the Engine

NOTE: Refer to page 7 of this manual for gasoline and
oil fill-up instructions.
• Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
• Place PTO knob in the disengaged position.
• Engage the tractor's parking brake.
• Place the throttle control in the FAST (rabbit)
position. Activate the choke if so equipped.
• Pull the choke control outward.
• Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START
position. After the engine starts, release the key. It
will return to the ON position.
Do not hold the key in the START position
IMPORTANT:
for longer than ten seconds at a time. Doing so may
cause damage to your engine's electric starter.
• After the engine starts, deactivate the choke control
and place the throttle control in the FAST position.
NOTE: Do not leave the choke control on while
operating the tractor. Doing so will result in a "rich" fuel
mixture and cause the engine to run poorly.

Stopping the Engine

WARNING:
stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug
wire(s) and ground against the engine.
Thoroughly inspect the machine for any
damage. Repair the damage before restarting
and operating.
• If the blades are engaged, place the PTO knob in
the disengaged (OFF) position.
• Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF
position.
• Remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent
unintended starting.

Driving The Tractor

Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and
IMPORTANT:
sudden stops.
• Briefly depress the brake pedal to release the
parking brake. Move the throttle lever into the FAST
(rabbit) position.
• To travel forward: Slowly depress the upper
portion of the drive pedal forward until the desired
speed is achieved. See Figure 5.
Reverse
Drive Pedal
11
If you strike a foreign object,
Forward
Brake Pedal
Fender /
Running Board
Figure 5