Hints For Optimum Use; Mowing Tips; Maintenance - Black & Decker CLM3820 Original Instructions Manual

Switching on
Insert the safety key (1) fully into the switch housing.
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Push the lock off release button (3) on the top of the
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switch housing.
Pull the blade bail bar (2) toward the handle bar (4).
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Switching off
To turn the lawnmower off, release the blade bail bar (2).
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When the bail bar (2) has returned to the original position it
will activate the automatic braking mechanism. The motor is
electrically braked and the lawnmower blade will stop rotating
in 3 seconds or less.
Grass box full indicator (fig. R)
The lawn mower has a device which allows you to easily see
when the grass box is full and needs emptying.
When the lawn mower is running and the grass box is
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empty the indicator will be in the open position (26).
When the lawn mower is running and the grass box is full
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the indicator will be in the closed position position (27).

Hints for optimum use

Lawns should first be mowed in the spring when the
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grass is about 63 mm to 76 mm high. Mowing too early in
the season restricts the root systems of the grass which
renew themselves every spring. New grass should be
mowed when it is about 63 mm high.
Do not remove too much grass blade surface at one time,
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never more than 1/3 of the leaf height during each cutting.
Cutting too close 'shocks' sensitive grass blades, resulting
in a shallow root system making it more difficult for your
lawn to reach water in the soil.
Mow your lawn when it is dry to avoid clumping of wet
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grass. If you have a choice, late afternoon is the ideal time
for mowing, not only because the grass is dry, but also
because the sensitive new cut area of the grass will not be
exposed to intense sunlight.
Keep the mowing blade sharp for a nice clean cut. This
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improves the mower's performance and enhances the look
of your lawn. A dull blade shatters and bruises the tips of
the grass. This impairs the healthy growth of your lawn
and increases the susceptibility to turf diseases. If the
grass tips are bruised it causes a brownish colour which
gives your lawn an unhealthy appearance. A dull blade
may also pull up young grass seedlings.
Try to mow your lawn at a consistent cutting height. While
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there are times when you should vary the cutting height
with the changing seasons, a consistent cutting height
produces a healthier, lovelier lawn with generally fewer
weeds. Mow more frequently during periods of fast growth.
Frequent cutting ensures that the lower, less attractive
portion of the grass will not show.
If your lawn has grown too long, during a vacation for ex-
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ample, mow at a cutting height one or two positions higher
than normal. A second pass at your usual cutting height
a few days later will put your lawn back on schedule.
Changing the cutting height is a simple matter with Black
& Decker's One Touch Wheel Height Adjustment, which
simultaneously adjusts all four wheels at once.
(Original instructions)
During the spring and autumn, or after an interruption to
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the cutting schedule, the grass will be longer and thicker. If
the motor continually slows down while cutting, try setting
the wheels for a higher cutting height. Excessive motor
loading can result in uneven cutting, quicker discharge of
the battery and can cause the motor to overload which
stops the motor.
There are three good ways to enhance your lawn's
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appearance: Vary the mowing direction frequently; mow
horizontally on hillsides; (this is also a good safety prac-
tice) and do not forget to overlap the mowing path on each
pass.

Mowing tips

Note Always inspect the area where the lawnmower is to be
used and remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones and other
debris which could be thrown by the rotating blade.
Mow across the face of slopes, never up-and-down. Exer-
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cise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
Do not mow excessively steep slopes. Always maintain a
good footing.
Release the bail bar (2) to turn the lawnmower off when
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crossing any gravel area as stones can be thrown by the
rotating blade.
Set the lawnmower at the highest cutting height when
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mowing in rough ground or in tall weeds. Removing too
much grass at one time may cause the motor to overload
which will stop the lawnmower. Refer to the troubleshoot-
ing guide.
If the grass box (9) is used during the fast growing season, the
grass may tend to clog up at the discharge opening.
Release the bail bar (2) to turn the lawnmower off and
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remove the safety key (1).
Remove the grass box (9) and shake the grass to the
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back of the bag.
Clean out any grass or debris which may be packed
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around the discharge opening.
Refit the grass box (9).
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If the lawnmower starts to vibrate abnormally:
Release the bail bar (2) immediately to turn the lawn-
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mower off and remove the safety key (1) and the battery
pack (22).
Investigate the cause of the vibration. Vibration is a warn-
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ing. Do not operate the lawnmower until a service check
has been made. Refer to the troubleshooting guide in the
manual.
Note Always release the bail bar to turn the lawnmower off
and remove the safety key when leaving it unattended even
for a short period of time.
The following suggestions will help you to obtain optimum
run-time from your cordless mower:
Slow down in areas where the grass is especially long or
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thick.
Avoid mowing when the grass is wet.
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Cut your lawn frequently, especially during periods of high
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growth.

Maintenance

Your Black & Decker corded/cordless appliance/tool has been
designed to operate over a long period of time with a minimum
of maintenance. Continuous satisfactory operation depends
upon proper tool/appliance care and regular cleaning.
ENGLISH
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