Pushing The Machine By Hand; Using The Side Discharge; Operating Tips - Toro 74840 Operator's Manual

Pushing the Machine by Hand

Important: Always push the machine by hand.
Never tow the machine because damage may
occur.
To Push the Machine
1. Park the machine on a level surface and disengage
the blade control switch.
2. Move the motion control levers outward to neutral
lock position, stop the engine, remove the key, and
wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the
operating position. Make sure the parking brake is
disengaged.
3. Locate the bypass levers at the rear of the machine,
on the left and right side of the frame.
4. Move the bypass levers rearward and then down
to lock them in place as shown in Figure 32 to
disengage the wheel motors. Repeat this on each
side of the machine.
The machine is now able to be pushed by hand.
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Figure 32
To Operate the Machine
Move the bypass to the position for operating the
machine (Figure 32) to engage the wheel motors.

Using the Side Discharge

The mower has a hinged grass deflector that disperses
clippings to the side and down toward the turf.
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DANGER
Without a grass deflector, discharge cover, or
complete grass catcher assembly mounted in
place, you and others are exposed to blade contact
and thrown debris. Contact with rotating mower
blade(s) and thrown debris will cause injury or
death.
• Never remove the grass deflector from the
mower because the grass deflector routes
material down toward the turf. If the
grass deflector is ever damaged, replace it
immediately.
• Never put your hands or feet under the mower.
• Never try to clear the discharge area or mower
blades unless you move the blade control switch
(PTO) to the off position, rotate the ignition
key to off and remove the key.
• Make sure the grass deflector is in the down
position.

Operating Tips

Fast Throttle Setting
For best mowing and maximum air circulation, operate
the engine at the fast throttle position. Air is required
to thoroughly cut grass clippings, so do not set the
height-of-cut so low as to totally surround the mower
by uncut grass. Always try to have one side of the
mower free from uncut grass, which allows air to be
drawn into the mower.
Cutting a Lawn for the First Time
Cut grass slightly longer than normal to ensure the
cutting height of the mower does not scalp any uneven
ground. However, the cutting height used in the past is
generally the best one to use. When cutting grass longer
than six inches tall, you may want to cut the lawn twice
to ensure an acceptable quality of cut.
Cut 1/3 of the Grass Blade
It is best to cut only about 1/3 of the grass blade.
Cutting more than that is not recommended unless
grass is sparse, or it is late fall when grass grows more
slowly.
Mowing Direction
Alternate mowing direction to keep the grass standing
straight. This also helps disperse clippings which
enhances decomposition and fertilization.
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