Simplicity 1692971, 1692963, 1692957, 1692959, 1692961, 1692973, 1692975 manual Mowing Patterns & lips

Mowing Patterns & lips

• Change the mowing pattern each time. The Best Combination

•If mulching baffles are removed, the original deflector We recommend that you experiment with the height of

must be in operating position for safe side-discharge	cut position and tractor ground speed that will give you
mowing.	the best cut. Start with a higher cutting height and try
How Much Grass To Cut Off	increasing lower settings until you find a cutting height
	that is matched to your mowing conditions and prefer-
Removing too much grass height in one cutting may
	ences. Since mulching requires more horsepower than
result in an unsatisfactory cut: wind rowing, clumping, or	side-discharging, using a slower ground speed is impor-
uneven dispersal of clippings may result. It is best to	tant for proper mulching operation.
mow when the grass is between 3”- 5” tall, although this	Clippings Are Beneficial
will depend on your personal preference for lawn appear-
ance. A good rule to follow is to cut only the top one-	A common misconception about clippings is that they
third of the grass blade at a time (maximum of l-1/2”).	automatically lead to thatch. However, clippings pro-
Cutting more off the grass blade, particularly in wet	duced by mulching methods actually contribute to a
spring conditions, can lead to thatch problems.	healthy lawn because they:
	• Act as a safe, non-polluting and inexpensive fertilizer
	that nourishes your lawn. Fresh cut blades are a rich
	source of nitrogen which is essential to lush growth.
Optimal cutting point	And one garbage bag of clippings contains about l/4
	lb. of usable organic nitrogen.
	• Reduce the evaporation of water from your lawn.
	• Provide a cushioning layer to reduce lawn wear.
This area can contribute	• Moderate soil temperature.
to thatch
	• Save money normally spent on trash bags.
	Leaf Shredding
	(For use with Mulcher Kit Only)

Patented Shredder Blades virtually eliminate raking leaves. Up to 512 cutting edges pulverize leaves into tiny particles, which quickly and naturally decompose into

1food for your lawn. Shredder Blades must be removed when you choose to mulch grass clippings,

Engine Speed & Ground Speed

Use full engine throttle matched with a slower ground speed so that clippings will be finely cut. A better cut may result from cutting the same area in two passes, each time cutting only 3/4” of grass blade. Short clip- pings of 1” or less decompose more quickly than longer blades.

NOTE: When mulching under heavy cutting conditions, a rumbling sound may be present and is normal.

The Proper Equipment

Always keep the mower blades sharp and balanced. Blades should be sharpened at the beginning of every mowing season. If the tips of grass blades brown after cutting, this may be a sign of dull blades tearing, rather than cutting, the grass blades.

Keep the underside of the mower deck and baffles clean so that clippings are properly circulated, chopped, and discharged back into the lawn.

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