Engine Air Cleaner; To Clean Air Filter; Mowing Tips - Talon AM3051SP Owner's Manual

ENGINE AIR CLEANER

CAUTION
Do not allow dirt or dust to clog the air filter foam element.
The engine air cleaner element must be serviced (cleaned) after 25 hours normal
mowing. The foam element must be serviced regularly if the mower is used in dry
dusty conditions.

TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

1. Remove screw.
2. Press down the two tabs on top of the filter cover. Remove cover.
3. Wash filter element in soap water. DO NOT USE GASOLINE!
4. Air dry filter element.
5. Place a few drops of SAE30 oil on the foam filter and squeeze tightly to remove
any excess oil.
6. Reinstall filter.
NOTE: Replace filter if frayed, torn, damaged or unable to be cleaned.
Tabs
Filter Cover
Fig. 12
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MOWING TIPS

• The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon. By this time the grass has
had a chance to dry out. Also the sensitive newly cut grass area isn't exposed to
the direct sun.
• For healthy growth, grass should not be cut too short. Using the lowest settings
can result in destruction of the crown of grass, allowing flat lying weeds to
develop.
• Vary your cutting pattern from week to week. One week mow your lawn from
north to south, the next week, mow your lawn from east to west. This will help
prevent matting and graining of the grass.
• For best performance, always keep the mower blade sharp. A blunt blade tends to
tear, not cut, the blades of grass.
• When cutting very long grass, a preliminary cut on a high setting, followed by a
lower cut (preferably a day or so later), will minimise the overall time required for
the job.
• Do not try to cut too much off the grass at one time. This can cause excessive
loads to be put on the engine and also affect the mulching performance.
• It is recommended that the lowest cut height setting when mulching is #4. For best
results when mulching, cut off only the top third (or less) of the grass. Cutting
lower than this will have a detrimental effect on the mulching performance.
• When mulching, turning the mower at the end of a strip you may notice
unmulched grass. The mower deck is naturally tilted upward when turning so that
the air-flow which holds the grass in position for re-cutting is momentarily
decreased. After mowing the lawn, you can go back and mow only the turns so
that the clippings are no longer visible.
• Clean the mowing chamber frequently to remove grass build-up. This will keep
mowing performance at its best, especially when mulching. Avoid cutting your lawn
when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching
action of the mower.
• If you are not collecting the cut grass, mow in a pattern that deposits the clippings
on the previously cut path. So, if your mower discharges clippings on the left, the
next cut should be to the right of the previous one, and vice-versa.
• When cutting close to obstructions such as tree trunks, and when mowing to the
edge of a lawn where there is no wheel support, use the left side of the mower,
giving a useful blade 'overhang' for ready access to awkward areas.
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