How to Mow With a Tractor

Raise the hood on the lawn tractor. Here you will find the fuel filler cap and the fuel tank. Unscrew the fuel filler cap and fill the fuel tank with gasoline. When filled, replace the fuel cap and close the tractor's hood.

Sit on the tractor's seat. Lawn tractors have a kill switch connected to the seat that will not allow it to start unless you are seated on it. Set the gear selector to its neutral position. This lever is located in one of two places. It may be below the steering wheel or on the rear fender of the tractor at your right hand.

Depress the pedal under your left foot. This pedal is the clutch that disengages the drive belt. With the pedal depressed, turn the key to the "start" position. It turns on the same way that your car key works. Once the tractor has started, the key turns to the "on" position.

Set the gear selector to its forward position, choosing your desired speed. With the gear selector in place, release the clutch pedal to drive the tractor to the lawn that requires cutting.

Depress the clutch to stop the tractor when you reach the grass. The lever to the right of the steering wheel adjusts and engages the cutting deck. Lower the cutting deck to your desired cutting height. Release the clutch to move the tractor forward and begin cutting the lawn.

Watch closely the edges of the cutting deck to cut close to obstacles without running over them. It also helps to use the tractor on its slow setting when cutting around garden borders, trees and other obstacles.