SAFE MOWING GUIDE
While mowing, if you hit a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove the spark plug wire. Care- fully and thoroughly inspect the mower for damage. Make necessary repairs before re- starting. If the unit starts to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine immediately and check for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight.
The blade is the most dangerous part of the mower and also the most important part in ob- taining a nice lawn appearance. Check the blade and the blade mounting hardware fre- quently. Keep it tight. If the blade hits a solid object, check it thoroughly for deformation or cracks and replace if damaged. For safety,re- place the blade every two years. A sharp blade reduces the work load on the engine and cuts grass more cleanly, for a better looking cut with less work. The blade is always close to the out- side of the mower housing. For best trimming on side discharge mowers, cut with the left side of the housing toward the area that needs trimming.
A useful accessory for your mower is a grass catcher. There are grass catchers available for most models. For best performance and safe- ty, be sure the grass catcher is approved for use with your mower. Assemble as directed and follow operating and safety instructions with the catcher and in the Instruction Book.
Before mounting, checking or emptying the grass catcher, always turn the engine off. Re- member to check the grass catcher before each use for cracks, wear, or deterioration. Re- place any part that is damaged with the man- ufacturer’s recommended replacement part before using the grass catcher again.
Proper cutting technique is important if you want your lawn to look good. Avoid the tempta- tion to cut grass too short. Cutting grass too short can kill the plant, cause grass to turn yel- low, or make the lawn look brown and thatchy. Use the lower cutting heights in cool months when the grass is lush. Use the higher cutting heights in extremely dry periods. Cutting with a dull blade or low engine speed bruises, shreds, and can uproot some grass making the lawn look dull and brown a few days after cutting. Always put the throttle control in FAST
position when mowing and bagging. When bagging, slower ground speed will provide the best results.
Change the mowing pattern slightly each time you cut. If you always cut the same way, the grass will develop a “set” and clippings will ac- cumulate more heavily in some areas more than in others causing grass to get thinner in those areas. Do not service your mower over the grass. Spilled oil and gas can kill the grass. In tall grass or very heavy grass, do not try to cut it all at once. Raise the height of cut on the first cutting and lower it for the next cutting the same day or within a few days. Another way is to cut only part of the width of the mower and adjust your ground speed (not the engine) to move more slowly so the mower can clear it- self as it moves forward.
When cutting with a walk behind mower, al- ways push the unit. Do not pull it. Pushing the unit keeps the operator behind the mower in the “operator’s zone” for better control. Push- ing the unit also gives you a chance to see ex- actly where and what you are mowing. There will be times while you are mowing that you will have to pull the mower backwards (such as when the front of the mower has come up against a wall or fence). If you must back up, make sure your feet are in the clear. Stand well back from the mower, plant your feet firmly with each step and back up being careful to look be- hind you. Resume normal mowing as soon as possible.
If your unit is
Remember, your mower is a useful tool, but it can be dangerous. Follow the instructions in this Instruction Book. Use the mower properly and carefully and it will give you many hours of trouble free, accident free operations.
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