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SECTION III
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
3-1 General Safety
Only qualified people familiar with this operator’s manual
and the mower’s operator’s manual should operate this
machine.
3-2 Operation & Tips On Mowing
A. Perform BEFORE EACH USE maintenance list in
paragraph 4-1.
B. Start the engine/blower/blade assembly.
B. Start mower.
C. With the mower at high idle speed, engage the mower
deck.
D. Proceed to operate the control levers of the mower.
Note:
If the collection system does not appear to be
collecting the grass clippings; disengage the deck,
and blower, engage the parking brake and turn the
mower off. Check the upper hose, lower hose, top
screen and boot for clogs.
To obtain the maximum effectiveness from your
collection system the tips listed below should be
followed:
* Watch your speed- Normal conditions will allow a
speed of up to approximately 5 mph, but thick, heavy
damp conditions will require reduced ground speed.
* Mow with sharp blades- A sharp blade cuts cleaner.
* Wet grass and leaves will decrease effectiveness and
will increase horsepower requirements.
* Mow at higher cutting heights- Remove and mulch no
more than 2” of grass length with each mowing.
(Experts recommend not cutting off more than 1/3 of
the grass blade length at any given time.)
* Mow twice, at different height settings, (high, then low),
if grass is extra tall.
* Remember that horsepower requirements will vary with
the mowing conditions such as type and height of turf
grass, moisture content, amount of leaves, whether the
terrain is flat or hilly, etc.
3-3 Unloading The Collection System
Note:
Press the tab, located behind the operator’s left
side, downward to feel if the collection system is full. If
the container is full there will be resistance when
depressing the tab.
A. Stop the forward movement of the mower.
B. Disengage the mower deck.
C. Using the throttle cable slow the engine down to idle.
D. Push the dump handle, on the left of the operator,
away from the unit. While holding the handle pushed
away, move the handle upward. The container door
will swing upward and the container will rotate
downward. The container will release its contents.
E. Once the contents of the container have fallen out,
the container is ready to move back into its normal
operating position. With the handle in the ‘away’
position, pull the handle downward until it stops.
Move the handle towards the center of the mower.
This motion will allow the latch to lock back into
collection position.
Note:
If you do not hold the handle away from the
mower as you pull the handle downward, the latch will
not lock and the container can unexpectedly release the
contents collected.
SECTION IV
MAINTENANCE
4-1 Maintenance Checklist
Before each use:
1. Check blades and spindles to be sure that no foreign
objects, such as wire or steel strapping bands, are
wrapped around them.
2. Inspect blades for wear. Replace if necessary. If it is
necessary to sharpen the blades, remove the blades
from the spindles before sharpening. DO NOT
sharpen blades while still attached to the mower.
3. Make sure all shields are in place and in good
condition. Repair or replace any missing or damaged
shields.
4. Listen for abnormal sounds, which might indicate
loose parts, damaged bearings, or other damage.
Correct any deficiency before continuing operation.
5. Check for wear or deterioration of the upper or lower
hoses. If there are any portions of the hose that have
been torn or worn through, replace with genuine
PECO parts.
After Each Use:
1. Clean all debris from machine especially from the
container, and off of safety decals. Replace any
missing or illegible decals.
2. Clean all debris from the box screen.
3. Inspect unit for worn or damaged components. Repair
or replace before the next use. Any replacement
component installed during repair shall include the
components current safety decal specified by the
manufacturers to be affixed to the component.
