Troy-Bilt 52057, 52058 owner manual Additional Operating Tips and Techniques

Section 4: Operation

WARNING

THROWN OBJECT HAZARD

•Objects such as rocks, pebbles, and small debris will be thrown violently by the cutting head, resulting in significant hazard to eyes and exposed body parts.

•Always wear safety-approved eye protection and suitable clothing and footwear.

•Keep children, pets and bystanders 50 feet away from machine while operating.

•Be alert to hidden obstacles.

Failure to comply could result in injury or property damage.

Clean the Trimmer/Mower

On a Regular Basis

Clean under the mower deck frequently to remove any grass buildup. Also clean around the muffler and on top of engine. See the cleaning instructions in Section 5: Maintenance.

Do Not Let the Trimmer

Lines Become Too Short

Once the trimmer lines are worn to less than 1/2 their original length, trimming jobs begin to take far longer than they should.

As a general guideline, once the line length becomes half of its original length, it’s time to change to new lines.

Vary the Throttle Setting

According to Conditions

The majority of trimming and mowing jobs will yield the best results if the Engine Throttle Control is set at the fastest engine speed.

Less demanding jobs that require very precise cutting will yield better results if the engine throttle is backed off somewhat to reduce engine speed. (For example, damage to trees and or- namentals can be avoided by reducing the engine speed; using the lighter

.130" diameter line; and by keeping a safe distance away.)

Again, once you begin a particular job and get a “feel” for the conditions, you will be able to make adjustments for

ADDITIONAL OPERATING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Tips for Precision Cutting

For the most precise cutting possible, be sure to select the appropriate line cutting height and trimmer line size (thickness) for the conditions at hand.

When mowing, let the cutting head rest lightly on the ground and do not lift up on the handlebars. This allows the cut- ting head to follow the ground contour closely, resulting in the most even cut possible. Also, be sure to ease into heavy growth to prevent overwhelming the machine.

Trim When Wet or Dry

Grass and most other materials are most efficiently trimmed when dry. But, the trimmer/mower will do a fine job even with damp or wet materials. When conditions are moist or damp, be sure to clean debris off the machine regularly to keep cutting efficiency high. And watch your footing!

Use Extreme Caution on Slopes

When operating on sloping ground, use extreme caution and common sense to avoid possible injury or prop- erty damage.

Do not mow on excessively steep slopes! Avoid slopes if greater than

150 or wherever footing is unsure. If a slope is difficult to stand on, it is prob- ably too steep to trim or mow. In this case, it may be wiser to establish a per- manent ground cover on this area.

Do not trim on slopes when the ground is slippery. Trim across the face of a slope, not up and down. Slow down and exercise caution when changing direction on slopes.

Use Correct Walking Speed

Use a walking speed that is suitable for the conditions at hand. For example, you’ll get better trimming and mowing results at slower walking speeds if the grass is tall or lush. Shorter grass or less dense growth can be cut at faster travel speeds.

the best possible results.

Keep the Mowed Side to Your Right as You Move Ahead

The trimmer/mower feeds cut materials to the right side. Stay on the right side of unmowed growth as you move along.

NOTE: If the trimmer is operated in a stationary position with the wear cup in contact with dry vegetation, significant heat will result that may deform the plastic spindle or scorch vegetation.

10