Operation

When and How Often to Mow

The time of day and condition of the grass greatly affect the results you’ll get when mowing. For the best results, follow these guidelines:

1.Mow when the grass is between three and five inches high.

2.Mow with sharp blades. Short clippings of grass one inch or shorter decompose more quickly than longer blades. Sharp mower blades cut grass cleanly and efficiently, preventing frayed edges which harm the grass.

3.Mow at time of day when the grass is cool and dry. Late afternoon or early evening often provide these ideal mowing conditions.

4.Avoid mowing after rain or even heavy dew, and never mulch when the grass is wet (moist grass does not mulch well, and clumps beneath the mower deck).

Where possible, make one or two passes around the outside of the area discharging the grass INTO the lawn to keep the cut grass off fences and walks.

Mowing Patterns

ReproductionAlways operate the engine at full throttle when

 

Always start mowing on a smooth, level area.

for

 

 

 

 

 

 

The size and type of area to be mowed will determine

The remainder

f he m wing should be done in the

the best mowing pattern to use. Obstructions such as

trees, fences and buildings, and conditions such as

 

pp site direc

n so that the clippings are dispersed

 

Not

 

OUT onto he area of lawn previously cut.

slopes and grades must also be considered.

 

1. Cut long straight strips overlapping slightly.

 

 

 

 

2. Where possible, change patterns occasi nally

 

 

 

 

to eliminate matting, graining or a corrugated

 

MOWING METHODS

appearance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. For a truly professional cut, mow across the lawn

 

Proper Broadcast Mowing

in one direction, then recut the lawn by mowing

 

Broadcasting, or side-discharging, disperses fine

perpendicular to the previous cut.

 

 

clippings evenly over the entire lawn. Many golf

 

 

 

Note: Always operate the engine at full throttle

 

courses use this method. Your mower has a deep

when mowing.

 

 

dish deck to allow freer circulation of clippings so they

If you hear the engine slowing down, you are mowing

are broadcast evenly over the lawn.

ENGINE SPEED & GROUND SPEED FOR

too fast—using a slower ground speed will improve

 

the cutting efficiency of the blades and prevents many

BROADCASTING

common cutting problems. Use an appropriate ground

 

 

 

speed for the thickness and height of the grass

mowing. If you hear the engine slowing down, you

you are cutting (3rd gear or slower for manual gear

are mowing too fast—using a slower ground speed

models). If you hear the engine slowing down you are

will improve the cutting efficiency of the blades and

mowing too fast, use a slower ground speed.

prevents many common cutting problems.

 

 

ALWAYS use an appropriate ground speed for the

 

thickness and height of the grass you are cutting (3rd

 

gear or slower for manual gear models). If you hear

 

the engine slowing down you are mowing too fast,

 

use a slower ground speed.

 

HOW MUCH GRASS TO CUT OFF WHEN

 

BROADCASTING

 

Mow when the grass is 3-5 inches long. Do not cut

 

the grass shorter than 2 to 2-1/2 inches. Do not cut

 

off more that 1 inch of grass in a single pass

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