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5. Operating suggestions
DANGER:
Prior to operating the mower the operator should be thoroughly familiar with the proper
use and operation of the equipment, should read the manual completely and thoroughly, and should have
attempted slow moving maneuvers to become familiar with the operation of the equipment before
attempting normal speed operation. An inexperienced operator should not mow on slopes or on uneven
terrain and should always mow in slow drive speed.
WARNING:
If you lose steering control while operating the machine on a slope, TURN BLADES OFF,
return steering control bars to NEUTRAL position for brakes to engage, and TURN key to OFF position.
Call your authorized MGE MEAN GREEN dealer to resolve problem before continuing to operate.
WARNING:
The unit’s steering control bars are very responsive:
Easy does it!
For smooth operation,
move controls slowly, avoid sudden movement. Skill and ease of operation come with practice and
experience. The machine can spin very rapidly. Use caution when making turns and slow down before
making sharp turns.
Inexperienced operators may have a tendency to over-steer and lose control.
Slow-moving, slow speed practice maneuvers are recommended to become familiar with these
characteristics before attempting high speed operation.
WARNING:
Sharp depressions or raised obstacles (such as gutters or curbs) should not be directly
approached at high speed in an attempt to “jump” them as the operator could be thrown from the equipment.
Approach at a slow speed and angle one drive wheel at the obstruction. Continue at an angle until the
wheel clears and then pivot the opposite wheel around. When turning on soft wet turf, keep both wheels
rolling either forward or backward. Pivoting on one stopped wheel can damage turf. This is especially
important when mowing.
Keep blades sharp.
Many professional mowing companies have additional sets
of blades and change blades twice a day: once in the morning and again at noon.
Many problems
with
incorrect cutting patterns
are due to dull blades
or blades which have been
sharpened incorrectly.
Information on sharpening blades is listed in this manual’s maintenance section. In addition, most
communities have individuals or companies which specialize in sharpening mower blades.
Blade
sharpness
should be checked daily.
DANGER : DANGER: Never work with blades while key is in the ignition switch
. Always place
deck blade switch in the
disengaged
position, place steering control bars in the neutral position and turn
key to the OFF position, remove key from switch and disconnect battery cables by pulling rearward on
RED
BATTERY QUICK DISCONNECT HANDLE
in battery box compartment! Block up mower and use
recommended lift jacks when you
must
work under it.
Wear gloves
when handling blades.
Always check for blade damage
if mower strikes a rock, a branch or another foreign object during mowing!
Direct grass discharge to right (with side discharge models),
away from un-mown area. Select a
mowing pattern that directs grass discharge
towards the outside, not towards center, of mowing area.
Generally, this
means using a pattern utilizing
left turns
because side discharge
is to
right.
In any case,
avoid throwing grass discharge onto
un-mowed area because grass is then mowed “twice”. Mowing
twice
puts an unnecessary load on the unit and reduces mowing efficiency.
When mowing a lawn for the first time
cut grass slightly longer than normal to avoid scalping uneven
terrain. When possible, it is best to use the cutting height that was used in the past. When cutting grass
taller than 18cm, you may want to mow the lawn twice to achieve a better quality of cut.
During normal mowing cut only about 1/3 of the grass blade.
Cutting more than that is not
recommended unless grass is sparse or it is the end of the mowing season.
Alternate mowing direction
to keep the grass growing straight and better dispersion of the clippings.
