16
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT:
FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER
HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN
AFTER EACH USE.
• The spe cial mulch ing 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 quick ly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always
mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this
will pro vide 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 mulch ing action.
The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon.
At this time the grass has dried the newly cut area will
not be exposed to direct sunlight.
•
For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that
the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass
blades (See Fig. 15). For ex tremely heavy mulch ing, re-
duce your width of cut on each pass and mow slow ly.
mulcher_9
MAX 1/3
FIG. 15
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per-
formance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-
ming.
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fi re hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make fi rst cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
•
Always operate engine at full throttle when mow-
ing
to assure better mowing performance and proper
dis charge of material. Regulate ground speed by se-
lect ing a low enough gear to give the mower cut ting
per for mance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the at tach ment being used.
OPERATION
• Certain types of grass and grass con di tions may re quire
that an area be mulched a second time to com pletely
hide the clippings. When doing a sec ond cut, mow
across or perpendicular to the fi rst cut path.
• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow
north to south one week then change to east to west the
next week. This will help prevent matting and graining
of the lawn.
• Place the motion control lever in neutral.
Re lease the parking brake and let the clutch/brake
slowly return to operating position.
• Allow one minute for transmission to warm up. This
can be done during the engine warm up period.
• The attachments can also be used during the engine warm-
up period after the transmission has been warmed up.
NOTE:
If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See “TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run-
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is rec om -
mend ed that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the fi rst time. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have de-
vel oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT:
SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION RE
QUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD
BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING
THE TRACTOR.
• Place tractor safely on a level surface - that is clear
and open - with engine off and parking brake set.
• Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this
section of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) po si tion, slowly dis-
engage clutch/brake pedal.
CAUTION: At any time, during step 4,
there may be movement of the drive
wheels.
• Move motion control lever to full forward position and
hold for fi ve (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for fi ve (5) seconds. Repeat this
procedure three (3) times.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut-
off engine and set parking brake.
• Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
engaged position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this sec-
tion of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the
tractor moves approximately fi ve (5) feet, slowly move
motion control lever to reverse position. After the trac-
tor moves approximately fi ve (5) feet return the mo-
tion control lever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat
this procedure with the motion control lever three (3)
times.
Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal
op er a tion.
