Toro 20351 Quality Guide - Page 11

Elements of Great Quality of Cut Mowing Tips Explain to the operator that the operator's manual contains tips for getting a great quality of cut. Remind the operator of the following: • The best ground speed is normal walking speed. However, if the engine bogs down at this speed, slow down to avoid degrading the lawn appearance. • With a mulching mower, it may be necessary to mow more slowly than with a bagging or side discharge mower. Compared to bagging or side discharging, the time spent in mowing more slowly with a mulching mower is made up for by not emptying a bag or raking discharged clippings. • The best height of cut varies with the type of grass and the season. In the spring and fall, when temperatures are moderate and rainfall is higher, height of cut can usually be decreased. In the summer, when the temperature increases and rainfall decreases, it is usually better to increase the height of cut. • To maintain the health of the grass, turf grass agronomists recommend cutting no more than 1/3 of the grass height. Most rotary mowers designed for urban and suburban use work best when set up to cut no more than 1/3 of the grass height. • When the height of cut is changed, the lawn takes a couple of weeks to adjust to the new cutting height. If the height of cut is increased, the grass may droop until it adjusts. If the height of cut is decreased, the lawn may temporarily look less green and lush. Service Dealer's Guide to Great Quality of Cut 2 - 3