Figure 17
Disengaging the Blade
Release the blade control bar (Figure 18).
Figure 18
Important: When you release the blade control
bar, the blade should stop within 3 seconds. If
it does not stop properly, stop using your mower
immediately and contact an Authorized Service
Dealer.
Checking the Blade Brake
Clutch Operation
Check the control bar before each use to ensure that the
blade brake clutch system is operating properly.
Using the Grass Bag
Service Interval: Before each use or daily
You can use the grass bag to perform an additional test
to check the blade brake clutch.
1. Install the empty grass bag on the mower.
2. Start the engine.
3. Engage the blade.
Note: The bag should begin to inflate, indicating
that the blade is engaged and rotating.
4. Release the blade control bar.
Note: If the bag does not immediately deflate, the
blade is still rotating. The blade brake clutch may be
deteriorating and, if ignored, could result in an unsafe
operating condition. Have the mower inspected and
serviced by an Authorized Service Dealer.
5. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
Not Using the Grass Bag
1. Move the mower onto a paved surface in a
non-windy area.
2. Set all 4 wheels to the 3-1/4 inch (83 mm) cut setting.
3. Take a half sheet of newspaper and crumple it into
a ball small enough to go under the mower housing
(about 3 inches or 76 mm in diameter).
4. Place the newspaper ball about 5 inches (13 cm) in
front of the mower.
5. Start the engine.
6. Engage the blade.
7. Release the blade control bar.
8. Immediately push the mower over the newspaper
ball.
9. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
10. Go to the front of the mower and check the
newspaper ball.
Note: If the newspaper ball did not go under the
mower, repeat steps 4 through 10.
11. If the newspaper is unravelled or shredded, the
blade did not stop properly, which could result in an
unsafe operating condition. Contact an Authorized
Service Dealer.
Recycling the Clippings
Your mower comes from the factory ready to recycle the
grass and leaf clippings back into the lawn.
If the grass bag is on the mower and the bag-on-demand
lever is in the bagging position, move the lever
to the recycling position (refer to Operating the
Bag-on-Demand Lever) before recycling the clippings.
If the side-discharge chute is on the mower, remove it
(refer to Removing the Side Discharge Chute) before
recycling the clippings.
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