Murray 20-inch Push Cause. Vibration is generally a warning, Blade is the most dangerous part

SAFE MOWING GUIDE

While mowing, if you hit a foreign object, stop	equipped, in FAST position when mowing and
the engine. Remove the spark plug wire. Care-	bagging. When bagging, slower ground speed
fully and thoroughly inspect the mower for	will provide the best results.
damage. Make necessary repairs before re-	Change the mowing pattern slightly each time
starting. If the unit starts to vibrate abnormally,
	you cut. If you always cut the same way, the
stop the engine immediately and check for the
	grass will develop a “set” and clippings will ac-
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of
	cumulate more heavily in some areas more
trouble. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight.
	than in others causing grass to get thinner in
The blade is the most dangerous part of the	those areas. Do not service your mower over
mower and also the most important part in ob-	the grass. Spilled oil and gas can kill the grass.
taining a nice lawn appearance. Check the	In tall grass or very heavy grass, do not try to
blade and the blade mounting hardware fre-	cut it all at once. Raise the height of cut on the
quently. Keep it tight. If the blade hits a solid	first cutting and lower it for the next cutting the
object, check it thoroughly for deformation or	same day or within a few days. Another way is
cracks and replace if damaged. For safety,re-	to cut only part of the width of the mower and
place the blade every two years. A sharp blade	adjust your ground speed (not the engine) to
reduces the work load on the engine and cuts	move more slowly so the mower can clear it-
grass more cleanly, for a better looking cut with	self as it moves forward.
less work. The blade is always close to the out-
side of the mower housing. For best trimming
on side discharge mowers, cut with the left
side of the housing toward the area that needs
trimming.
A useful accessory for your mower is a grass
catcher. There are grass catchers available for
most models. For best performance and safe-
ty, be sure the grass catcher is approved for
use with your mower. Assemble as directed
and follow operating and safety instructions
with the catcher and in the Instruction Book.
Before mounting, checking or emptying the
grass catcher, always turn the engine off. Re-
member to check the grass catcher before	When cutting with a walk behind mower, al-
each use for cracks, wear, or deterioration. Re-
	ways push the unit. Do not pull it. Pushing the
place any part that is damaged with the man-
	unit keeps the operator behind the mower in
ufacturer’s recommended replacement part
	the “operator’s zone” for better control. Push-
before using the grass catcher again.
	ing the unit also gives you a chance to see ex-
	actly where and what you are mowing. There
	will be times while you are mowing that you will
	have to pull the mower backwards (such as
	when the front of the mower has come up
	against a wall or fence). If you must back up,
	make sure your feet are in the clear. Stand well
	back from the mower, plant your feet firmly with
	each step and back up being careful to look be-
	hind you. Resume normal mowing as soon as
	possible.
	If your unit is self-propelled, remember that
	the drive mechanism is not designed to do all
	the work, but the unit can move without your
	help. Always keep your hands on the handle
Proper cutting technique is important if you	near the controls when the engine is running.
	Remember too that the self-propelled mecha-
want your lawn to look good. Avoid the tempta-
	nism can be dangerous. Keep hands and feet
tion to cut grass too short. Cutting grass too
	away from belts and chains. Always turn off the
short can kill the plant, cause grass to turn yel-
	engine before attempting to remove anything
low, or make the lawn look brown and thatchy.
	that becomes entangled in the self-propelled
Use the lower cutting heights in cool months
	system.
when the grass is lush. Use the higher cutting
heights in extremely dry periods. Cutting with	Remember, your mower is a useful tool, but it
a dull blade or low engine speed bruises,	can be dangerous. Follow the instructions in
shreds, and can uproot some grass making	this Instruction Book. Use the mower properly
the lawn look dull and brown a few days after	and carefully and it will give you many hours of
cutting. Always put the throttle control, if	trouble free, accident free operations.
F-050401L	9