11
If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try one or
more of the following:
•
Sharpen the blade.
•
Walk at a slower pace while mowing.
•
Raise the cutting height on your lawn mower.
•
Cut the grass more frequently.
•
Overlap cutting swaths instead of cutting a full swath
with each pass.
•
Set the cutting height on the front wheels one notch
lower than the rear wheels. For example, set the front
wheels at 2 inches (51 mm) and the rear wheels at
2-1/2 inches (64 mm).
Cutting Leaves
•
After cutting the lawn, ensure that half of the lawn
shows through the cut leaf cover. You may need to
make more than one pass over the leaves.
•
For light leaf coverage, set all the wheels at the same
cutting height setting.
•
If there are more than 5 inches (12.7 cm) of leaves on
the lawn, set the front cutting height one or 2 notches
higher than the rear cutting height. This makes it easier
to feed the leaves under the lawn mower deck.
•
Slow down your mowing speed if the lawn mower does
not cut the leaves finely enough.
•
If you mow over oak leaves, you can add lime to the
grass in the spring to reduce the acidity of the oak
leaves.
Maintenance
Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Service
Interval
Maintenance Procedure
Each Use
•
Check the engine oil level. Refer to Checking the Engine Oil Level on page 12.
•
Check the stopping time of the blade brake. The blade must stop within
3 seconds of releasing the bail; if it does not, contact an Authorized Service
Dealer for repair.
•
Remove grass clippings and dirt from under the housing. Refer to Cleaning the
Underside of the Housing on page 12.
5 Hours
•
Check the blade and the engine mounting fasteners. Tighten them if they are
loose.
25 Hours
•
Replace the air filter; replace it more frequently in dusty or dirty operating
conditions. Refer to Replacing the Air Filter on page 12.
•
Inspect the spark plug and replace it if necessary. Refer to Servicing the Spark
Plug on page 13.
50 Hours
•
Change the engine oil.
1,2
Refer to Changing the Engine Oil on page 13.
•
Sharpen or replace the blade; maintain it more frequently if the edge dulls quickly
in rough or in sandy conditions. Refer to Maintaining the Blade on page 14.
•
Check for leaks in the fuel system and/or a deteriorating fuel hose. Replace parts
if necessary.
100 Hours
•
Clean the cooling system. Refer to Cleaning the Cooling System on page 15.
Storage
•
Empty the fuel tank before repairs as directed or before storage. Refer to
Emptying the Fuel Tank on page 15.
1
Change the engine oil after the first 5 operating hours.
2
Change the engine oil after every 25 operating hours in dusty conditions or in high temperatures.
Important
Refer to your engine operator’s manual for additional maintenance procedures.
