Lockable device for disabling a control lever

A method for disabling a zero turn radius lawn mower to prevent the unauthorized operation of the zero turn radius lawn mower, comprising the following steps:

• (a) obtaining a zero turn radius mower having a frame and two opposite control levers and corresponding control lever slots defined in the frame such that each control lever is able to be manually moved within each corresponding control lever slot for operating the mower, each control lever slot also presenting forward and rear opposite edges,
• (b) obtaining at least one lockable device that includes a first portion presenting a first projecting member and a second portion presenting a second projecting member and such that the first and second portions are adjustable with respect to each other between a first contracted position and a second expanded position, the lockable device further including a lock,
• (c) placing the at least one lockable device in the first contracted position and inserting the at least one lockable device into at least one of the control lever slots,
• (d) expanding the at least one lockable device toward the second expanded position until the first and second projecting members project past the opposite forward and back edges of the at least one control lever slot,
• (e) locking the lockable device with the lock in the expanded position of step (d) such that the at least one control lever slot is obstructed to prevent movement of the control lever within the at least one control lever slot thereby preventing the unauthorized operation of the mower.