15
WARNING:
To avoid possible injury, do
not allow anyone in the area of the tractor
while mowing. Even if the area to be
mowed has been cleared of foreign
objects, small objects may be picked up
and discharged by the mower.
WARNING:
Never direct the discharge
of material toward bystanders or allow
anyone near the machine while in
operation.
• For best results it is recommended that the
first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown
towards the center. After the first two laps,
reverse the direction to throw the discharge to
the outside for the balance of cutting. This will
give a better appearance to the lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass
invites weed growth and yellows quickly in dry
weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the
engine at full throttle.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially
if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary
to go back over the cut area a second time to
get a clean cut.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and
weeds and extremely tall grass. Your tractor is
designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades
when worn. Refer to the MAINTENANCE
section of this manual for proper blade
sharpening instructions.
MULCHING
AutoDrive™ lawn tractors come equipped with a
mulch kit which incorporates special blades, already
standard on your tractor, in a process of recirculating
grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck.
The ultra-fine clippings are then forced back into the
lawn where they act as a natural fertilizer. Observe
the following points for the best results when
mulching.
Figure 8
• Never attempt to mulch if the lawn is damp.
Wet grass tends to stick to the underside of
the cutting deck preventing proper mulching of
the clippings.
• Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the
total height of the grass or approximately
1-1/2 inches. Doing so will cause the clippings
to clump up beneath the deck and not be
mulched effectively.
• Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the
grass clippings more time to effectively be
mulched.
• Always position the throttle control lever in the
FAST (rabbit) position and allow it to remain
there while mowing. Failing to keep the engine
at full throttle places strain on the tractor’s
engine and does not allow the blades to
properly mulch grass.
NOTE:
It is not necessary to remove the discharge
chute to operate the mower with the mulch kit
installed.
To operate the cutting deck without mulching, simply
remove the mulch plug by unthreading the plastic
wing nut which fastens it to the cutting deck. This will
allow the clippings to discharge out the side. See
Figure 8.
Carriage Screw
Plastic Wing Nut
Bell
Washer
Mulch Plug
