Poulan 172787 User Manual - Page 17

MOWING TIPS • For most cutting conditions and better bagging performance, the engine speed should be set in the FAST position. • Under certain conditions, such as when mowing very tall grass, raise the mower height on the first cut to reduce pushing effort, to avoid overheating the engine, and to avoid leaving clumps of grass clippings. Make the second cut to the desired height. • For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut. • For side discharge lawn mowers, cut in a counterclockwise direction, starting at the outside of the area to be cut, in order to spread grass clippings more evenly and to put less load on the engine. To keep clippings off of walkways, flower beds, etc., make the first cuts in a clockwise direction. • 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 grass clipping is left on the right side of a rear discharge lawn mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a small overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass. • Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled with dirt and dust with use and the catcher will collect less grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catcher off with water and let dry before use. MULCHING MOWING TIPS (MULCHING MOWERS ONLY) 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 recutting 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 mulching, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly. 1/3 MAX • 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 second 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. 17