Stihl RZ 142 Instruction Manual - Page 20

14 Where possible, make one or two passes around the outside of the area discharging the grass INTO the lawn to keep the cut grass off fences and walks. 15 The remainder of the mowing should be done in the opposite direction so that the clippings are dispersed OUT onto the area of lawn previously cut. Mowing Methods Broadcast Mowing Broadcasting, or side-discharging, disperses fine clippings evenly over the entire lawn. Many golf courses use this method. Your mower has a deep dish deck to allow freer circulation of clippings so they are broadcast evenly over the lawn. Engine Speed & Ground Speed for Broadcasting: Always operate the engine at full throttle when mowing. If you hear the engine slowing down, you are mowing too fast-using a slower ground speed will improve the cutting efficiency of the blades and prevents many common cutting problems. ALWAYS use an appropriate ground speed for the thickness and height of the grass you are cutting (3rd gear or slower for manual gear models). If you hear the engine slowing down you are mowing too fast, use a slower ground speed. How Much Grass to Cut Off When Broadcasting: Mow when the grass is 3-5 inches long. Do not cut the grass shorter than 2 to 2-1/2 inches. Do not cut off more than 1 inch of grass in a single pass. Mulching Mulching consists of a mower deck which cuts and re-cuts clippings into tiny particles and which then blows them down INTO the lawn. These tiny particles decompose rapidly into by-products your lawn can use. UNDER PROPER CONDITIONS, your mulching mower will virtually eliminate noticeable clippings on the lawn surface. Note: When mulching under heavy cutting conditions, a rumbling sound may be present and is normal. Mulching Requires EXCELLENT Mowing Conditions: Mulching mowers cannot function properly if the grass is wet, or if the grass is simply too high to cut. Even more than normal mowing, mulching requires that the grass be dry and the appropriate amount is cut. Do not use the mower as a mulching mower during the first two or three mowings in the spring. The long grass blades, quick growth, and often wetter conditions are more suitable for broadcasting (side-discharging) or grass bagging operation. Engine Speed & Ground Speed for Mulching: Use full engine throttle matched with a slow ground speed so that clippings will be finely cut. Ground speed while mulching should be HALF of the speed that would be used when broadcasting (side discharging) under similar conditions. Since mulching requires more horsepower than broadcasting, using a slower ground speed is vitally important for proper mulching operation. How Much Grass to Mulch: The best mulching action typically results from cutting only the top 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of grass blade. This provides short clippings which decompose properly (much more quickly than longer clippings). The ideal cutting height will vary with climate, time of year, and quality of your lawn. We recommend that you experiment with both the cutting height and ground speed until you achieve the best cut. Start with a high cutting height and using progressively lower settings until you find a cutting height that is matched to your mowing conditions and preferences. Pushing the Unit by Hand WARNING Unsafe Operation Hazard. DO NOT disengage the transmissions and coast down slopes. DO NOT use transaxle release levers to disengage the transmissions unless the unit's motion can be controlled and the engine is off. NOTICE Do not tow unit. Towing the unit will cause transmission damage. Do not use another vehicle to push or pull this unit. 1. Disengage the PTO, lock the ground speed control levers into their START/PARK positions, turn the ignition switch to OFF, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop. 20 stihlusa.com