Poulan 961220014 manual For Mulching Mowers Only Mulching Mowing Tips, “Combi-Cut” Mowers

MULCHER PLUG TYPE “A”

To convert to mulching operation, mulcher plug must be installed into discharge open- ing of mower.

•Open discharge guard.

•Insert tab of mulch plug into housing opening.

•Align hooks of mulch plug over hinge rod of discharge guard. Push mulch plug down until mulch plug is seated in hous- ing opening.

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without discharge guard, approved grass catcher or mulcher plug in place.

Hinge rod

Discharge guard

Housing opening

Hooks

Mulcher plateTab

MULCHER PLUG TYPE “B”

To convert to bagging or discharging:

•	Lift discharge guard and remove
	mulcher plug.
•	Mower can now be used for side dis-
	charging or optional grass catcher can

MOWER IS

NOW READY

FOR MULCHING

OPERATION

“COMBI-CUT” MOWERS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging:

REAR BAGGING

•Open rear door and remove mulcher plate. Store mulcher plate in a safe place.

•You can now install grass catcher.

•To convert to mulching or discharging operation, install mulcher plug into rear discharge opening of mower, making sure all tabs are seated properly.

MOWING TIPS

CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher blade attachments on your mower. Such attachments are hazardous, will damage your mower and could void your warranty.

•For most cutting conditions and better bagging performance, the engine speed should be set in the FAST position.

•Under certain conditions, such as when mowing very tall grass, raise the mower height on the first cut to reduce pushing effort, to avoid overheating the engine, and to avoid leaving clumps of grass clippings. Make the second cut to the desired height.

•For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut.

•For side discharge lawn mowers, cut in a counterclockwise direction, starting at the outside of the area to be cut, in order to spread grass clippings more evenly and to put less load on the engine. To keep clippings off of walkways, flower beds, etc., make the first cuts in a clock- wise direction.

FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY

-MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. See "CLEANING" in the Mainte- nance section of this manual.

• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recutting action of the blades.

• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At this time the grass has dried, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight.

• For best results, adjust the lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades. If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For extremely heavy grass, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

be attached.

• To return to mulching operation, simply

reinstall mulcher plug as shown. CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

without discharge guard, approved grass catcher or mulcher plug in place.

Slots

Mulcher plate tabs

SIDE DISCHARGING

• When using a rear discharge lawn

mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps

of cut grass may not enter the grass

catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing

speed) and/or run the lawn mower over

the area a second time.

• If a trail of grass clipping is left on the

right side of a rear discharge lawn mow-

er, mow in a clockwise direction with a

small overlap to collect the clippings on

the next pass.

MAX 1/3

• Certain types of grass and grass

conditions may require that an area be

mulched a second time to completely

Lift discharge guard

• Mulcher plate must be installed into rear
	discharge opening of mower (see above
	instructions).
•	Open mulcher door and install discharge
	deflector under door as shown.
•	Mower is now ready for discharging
	operation.
•	To convert to mulching or bagging
	operation, discharge deflector must be
	removed and mulcher door must be

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can be-

come filled with dirt and dust with use

and the catcher will collect less grass.

To prevent this, regularly hose catcher

off with water and let dry before use.

hide the clippings. When doing a second

cut, mow across (perpendicular) to the

first cut path.

• Change your cutting pattern from week

to week. Mow north to south one week

then change to east to west the next

week. This will help prevent matting and

graining of the lawn.

Install mulcher plug

closed.

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