Operation
• Mowing with the Grass Bag
WARNING
A worn grass bag could allow small stones and other similar debris to be thrown in the operator’s or bystander’s direction. Thrown objects can result serious personal injury or death to the operator or bystanders.
Check the grass bag frequently. If it is damaged, install a new Exmark replacement bag.
Cut the grass until the bag is full.
Note: Do Not overfill the bag.
•Removing the Grass Bag
1.Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2.Raise the discharge door handle and move it forward to engage the pin with the catch (Figure 14).
3.Grasp the handles at the front and the rear of the bag and lift the bag off the lawn mower.
4.Gradually tip the bag forward to empty the clippings.
5.To install the bag, refer to the Installing the Grass Bag section.
DANGER
If the discharge door does not close completely, the lawn mower could throw objects. Thrown objects can result serious personal injury or death to the operator or bystanders.
•Never open the door to the discharge opening when the engine is running.
•If you cannot close the door because the grass clippings clog the discharge area, stop the engine and gently move the discharge door handle back and forth until you can close the door completely. If you still cannot close the door, remove the obstruction with a stick, not your hand.
DANGER
If the discharge door does not close completely, the lawn mower could throw objects. Thrown objects can result serious personal injury or death to the operator or bystanders.
Never open the door on the discharge tunnel when the engine is running.
Operating Tips
•Review the Safety section and read this manual carefully before operating the lawn mower.
•Set the engine speed to the fastest position for the best cutting results.
•Maintain a sharp blade throughout the cutting season. Periodically file down nicks on the blade. Replace the blade when necessary with an original Exmark replacement blade.
•Clean the air filter frequently. Mulching stirs up more clippings and dust which clogs the air filter and reduces engine performance.
Cutting Grass
•Grass grows at different rates at different times of the year. In the summer heat, it is best to cut grass at the 2 1/4 inch (57 mm), 2 3/4 inch (70 mm), or 3 1/4 inch (83 mm) cutting height settings. Cut only about a third of the grass blade at a time. Do Not cut below the 2 1/4 inch (57 mm) setting unless the grass is sparse or it is late fall when grass growth begins to slow down.
•When cutting grass over 6 inches (15 cm) tall, first mow at the highest cutting height setting and walk slower; then mow again at a lower setting for the best lawn appearance. If the grass is too long and the leaves clump on top of the lawn, the lawn mower may plug and cause the engine to stall.
•Alternate the mowing direction. This helps disperse the clippings over the lawn for even fertilization.
If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try one or more of the following:
•Sharpen the blade.
•Walk at a slower pace while mowing.
•Cut the grass more frequently.
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