Operating Tips - Toro 22196 Operator's Manual

Removing the Grass Bag
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Raise the discharge door handle and move it forward
so the pin clears the bag notch (Figure 26).
3. Grasp the handles at the front and the rear of the bag
and lift the bag off the machine.
4. Gradually tip the bag forward to empty the clippings.
5. To install the bag, refer to
Installing the Grass Bag (page 17).
DANGER
If the discharge door does not close completely,
the machine could throw objects, causing serious
personal injury or death.
If you cannot close the door because the grass
clippings clog the discharge area, stop the engine
and gently move the discharge door handle back
and forth until you can close the door completely.
If you still cannot close the door, remove the
obstruction with a stick, not your hand.
DANGER
The machine can throw grass clippings and other
objects through an open discharge tunnel. Objects
thrown with enough force could cause serious
personal injury or death to the operator or a
bystander.
Never open the door on the discharge tunnel when
the engine is running.

Operating Tips

General Tips
•
Review the safety instructions and read this manual
carefully before operating the machine.
•
Clear the area of sticks, stones, wire, branches, and other
debris that the blade could hit and throw.
•
Keep everyone, especially children and pets, away from
the area of operation.
•
Avoid striking trees, walls, curbs, or other solid objects.
Never deliberately mow over any object.
•
If the machine strikes an object or starts to vibrate,
immediately stop the engine, disconnect the wire from
the spark plug, and examine the machine for damage.
•
Maintain a sharp blade throughout the cutting season.
Periodically file down nicks on the blade.
•
Replace the blade when necessary with an original Toro
replacement blade.
•
Mow only dry grass or leaves. Wet grass and leaves tend
to clump on the yard and can cause the machine to plug
or the engine to stall.
WARNING
Wet grass or leaves can cause serious injury if
you slip and contact the blade.
Mow only in dry conditions.
•
Clean under the machine housing after each mowing.
Refer to Cleaning under the Machine Housing (page 26).
•
Keep the engine in good running condition.
•
Set the engine speed to the fastest position for the best
cutting results.
WARNING
Operating the machine with its engine running
at a speed greater than the factory setting can
cause the machine to throw a part of the blade
or engine toward the operator or a bystander and
result in serious personal injury or death.
– Do not change the engine speed setting.
– If you suspect the engine speed is faster
than normal, contact an Authorized Service
Dealer.
•
Clean the air filter frequently. Mulching stirs up more
clippings and dust which clogs the air filter and reduces
engine performance.
Cutting Grass
•
Grass grows at different rates at different times of the
year. In the summer heat, it is best to cut grass at the
2-1/4 inch (57 mm), 2-3/4 inch (70 mm), or 3-1/4 inch
(83 mm) cutting height settings. Cut only about a third
of the grass blade at a time. Do not cut below the 2-1/4
inch (57 mm) setting unless the grass is sparse or it is late
fall when grass growth begins to slow down.
•
When cutting grass over 6 inches (15 cm) tall, first mow
at the highest cutting height setting and walk slower; then
mow again at a lower setting for the best lawn appearance.
If the grass is too long and the leaves clump on top of the
lawn, the machine may plug and cause the engine to stall.
•
Alternate the mowing direction. This helps disperse the
clippings over the lawn for even fertilization.
If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try one or
more of the following:
•
Sharpen the blade.
•
Walk at a slower pace while mowing.
•
Raise the cutting height on your machine.
18