Pushing The Rider By Hand - Ferris ISX3300 Series Operator's Manual

Zero-turn riding mower

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Table of Contents

Where possible, make one or two passes around the outside

of the area discharging the grass INTO the lawn to keep the

cut grass off fences and walks.

The remainder of the mowing should be done in the opposite

direction so that the clippings are dispersed OUT onto the

area of lawn previously cut.

Mowing Methods

Broadcast Mowing

Broadcasting, or side-discharging, disperses fine clippings

evenly over the entire lawn. Many golf courses use this

method. Your mower has a deep dish deck to allow freer

circulation of clippings so they are broadcast evenly over the

lawn.

Engine Speed & Ground Speed for Broadcasting:

Always operate the engine at full throttle when mowing.

If you hear the engine slowing down, you are mowing too

fast—using a slower ground speed will improve the cutting

efficiency of the blades and prevents many common cutting

problems.

ALWAYS use an appropriate ground speed for the thickness

and height of the grass you are cutting (3rd gear or slower for

manual gear models). If you hear the engine slowing down

you are mowing too fast, use a slower ground speed.

How Much Grass to Cut Off When Broadcasting:

Mow when the grass is 3-5 inches long. Do not cut the grass

shorter than 2 to 2-1/2 inches. Do not cut off more than 1 inch

of grass in a single pass.

Mulching

Mulching consists of a mower deck which cuts and re-cuts

clippings into tiny particles and which then blows them down

INTO the lawn. These tiny particles decompose rapidly

into by-products your lawn can use. UNDER PROPER

CONDITIONS, your mulching mower will virtually eliminate

noticeable clippings on the lawn surface.

Note: When mulching under heavy cutting conditions, a

rumbling sound may be present and is normal.

Mulching Requires EXCELLENT Mowing Conditions:

Mulching mowers cannot function properly if the grass is

wet, or if the grass is simply too high to cut. Even more than

normal mowing, mulching requires that the grass be dry and

the appropriate amount is cut.

Do not use the mower as a mulching mower during the

first two or three mowings in the spring. The long grass

blades, quick growth, and often wetter conditions are more

suitable for broadcasting (side-discharging) or grass bagging

operation.

Engine Speed & Ground Speed for Mulching:

Use full engine throttle matched with a slow ground speed so

that clippings will be finely cut. Ground speed while mulching

should be HALF of the speed that would be used when

broadcasting (side discharging) under similar conditions.

Since mulching requires more horsepower than broadcasting,

using a slower ground speed is vitally important for proper

mulching operation.

How Much Grass to Mulch:

The best mulching action typically results from cutting only

the top 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of grass blade. This provides

short clippings which decompose properly (much more

quickly than longer clippings). The ideal cutting height will

vary with climate, time of year, and quality of your lawn. We

recommend that you experiment with both the cutting height

and ground speed until you achieve the best cut. Start with

a high cutting height and using progressively lower settings

until you find a cutting height that is matched to your mowing

conditions and preferences.