4.11 MOVING MOWER WITH ENGINE
STOPPED
To "free-wheel" or move the mower around without the
engine running, place the dump valve levers in the FREE-
WHEEL position. Disengage the parking brake and move
the mower by hand. The dump valve levers must be
returned to the DRIVE position and torqued to 7-10 ft/lbs
to drive the mower.
4.12 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOWING
1. Do not mow with dull blades. A dull blade will tear
grass, resulting in poor lawn appearance and require
extra power.
2. The discharge chute must not be removed and must
be kept in the lowest position to deflect grass clippings
and thrown objects downward. Direct the side
discharge away from sidewalks or streets to minimize
cleanup of clippings. When mowing close to
obstacles, direct the discharge away from the
obstacles to reduce the chance of property damage by
thrown objects.
WARNING
WARNING
DO NOT OPERATE WITHOUT DISCHARGE CHUTE, MULCHING
KIT, OR ENTIRE GRASS CATCHER INSTALLED
3. Cut grass when it is dry and not too tall. Do not cut
grass too short (cut off 1/3 or less of existing grass for
best appearance). Mow frequently.
4. Keep mower and discharge chute clean.
5. When mowing wet or tall grass, mow the grass twice.
Raise the mower to the highest setting for the first
pass and then make a second pass to the desired
height.
6. Use a slow travel speed for trimming purposes.
7. Operate the engine at full throttle for best cutting.
Mowing with a lower RPM causes the cutter blades
to tear the grass. The engine is designed to be
operated at full speed.
8. Use the alternate stripe pattern for best lawn
appearance. Vary the direction of the stripe each
time the grass is mowed to avoid wear patterns in
the grass.
4.13 ADJUSTING CUTTING HEIGHT
The mower deck can be adjusted from a height of 1-inch
to 4-1/2 inches at 1/4-inch intervals. To adjust the cutting
height:
WARNING:
Do not adjust the cutting height with the mower
blades rotating. Disengage the power to the cutter
blades, put levers in the neutral lock position, apply
the brake and then adjust cutting height.
1. Disengage the power to the cutter blades.
2. Pull on the cutter deck lift lever lever all the way
backward until it locks in place. (Figure 4-6).
3. Insert the lanyard pin into the cutting height index at
the desired cutting height. Pull backward on the
cutter deck lift lever, push and hold the lock button
(Figure 4-6). Slowly release the cutter deck lift lever.
A deck height decal is located on the cutting height
index as an aid in adjusting the deck to the desired
height.
LANYARD PIN
CUTTER DECK
LIFT LEVER
Figure 4-6 Adjusting Cutting Height
16
Section 4