11
To engage the motor and blade, first be certain to follow
the previous steps for connecting a suitable extension
cord, then referring to Figure 10:
•
Stand behind the unit and depress the locking
button.
•
While holding the locking button down, pull the
blade/motor control lever and hold it against the
upper handle.
•
Release the locking button.
Stopping the Motor and Blade
WARNING:
The blade continues to rotate for a
few seconds after the motor is shut off. If motor
does not come to a stop when the motor/blade
control handle is released, contact an authorized
service dealer.
To stop the motor and blade from spinning:
•
Release the motor/blade control lever from its
position against the upper handle and the blade
and motor will quickly come to a stop.
NOTE: A high pitched noise may occur as the electric
motor decelerates and some sparking may occur also
at the same time. This is normal behavior when the
motor and blade is disengaged.
Mowing Your Lawn
NOTE: A sharp blade will greatly increase the
performance of the lawn mower, especially in
conditions of higher grass. Be sure to check the blade
and sharpen it at least once a year as outlined in the
Maintenance section.
•
Make sure the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wires,
or other objects that could damage the lawn mower
or motor. Such objects could be accidentally thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.
•
To prevent electric shock, do not operate the
mower in damp or wet conditions.
•
Always start from the
point closest to the power
source
where the cord is connected. Never mow
around the lawn in circles; travel back and forth
across the lawn, starting from the point closest to
the outlet and then moving away from the outlet so
the cord lies in the cut portion of the lawn, out of the
way. Refer to Figure 11.
Figure 11
•
Do not allow the extension cord to wrap around
trees, shrubs or other obstacles. When picking up
the extension cord, wind the cord in a series of
equal loops on each side of your hand to prevent it
from tangling.
•
When cutting heavy grass, reduce walking speed to
allow more effective cut and proper discharge of the
clippings. For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-
third or less of the total length of the grass. The
average lawn should be approximately 1-1/2 to 2
inches during the cool season, and over 2 inches
during hot months. For a healthier and better
looking lawn, cut more often and after moderate
growth. The lawn should be cut in the fall as long as
there is growth.
Mulching Tips
•
For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass
because it tends to stick to the underside of the
deck, preventing proper mulching of grass
clippings. New or thick grass may require a
narrower cut. The ground speed should be
adjusted to the condition of the lawn. If mowing has
been delayed and the grass has been allowed to
grow in excess of 4", mow twice to reduce the grass
height to 3-1/4" maximum.
WARNING:
If you strike a foreign object, stop
the motor, and unplug from the power supply
circuit. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any
damage, and repair the damage before
restarting and operating the mower.
Excessive vibration of the mower during
operation is an indication of damage. The unit
should be promptly inspected and repaired.
T = Obstacles
Outlet
(Start here)
