Operation

MOWING

 

 

Tall Grass Requires Incremental Cutting

Before mowing, set the cutting height as described in

 

For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at

the Troubleshooting, Adjustments & Service section.

 

maximum for the first pass, and then reset it to the

1.

Engage the parking brake. Make sure the PTO

 

desired height and mow a second or third time.

 

Don’t cover the grass surface with a heavy layer of

 

switch is disengaged and operator is seated in

 

 

operator’s position with feet on foot rests.

 

clippings. Consider using a grass collection system

 

 

and starting a compost pile.

 

2.

Start the engine (see STARTING THE ENGINE).

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Set the throttle control to FAST.

 

 

 

 

4.

Disengage parking brake.

 

 

 

 

5.

Extend the deck actuator fully so that the blades

 

 

 

 

are parallel to the ground. A “ratcheting” sound is

 

 

 

heard when the deck actuator is fully extended.

 

 

 

6.

Engage the PTO by pulling up on the PTO switch.

 

 

7.

Begin mowing.

 

 

 

 

8.

When finished, shut off the PTO.

 

 

 

9.

Stop the engine (see STOPPING THE ENGINE &

 

 

 

MOWER)

 

 

 

 

MOWING RECOMMENDATIONS

 

 

 

Several factors can affect how well your machine cuts

 

 

grass, Ferris recommends following proper mowing

for

 

recommendations to improve the performance and

 

life of your machine.

 

 

Height of Grass

 

 

Often cutting height is a matter of personal

 

 

Proper C tting Height

 

preference. Typically, you should mow the grass

 

 

 

 

 

when it is is between three and five inches high.

 

 

 

The proper cutting height range for a specific lawn

 

 

 

will depend upon several factors, including the

 

 

 

type of grass, the amount of rainfall, theNotprevailing

 

 

 

temperature, and the lawn’s overall condition.

 

 

 

Cutting the grass too short causes weak, thin grass

 

 

 

plants, which are easily damaged by dry p riods and

 

 

 

pests. Cutting too short is often more damaging than

 

 

 

allowing the grass to be slightly higher.

 

 

 

Letting grass grow a bit longer—especially when it

 

 

 

is hot and dry—reduces heat build-up, preserves

 

Cut Here On

Cut

 

 

Reproduction

 

 

 

needed moisture and protects the grass from heat

 

 

 

damage and other problems. However, allowing grass

First Pass

Here On

 

 

Second

to grow too high can cause thin turf and additional

 

 

Pass

problems.

 

 

 

Cutting off too much at one time shocks the plant’s growth system and weakens the grass plants. A good rule of thumb is the 1/3 rule: to cut no more than one third of the grass height, and never more than 1 inch at a time.

The amount of grass you are able to cut in one pass

is also effected by the type of mowing system you are Incremental Cutting using (for example, broadcasting with side discharge

decks can process a much larger volume of grass than mulching does).

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