Operation

Mowing

1.Engage the parking brake. Make sure the PTO switch is disengaged, the motion control handles are locked in the NEUTRAL position and the operator is on the seat.

2.Start the engine (see STARTING THE ENGINE).

3.Set the mower cutting height.

4.Set the throttle to FULL.

5.Engage the PTO by pulling up on the PTO switch.

6.Begin mowing.

7.When finished, shut off the PTO.

8.Stop the engine (see STOPPING THE RIDER).

 

 

 

 

Proper Cutting Height

 

Mowing Recommendations

 

 

 

Tall Grass Requires Incremental Cutting

 

Several factors can affect how well your machine cuts

For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at

grass, Following proper mowing recommendations

 

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

can improve the performance and life of your

 

 

desired height and mow a second or third time.

machine.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Height of Grass

 

 

 

clippings. Consider usi g a grass collection system

 

 

 

and sta ting a c

mp st pile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Often cutting height is a matter of personal

 

for

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Cut Here On

 

 

 

Cut

will depend upon several factors, including the

 

 

 

 

First Pass

 

Here On

type of grass, the amount of rainfall, the prevailing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second

 

 

 

 

 

temperature, and the lawn’s overall condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

Cutting the grass too short causes weak, thin grass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

plants, which are easily damaged by dry periods and

 

 

 

 

 

 

pests. Cutting too short is often more damagingNotthan

 

 

 

 

 

 

allowing the grass to be slightly higher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letting grass grow a bit longer—especially wh

n it

 

 

 

 

 

 

is hot and dry—reduces heat build-up, pr s rv

s

 

 

 

 

 

 

needed moisture and protects the grass from h

at

 

Incremental Cutting

 

damage and other problems. However, allowing grass

 

to grow too high can cause thin turf and additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

problems.

Reproduction

 

 

 

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 using (for example, broadcasting with side discharge decks can process a much larger volume of grass than mulching does).

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