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
Service Interval:
Before each use or daily
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 26).
Figure 26
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
Service Interval:
Before each use or daily
Hold down the ignition switch in the Stop position until
the engine stops.
Important:
When you release the blade control
bar, both the engine and blade should stop within
3 seconds. If they do not stop properly, stop using
your mower immediately and contact an Authorized
Service Dealer.
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 27).
Install the mulch plug as illustrated in Figure 27.
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