User Guide

individuals or companies which specialize in sharpening
mower blades. Blade sharpness should be checked daily.
Use high blade speed. Your Hustler Z is designed to
operate at full throttle. The throttle setting directly controls
blade speed. The highest blade speed generally gives best
cut.
Direct grass discharge to right, away from unmown
area. Select a mowing pattern that directs grass discharge
towards the outside, not towards center, of mowing area.
Generally, this means using a pattern utilizing left turns
because side discharge (Fig. 3-9) is to right. In any case,
avoid throwing grass discharge onto unmowed area because
grass is then mowed “twice”. Mowing twice puts an
unnecessary load on the unit and reduces mowing efficiency.
When mowing a lawn for the first time cut grass
slightly longer than normal to avoid scalping uneven terrain.
When possible, it is best to use the cutting height that was
used in the past. When cutting grass taller than six inches,
you may want to mow the lawn twice to achieve a better
quality of cut.
During normal mowing cut only about 1/3 of the grass
blade. Cutting more than that is not recommended unless
grass is sparse or it is the end of the mowing season.
Alternate mowing direction to keep the grass growing
straight and better dispersion of the clippings.
Remember, grass grows at different rates at different
time of the year. Mow more often in the early spring to
maintain the same cutting height. As the growth rate slows
in mid summer, mow less frequently. If you cannot mow at
a regular interval, mow at a high cutting height; then mow
again two days later at a lower cutting height.
Raise the cutting height of the mower if the cutting
width of the mower is wider than the previous mower. This
ensures that uneven turf is not cut too short.
Raise the cutting height of the mower if the grass if
slightly taller than normal or if it contains a high degree of
moisture. Then mow it again with the cutting height set
lower.
If the machine’s forward motion must be stopped while
mowing, a clump of grass clippings may drop onto your
lawn. To avoid this, move onto a previously cut area with
the blades engaged.
WARNING: Never direct discharge of material
from mower deck towards bystanders.
WARNING: Never operate the mower deck
with discharge chute removed or in raised
position.
WARNING: Always check area to be mowed
for rocks and other debris before mowing.
WARNING: Always remain seated and use the
seat belt while operating the machine.
Mower deck operation
DANGER: Never attempt to make any
adjustments to the mower deck while the engine
is running or with the deck drive clutch engaged.
Mower blades cannot be seen and are located
very close to deck housing. Fingers and toes can
be cut off instantly.
With the engine running, engage the deck clutch switch
(Fig. 3-2) and advance engine throttle to full rpm.
NOTE: Engaging the deck clutch at high engine rpm or
when under heavy load (in tall grass for example) can cause
belts and/or electric clutch to slip, resulting in premature
wear or possible damage.
BAC-VAC
TM
Mounting
If a BAC-VAC™ is to be mounted to an ATZ tractor it
will be necessary to remove the following from the unit:
1. Drive wheel weights
2. Frame weights located between the drive wheels
3. The front and rear mount legs of the ROPS structure.
397463 1/20/05
3-5
Figure 3-9
Side discharge chute
Figure 3-10
Front
mount
legs
Rear
mount
legs