•
Set the engine speed to the fastest position for the
best cutting results.
WARNING
Operating a machine with its engine running
at a speed greater than the factory setting can
cause the machine to throw a part of the blade
or engine into the operator’s or bystander’s area
and result in serious personal injury or death.
– Do not change the engine speed setting.
– If you suspect the engine speed is faster
than normal, contact an Authorized Service
Dealer.
•
Clean the air filter frequently. Mulching stirs up
more clippings and dust which clogs the air filter
and reduces engine performance.
Cutting Grass
•
Grass grows at different rates at different times
of the year. In the summer heat, it is best to cut
grass at the 2-1/2 inch (64 mm), 3 inch (76 mm),
or 3-1/2 inch (89 mm) cutting height settings. Cut
only about a third of the grass blade at a time. Do
not cut below the 2-1/2 inch (64 mm) setting unless
the grass is sparse or it is late fall when grass growth
begins to slow down.
•
When cutting grass over 6 inches (15 cm) tall, first
mow at the highest cutting height setting and walk
slower; then mow again at a lower setting for the
best lawn appearance. If the grass is too long and
the leaves clump on top of the lawn, the machine
may plug and cause the engine to stall.
•
Alternate the mowing direction. This helps disperse
the clippings over the lawn for even fertilization.
If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try
one or more of the following:
•
Sharpen the blade.
•
Walk at a slower pace while mowing.
•
Raise the cutting height on your machine.
•
Cut the grass more frequently.
•
Overlap cutting swaths instead of cutting a full
swath with each pass.
•
Set the cutting height on the front wheels one notch
lower than the rear wheels. For example, set the
front wheels at 2-1/2 inches (64 mm) and the rear
wheels at 3 inches (76 mm).
Cutting Leaves
•
After cutting the lawn, ensure that half of the lawn
shows through the cut leaf cover. You may need to
make more than one pass over the leaves.
•
For light leaf coverage, set all the wheels at the same
cutting height setting.
•
If there are more than 5 inches (12.7 cm) of leaves
on the lawn, set the front cutting height 1 or 2
notches higher than the rear cutting height. This
makes it easier to feed the leaves under the mower
housing.
•
Slow down your mowing speed if the machine does
not cut the leaves finely enough.
•
If you mow over oak leaves, you can add lime to
the grass in the spring to reduce the acidity of the
oak leaves.
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