Manual

Section4: Operation
Figure4-7: Disengagingthewheelswith
enginerunning,
2. Pressdown on the handlebarto raise
the front end slightly.
3. Push the handlebar opposite the
direction to which you want to turn.
4. For longer, wider turns, there is no
needto disengagethe poweredwheels.
MOWINGTIPSANDHINTS
Mow When Lawn Is Dry
Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet
grass isdifficult to mow andclumps
together insidethe mower housing. This
causes inefficient operation and an
unevencut. Additionally, wet clippings
stick together inunsightly clumps on top
of the lawn which causesinefficient
absorption of nutrients back into the soil.
Avoid Midday Mowing
If possible, mow in the late afternoon or
early eveningto avoid exposing newly cut
grass to the drying effectsof direct
sunlight.
Never Cut LowerThan One-Third Grass
Height In OnePass
If possible, mow 1
often enough or _
high enough to
avoid cutting off
more than 1/3 of
the grass height.
Forexample, if you
are maintaining your lawn at 2", mow
before it reaches3".
Removing more than 1/3 of total grass
bladelength may exposetender, shaded
stems to the drying effects of the sun and
wind and produce a dull, brown-looking
lawn. Cutting off too much leaf area is
also a shock to the root system and it
maytake weeksto repairthe damage.
Clean Mower Frequently
Cleanthe mowing housingfrequently to
removeany grass build-up. Referto the
cleaning instructions in Section5.
Vary Cutting Pattern
Vary the cutting
patternfrom week __]]P_
to week. Oneweek
mow horizontally.
Mow vertically the following week. This
helps prevent wear patterns and soil com-
paction.
AvoidSharpTurns
Sharpturns may producean unevencut.
If possible, follow naturalground
contours or usegentle, sweepingturns
for a better looking lawn.
Mow LongGrassTwice
If the grass
is5" long or
more, cut it __
onceat the
highest setting andthen mow it againat
the desired height. This method may
produce too manyclippings to use the
mulcher effectively. Usethe Grass
Catcherto remove the grass clippings.
Use ExtremeCaution on Slopes
When operating on
sloping ground,
exercise extreme
caution and use good
common senseto
avoid possible
personal injury or property damage.
Do not mow steep slopes! Avoid slopes
greater than 15 degrees,or wherever
footing is unsure. If a slope is difficult to
stand on, it is probably too steep to mow
(in such a case, it may be best to
establish a ground cover that doesn't
require mowing).
Do not mow on slopes when the ground
is wet. Mow acrossthe face of slopes,
never up and down. Slow down and
exercise extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes. Keepthe Wheel
Drive Bailengagedto ensure easier
operation and better control of the mower
To avoid injuryor propertydamage:
• Maximum safe operatingangle ist5 o.
• Exceeding maximum safe operating
angle may cause tipping or loss of
footing.
• Do notmowwet slopes.
• Mow acrossslopes,not upand down.
*Exercise extreme caution when
changingdirectionon slopes.
EmptyGrassCatcher WhenFull
Emptying the GrassCatcherwhen it is full
results in bettercollection and mower
performance. Empty the bag as soon as
the bagis filled. SeeBagging Modefor
more information on the Smart Bag
feature.
Match Speed
To Terrain and Conditions
Adjust the speedto grass conditions and
terrain. UseLow and Medium speedsfor
normal mowing conditions. You'll get
better results at slower speeds,especially
if the grass is tall or lush. Use High
speed to transport the mower or when
grass conditions are light and appearance
is not as important.
Keep Mower Blade Sharp
A sharp bladecuts the grass cleanly,
resulting in a smooth, evenlycut lawn. A
dull bladetears atthe grass and will fray
the tips so that they dry out quickly
resulting in a dull, brown-looking lawn.
See BladeSharpeningand Balancing in
Section 5 of this manual for more infor-
mation.
Mulching Leaves
A light covering of leavescan be effec-
tively mulched into the turf. As the leaves
decompose,they provide valuable organic
matter and mineralsto the soil.
To ensure effective mulching, be sure the
leavesare dry. Useaslow travel speed
and don't try to mulch a deeplayer of
leaves.
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