PUSHING THE RIDER BY HAND
DO NOT TOW RIDER
Towing the unit will cause hydraulic pump and wheel motor damage. Do not use another vehicle to push or pull this unit.
1. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, turn the ignition OFF and remove the key.
2. To disengage the pump (free-wheel position), turn the hydraulic release valve (A, Figure 5) located on the hydraulic pump COUNTER-CLOCKWISE a maximum of 2 full turns.
3. Disengage the parking brake.

Operation

Proper Mulching

Mulching consists of a mower deck which cuts and recuts clippings into tiny particles and which then blows them down INTO the lawn. These tiny particles decompose rapidly into by-products your lawn can use. UNDER PROPER CONDITIONS, your mulching mower will virtually eliminate noticeable clippings on the lawn surface.

NOTE: When mulching under heavy cutting conditions, a rumbling sound may be present and is normal.

MULCHING REQUIRES EXCELLENT MOWING

CONDITIONS

Mulching mowers cannot function properly if the grass

The tractor can now be pushed by hand.

is wet, or if the grass is simply to high to cut. Even

 

 

4. After moving the tractor, re-engage the pumps

more than normal mowing, mulching requires that the

grass be dry and the the appropriate amount is cut.

 

(drive position) by turning the release valves

Do not use the mower as a mulching mower during

 

CLOCKWISE and tighten to 80-120 in. lbs. of

 

torque.

 

the first two or three mowings in the spring. The

 

 

 

 

 

long grass blades, quick growth, and often wetter

 

 

 

conditions are more suitable for broadcasting (side-

for

 

discharging) or grass bagging operation.

 

ENGINE SPEED & GROUND SPEED FOR

 

BROADCASTING

 

 

Use full engine throttle matched with a slow ground

 

speed so that clippings will be finely cut. Gr und

 

speed while mulching should be HALF of the

 

 

 

 

speed that would be used when broadcasting (side

 

 

 

discharging) under similar conditions. Since mulching

 

 

 

requires more horsepower than broadcasting, using

 

 

 

a slower ground speed is vitally important for p oper

 

 

 

mulching operation.

Not

 

 

 

HOW MUCH GRASS TO MULCH

 

 

 

 

The best mulching action typically results from cutting

 

A

only the top 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of grass blade. This

 

 

 

Figure 5. Hydraulic System By-Pass

provides short clippings which decompose properly

 

(much more quickly than longer clippings). The ideal

 

A. Hydraulic Release Valve

 

cutting height will vary with climate, time of year,

 

 

 

and quality of your lawn. We recommend that you

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

 

experiment with both the cutting height and ground speed until you achieve the best cut. Start with a high cutting height and using progressively lower settings until you find a cutting height that is matched to your mowing conditions and preferences.

Mulching Action

18

www.ferrisindustries.com