Simplicity 16HP V-Twin manual Proper Broadcast Mowing, Proper Mulching, Action

Lawn Care & Mowing Information

Proper Broadcast Mowing

Broadcasting, or side-discharging, disperses fine clip- pings evenly over the entire lawn. Many golf courses use this method. Your mower has a deep dish deck to allow freer circulation of clippings so they are broadcast evenly over the lawn.

ENGINE SPEED &GROUND SPEED FOR BROADCASTING

Always operate the engine at full throttle when mowing. If you hear the engine slowing down, you are mowing too fast-using a slower ground speed will improve the cut- ting efficiency of the blades and prevents many common cutting problems.

ALWAYS use an appropriate ground speed for the thick- ness and height of the grass you are cutting (3rd gear or slower for manual gear models). If you hear the engine

slowing down you are mowing too fast, use a slower ground speed.

HOW MUCH GRASS TO CUT OFF WHEN BROADCASTING

Mow when the grass is 3-5 inches long. Do not cut the grass shorter than 2 to 2-l/2 inches. Do not cut off more that 1 inch of grass in a single pass.

Proper	Mulching
Mulching consists of a mower				HOW MUCH GRASS TO MULCH
		Mulching ,	Action	The best mulching action typical-
deck which cuts and recuts clip-
pings into tiny particles and				ly results from cutting only the
which then blows them down				top i/2 inch to 3/4 inch of grass
INTO the lawn. These tiny parti-				blade. This provides short clip-
cles decompose rapidly into by-				pings which decompose properly
oroducts	vour lawn can use.			(much more quickly than longer
UN D E R P R O P E R CONDI -				clippings). The ideal cutting
TIONS, your mulching mower will virtually eliminate			height will vary with,climate, time of year, and quality of
noticeable clippings on the lawn surface.			your lawn. We recommend that you experiment with both
NOTE: When mulching under heavy cutting conditions, a			the cutting height and ground speed until you achieve
			the best cut. Start with a high cutting height and using
rumbling sound may be present and is normal.
			progressively lower settings until you find a cutting height
MULCHING REQUIRES EXCELLENT MOWING			that is matched to your mowing conditions and prefer-
CONDITIONS			ences.

Mulching mowers cannot function properly if the grass is wet, or if the grass is simply to high to cut. Even more than normal mowing, mulching requires that the grass be dry and the the appropriate amount is cut.

Do not use the mower as a mulching mower during the first two or three mowings in the spring. The long grass blades, quick growth, and often wetter conditions are more suitable for broadcasting (side-discharging) or grass bagging operation.

ENGINE SPEED &GROUND SPEED FOR BliOADCASTlNG

Use full engine throttle matched with a slow ground speed so that clippings will be finely cut. Ground speed while mulching should be HALF of the speed that would be used when broadcasting (side discharging) under similar conditions. Since mulching requires more horse- power than broadcasting, using a slower ground speed is vitally important for proper mulching operation.

LEAF SHREDDING (USE WITH OPTIONAL MULCHER KIT)

Simplicity’s patented Shredder Blades virtually eliminate raking leaves, Up to 512 cutting edges pulverize leaves into tiny particles, which quickly and naturally decom- pose into food for your lawn. The Shredder Blades must be removed when you mulch grass clippings.

Leaf Shredder Kit

Part No. 1686609

(Contains 8 shredders)

LC4