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Side Discharging or Mulching
the Grass
Danger
Without the 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
blades 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 discharge area or mower
blades unless you disengage the blades (PTO)
and rotate the ignition key to the Off position.
Also remove the key and disconnect the wire
from the spark plug.
The mower has a hinged grass deflector that disperses
clippings to the side and down toward the turf.
To mulch grass clippings you must install the discharge
cover (optional on some models) into the opening in the
side of the mower; refer to Installing the Discharge Cover
on page 18.
Installing the Discharge Cover
To convert from side discharge to a mulching mower,
install the discharge cover into the opening at the side of
the mower.
1. Stop the engine and remove the ignition key.
2. Lift the grass deflector and slide the tabs on top of the
discharge cover under the grass deflector retaining rod.
Rotate the discharge cover down over the opening, and
onto the lower lip of the mower (Fig. 14).
3. Secure the discharge cover to the lower lip of the
mower with bolts and nuts (Fig. 14).
6
5
3
1. Grass deflector
2. Tabs under rod
3. Discharge cover
Note: Do not over-tighten the nuts, which could distort the
cover and cause blade contact.
4. To convert back to a side discharge mower, remove the
discharge cover and lower the grass deflector over the
discharge opening.
Operating Tips
For the best performance, operate the engine at the
maximum speed. The mower requires air to thoroughly
cut grass clippings, so do not set the height-of-cut too
low or completely surround the mower in uncut grass.
Always leave one side of the mower free from uncut
grass to allow the air to be drawn into the mower.
Cut the grass slightly longer than normal to ensure that
the cutting height of the mower does not scalp any
uneven ground. When cutting grass longer than 6 in.
(15 cm) tall, cut the lawn twice to ensure an acceptable
appearance.
It is best to cut only about 1/3 of the grass blade. Do not
cut more than that unless the grass is sparse or it is late
fall when grass grows more slowly.
Alternate the mowing direction to keep the grass
standing straight. This also helps disperse clippings and
enhances decomposition and fertilization.
Grass grows at different rates at different times of the
season. To maintain the same cutting height, which is a
good practice, mow more often in early spring. As the
grass growth rate slows in mid summer, mow less
frequently.
If the grass is longer than normal, or if it contains a high
degree of moisture, raise the cutting height higher than
usual, cut the grass at that setting, and then cut the grass
again at the lower, normal setting.
18
1
2
6
5
4
m-1883
Figure 14
4. Lower lip
5. Bolt
6. Nut
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