10EN
5.3 GRASS CUTTING
ENGAGING THE BLADE AND FORWARD MOVEMENT
When you have reached the area to be mowed,
– put the accelerator into the «FAST» position;
– engage the blade by putting the lever into position «B»;
– to begin moving, operate the speed regulation controls taking care
to release the pedal with caution as already described.
Engage the blade with the cutting deck in the highest position, and
then gradually lower to the height required. To achieve good col-
lection and even cutting of the grass, choose a forward speed to suit
the quantity of grass to be cut (height and density) and the lawn's
humidity, in line with the following indications ( for mechanical
drive models):
– High and dense grass - wet lawn 1
st
speed
– Average condition grass 2
nd
- 3
rd
speed
– Low grass - dry lawn 4
th
speed
The fifth gear is solely for moving from one area
to another on horizontal surfaces
For hydrostatic drive models
The speed has to be adapted to the condition of the grass in a
gradual and progressive way by moving the speed change lever.
A lower speed should always be selected if you note a reduction in
engine speed, since a forward speed that is too fast will not cut the
grass well.
Disengage the blade and put the cutting deck in the highest position
whenever you need to get past an obstacle.
CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
The height is adjusted by moving the lever with 7 height positions.
HOW TO OBTAIN A GOOD CUT
1. The lawn's appearance will be
best if you cut in alternate di-
rections, always at the same
height.
2. If the collector system blocks
up you should reduce the for-
ward speed as it could be too
high for the lawn conditions.
If this does not solve the prob-
lem, it is probably due to un-
sharpened cutting edges or the wings on the blade having be-
come deformed (see chapter 8).
3. If the grass is very tall it should be mowed twice - once at the
maximum cutting height, and perhaps reducing the cutting width,
followed by a second cut at the required height.
4. Be very careful when mowing near bushes or kerbs which could
alter the horizontal position of the cutting deck or damage its edge
or the blade.
NOTE
When moving the machine, the blade must be
disengaged and the cutting deck put at its highest position (posi-
tion «7»).
For mechanical drive models:
Put the accelerator control between the «SLOW» and «FAST»
positions, and the gear change lever in the 1st speed position.
Keep the pedal pressed down and disengage the parking brake.
Slowly release the pedal which will turn from «brake» to «clutch»,
thus operating the rear wheels.
The pedal has to be released gradually as a sudden engagement
may cause tipping up and loss of control of the vehicle.
The pedal must be moved in a progressive manner without he -
sitation in order to prevent the belt slipping too much and thus
overheating.
Gradually reach the desired operating speed using the accele rator
and gear lever. To change the gear speed the clutch must be used
pushing the pedal down half way.
For hydrostatic drive models:
Put the accelerator control between the «SLOW» and «FAST»
positions. Press the brake pedal to disengage the parking brake
and release the pedal.
Move the speed change lever in the «F» direction and go to the
required speed by using the lever and the accelerator.
The lever must be moved gradually as a sudden engagement of
drive to the wheels may cause tipping and loss of control of the
machine.
BRAKING
For mechanical drive models:
To brake, first reduce the speed on the accelerator to avoid over-
loading the brake assembly and then push the pedal down fully.
For hydrostatic drive models:
To brake, press the brake pedal which will simultaneously make
the speed change lever return to the «N» position.
REVERSE
For mechanical drive models:
The machine MUST be stopped before reverse can be engaged.
Push down the pedal until the machine stops and then insert re-
verse by moving the lever sideways and putting it into position
«R». Gradually release the pedal to engage the clutch and then
begin moving in reverse.
For hydrostatic drive models:
The machine MUST be stopped before reverse can be engaged.
When the machine is stopped, start the reverse movement by put-
ting the speed change lever in the «R» direction.
NOTE
