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Section 4: Operation
Figure 4-7: Disengaging t hewheels with
engine running,
2. Press down on the handlebar to raise
the front end slightly.
3. Push the handlebar opposite the
direction to which you want to turn.
4. For longer, wider turns, there is no
needto disengagethe poweredwheels.
MOWING TIPSANDHINTS
Mow When Lawn Is Dry
Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet
grass isdifficult to mow and clumps
together insidethe mower housing. This
causes inefficient operation and an
unevencut. Additionally, wet clippings
stick together in unsightly clumps on top
of the lawn which causes inefficient
absorption of nutrients back into the soil.
Avoid Midday Mowing
If possible, mow in the late afternoon or
early eveningto avoid exposing newly cut
grass to the drying effects of direct
sunlight.
Never Cut Lower Than One-Third Grass
Height In One Pass
If possible, mow
1
often enough or
_
high enough to
avoid cutting off
more than 1/3 of
the grass height.
Forexample, if you
are maintaining your lawn at 2", mow
before it reaches3".
Removing more than 1/3 of total grass
blade length may expose tender, shaded
stems to the drying effects of the sun and
wind and produce a dull, brown-looking
lawn. Cutting off too much leaf area is
also a shock to the root system and it
may take weeksto repair the damage.
Clean Mower Frequently
Cleanthe mowing housing frequently to
remove any grass build-up. Referto the
cleaning instructions in Section 5.
Vary Cutting Pattern
Vary the cutting
pattern from week
__]]P_
to week. One week
mow horizontally.
Mow vertically the following week. This
helps prevent wear patterns and soil com-
paction.
Avoid Sharp Turns
Sharp turns may produce an uneven cut.
If possible, follow natural ground
contours or use gentle, sweeping turns
for a better looking lawn.
Mow Long Grass Twice
If the grass
is 5" long or
more, cut it __
onceat the
highest setting and then mow it again at
the desired height. This method may
produce too many clippings to use the
mulcher effectively. Use the Grass
Catcherto remove the grass clippings.
Use Extreme Caution on Slopes
When operating on
sloping ground,
exercise extreme
caution and use good
common sense to
avoid possible
personal injury or property damage.
Do not mow steep slopes! Avoid slopes
greater than 15 degrees, or wherever
footing is unsure. If a slope is difficult to
stand on, it is probably too steep to mow
(in such a case, it may be best to
establish a ground cover that doesn't
require mowing).
Do not mow on slopes when the ground
is wet. Mow across the face of slopes,
never up and down. Slow down and
exercise extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes. Keep the Wheel
Drive Bail engaged to ensure easier
operation and better control of the mower
To avoid injuryor propertydamage:
• Maximum safe operatingangle is t5 o.
• Exceeding maximum safe operating
angle may cause tipping or loss of
footing.
• Do not mowwet slopes.
• Mow acrossslopes, not up and down.
*Exercise
extreme
caution
when
changingdirectionon slopes.
Empty Grass Catcher When Full
Emptying the Grass Catcherwhen it is full
results in better collection and mower
performance. Empty the bag as soon as
the bag is filled. See Bagging Modefor
more information on the Smart Bag
feature.
Match Speed
To Terrain and Conditions
Adjust the speedto grass conditions and
terrain. Use Low and Medium speeds for
normal mowing conditions. You'll get
better results at slower speeds, especially
if the grass is tall or lush. Use High
speed to transport the mower or when
grass conditions are light and appearance
is not as important.
Keep Mower Blade Sharp
A sharp blade cuts the grass cleanly,
resulting in a smooth, evenly cut lawn. A
dull bladetears at the grass and will fray
the tips so that they dry out quickly
resulting in a dull, brown-looking lawn.
See Blade Sharpening and Balancing in
Section 5 of this manual for more infor-
mation.
Mulching Leaves
A light covering of leaves can be effec-
tively mulched into the turf. As the leaves
decompose, they provide valuable organic
matter and minerals to the soil.
To ensure effective mulching, be sure the
leavesare dry. Use a slow travel speed
and don't try to mulch a deep layer of
leaves.
13
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