Section 4: Operation 9
WARNING
THROWN OBJECT HAZARD!
•Objects such as rocks, pebbles, and small debris will be thrown violently by the cutting head, resulting in sig- nificant hazard to eyes and exposed body parts.
•Always wear
•Keep children, pets and bystanders 50 feet away from machine while operating.
•Be alert to hidden obstacles.
Failure to comply could result in injury or property damage.
When mowing, let the cutting head rest lightly on the ground and do not lift up or push down on the handlebars. This tech- nique allows the cutting head to follow the ground contour closely, resulting in the most even cut possible. Also, be sure to ease into heavy growth to prevent overwhelming the machine.
Clean Unit Frequently
Clean under the mower deck frequently to remove any grass buildup. Also clean around the muffler and on top of engine. See the cleaning instructions in Section 5: “Maintenance.”
Do Not Let Trimmer Lines Become Too Short
Once the trimmer lines are worn to less than 1/2 their original length, trimming jobs begin to take far longer than they should. As a general guideline, once line length becomes half of its original length, it’s time to change to new lines.
Use Extreme Caution on Slopes
When operating on sloping ground, use extreme caution and common sense to avoid possible injury or property damage.
Do not mow on excessively steep slopes! Avoid slopes if greater than 15o or wher- ever footing is unsure. If a slope is diffi- cult to stand on, it is probably too steep to trim or mow. In this case, it may be wiser to establish a permanent ground cover on this area.
Use Correct Walking Speed
Use a travel speed that is suitable for the mowing conditions. You’ll get better re- sults at slower walking speeds if the growth is tall or lush. Shorter or less dense growth can be cut at faster walking speeds.
Vary Throttle Speed For
Conditions
The vast majority of trimming and mow- ing jobs will yield the best results if the engine throttle is set at the fastest engine speed.
Less demanding jobs (and projects that require very precise cutting) will yield better results if the engine speed is backed off somewhat. (For example, damage to trees and shrubs can be avoided by reducing the engine speed, using the lighter .130" diameter line, and by keeping a safe distance away.)
Again, once you begin a particular job and get a “feel” for the conditions, you will be able to make adjustments for the best possible results.
Trim When Wet or Dry
Grass and most other materials are most efficiently trimmed when dry. But the unit will do a fine job even with damp or wet materials. When conditions are moist or damp, be sure to clean debris off the machine regularly to keep cutting efficiency high. And watch your footing!
Do not trim on slopes when the ground is slippery. Trim across the face of a slope, not up and down. Slow down and exer- cise caution when changing direction on slopes.
Keep Mowed Side to Your Right as You Move Ahead
The unit feeds cut materials to the right side. Stay on the right side of unmowed growth as you move along.
Trimming/Mowing Quick Reference Chart
This Quick Reference Chart is provided as a general reference. Experiment with your unit to determine the best settings for the conditions.
| CONDITION | Cutting | Line | Throttle | Walking |
| Height | Diameter | Speed | Speed | |
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| (Note 1) | (Notes 2 & 6) | (Note 3) | (Note 4) |
| Light Growth | Any | .130" or .155" | Fast | Any |
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| Tall Growth | Start high, | .130" or .155" | Fast | Slow Pace |
| progressively | ||||
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| lower |
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| Heavy/Tough | Any | .155" | Fast | Slow Pace |
| Growth | ||||
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| Trimming |
| .130" |
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| Near Trees | Any | Slow | Slow Pace | |
| (Note 7) | ||||
| and Shrubs |
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| (Note 5) |
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NOTES:
1.See “Adjust Line Cutting Height.”
2.See “Use Correct Diameter Trimmer Line.”
3.See “Vary Throttle Setting For Conditions.”
4.See “Use Correct Walking Speed.”
5.See “Tips for Precision Cutting.”
6.See “Changing Trimmer Lines” in Section 5.
7.Lighter line helps prevent damage to bark of trees and shrubs.
