Figure 15. Proper Cutting Height
Tall Grass Requires Incremental Cutting

Operation

Mowing

1.Engage the parking brake. Make sure the PTO switch is disengaged, the ground speed control levers are locked in the NEUTRAL position and the operator is on the seat.

2.Start the engine (see Starting The Engine).

3.Set the mower cutting height (see Mowing Height Adjustment).

4.Set the throttle to FULL.

5.Engage the PTO by pulling up on the PTO switch.

6.Begin mowing. See Mowing Recommendations for tips on mowing patterns, lawn care, and trouble shooting information.

7. When finished, shut off the PTO by pushing the PTO switch down completely..

8.Stop the engine (see Stopping The Rider and

Engine).

Mowing Recommendations

 

 

For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at maximum

 

 

for the first pass, and then reset it to the desired height and

Several factors can affect how well your machine cuts grass,

mow a second or third time.

 

 

Following proper mowing recommendations can improve

 

Don’t cover the grass surface with a heavy layer of

the performance and life of your machine.

 

 

clippings. Consider usi g a grass collection system and

 

 

 

Height of Grass

 

 

sta ting a comp st p le.

 

 

 

for

 

 

 

Often cutting height is a matter of personal preference.

 

 

 

Typically, you should mow the grass when it is is be ween

 

 

 

three and five inches high. The proper cutting height

 

 

 

Cut Here On

 

 

range for a specific lawn will depend upon several fac rs,

First Pass

 

 

 

Cut Here

 

 

 

including the type of grass, the amount of rainfall, the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Second

 

 

 

 

prevailing temperature, and the lawn’s overall condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

Cutting the grass too short causes weak, thin grass plants,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

which are easily damaged by dry periods and pests. Cutting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not

 

 

 

 

 

too short is often more damaging than allowing the g ass to

 

 

 

 

be slightly higher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letting grass grow a bit longer—especially wh n it is hot

 

 

 

 

 

and dry—reduces heat build-up, preserves n d d moisture

 

 

 

 

and protects the grass from heat damage and oth r

 

 

 

 

 

problems. However, allowing grass to grow too high can

 

Figure 16. Incremental Cutting

 

 

cause thin turf and additional problems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

 

 

Cutting off too much at one time shocks the plant’s growth system and weakens the grass plants. A good rule of thumb is the 1/3 rule: to cut no more than one third of the grass height, and never more than 1 inch at a time.

The amount of grass you are able to cut in one pass is also effected by the type of mowing system you are using (for example, broadcasting with side discharge decks can process a much larger volume of grass than mulching does).

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