Mowing tips --1
Extremely tall grass should be mowed twice. Raise the mower and
cut half the desired height. Cut the second time at the desired height and at 90
degrees to the first pass.
Mowing tips --2
Remember sharp blades produce cleaner cuts and use less power.
Mowing tips --3
Before mowing, analyze the area to determine the best mowing
procedure. Consider the height and type of grass and the terrain type (hilly,
level or rough).
Mowing tips --4
When using a side discharge mower, blow the discharge into the
previous pass. Never discharge the clippings into the uncut grass when possible.
Mowing tips --5
Plan your mowing patterns to travel straightforward whenever
possible. The less turning or backing up you do will reduce your mowing time.
Mowing tips --6
Before beginning to mow, walk the area first and remove any
stones or debris, which may be hidden in the grass.
Mowing tips --7
When mowing along roadsides always discharge the material away
from the road to prevent any foreign object from being thrown at a passing
car.
Mowing tips --8
It is better to mow grass more often at a higher cut height than
too short. Short grass deteriorates rapidly in hot weather and invites weed
growth during the season. Follow local recommendations for suitable cutting
heights for your type of grass.
Winter storage for your rotary mower
--
Remove the mower drive belt and store to prevent hard spots
from developing in the belts where it wraps around the pulleys.
--
Lubricate all pivot points and grease blade spindle bearing to
prevent rusting from condensation build up over winter.
--
Drain fuel tank and carburetor or use a fuel stabilizer in the
carburetor.
--
Clean the bottom of the deck to remove all grass build up. Use
a wire brush and a putty knife and remove as much build up as possible then
apply a spray on dry film lubricant to prevent corrosion. This will also help
prevent future grass build up next season.
Blade sharpening
--
Remove blades and inspect the condition of the attaching
hardware. It is a good idea to replace the hardware each time the blades are
replaced.
--
When sharpening blades always wear safety glasses to prevent
any debris from getting in the eye.
--
Sharpen the blade to match the original cutting edge. Do not go
beyond the original edge and avoid grinding any notches into the blade. A notch
in a blade can make them susceptible to breakage.
--
Always leave a 1/32" to 1/16" dull edge to prevent the cutting
edge from chipping. It is not necessary to have a razor sharp blade. This will
only decrease blade life.
--
Once the blade has been sharpened hang it on a nail or screw
from the center mounting hole to balance the blade. If one side of the blade was
damaged and more material was removed when sharpening this could create an
imbalance and cause vibration. If the blade is balanced it should hang level on
the nail. It may be necessary to remove more material from the heavy side to
obtain proper balance.
Tips to prevent streaking or ragged cut
--
Always mow when the grass is dry with sharp blades.
--
Check belt drive to insure there is no slippage and operate at
rated blade tip speed.
--
Adjust the attitude of the mower deck so that the front is
slightly lower than the rear.
--
In early spring conditions it may be necessary to reduce ground
speed or mow twice. Once at a higher cut height then again at the normal cut
height. Later in the season after the grass has been mowed several times, the
grass is stiffer and easier to cut. In most cases, the streaking usually goes
away as the season progresses.
Taken from Woods
Equipment