Using the Grass Deflector
DANGER
Without a grass deflector, discharge cover, or
complete grass catcher assembly mounted in
place, you and others are exposed to blade
contact and thrown debris. Contact with
rotating mower blade(s) and thrown debris
will cause injury or death.
•
Never remove the grass deflector from
the mower because the grass deflector
routes material down toward the turf. If the
grass deflector is ever damaged, replace it
immediately.
•
Never put your hands or feet under the
mower.
•
Never try to clear the discharge area or
mower blades unless you move the power
take off (blade control switch (PTO) to the
O
FF
position, rotate the ignition key to the
O
FF
position and remove the key.
•
Make sure that the grass deflector is in the
down position.
Note:
The deflector is spring loaded into its downward
normal operating position (
), but you can
temporarily swing it out of the way when necessary.
g010791
Figure 14
1.
Grass deflector
2.
Spring hinges
Operating Tips
Fast Throttle Setting/Ground
Speed
To maintain enough power for the machine and deck
while mowing, operate the engine at the fast throttle
position and adjust your ground speed for conditions.
Decrease the ground speed as the load on the cutting
blades increases. Increase the ground speed as the
load on the blades decreases.
Mowing Direction
Alternate mowing direction to avoid making ruts in
the turf over time. This also helps disperse clippings
which enhances decomposition and fertilization.
Cutting Speed
To improve cut quality, use a slower ground speed.
Avoid Cutting Too Low
If the cutting width of the cutting unit is wider than the
mower you previously used, raise the cutting height to
ensure that uneven turf is not cut too short.
Select the Proper Height-of-Cut
Setting to Suit Conditions
Remove approximately 25 mm (1 inch) or no
more than 1/3 of the grass blade when cutting. In
exceptionally lush and dense grass, you may need to
slow down the forward speed and/or raise the height
of cut to the next higher setting.
Important:
If cutting more than 1/3 of the
grass blade off, or in sparse long grass or
dry conditions, the use of flat sail blades is
recommended to reduce air-borne chaff, debris,
and deck drive component strain.
Long Grass
If the grass is ever allowed to grow slightly longer than
normal, or if it contains a high degree of moisture,
raise the cutting height higher than usual and cut the
grass at this setting. Then cut the grass again using
the lower, normal setting.
Keep the Cutting Unit Clean
Clean clippings and dirt from the underside of the
cutting unit after each use. If grass and dirt build
up inside the cutting unit, the cutting quality will
eventually become unsatisfactory.
To reduce the risk of fire hazard, keep the engine,
muffler, battery compartment, parking brake, cutting
units, and fuel storage compartment free of grass,
leaves, or excessive grease. Clean up any spilled oil
or fuel.
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