•Mow only dry grass or leaves. Wet grass and leaves tend to clump on the yard and can cause the mower to plug or the engine to stall.
Warning
Wet grass or leaves can cause serious injury if you slip and contact the blade. Mow only in dry conditions.
•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:
•Replace the blade or have it sharpened.
•Walk at a slower pace while mowing.
•Raise the cutting height on your mower.
•Cut the grass more frequently.
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•Overlap cutting swaths instead of cutting a full swath with each pass.
•Set the cutting height on the front wheels one notch lower than the rear wheels. For example, set the front wheels at 2 inches (51 mm) and the rear wheels at
Cutting Leaves
•After cutting the lawn, ensure that half of the lawn shows through the cut leaf cover. You may need to make more than one pass over the leaves.
•If there are more than 5 inches (13 cm) of leaves on the lawn, set the front cutting height one or two notches higher than the rear cutting height.
•Slow down your mowing speed if the mower does not cut the leaves finely enough.
•If you mow over oak leaves, you can add lime to the grass in the spring to reduce the acidity of the leaves.
Maintenance
Note: Determine the left and right sides of the mower by standing in the operating position.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule
Important: Refer to your engine operator's manual for additional maintenance procedures.
Maintenance Service | Maintenance Procedure | |
Interval | ||
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Each Use | • Check the engine oil level. | |
• Remove grass clippings and dirt from under the housing. | ||
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| • Replace the air filter; replace it more frequently in dusty operating conditions. | |
1 Year (25 Hours)1 | • Change the engine oil.2 | |
• Replace the blade or have the blade sharpened; replace it or have it sharpened | ||
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| more frequently if the edge dulls quickly. | |
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2 Years (50 Hours)1 | • Lubricate the | |
4 Years (100 Hours)1 | • Replace the spark plug (refer to your engine operator's manual). | |
• Clean the cooling system (refer to your engine operator's manual). | ||
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Annual Storage | • Empty the fuel tank before repairs as directed or before annual storage. | |
• Charge the battery monthly and before storage (model 10357 only). | ||
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1Whichever comes first
2Change the engine oil after the first 2 operating hours.
