floodengine, wait a few minutes before
attempting to start and do not repeat
priming steps.
TO CONVERT TO DISCHARGING
MOWER
Your mower is shipped ready to be used
as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or
discharging:
• Lift discharge guard and remove
mulcher plate.
• Mower can now be used for side
discharge or optional grass catcher can
be attached.
• To return to mulching operation, simply
reinstall mulcher plate as shown.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without discharge guard, approved grass
catcher or mulcher plate in place.
J_ Hooks
Mulch
.=rod
MOWING TIPS
• Under certain conditions, such as very
tall grass, it may be necessary 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 reduce
ground speed and/or run the lawn
mower over the area a second time.
• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut by overlapping previously
cut path and mow slowly.
• For better grass bagging and most
cutting conditions, the engine speed
should be set in the fast position.
• For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting
in a counter-clockwise direction, starting
at the outside of the area to be cut,
spreads grass clippings more evenly
and puts less load on the engine. To
keep clippings off of walkways, flower
beds, etc., make the first cuts in a
clockwise direction.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers can
become filled with dirt and dust with use
and catchers will collect less grass. To
prevent this, regularly 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 flow and extend
engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep
mower housingfree of built-upgrass and
trash. See "Cleaning" in MAINTENANCE
section ofthis manual.
• The special mulching blade will recutthe
grass clippingsmany times and reduce
them in size so that as they fallonto the
lawn they will disperse intothe grassand
not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will
biodegrade quicklyto provide nutriantsfor
the lawn. Always mulch with your highest
engine (blade) speed as this will provide the
best recuttingaction of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is weL Wet
grass tends to form dumps and interferes
with the mulching action. The best time to
mow your lawn is the early aftemcon. At
this time the grass has dried and the newly
cut area will not be exposed to the direct
sun.
• For best results,adjust the lawn mower
cuttingheight so that the lawn mower cuts
off only the top one-thirdof the grass blades.
If the lawn is overgrown itwill be necessary
to raisethe height of cut to reduce pushing
effortand to keep from overloadingthe
engine and leavingclumps of mulched
grass. For extremely heavy mulching,
reduce your width of cut by overlapping
previouslyout path and mow slowly.
• 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 or perpendicular to the firstcut path.
• Change your cuttingpattern from weekto
week. Mow northto south one week then
change to east to west the next week. This
willhelp prevent matting and grainingof the
lawn.
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