®
TO STOP
ENGINE
• To stop engine,
release
operator
pres-
ence control bar.
TO START
ENGINE
NOTE:
Due to protective
coatings
on the
engine,
a small amount
of smoke
may be
present
during the initial use of the product
and should
be considered
normal.
1. To start a cold engine,
push primer
three (3) times before trying to start.
Use a firm push. This step is not
usually necessary
when starting
an
engine
which has already
run for a few
minutes.
2.
Hold operator
presence
control bar
down to the handle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.
NOTE:
In cooler weather
it may be neces-
sary to repeat priming
steps. In warmer
weather
over priming
may cause flooding
and engine will not start. If you do flood
engine,
wait a few minutes
before attempt-
ing to start and do not repeat priming
steps.
MOWING
TIPS
_, CAUTION:
Do not use de-thatcher
blade attachments
on your mower. Such
attachments
are hazardous,
will damage
your mower and could void your warranty.
• 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 cut-
ting conditions,
the engine speed should
be set in the FAST position.
• 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 housing
free of built-up
grass and trash. See "CLEANING"
in the
Maintenance
section
of this manual.
• The special
mulching
blade will recut
the grass clippings
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 biodegrade
quickly
to
provide
nutrients
for the lawn.
Always
mulch with your highest engine
(blade)
speed as this will provide
the best recut-
ting action of the blades.
• Avoid
cutting your lawn when it is wet.
Wet grass tends to form clumps and
interferes
with the mulching
action.
The
best time to mow your lawn is the early
afternoon.
At this time the grass has
dried, yet the newly cut area will not be
exposed
to direct sunlight.
• For best results, adjust the lawn mower
cutting
height so that the lawn mower
cuts off only the top one-third
of the
grass blades.
If the lawn is overgrown
it will be necessary
to raise the height of
cut to reduce
pushing
effort and to keep
from overloading
the engine and leaving
clumps
of mulched
grass. For extremely
heavy grass,
reduce your width of cut
by overlapping
previously
cut 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 sec-
ond cut, mow across
(perpendicular)
to
the first 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.
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2/23/2007
10:59:50AM