Echo 99944200563 manual Dethatching Information, Dethatching Operation

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Operation

WARNING

Moving parts can amputate fingers or cause severe injuries. Keep hands, clothing and loose objects away from all

openings. Always stop engine, disconnect spark plug, and make sure all moving parts have come to a complete stop before removing obstructions, clearing debris, or servicing unit.

NOTE

•Refer to your Pro Attachment Series or Split Boom Operator's Manuals for correct engine fueling, starting and stopping instructions.

Dethatching Information

Thatch is a normal buildup of grass and leaf clippings around the base of grass stems. Excessive thatch prevents air, wa- ter and nutrients from reaching the root system, increasing the probability of lawn disease from mold spore and insects. When excessive thatch is removed, air, water, nutrients and pesticides are allowed to keep your lawn healthy, promoting denser, greener grass. In most areas some thatch approximately 6-13 mm (0.25 - 0.50 in.) is healthy for soil water reten- tion. Never remove all thatch from your lawn. Contact your local government agriculture agency for best dethatching practice for your lawn type and area.

Dethatching is recommended in early spring and late summer to allow grass to fill in low density areas of your lawn.

Dethatching should also be performed at regular intervals throughout spring and summer.

Dethatching is not recommended for grasses that have above ground root systems such as St. Augustine, Floratam, Pers- ley, or Zoysia varieties. The dethatcher tines will damage delicate interconnected root systems of these grass varieties.

Dethatching Operation

1.Operate dethatcher in straight rows changing direction from row to row as shown. If thatch is very dense a second dethatching opera- tion may be required, and should be performed 90° to the original pattern to assure best results.

2.Hold unit in a comfortable position engage throttle trigger to full and allow dethatcher tines to "pull forward" over the ground. For heavy thatch removal gently pull back against dethatching rotation, to allow the tines to fully penetrate and remove thatch.

IMPORTANT

Do not remove grass guide attached to the gear housing to achieve deeper tine engagement. The guide prevents tines from penetrat- ing too deeply into the ground which can cause the dethatcher to bounce during operation, and cause uneven thatch removal.