Operating Tips - Toro ProStripe 560 Operator's Manual

Operating Tips

General Tips
•
Review the safety instructions and read this
manual carefully before operating the machine.
•
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 machine strikes an object or starts to vibrate,
immediately shut off the engine, disconnect
the wire from the spark plug, and examine the
machine 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.
•
Wet grass and leaves tend to clump on the yard
and can cause the machine to plug or the engine
to stall. Avoid mowing in wet conditions.
•
Clean under the machine after each mowing; refer
to Cleaning the Machine (page
•
Keep the engine in good running condition.
•
Clean the air filter frequently. Clippings and
dust can clog the air filter and reduce engine
performance.
•
Set the engine speed to the fastest position for the
best cutting results.
17).
16
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 64 mm (2-1/2 inch), 76 mm (3 inch),
or 89 mm (3-1/2 inch) cutting-height settings. Cut
only about a third of the grass blade at a time.
Do not cut below the 64 mm (2-1/2 inch) setting
unless the grass is sparse or it is late fall when
grass growth begins to slow down.
•
When cutting grass over 15 cm (6 inches) tall, first
mow at the highest cutting-height setting and a
slower speed; then mow again at a lower setting
for the best lawn appearance. If the grass is too
long and the leaves clump on top of the lawn, the
machine may plug and cause the engine to stall.
•
Alternate the mowing direction. This helps
disperse the clippings over the lawn for even
fertilization.
If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try 1
or more of the following:
•
Sharpen the blade.
•
Mow at a slower pace.
•
Raise the cutting height on your machine.
•
Cut the grass more frequently.
•
Overlap cutting swaths instead of cutting a full
swath with each pass.
Cutting Leaves
•
After cutting the lawn, ensure that half of the lawn
shows through the cut leaf cover. You may need
to make more than a single pass over the leaves.
•
Slow down your mowing speed if the machine
does not cut the leaves finely enough.