Using On Slopes; Suggestions For Maintaining; A Nice Lawn - Mountfield MJ 66 Series Operator's Manual

b) To clean the upper part of the cutting-means
assembly:
– l ower the cutting-means assembly completely
(position «1»);
– b low a jet of compressed air through the right
and left guard openings. Fig. 5.13)
5.4.11 Storage and inactivity for
long periods
If you intend not to use the machine for a long
period (more than 1 month), disconnect the
battery cables and follow the instructions in the
engine instruction manual.
Fig. 5.14) Close the fuel stopcock (1).
Remove the clamp (2) using pliers, reconnect
the tube (3) and empty the tank collecting all the
fuel in a suitable container.
Open the tap (1) and start the engine, leaving
it running till it stops because all fuel left in the
tubes and carburettor has been used up.
Reconnect the tube (3) making sure you posi-
tion the clamp properly (2).
Put the machine away in a dry, sheltered place
and preferably covered with a cloth (see 8.3).
IMPORTANT The battery must be kept in a
cool and dry place. Before a long storage period
(more than 1 month), always charge the bat-
tery, and then recharge before using again (see
6.2.3).
The next time the machine is used, check that
there are no fuel leaks from the tubes, fuel stop-
cock or carburettor.
5.5 USING ON SLOPES (Fig. 5.15)
Observe the indicated limits (max 10° - 17%).
WARNING! Take care when beginning
forward movement on sloping ground to
prevent the risk of tipping up. Reduce the
forward speed before going on a slope, par-
ticularly downhill.
DANGER! Never switch to reverse gear
to decrease speed when going downhill: this
could cause loss of control of the machine,
especially on slippery ground.
Mechanical transmission
DANGER! Never ride the machine on
slopes in neutral or with the clutch out!
Always shift into a low gear before leav-
ing the machine at a standstill and unat-
tended.
Hydrostatic transmission:
Drive down slopes with your foot off the drive
pedal (see 4.22) to use the braking effect of
the hydrostatic transmission when the trans-
mission is not engaged.

5.6 SUGGESTIONS FOR MAINTAINING

A NICE LAWN

1. T o keep a lawn green and soft with a good
appearance, it should be cut regularly with-
out damaging the grass. A lawn can be com-
posed of different types of grass. If the lawn
is cut frequently, grass and roots grow more
vigorously, forming a solid grassy bed. If the
lawn is cut is less frequently, higher grass
and weeds start growing (clover and daisies,
etc.).
2. It is always better to cut the grass when dry.
3. T he cutting means must be in good condition
and well sharpened so that the grass is cut
straight without a ragged edge that leads to
yellowing at the ends.
4. T he engine must run at full speed, both to
ensure a sharp cut of the grass and to get the
necessary thrust to push the cuttings through
the collector channel.
5. T he frequency of mowing should be in rela-
tion to the rate of growth of the grass, which
should not be left to grow too much between
one cut and the next.
6. D uring hot and dry periods, the grass should
be cut a little higher to prevent the ground
from drying out.
7. T he best height of the grass on a well-kept
lawn is approx. 4-5 cm. and with one mowing,
you do not need to remove more than a third
of the total height. If the grass is very tall,
it should be cut twice in a twenty-four hour
period. The first time with the cutting means
at maximum cutting height, possibly reducing
the cutting width and the second cut at the
height desired. Fig. 5.16)
8. T he appearance of the lawn will improve if
you alternate the cutting in both directions.
Fig. 5.17)
9. I f the collector system tends to get blocked
with grass, you should reduce the forward
speed as it may be too high for the condi-
tion of the grass. If the problem persists, the
probable causes are either badly sharpened
cutting means or deformed fins.
10. B e very careful when mowing near bushes
or kerbs as these could distort the horizon-
tal position of the cutting-means assembly
EN - 13