Proper Mulching

Operation

Attaching A Trailer

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 consists of a mower deck which cuts and recuts

 

The maximum weight of a towed trailer should be less than

clippings into tiny particles and which then blows them

 

200 lbs (91kg). Secure the trailer with a appropriately sized

down INTO the lawn. These tiny particles decompose rapidly

clevis pin (A, Figure 18) and clip (B).

into by-products your lawn can use. UNDER PROPER

 

Excessive towed loads can cause loss of traction and loss of

CONDITIONS, your mulching mower will virtually eliminate

 

noticeable clippings on the lawn surface.

 

 

control on slopes. Reduce towed weight when operating on

NOTE: When mulching under heavy cutting conditions, a

 

slopes. The surface being driven on greatly impacts traction

 

and stability. Wet or slippery surfaces can greatly reduce

rumbling sound may be present and is normal.

 

 

traction and the ability to stop or turn. Carefully evaluate

 

 

 

 

Mulching Requires EXCELLENT Mowing

 

the surface conditions before operating the unit and trailer,

Conditions

 

 

 

and never operate on slopes greater than 10°. See SLOPE

Mulching mowers cannot function properly if the grass is

 

OPERATION and TOWED EQUIPMENT in the safety section

 

of this manual for additional safety information.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

normal mowing, mulching requires that the grass be dry and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the the appropriate amount is cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not use the mower as a mulching mower during 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-discharging) or grass bagging

 

A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engine Speed & Ground Speed for Mulching

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use full engine throttle matched with a slow ground speed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

so that clippings will be finely cut. Ground speed while

 

 

 

 

 

 

B

 

 

 

 

 

 

mulching should be HALF of the speed that would be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

used when broadcasting (side discharging) under similar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

conditions. Since mulching requires more horsep wer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

than broadcasting, using a slower ground speed is vitally

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

important for proper mulching operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Much Grass to Mulch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best mulching action typically results from cutting only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

short clippings which decompose properly (much mo e

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

quickly than longer clippings). The ideal cutting h ight will

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 18. Trailer Weight Recommendations

vary with climate, time of year, and quality of your lawn. We

recommend that you experiment with both the cutting h ight

A. Clevis Pin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and ground speed until you achieve the best cut. Start with

 

B. Clip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

Figure 17. Mulching Action

21