Operator`s manual

Section4: Operation
This speedis mosteffectiveonshort,
thin grass.
3. PulltheWheelDriveBail (B, Figure
4-7) up againstthe handlebarto power
the rearwheelsand moveforward.
NOTE:Releasethe WheelDriveBailand
continueto holdthe OperatorPresence
ControlBail(A, Figure4-7) to pause
during mowingwith the enginerunning,
or to maneuverintight or difficult
conditions.
Turningthe Mower
1. Forshortturns, releasethe Wheel
DriveBail(B, Figure4-7) but continueto
holdthe OperatorPresenceControlBail
(A). This disengagesthe wheel drive,but
the enginecontinuesto run.
2. Pressdown onthe handlebarto raise
the front endslightly.
3. Pushthe handlebaroppositethe
directionto whichyou wantto turn.
4. Forlonger,widerturns, there is no
needto disengagethe poweredwheels.
Figure4-7: Disengagingthe wheelswith
enginerunning.
MOWINGTIPS ANDHINTS
Mow WhenLawnIs Dry
Do notmow grasswhen itiswet. Wet
grassisdifficult to mowandclumps
togetherinsidethe mowerhousing. This
causesinefficientoperationandan
unevencut. Additionally,wet clippings
stick togetherinunsightly clumpsontop
of thelawn which causesinefficient
absorptionof nutrientsbackintothesoil.
AvoidMiddayMowing
If possible,mow inthe lateafternoonor
early eveningtoavoid exposingnewlycut
grasstothedryingeffects of direct
sunlight.
NeverCut LowerThanOne-ThirdGrass
HeightIn OnePass
If possible,mow 1
oftenenoughor .... _-
highenoughto _. U\\|L_,__
avoid cutting off __'
morethan 1/3 of
the grass height.
Forexample,if you
are maintainingyour lawnat 2", mow
beforeit reaches3".
Removingmore than 1/3 of total grass
bladelength mayexposetender,shaded
stemsto thedrying effectsof the sun and
wind andproducea dull, brown-looking
lawn. Cutting off too muchleaf areais
also a shockto the rootsystem andit
maytakeweeksto repairthedamage.
CleonMower Frequently
Cleanthe mowinghousingfrequently to
removeanygrass build-up. Referto the
cleaninginstructions in Section5.
Vary Cutting Pattern
Varythe cutting
patternfrom week
to week. Oneweek
mow horizontally.
Mowverticallythefollowing week. This
helps preventwear patternsand soil com-
paction.
Side-DischargeMowing
Whenin Side-Dischargemode,try cutting
in a circularpatternwiththe chute
inward,facingthe uncutarea. This
resultsinlessclumpingby recuttingthe
clippingsfor a finer,cleanerappearance.
AvoidSharpTurns
Sharpturns mayproducean unevencut.
If possible,follow naturalground
contours or usegentle,sweepingturns
for a betterlookinglawn.
Mow Long6rass Twice
ifthe grass
is 5" long or "" = "'"%.
oncem°re'atCUtitthe_ '' "''' '' ''''I"_
highest
setting andthenmow it againatthe
desiredheight. This methodmay
producetoo manyclippingsto usethe
mulchereffectively. Usethe Grass
Catcherto removethe grassclippings.
Use ExtremeCautiononSlopes
When operatingon
sloping ground,
exerciseextreme
cautionand usegood
common senseto
avoidpossible
personalinjuryor propertydamage.
Toavoidinjuryorpropertydamage:
• Maximumsafeoperatingangleis 15o.
• Exceedingmaximum safe operating
angle may cause tipping or loss of
footing.
• Donotmowwetslopes.
• Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.
• Exercise extreme caution when
changingdirectiononslopes.
Do not mowsteepslopes! Avoid slopes
greaterthan 15degrees,orwherever
footing is unsure. If aslope is difficult to
stand on, it is probablytoo steepto mow
(in sucha case,it maybe bestto
establisha groundcoverthat doesn't
requiremowing).
Do not mowon slopeswhenthe ground
is wet. Mowacrossthe faceof slopes,
neverupand down. Slow downand
exerciseextremecautionwhenchanging
directionon slopes. KeeptheWheel
DriveBailengagedto ensureeasier
operationand bettercontrol of the mower
EmptyGrassCatcher WhenFull
Emptyingthe GrassCatcherwhen it is full
results in bettercollectionandmower
performance.Emptythe bagassoonas
the bagisfilled. SeeBaggingModefor
more informationonthe GrassGauge
feature.
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