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8
MOWING TIPS
CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher
blade attachments on your mower.
Such attachments are hazardous, will
damage your mower and could void
your warranty.
OPERATION
• Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it
may be nec es sary to raise the height of cut to reduce
pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine
and leaving clumps of grass clippings. It may also be
necessary to re duce ground speed and/or run the lawn
mower over the area a sec ond time.
• For extremely heavy cutting, re duce the width of cut
by over lap ping previously cut path and mow slowly.
• For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions,
the engine speed should be set in the FAST po si tion.
• When using a rear discharge lawn mower in moist,
heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the
grass catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing speed)
and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time.
• If a trail of clippings is left on the right side of a rear
discharge mow er, mow in a clockwise direction with a
small overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers can become fi lled with
dirt and dust with use and catchers will collect less
grass. To prevent this, reg u lar ly hose catcher off with
water and let dry before using.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of
grass clippings and chaff. This will help engine air fl ow
and extend engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER
HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. SEE
“CLEANING” IN THE MAINTENANCE SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.
• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clip-
pings many times and reduce them in size so that as
they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass
and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biode-
grade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always
mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this
will provide the best recutting action of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends
to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action.
The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon.
At this time the grass has dried, yet the newly cut area
will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• For best results, adjust the lawn mower cutting height
so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third
of the grass blades (See Fig. 12). If the lawn is over-
grown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to
reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading
the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For
extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut by
overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.
FIG. 12
MAX 1/3
• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require
that an area be mulched a second time to completely
hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow
across (perpendicular) to the fi rst cut path.
• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow
north to south one week then east to west the next week.
This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or
methanol) can attract moisture which
leads to separation and for ma tion of
acids during storage.
Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage. To avoid engine prob-
lems, the fuel system should be emptied before
stor age of 30 days or longer. Empty the gas tank,
start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next
season. See Storage In struc tions for additional
information. Never use engine or carburetor
cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
ADD GASOLINE (See Fig. 10)
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank fi ller neck. Do not over-
fi ll. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with
a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quan ti ties that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
TO STOP ENGINE (See Fig. 11)
• To stop engine, release operator presence control bar.
Wait until blade and all moving parts have stopped and
turn fuel valve to OFF position if you do not intend to
re start the engine soon.
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the engine, a small
amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of
the product and should be considered normal.
1. Be sure fuel valve is in the ON po si tion.
2. Move choke lever to ON ( ) position.
3. Hold operator presence control bar down to the han dle
and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope
to snap back.
NOTE: The choke lever automatically begins moving to
the OFF position when operator presence control bar is
held down to handle.
ON
( )
OFF
FIG. 11
ON
OFF
CHOKE
LEVER
FUEL VALVE LEVER