Operating Tips - Toro 22188TE Operator's Manual

Mowing with the Grass Bag
WARNING
A worn grass bag could allow small stones
and other similar debris to be thrown in the
operator's or bystander's direction and result in
serious personal injury or death to the operator or
bystanders.
Check the grass bag frequently. If it is damaged,
install a new Toro replacement bag.
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
to engage the pin with the catch (Figure 22).
3. Grasp the handles at the front and the rear of the
bag and lift the bag off the lawn mower.
4. Gradually tip the bag forward to empty the clippings.
5. To install the bag, refer to Installing the Grass Bag.
DANGER
If the discharge door does not close completely, the
lawn mower 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 lawn mower 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
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 lawn mower.
• 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 lawn mower strikes an object or starts to
vibrate, immediately stop the engine, disconnect the
wire from the spark plug, and examine the lawn
mower 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 where feasible. Wet
grass and leaves tend to clump on the yard and can
cause the lawn mower 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 where feasible.
• Clean the underside of the lawn mower deck after
each mowing. See Cleaning the Underside of the
Lawn Mower Housing.
• Keep the engine in good running condition.
• Set the engine speed to the fastest position for the
best cutting results.
WARNING
Operating a lawn mower with its engine
running at a speed greater than the factory
setting can cause the lawn mower to throw a
part of the blade or engine into the operator's or
bystander's area 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 inch (51 mm), 2-1/2 inch (64 mm), or 3
inch (76 mm) cutting height settings. Cut only about
a third of the grass blade at a time. Do not cut
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