Important:
When you release the blade control bar,
the blade should stop within 3 seconds. If it does not
stop properly, stop using your mower immediately and
contact an Authorized Service Dealer.
Checking the Blade Brake
Clutch Operation
Check the control bar before each use to ensure that the
blade brake clutch system is operating properly.
Using the Grass Bag
You can use the grass bag to perform an additional test to
check the blade brake clutch mechanism.
1. Install the empty grass bag on the mower.
2. Start the engine.
3. Engage the blade.
Note:
The bag should begin to inflate, indicating that
the blade is engaged and rotating.
4. Release the blade control bar.
Note:
If the bag does not immediately deflate, the
blade is still rotating. The blade brake clutch mechanism
may be deteriorating and, if ignored, could result in an
unsafe operating condition. Have the mower inspected
and serviced by an Authorized Service Dealer.
5. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
Not Using the Grass Bag
1. Move the mower onto a paved surface in a non-windy
area.
2. Set all 4 wheels to the 3 inch (76 mm) cut setting.
3. Take a half sheet of newspaper and crumple it into a ball
small enough to go under the mower housing (about 3
inches or 76 mm in diameter).
4. Place the newspaper ball about 5 inches (13 cm) in front
of the mower (Figure 28).
Figure 28
5. Start the engine.
6. Engage the blade.
7. Release the blade control bar.
8. Immediately push the mower over the newspaper ball.
9. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
10. Go to the front of the mower and check the newspaper
ball.
Note:
If the newspaper ball did not go under the
mower, repeat steps 2 through 10.
11. If the newspaper is unravelled or shredded, the blade
did not stop properly, which could result in an unsafe
operating condition. Contact an Authorized Service
Dealer.
Stopping the Engine
Move the throttle to the Off position (Figure 29).
Figure 29
Mulching the Clippings
Your mower comes from the factory ready to mulch the
grass and leaf clippings back into the lawn.
If the grass bag is on the mower, remove it (refer to
Removing the Grass Bag) before mulching the clippings. If
the side discharge chute is on the mower, remove it and
lock the side discharge door (refer to Removing the Side
Discharge Chute) before mulching the clippings.
Important:
The mower has a safety switch that
prevents you from starting the mower unless you first
install the mulch plug securely on the mower (Figure
30).
Install the mulch plug as illustrated in Figure 30.
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