Toro 20351 Quality Guide - Page 42

Troubleshooting Quality of Cut Clogged Chute (Bagging or Side Discharging Only) 1. Check for an alternate blade. A low lift blade on a bagging mower may have an increased tendency to plug. Install a higher lift blade if available. 2. On bagging mowers, the air exhaust may be restricted. Ensure that the bag is not caked with dirt and the air exhaust screen is not clogged. Dribbling Dribbling is caused by the same factors as clumping. Use the same steps to remedy this problem. Ragged Cut 1. Weed content-Some weeds and weedy grasses are very difficult to cut cleanly, leaving a poor looking lawn. Remove the weeds from the lawn or improve the grass stand in the lawn. 2. Grass variety-Some types of grass can be difficult to cut. Certain varieties, such as Annual Rye and Bahia are tough, stringy, and are difficult cut cleanly no matter how sharp the blade. Scalping 1. Raise the height of cut to avoid high spots. 2. The lawn may need to be graded or rolled to remove high spots. 3. Level mower side to side. 4. Adjust anti-scalp devices. 5. Adjust gage wheels on floating or semi-floating decks. 6. Reduce ground speed, either in turns or on straight runs. 7. Change cutting pattern. Sometimes approaching a high spot from a different angle resolves the problem. 8. If the mower attachment scalps only on turns, slow down. High speed turns can cause the side of the mower on the inside of the turn to lift or bounce and this makes the outside edge dig into the ground. Centrifugal force will apply in direct relation to the speed. Stair Step or Sawtooth Cut Check mower for level side to side. On multi-blade mowers, verify all blades are at the same height. Stragglers 1. Check the blade pitch. See the Operator's Manual or the section "Checking and Adjusting the Blade Level" of this manual for adjustment instructions. 2. If the mower is equipped with an accelerator or mulch fan, replace it with a blade stiffener as used on some bagging mowers. Not all mowers require this. 3. Try a lower height of cut. 4. Check for heavy foot traffic in area affected. Heavy traffic will compact the grass. Streaking 1. Check the blade pitch. See the Operator's Manual or the section "Checking and Adjusting the Blade Level" of this manual for adjustment instructions. In severe cases, adjust mower pitch to zero (level, front to rear). 2. Check for the correct blade-a bagging blade used when mulching may cause excessive turbulence. 3. If the mower is equipped with an accelerator or mulch fan, replace it with a blade stiffener as used on some bagging mowers. Not all mowers require this. 4. Try varying the height of cut. 5. Multi-blade decks may leave a streak when turning in uncut grass when the effective direction of the mower eliminates the blade overlap. This may happen in long, curved cutting patterns. Try making the turn from the opposite direcrtion, if possible. 6. Verify the correct blade overlap if a multi-blade mower leaves a streak between blades when traveling in a straight line. This can happen when the blades have been sharpened numerous times, making them too short. 5 - 2 Service Dealer's Guide to Great Quality of Cut