and daisies, etc.). The frequency of mowing
should be in relation to the rate of growth of
the grass, which should not be left to grow
too much between one cut and the next.
• The best height of the grass on a well-kept
lawn is approx. 4-5 cm. and with one mowing,
you do not need to remove more than a third
of the total height. If the grass is very tall,
it should be cut twice in a twenty-four hour
period. the first cut should be carried out with
the cutting means at the maximum height, and
the second cut at the desired height (fig. 26).
• If the cutting means are positioned too
low, they will tend to rip the grass out by
its roots, resulting in a "patchy" effect.
• During hot and dry periods, the grass
should be cut a little higher to prevent
the ground from drying out.
• It is always better to cut the grass when dry.
Do not cut grass when wet; this may reduce
the effectiveness of the rotating device, due
to the grass getting stuck to it, and result in
the grass being ripped out of the ground.
• The cutting means must be in good
condition and well sharpened so that the
grass is cut straight without a ragged edge
that leads to yellowing at the ends.
• The engine must run at full speed, both
to ensure a sharp cut of the grass and
to get the necessary thrust to push the
cuttings through the collector channel.
• If the dumping chute tends to get blocked
with grass, you should reduce the forward
speed as it may be too high for the condition
of the grass. If the problem persists, the
probable causes are either badly sharpened
cutting means or deformed fins.
• Be very careful when mowing near bushes
or kerbs as these could distort the horizontal
position of the cutting-means assembly and
damage its edge as well as the cutting means.
6.5.6 Emptying the grass catcher (for
rear collection models only)
NOTE The emptying of the grass catcher
can only be done with the cutting means
disengaged, otherwise the engine stops.
• Do not let the grass catcher become too full
as this may block the collection channel.
• When the grass catcher is full you
will hear a warning sound:
1. disengage the cutting means (par. 5.6)
and the audible signal will stop;
2. shift the throttle control to minimum
"tortoise" speed position
3. stop moving forward and switch
to neutral (par. 5.17; par. 5.18);
4. engage the parking brake;
• Manual command
5. extract the lever (fig. 28.A)
and tip the grass catcher bag
up in order to empty it;
6. close the grass catcher again so
that it remains coupled to the pawl
(fig. 28.B) and replace the lever.
• Electrical command
5. with the operator in the sitting
position, press and hold the button
(fig. 28.C) until the grass catcher
bag is in the fully tipped position;
6. once the bag is empty, press and
hold the button (fig. 28.D) until
the grass catcher bag is fully
lowered, make sure that it remains
coupled to the pawl (fig. 28.B).
N.B. After emptying the grass catcher bag,
the acoustic signal may be reactivated when the
cutting means are engaged, this is caused by
caused by traces of grass remaining attached
to the indicator micro-switch sensor; if this
happens, disengage and re-engage the cutting
means immediately to silence the buzzer.
Ensure the sensor (fig. 28.E) is always
kept free from traces of grass.
6.5.7 Cleaning the dumping chute (for
rear collection models only)
• Cutting very tall or wet grass, particularly
at excessively high speed, can clog up
the dumping chute. If it clogs, follow the
instructions provided in chap. 7.6.2.
6.5.8 Mowing completed
When mowing has been completed:
1. disengage the cutting means;
2. decrease the engine's r.p.m.
3. drive back with the cutting-means
assembly in its highest position:
6.6 STOP
To stop the machine:
1. shift the throttle lever to minimum
"tortoise" speed position
To avoid backfire, leave the throttle in
the minimum "tortoise" speed position for
20 seconds before switching off the engine.
2. switch off the engine by turning
the ignition key to Off;
EN - 18