Black & Decker 598968-00, Instruction Manual

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HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR
BLACK & DECKER CORDLESS POWER MOWER...AND KEEP YOUR LAWN LOOKING
BEAUTIFUL
1. Lawns should first be mowed in the spring when the grass is about 2 1/2 to 3 inches high. Mowing too early
restricts the grass root systems which renew themselves every spring. New grass should be clipped when it is
about 2 1/2 inches high.
2. Do not remove too much grass blade surface at one time...never more than 1/3 of the leaf height during each cutting.
Cutting too close “shocks” sensitive grass blades, resulting in a shallow root system and thus making it more difficult for your
lawn to reach water in the soil.
3. Lawncare experts say that excessively close cutting is responsible for much of the difficulty experienced on many lawns. The
depth and strength of the roots of grass are almost exactly proportional to its growth. Grasses of mature lawns often are
seriously injured when mowed shorter than 1 1/2 inches, and a height of 1 1/2 to 2 inches is preferred on large lawns.
4. Mow your lawn when it is dry to avoid clumping of wet grass. If you have a choice, late afternoon is the ideal time for
mowing, not only because the grass is dry, but also because the sensitive new cut area of the grass will not be exposed to
intense sunlight.
5. Keep the mowing blade sharp for a nice clean cut. This improves the mower’s performance and enhances the look of your
lawn. A dull blade shatters and bruises the tips of the grass. This impairs the healthy growth of your lawn and increases
susceptibility to turf diseases. If the grass tips are bruised it causes a brownish colour and gives your lawn an unhealthy
appearance. A dull blade may also pull up young seedlings.
6. Try to mow your lawn at the same (consistent) cutting height. While there are times when you should vary the cutting height
with the changing seasons, a consistent cutting height produces a healthier, lovelier lawn with generally fewer weeds. Mow
more frequently during periods of fast growth. Frequent cutting ensures that the lower, less attractive portion of the grass will
not show.
7. If your lawn has grown too long, (a vacation, for example, may interrupt your cutting schedule) mow at a cutting height one
or two positions higher than normal. A second pass at “normal” cutting height a few days later will put your lawn back on
schedule. Changing the cutting height is a simple matter with Black & Decker’s One Touch Wheel Height Adjustment, which
simultaneously adjusts all four wheels at once.
8. During the spring and fall, (or after an interruption to the cutting schedule) the grass will be longer and thicker. If the motor
continually slows down while cutting, try setting the wheels for a higher cutting height. Excessive motor loading can result in
uneven cutting, quicker discharge of the battery, and can cause the circuit breaker to trip, which stops the motor.
9. Three good ideas to enhance your lawn’s appearance: Vary the mowing direction frequently; mow horizontally on hillsides;
(this is also a good safety practice) and do not forget to overlap the mowing path on each pass.
10. Always mow grass so that clippings are discharged onto cut lawn. This will keep your lawn looking fresh by avoiding “Cut
Grass” build-up which will eventually brown and appear ugly. This method also preserves your battery charge, ensuring you
get the most from your Black & Decker Cordless Power Mower.
11. During the spring and fall seasons when the grass is longer and thicker, you can use your mower without it being fully
recharged. (i.e. green charge indication light is on). This will enable you to perform short cutting tasks, but we don’t
recommend this be done frequently. The battery and mower perform much better if charged fully.