Honda HRS536SDE Owner's Manual page 9

SAFE MOWING PRACTICES
For your safety, keep all four wheels on the ground, and be careful to
avoid losing your footing and your control of the mower. Keep a firm
grip on the handlebar, and walk, never run, with the mower. Be very
careful when mowing uneven or rough ground.
If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Use the
handlebar to control the mower.
B
The blade is sharp and spins at high speed.
A spinning blade can cut you severely and can
amputate fingers and toes.
• Wear protective footwear.
• Keep your hands and feet away from the mower
deck while the engine is running.
• Stop the engine before performing any adjustment,
inspection, or maintenance.
Slopes
Mow across slopes, not up and
down. Avoid steep slopes (more than
20°), and be careful when changing
direction. Mowing on a slope when
the grass is damp or wet could cause
you to slip, fall, and lose control of
the mower.
Obstacles
Use the side of the mower to cut
close to large obstacles, such as
fences or walls.
Release the drive clutch lever to
disengage the drive when mowing around trees and other obstacles.
Push the mower around obstacles for better directional control. Be
careful when mowing over obstacles embedded in the lawn, such as
sprinkler heads, paving, edging, etc. Avoid anything that sticks up
above the surface of the lawn.
If the blade hits something, or if the mower starts to vibrate, stop the
engine immediately and check for damage. Striking objects may
damage the blade, bend the crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck
or other components. Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.
B
A worn, cracked, or damaged blade can break, and
pieces of the damaged blade can become dangerous
projectiles.
Thrown objects can cause serious injury.
Inspect the blade regularly, and do not operate the
mower with a worn or damaged blade.
The warranty does not cover parts damaged by collision.
WARNING
WARNING
Gravel and Loose Objects
Gravel, loose stones, and landscaping material can be picked up by
the mower and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage. The best way to prevent
potential injury from thrown objects is to release the flywheel brake
lever to stop the blade before reaching areas with gravel, loose
stones, or landscaping material.
MOWING TIPS
When to Mow
Most grasses should be mowed when they have grown 12 ~ 25 mm
above their recommended height.
More frequent mowing is required for mulching. For best results, you
may need to mow the lawn twice a week during the growing season.
Cutting Height
Consult a local nursery or lawn
and garden center for cutting
height recommendations and
advice about specific types of
grasses and growing conditions
in your area.
If you look closely, you'll see that
most grass has stems and leaves. If
you cut off the leaves, you'll scalp the
lawn. Let the grass recover between
mowings. Your mower will work
better, and your lawn will look better.
If your grass gets too tall, cut it once at the highest cutting height
setting, and then mow again in 2 or 3 days. Don't take off more than
one third of total grass height in any one mowing, or brown patches
may develop.
Cutting height adjustment levers are explained in the CONTROLS
chapter (page 4).
Cutting Width
For an even lawn finish, overlap each mowing swath by a few
centimeters. If the grass is very tall or thick, use more overlap and a
narrower mowing swath.
Blade Speed
The blade must spin very fast to cut properly. Always use the fast
throttle setting, and keep the engine running at maximum rpm.
If engine speed drops, it could mean the engine is being overloaded
by the blade trying to cut too much grass. Mow a narrower swath,
move the mower slower, or raise the cutting height.
Blade Sharpness
A sharp blade cuts cleanly. A dull blade tears the grass, leaving
shredded ends that turn brown. When your blade doesn't cut cleanly
anymore, have it sharpened or replaced.
Dry Grass
If the ground is too dry, mowing will stir up a lot of dust. Besides being
unpleasant to work in, too much dust will clog the carburetor air filter.
If dust is a problem, water your lawn the day before mowing. Mow
when the grass is dry to your touch, but the soil is still moist.
Wet Grass
Wet grass is slippery and can make you lose your footing. Also, wet
grass clippings will clog the mower deck and collect in clumps on the
lawn. Always wait for wet grass to dry before mowing.
ENGLISH
LONG ENOUGH
TOO SHORT
9