14
00272
FIG. 10
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT:
FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER
HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN
AFTER EACH USE.
• The spe cial mulch ing blade will recut the grass clip-
pings many times and reduce them in size so that as
they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass
and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biode-
grade quick ly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always
mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this
will pro vide the best recutting action of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends
to form clumps and interferes with the mulch ing action.
The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon.
At this time the grass has dried, the newly cut area will
not be exposed to direct sun light.
•
For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that
the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass
blades (See Fig. 10A). For ex tremely heavy mulch ing, re-
duce your width of cut on each pass and mow slow ly.
mulcher_9
MAX 1/3
FIG. 10A
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per-
formance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-
ming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
OPERATION
machine. This will result in a more even dis tri bu tion of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so
that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences,
driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the
opposite direction making left hand turns until fi nished
(See Fig. 10).
• Certain types of grass and grass con di tions may re quire
that an area be mulched a second time to com pletely
hide the clippings. When doing a sec ond cut, mow
across (perpendicular) to the fi rst cut path.
• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow
north to south one week then change to east to west the
next week. This will help prevent matting and graining
of the lawn.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run-
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is rec om -
mend ed that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the fi rst time. This procedure will remove any trapped
air inside the transmission which may have de vel oped during
shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT:
SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION RE
QUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD
BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING
THE TRACTOR.
• Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set.
• Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this
section of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) po si tion, slowly dis-
engage clutch/brake pedal.
• Move motion control lever to full forward position and
hold for fi ve (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse posi-
tion and hold for fi ve (5) seconds. Repeat this procedure
three (3) times.
NOTE:
During this procedure there will be no movement
of drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic
drive system.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut-
off engine and set parking brake.
• Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
driving position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this sec tion
of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly dis-
engage clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the tractor
moves approximately fi ve (5) feet, slowly move motion
control lever to reverse position. After the tractor moves
approximately fi ve (5) feet return the motion control lever
to the neutral (N) position. Repeat this procedure with
the motion control lever three (3) times.
• Your tractor is now purged and now ready for normal
operation.
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fi re hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make fi rst cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
•
Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing
to
assure better mowing performance and proper dis charge
of material. Regulate ground speed by se lect ing a low
enough gear to give the mower cut ting per for mance as
well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the at tach ment being used.
• The attachments can be used during the engine warm-up
period after the transmission has been warmed up and
may require the choke con trol be pulled out slight ly.
NOTE:
If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See “TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Ad just ments
section of this manual.