Operating Tips
General Tips
•
Review the safety instructions and read this
manual carefully before operating the machine.
•
Clear the area of sticks, stones, wire, branches,
and other debris that the blade could hit and throw.
•
Keep everyone, especially children and pets, away
from the area of operation.
•
Avoid striking trees, walls, curbs, or other solid
objects. Never deliberately mow over any object.
•
If the machine strikes an object or starts to vibrate,
immediately shut off the engine, disconnect
the wire from the spark plug, and examine the
machine for damage.
•
Maintain a sharp blade throughout the cutting
season. Periodically file down nicks on the blade.
•
Replace the blade when necessary with an original
the manufacturer replacement blade.
•
Mow only dry grass or leaves. Wet grass and
leaves tend to clump on the yard and can cause
the machine to plug or the engine to stall.
WARNING
Wet grass or leaves can cause serious
injury if you slip and contact the blade.
Mow only in dry conditions.
•
Clean under the machine after each mowing; refer
to
Cleaning Under the Machine (page
•
Keep the engine in good running condition.
•
Clean the air filter frequently. Mulching stirs up
more clippings and dust which clogs the air filter
and reduces engine performance.
•
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 toward you or
bystanders, resulting 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.
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 64 mm (2-1/2 inch), 76 mm (3 inch),
or 89 mm (3-1/2 inch) cutting-height settings. Cut
only about a third of the grass blade at a time.
Do not cut below the 64 mm (2-1/2 inch) setting
unless the grass is sparse or it is late fall when
grass growth begins to slow down.
•
When cutting grass over 15 cm (6 inches) 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 1
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.
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 a single pass over the leaves.
•
For light leaf coverage, set all the wheels at the
22).
same cutting-height setting.
•
Slow down your mowing speed if the machine
does not cut the leaves finely enough.
After Operation
After Operation Safety
General Safety
•
Always shut off the machine, wait for all moving
parts to stop, and allow the machine to cool before
adjusting, servicing, cleaning, or storing it.
•
Clean grass and debris from the machine to help
prevent fires. Clean up oil or fuel spills.
•
Never store the machine or fuel container where
there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light, such
as on a water heater or on other appliances.
Hauling Safety
•
Use care when loading or unloading the machine.
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