Operating Tips - Toro 71209 Operator's Manual

Figure 17
1. Grass deector
2. Discharge cover
3. Lower lip
4. Slide the hinge pin through the hinge
(Figure 17).
5. Secure the discharge cover to the mower with
the wing nut (Figure 17).
6. 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 inch (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
4. Hinge pin
5. Wing nut
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.
• If you must stop the tractor while mowing, you
may leave a clump of grass clippings on your
lawn. To avoid this, do the following:
– Engage the blade and move to a previously
cut area.
– Disperse the clippings evenly by raising the
mower 1 or 2 height-of-cut settings while
driving forward with the blade engaged.
• Use the washout port to clean clippings and
dirt from the underside of the mower after
each use. If grass and dirt build up inside
the mower, the cutting quality will eventually
become unsatisfactory.
• Maintain a sharp blade throughout the season.
A sharp blade cuts grass cleanly without
tearing or shredding the grass blades. Tearing
and shredding the grass turns it brown at the
edges, which slows its growth and increases
the chance of disease. Every 30 days, check the
blade for sharpness and file down any nicks.
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