Operating Tips - Toro 31211 Operator's Manual

Operating Tips

Machine Size
Remember that the machine is longer and wider with this
attachment installed. By turning too sharply in confined
places you may damage the attachment or other property.
Trimming
Always trim with the left side of the mower deck. Do not
trim with the right side of the mower deck because you could
damage the bagging tubes.
Cutting Height
For optimum bagging performance, set the deck height-of-cut
to remove no more that 51 to 76 mm (2 to 3 inches) or 1/3
of the grass height, which ever is less. Cutting off more than
this will reduce the capacity of the vacuum system.
Cutting Frequency
Cut the grass often, especially when it grows rapidly. You will
have to cut your grass twice if it gets excessively long.
Cutting Technique
For best lawn appearance, be sure to slightly overlap the
mower deck into the previously cut area. This helps reduce
the load on the engine and reduces the chance of plugging the
blower assembly and tubes.
Bagging Speed
The bagging system may plug if you drive too fast and the
engine speed gets too slow. On hills it may be necessary
to slow the ground speed of the machine. Mow downhill
whenever possible.
CAUTION
As the bagger fills, extra weight is added to the back
of the machine. If you stop and start suddenly on
hills, you may lose steering control or the machine
may tip.
• Do not start or stop suddenly when going uphill
or downhill. Avoid uphill starts.
• If you do stop the machine when going uphill,
disengage the PTO. Then back down the hill
using a slow speed.
• Do not change speeds or stop on slopes.
Bagging Long Grass
If the grass is ever allowed to grow longer than normal, or if
it contains a high degree of moisture, raise the cutting height
higher than usual and cut and bag the grass at this setting.
Then cut and bag the grass again using the lower, normal
setting.
Excessively long grass is heavy and may not be propelled
completely into the bagger. If this happens, the tube and
blower may plug. To avoid plugging the bagging system, mow
the grass at a high height of cut, then lower the mower deck
to your normal cutting height and repeat the bagging process.
Bagging Wet Grass
If possible, always try to cut grass when it is dry. Wet grass
can cause plugging.
Reducing Plugging
To avoid plugging the bagging system, reduce ground speed
and mow the grass at a high height of cut, then lower the
mower deck to your normal cutting height and repeat the
bagging process.
Signs of Plugging
As you are bagging, a small amount of grass clippings
normally blow out the front of the mower deck. An excessive
amount of clipping blowout indicates that the bagger is full
or the tube is plugged.
Bagging Blades
In most mowing conditions, the standard high lift blades will
provide the best bagging performance.
The Toro Atomic blade is recommended for bagging leaves
in dry conditions. In dry dusty conditions, the medium lift
or low lift blades will reduce dust and dirt blowout while
providing effective bagging air flow.
Contact an Authorized Service Dealer for the proper blades
for different mowing conditions.
Curb Climbing and Loading
Always lift the deck to the highest position when loading the
machine on trailers or ascending/descending a curb. Leaving
the mower deck in a lower position can cause damage to the
mower deck while loading and going over a curb. If a curb
is higher than 152 mm (6 inches), cross it at a sharp angle
with the deck fully raised. Use extreme caution when loading
onto a trailer.
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