Scag Power Equipment MAG manual Moving Mower with the Engine Stopped, Recommendations for Mowing

Section 4

-IMPORTANT-

Do not wash a hot or running engine. Use compressed air to clean the engine and the radiator fins. Cold water will damage the engine and/or radiator.

4.Keep the entire mower clean to inhibit serious heat damage to the engine or hydraulic oil circuit.

5.Recheck the cutter drive belts for proper tension, alignment and any signs of rubbing. Correct and adjust as necessary.

6.Fill the fuel tank with fresh, clean fuel at the end of every day of operation.

7.Check the tire pressure. Inflate tires if necessary.

4.12MOVING MOWER WITH THE ENGINE STOPPED

To “free-wheel” or move the mower around without the engine running, rotate the dump valve handle (screw and nut) located on the side of the hydraulic pump to full open position. See Figure 4-10. Disengage the parking brake and move the mower by hand. The lever must be returned to the original position to operate the mower.

Dump Valve
Handle	Open

Close

Figure 4-10 Dump Valve Handle

4.13 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOWING

1.Keep the mower deck and discharge chute clean.

2.Mow with sharp blades. A dull blade will tear grass, resulting in poor lawn appearance and takes extra power (slow mowing speed).

3.The discharge deflector must not be removed and must be kept in the lowest position to deflect grass clippings and thrown objects downward. Orient the side dis- charge away from sidewalks or street to minimize cleanup of clippings. When mowing close to obstacles, orient the discharge away from obstacles to reduce the chance of property damage by thrown objects.

4.Cut grass when it is dry and not too tall. Mow frequently and do not cut grass too short (cut off 1/3 or less of existing grass for best appearance).

5.Operate the engine at or near full throttle for best cutting. Mowing with a lower RPM causes the mower to not cut clean and tear the grass. The engine is designed to be operated at full speed.

6.Use slow travel speed for trimming purposes.

7.When mowing tall or wet grass, mow the grass twice. Raise the mower to the highest setting for the first pass and then make a second cutting pass to the desired height.

8.Be sure the mower is leveled properly for a smooth cut. See Section 7, Adjustments.

9.Use alternate stripe mowing pattern for best appear- ance and vary the direction of the stripe each time the grass is mowed to avoid wear patterns in the grass.

4.14 ADJUSTING CUTTING HEIGHT

The mower deck height switch on the instrument panel is used to adjust the cutting height of the deck. Do not adjust the cutting height while the mower is moving. Stop the mower, then activate the deck height switch to position the deck at the desired height. A gauge is located on the right front of the mower (See Figure 4-11) for use in selecting the proper cutting height.

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