TO STOP
ENGINE
• To stop engine, release operator
pres-
ence control bar.
TO START ENGINE
NOTE:
Due to protective
coatings
on the
engine,
a small amount
of smoke
may be
present
during
the initial
use of the prod-
uct and should
be considered
normal.
NOTE:
Your engine
is equipped
with an
automatic
choke
system.
No priming
or
choking
is required
before
starting.
° To start engine,
hold operator
presence
control
bar down
to the handle
and
pull starter
handle
quickly.
Do not allow
starter
rope to snap
back.
MOWING
TIPS
CAUTION:
Do not use de-thatcher
blade
attachments
on your
mower.
Such
attachments
are hazardous,
will damage
your
mower
and could
void
your warranty.
Under
certain
conditions,
such as very
tall grass,
it may be necessary
to raise
the height
of cut to reduce
pushing
effort and to keep from overloading
the
engine
and leaving
clumps
of grass
clippings.
It may also be necessary
to
reduce
ground
speed
and/or
run the
lawn
mower
over the area a second
time.
For extremely
heavy
cutting,
reduce
the
width
of cut by overlapping
previously
cut path and mow slowly.
For better
grass
bagging
and most
cutting
conditions,
the engine
speed
should
be set in the FAST position.
Pores in cloth
grass
catchers
can be-
come
filled
with dirt and dust with use
and catchers
will collect
less grass.
To
prevent
this, regularly
hose
catcher
off
with water and let dry before
using.
Keep top of engine
around
starter
clear
and clean
of grass
clippings
and chaff.
This will help engine
air flow and extend
engine
life.
MULCHING
MOWING
TiPS
IMPORTANT:
For best performance,
keep mower
housing
free of built-up
grass
and trash.
See "CLEANING"
in the
Maintenance
section
of this manual.
The special
mulching
blade
will recut
the grass
clippings
many times
and
reduce
them
in size so that as they fall
onto the lawn they will disperse
into
the grass
and not be noticed.
Also,
the mulched
grass
will biodegrade
quickly
to provide
nutrients
for the lawn.
Always
mulch
with your highest
engine
(blade)
speed
as this will provide
the
best recutting
action
of the blades.
Avoid
cutting
your lawn when
it is wet.
Wet grass tends
to form
clumps
and
interferes
with the mulching
action.
The
best time to mow your
lawn is the early
afternoon.
At this time the grass
has
dried,
yet the newly
cut area will not be
exposed
to direct
sunlight.
• For best results,
adjust
the lawn
mower
cutting
height
so that the lawn mower
cuts off only the top one-third
of the
grass
blades.
If the lawn is overgrown
it will be necessary
to raise the height
of cut to reduce
pushing
effort and to
keep from overloading
the engine
and
leaving
clumps
of mulched
grass.
For
extremely
heavy grass,
reduce
your
width
of cut by overlapping
previously
cut path and mow
slowly.
Certain
types
of grass and grass
conditions
may require
that an area be
mulched
a second
time to completely
hide the clippings.
When
doing
a sec-
ond cut, mow across
(perpendicular)
to
the first cut path.
Change
your cutting
pattern
from week
to week.
Mow north
to south
one week
then
change
to east to west the next
week.
This will help prevent
matting
and graining
of the lawn.
11