,
Hold operator
presence
control bar
down to the handle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.
TO STOP
ENGINE
• To stop engine, release
operator pres-
ence control bar.
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
• 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 clip-
pings. It may also be necessary
to re-
duce 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.
• When using a rear discharge
lawn
mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps
of cut grass may not enter the grass
catcher. Reduce ground speed
(pushing
speed) and/or
run the lawn mower over
the area a second time.
• If a trail of clippings
is left on the right
side of a rear discharge
mower,
mow in
a clockwise
direction
with a small over-
lap to collect the clippings
on the next
pass.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers
can be-
come 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 and the newly cut area will not be
exposed
to the direct sun.
• 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.
MAX 1/3
• 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 or 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.