Filter
Top Products
Part No 350324 Form No F021108D
10
PR & OS Owner’s Manual
RAKING/SLICING TIPS
Before beginning, it is best to evaluate the condition of the lawn by cutting one or more core
samples from area to be treated. A core can be cut using a piece of pvc, or metal pipe.
Hammer the pipe into the ground, remove it, push the core out of the pipe and inspect it to
determine the depth of thatch in your yard.
THATCH: Thatch is a dense layer of dead grass, clippings, and roots that builds up over time
at the base of of the lawn preventing air, water, and fertilizer from reaching the soil. This can
cause shallow root development and make a lawn more susceptible to drought and disease.
Thatch also provides an ideal environment for insects to hide and multiply. Periodic removal of
thatch will keep your lawn in good health.
HEAVY THATCH: Lawns with an excessive amount of thatch will require multiple treatments
for effective removal. Trying to remove excessive thatch (greater than 3/4"[19 mm] deep) in
one treatment will damage or destroy the living part of the lawn. It is best to remove heavy
thatch in seasonal treatments (i.e. spring, and fall).
SLOPES: Rake slopes across not up and down. This is much easier and safer for the
operator and is better for the lawn. Raking across will help to reduce runoff during watering
and allow the sloped ground to hold more seed, fertilizer, and water. The units maximum
operating slope is 35% or 19°.
DEPTH: The wide range of depth adjustment on your unit is provided to allow for blade wear.
Setting the reel deeper will not produce better, or quicker results. The flail reel is intended to
be set so it just touches the surface on flat ground. The slicing reel should be set even with the
ground for verti-slicing work, and set to a maximum 1/2" depth for overseeding jobs. Setting
the reel deeper than this will only result in premature wear on the unit (i.e. failed belt). If you
desire to work the ground deeper than the above guidelines allow, it should be done gradually
in multiple passes..
SLICING / OVERSEEDING: Mow the lawn to shorter than the normal cut height before
starting (i.e. approximately 2" tall for fescue grass). For the best result, Slice/Overseed in criss-
cross pattern (See Fig. 1 and See Fig 2).
RAKING OPERATION-FLAIL REEL
NOTE: Must have the flail reel assembly (350112) for this operation.
MOW: Mow the lawn to it's normal cut height.
DRY: Be sure grass is dry. Wet conditions can cause increased damage to healthy grass.
SET DEPTH: With engine off, set the raking depth so that the blades just touch on a flat
surface (i.e. driveway, or sidewalk).
START ENGINE: See page 9 for further instruction.
ENGAGE BLADES: Pull back on the bail on the operators handle. NOTE: When engaging the
blades in heavy load conditions (i.e. heavy thatch, or very uneven turf), push down on the
operators handle lifting the front wheels slightly. Engage the blades. Slowly lower the unit into
the turf.
RAKE: Rake a small test area and examine the results. Thatch should be removed and
deposited on top of the healthy grass. If excessive damage occurs to healthy grass, adjust the
blade depth to decrease damage. Continue raking the yard, working in one direction (i.e.
north-south, or east-west). NOTE: If a large drop in engine RPM occurs, or the unit pulls you
forward and bounces during operation the blade depth is set too low.
REMOVE THATCH: After raking, a layer of thatch will be deposited over the top of the lawn.
This thatch must be removed prior to any fertilizing, seeding, or watering of the lawn. We
suggest the use of a lawn vacuum or wheeled blower for collection and removal of the thatch.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2