Using The Self-Propel Drive; Stopping The Engine; Operating Tips - Toro Recycler 20019 Operator's Manual

Using the Self-propel Drive

To operate the self-propel drive, squeeze the
self-propel drive bar (A) toward the handle and hold it.
A
To disengage the self-propel drive, release the
self-propel drive bar.
Note: The maximum self-propel ground speed is
fixed. To reduce the ground speed, increase the
space between the self-propel drive bar and the
handle.

Stopping the Engine

To stop the engine, release the blade control bar.
Important: When you release the blade control bar,
both the engine and blade should stop within 3
seconds. If they do not stop properly, stop using your
mower immediately and contact your Authorized
Service Dealer.

Operating Tips

Clear the area of sticks, stones, wire, branches,
and other debris that the blade could hit.
Avoid striking solid objects with the blade. Never
deliberately mow over any object.
If the mower strikes an object or starts to vibrate,
immediately stop the engine, disconnect the wire
from the spark plug, and examine the mower for
damage.
For best performance, install a new blade before
the cutting season begins.
8
Replace the blade when necessary with a Toro
replacement blade.
Cutting Grass
Cut only about a third of the grass blade at a
time. Do not cut below the 2-inch (51 mm) setting
unless the grass is sparse or it is late fall when
grass growth begins to slow down. Refer to
Adjusting the Cutting Height on page 5.
When cutting grass over 6 inches (15 cm) tall,
mow at the highest cutting height setting and walk
slower; then mow again at a lower setting for the
best lawn appearance. If the grass is too long, the
m-5660 mower may plug and cause the engine to stall.
Mow only dry grass or leaves. Wet grass and
leaves tend to clump on the yard and can cause
the mower to plug or the engine to stall.
Wet grass or leaves can cause serious injury if
you slip and contact the blade. Mow only in dry
conditions.
Alternate the mowing direction. This helps
disperse the clippings over the lawn for even
fertilization.
If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try
one or more of the following:
Replace the blade or have it sharpened.
Walk at a slower pace while mowing.
Raise the cutting height on your mower.
Cut the grass more frequently.
Overlap cutting swaths instead of cutting a full
swath with each pass.
Set the cutting height on the front wheels one
notch lower than the rear wheels. For example,
set the front wheels at 2 inches (51 mm) and the
rear wheels at 2-3/8 inches (60 mm).
m-5656
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 one pass over the leaves.
If there are more than 5 inches (13 cm) of leaves
on the lawn, set the front cutting height one or
two notches higher than the rear cutting height.
Slow down your mowing speed if the mower does
not cut the leaves finely enough.
If you mow over oak leaves, you can add lime to
the grass in the spring to reduce the acidity of the
leaves.
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