Operating Tips - Toro 31335 Operator's Manual

Operating Tips

Mowing Only When Grass is Dry
Mow either in the late morning to avoid the dew, which causes
grass clumping, or in late afternoon to avoid the damage
that can be caused by direct sunlight on the sensitive, freshly
mowed grass.
Selecting the Proper Height-of-Cut
Setting
Remove approximately 25 mm (1 inch) or no more than 1/3
of the grass blade when cutting. In exceptionally lush and
dense grass, you may have to raise the height-of-cut to the
next setting.
Mowing at the Proper Intervals
Under most normal conditions you will need to mow
approximately every 4–5 days. But remember, grass grows at
different rates at different times. This means that in order to
maintain the same height-of-cut, which is a good practice,
you will need to cut more frequently in early spring; as the
grass growth rate slows in mid summer, cut only every 8–10
days. If you are unable to mow for an extended period due
to weather conditions or other reasons, mow first with the
height-of-cut at a high level; then mow again 2–3 days later
with a lower height setting.
Mowing with Sharp Blades Only
A sharp blade cuts cleanly and without tearing or shredding
the grass blades like a dull blade. Tearing and shredding
causes the grass to turn brown at the edges which impairs
growth and increases susceptibility to diseases.
Cleaning the Underside of the Machine
To ensure optimum performance, clean the underside of the
mower housing after each use. If residue is allowed to build
up in the mower housing, cutting performance will decrease.
Setting the Cutting Unit Pitch
We recommend a blade pitch of 8 mm (5/16 inch). A
pitch larger than 8 mm (5/16 inch) will result in less power
required, larger clippings, and a poorer quality of cut. A pitch
less than 8 mm (5/16 inch) will result in more power required,
smaller clippings and a better quality of cut.
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