Operation
Mowing
1.Engage the parking brake. Make sure the PTO switch is disengaged, the motion 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.
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
Figure 15. Proper Cutting Height
Tall Grass Requires Incremental Cutting
For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at maximum for the first pass, and then reset it to the desired height and mow a second or third time.
problems. However, allowing grass to grow too high can cause thin turf and additional problems.
Several factors can affect how well your machine cuts |
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grass, Following proper mowing recommendations can |
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improve the performance and life of your machine. |
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| sta ting a comp st p le. |
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Height of Grass |
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Often cutting height is a matter of personal preference. |
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for |
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Typically, you should mow the grass when it is is be ween |
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three and five inches high. The proper cutting height |
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| First Pass |
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range for a specific lawn will depend upon several fact rs, |
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including the type of grass, the amount of rainfall, the |
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prevailing temperature, and the lawn’s overall condition. |
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Cutting the grass too short causes weak, thin grass plants, |
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which are easily damaged by dry periods and pests. Cutting |
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too short is often more damaging than allowing the g ass to |
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be slightly higher. |
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Letting grass grow a bit |
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and |
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and protects the grass from heat damage and other |
| Figure 16. | Incremental Cutting |
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| Reproduction |
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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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