This page is the current version of this Gravely Pro-Turn 148 mower operating guide — download the PDF below for the complete document, including the manufacturer's full manual.
Two fuel tanks, 37.9 L combined — fresh unleaded 91 octane or higher, ethanol no greater than 10% (the engine is not compatible with E85 or other high-ethanol blends). Tyres 83–103 kPa (12–15 psi) front and rear; uneven pressures make the machine pull to one side and cut unevenly.
Check the engine dipstick before each use, and both hydraulic expansion tanks reach the cold fill mark with the engine cold — the seat tilts forward for access. Clear grass and debris from the deck, engine and cooling fins; build-up cuts badly, overheats the engine and is a fire risk. Check every control moves freely and returns, then run the interlock checks.
The engine will only start with the PTO switch off and the parking brake engaged, steering levers in neutral — that's step one of the start procedure. The engine shuts off if you lift off the seat with the PTO engaged, or with the parking brake released. Check both before you start work each day; if the engine starts with the PTO on or the brake off, or keeps running when you leave the seat, stop using the mower and contact us. Wear the seatbelt whenever the ROPS centre bar is raised, and never with the bar lowered.
To start, in this order every time: steering levers to neutral, parking brake engaged, PTO switch off, fuel valve to the tank you want, choke on if the engine is cold, throttle to three-quarter fast, then turn the key to start and release as the engine fires — ease the choke off once running. Never crank for more than 10 seconds at a time, and allow 60 seconds between attempts.
To start mowing: release the parking brake, throttle to full fast, then pull the PTO switch up. To stop, wait for everything to stop before you get off: levers to neutral, parking brake engaged, throttle back, PTO off, throttle to slow, key off and removed, fuel valve off if parking overnight or transporting. In an emergency: levers to neutral and rotated outward, parking brake on, PTO off, key out.
Push both steering levers forward from neutral to go forward, pull both back to reverse, and return both to neutral to stop. Push the left lever further forward than the right to turn right, and the right further than the left to turn left. Go slowly at first and keep the throttle low until you're used to how the machine responds — slopes can cause loss of steering control, so be ready for it.
Aggressive turns scuff and tear lawns — keep both wheels rotating and never turn with the inside wheel stopped; for the tightest turn, reverse the inside wheel slowly while the outside wheel creeps forward.
Push the deck lift pedal fully forward until the transport lock engages, put the adjustment pin through the hole for the height you want (38–140 mm in 6.4 mm steps), then push the pedal slightly forward, release the transport lock and let the pedal back slowly until the deck rests on the pin. Six anti-scalp wheels stop the deck contacting the ground over high spots — if it's scalping, contact us rather than repositioning them yourself.
Mow and engage the PTO at full throttle only — engaging at part throttle causes heavy belt wear. When mulching, take no more than a third of the grass length in a pass, and mow very tall grass twice rather than dropping the deck further. Discharge into ground you've already mown and change your cutting pattern each time. Never engage a packed deck — clear it first or you'll damage the electric clutch — and clear the deck afterwards, since packed grass ruins the next cut.
Levers in neutral, parking brake engaged, engine off, key out, and wait for parts to stop and cool. Pull both bypass levers into bypass and secure them, release the parking brake and push the mower where you need it, then re-engage the parking brake. Lift both levers slightly and push them back into the operating position before you start the engine again — the bypass is for pushing the machine a short distance on level ground only.
Push the deck lift pedal fully forward to lock the deck up for transport; to release, push the pedal forward, lift the transport lock release lever and let the pedal return slowly. Keep the ROPS centre bar raised with the seatbelt on, lowering it only to drive under an obstacle you can't go around, with no seatbelt while it's down and raising it again once clear. Before it moves: engine off, parking brake engaged, key out, fuel valve off, secured by the frame only — never by rods or linkages.
We deliver and collect the mower; if you need to move it yourself between sites, check your hire agreement first.
Engine won't crank: recheck the PTO switch is off and the parking brake engaged. Cranks but won't fire: recheck the fuel valve is on a tank with fuel, choke on if cold. Oil pressure light on: stop the engine immediately and contact us. Runs rough or overheats: recheck the choke is fully off, fuel level, and grass packed against the engine and cooling fins. Will not drive: recheck the parking brake is released and both transaxle bypass levers are in the operating position. Blades won't turn: recheck you're seated and the PTO is on at full throttle. Creeps with levers in neutral: stop and contact us — nothing you can adjust yourself will fix it.
Blade sharpening, deck levelling, belts, clutch and hydraulic work are ours, not yours — do not attempt repairs, adjustments or modifications. Stop, park the machine safely and tell us what has happened.