Operating Tips - Toro 22196 Operator's Manual

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 mower.
4. Gradually tip the bag forward to empty the clippings.
5. To install the bag, refer to Installing the Grass Bag.
If the discharge door does not close completely,
the 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.
The 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 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 mower strikes an object or starts to vibrate,
immediately stop the engine, disconnect the wire
from the spark plug, and examine the 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. Wet grass and leaves
tend to clump on the yard and can cause the mower
to plug or the engine to stall.
Wet grass or leaves can cause serious injury if
you slip and contact the blade.
Mow only in dry conditions.
• Clean under the mower housing after each mowing.
See Cleaning under the Mower Housing.
• Keep the engine in good running condition.
• Set the engine speed to the fastest position for the
best cutting results.
Operating a mower with its engine running at
a speed greater than the factory setting can
cause the 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 2-1/4 inch (57 mm), 2-3/4 inch (70 mm), or
3-1/4 inch (83 mm) cutting height settings. Cut
only about a third of the grass blade at a time. Do
not cut below the 2-1/4 inch (57 mm) setting unless
the grass is sparse or it is late fall when grass growth
begins to slow down.
• When cutting grass over 6 inches (15 cm) tall, first
mow at the highest cutting height setting and walk
slower; then mow again at a lower setting for the
best lawn appearance. If the grass is too long and
17