Stopping the Motor and Blade, Mowing Your Lawn

To engage the motor and blade, first be certain to follow the previous steps for connecting a suitable extension cord, then referring to Figure 10:

•Stand behind the unit and depress the locking button.

•While holding the locking button down, pull the blade/motor control lever and hold it against the upper handle.

•Release the locking button.

Stopping the Motor and Blade

WARNING: The blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the motor is shut off. If motor does not come to a stop when the motor/blade control handle is released, contact an authorized service dealer.

To stop the motor and blade from spinning:

•Release the motor/blade control lever from its position against the upper handle and the blade and motor will quickly come to a stop.

NOTE: A high pitched noise may occur as the electric motor decelerates and some sparking may occur also at the same time. This is normal behavior when the motor and blade is disengaged.

Mowing Your Lawn

NOTE: A sharp blade will greatly increase the performance of the lawn mower, especially in conditions of higher grass. Be sure to check the blade and sharpen it at least once a year as outlined in the Maintenance section.

•Make sure the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wires, or other objects that could damage the lawn mower or motor. Such objects could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.

•To prevent electric shock, do not operate the mower in damp or wet conditions.

•Always start from the point closest to the power source where the cord is connected. Never mow around the lawn in circles; travel back and forth across the lawn, starting from the point closest to the outlet and then moving away from the outlet so the cord lies in the cut portion of the lawn, out of the way. Refer to Figure 11.

T = Obstacles

Outlet

(Start here)

Figure 11

•Do not allow the extension cord to wrap around trees, shrubs or other obstacles. When picking up the extension cord, wind the cord in a series of equal loops on each side of your hand to prevent it from tangling.

•When cutting heavy grass, reduce walking speed to allow more effective cut and proper discharge of the clippings. For a healthy lawn, always cut off one- third or less of the total length of the grass. The average lawn should be approximately 1-1/2 to 2 inches during the cool season, and over 2 inches during hot months. For a healthier and better looking lawn, cut more often and after moderate growth. The lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is growth.

Mulching Tips

•For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the deck, preventing proper mulching of grass clippings. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. The ground speed should be adjusted to the condition of the lawn. If mowing has been delayed and the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of 4", mow twice to reduce the grass height to 3-1/4" maximum.

WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the motor, and unplug from the power supply circuit. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower. Excessive vibration of the mower during operation is an indication of damage. The unit should be promptly inspected and repaired.