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

Reproduction

 

 

 

 

Always start mowing on a smooth, level area.

for

 

 

The size and type of area to be mowed will determine

 

 

 

the best mowing pattern to use. Obstructions such as

The remainder

f he m wing should be done in the

trees, fences and buildings, and conditions such as

 

pp site direc

n so that the clippings are dispersed

slopes and grades must also be considered.

 

OUT onto he area of lawn previously cut.

1. Cut long straight strips overlapping slightly.

 

 

 

 

2. Where possible, change patterns occasi nally

 

Mowing Methods

to eliminate matting, graining or a corrugated

 

 

 

 

 

appearance.

 

 

Proper Broadcast Mowing

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

 

Br adcasting, or side-discharging, disperses fine

in one direction, then recut the lawnNotby mowing

 

 

clippings evenly over the entire lawn. Many golf

perpendicular to the previous cut.

 

 

courses use this method. Your mower has a deep

Note: Always operate the engine at full throttle

 

dish deck to allow freer circulation of clippings so they

when mowing.

 

 

are broadcast evenly over the lawn.

If you hear the engine slowing down, you are mowing

ENGINE SPEED & GROUND SPEED FOR

too fast—using a slower ground speed will improve

 

BROADCASTING

the cutting efficiency of the blades and prevents many

Always operate the engine at full throttle when

common cutting problems. Use an appropriate ground

mowing. If you hear the engine slowing down, you

speed for the thickness and height of the grass

 

 

are mowing too fast—using a slower ground speed

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

 

will improve the cutting efficiency of the blades and

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

prevents many common cutting problems.

mowing too fast, use a slower ground speed.

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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