Operation

MOWING

1.Engage the parking brake. Make sure the PTO switch is disengaged, the ground speed control levers 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 TRACTOR AND ENGINE).

Figure 9. Proper Cutting Height

MOWING RECOMMENDATIONS

Several factors can affect how well your machine cuts grass, Following proper mowing recommendations can improve the performance and life of your machine.

Tall Grass Requires Incremental Cutting

For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at maximum for the first pass, and then reset it to the desired height and mow a second or third time.

problems.

Height of Grass

 

 

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

 

 

clippings. Consider usi g a grass collection system

Often cutting height is a matter of personal

 

 

and sta ting a c mp st pile.

 

preference. Typically, you should mow the grass

for

 

 

 

 

when it is is between three and five inches high.

 

 

 

 

The proper cutting height range for a specific lawn

 

 

 

 

will depend upon several factors, including the

 

 

Cut Here On

 

 

 

 

 

Cut

type of grass, the amount of rainfall, the prevailing

 

 

First Pass

 

Here On

temperature, and the lawn’s overall conditi n.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cutting the grass too short causes weak, thin grass

 

 

 

 

Pass

plants, which are easily damaged by dry periods and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pests. Cutting too short is often more damaging than

 

 

 

 

 

allowing the grass to be slightly higher.Not

 

 

 

 

 

Letting grass grow a bit longer—especially when it

 

 

 

 

 

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

s

 

 

 

 

 

needed moisture and protects the grass from h

at

 

 

 

 

 

damage and other problems. However, allowing grass

 

 

 

 

to grow too high can cause thin turf and additional

Figure 10.

Incremental Cutting

 

 

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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