Operating Tips - Toro Wheel Horse XL380H 71252 Operator's Manual

2. Lift the grass deflector and slide the tabs on top
of the discharge cover under the grass deflector
retaining rod.
3. Rotate the discharge cover down over the opening,
and onto the lower lip of the mower (Figure 15).
Figure 15
1. Grass deflector
2. Tabs under rod
3. Discharge cover
4. Secure the discharge cover to the lower lip of the
mower with bolts and nuts (Figure 15).
Note: Do not overtighten the nuts, which could
distort the cover and cause blade contact.
5. To convert back to a side discharge mower, remove
the discharge cover and lower the grass deflector
over the discharge opening.

Operating Tips

• For the best performance, operate the engine at
the maximum speed. The mower requires air to
thoroughly cut grass clippings, so do not set the
height-of-cut too low or completely surround the
mower in uncut grass. Always leave one side of the
mower free from uncut grass to allow the air to be
drawn into the mower.
• Cut the grass slightly longer than normal to ensure
that the cutting height of the mower does not scalp
any uneven ground. When cutting grass longer than
6 inch (15 cm) tall, cut the lawn twice to ensure an
acceptable appearance.
• It is best to cut only about 1/3 of the grass blade.
Do not cut more than that unless the grass is sparse
or it is late fall when grass grows more slowly.
• Alternate the mowing direction to keep the grass
standing straight. This also helps disperse clippings
and enhances decomposition and fertilization.
4. Lower lip
5. Bolt
6. Nut
• Grass grows at different rates at different times of
the season. To maintain the same cutting height,
which is a good practice, mow more often in early
spring. As the grass growth rate slows in mid
summer, mow less frequently.
• To improve the quality of cut, use a slower ground
speed. For best operation on average lawns, operate
the engine at full throttle while controlling the
ground speed. You should operate the tractor
between 2 to 3.5 mph (3.2 to 5.6 km/h) while
mowing.
• If the grass is longer than normal, or if it contains
a high degree of moisture, raise the cutting height
higher than usual, cut the grass at that setting, and
then cut the grass again at the lower, normal setting.
• If you must stop the tractor while mowing, you may
leave a clump of grass clippings on your lawn. To
avoid this, do the following:
– Engage the blade and move to a previously cut
area.
– Disperse the clippings evenly by raising the
mower 1 or 2 height-of-cut settings while driving
forward with the blade engaged.
• Use the washout port to clean clippings and dirt
from the underside of the mower after each use. If
grass and dirt build up inside the mower, the cutting
quality will eventually become unsatisfactory.
• Maintain a sharp blade throughout the season. A
sharp blade cuts grass cleanly without tearing or
shredding the grass blades. Tearing and shredding
the grass turns it brown at the edges, which slows
its growth and increases the chance of disease.
Every 30 days, check the blade for sharpness and
file down any nicks.
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