Mowing Tips

The following recommendations will produce the best lawn cut quality and appearance:

• Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades will tear grass; tips of grass will then turn brown.
• Cutting grass too short may kill grass and let weeds grow easily. The suggested finished cut height range is 44 - 70 mm (1.75 - 2.75 in.).
• Adjust cutting height to remove only 1/3 of the grass at a time.
• Do not mow wet grass.
• Mow grass often. Short grass clippings will decay quickly.
• Mow with engine at full throttle.
• Adjust travel speed to match mowing conditions:
  • Travel at slow speed when you mow thick, tall grass, make sharp turns or trim around objects.
  • Travel at moderate speed when you mow thin grass.
• Use a different mowing pattern each time you mow. Overlap mowing paths 50 - 100 mm (2 - 4 in.).
• Drive over ridges and through shallow ditches straight-on, not at an angle.

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• Mow around the outside twice, then mow inside in straight passes. Best cut is achieved when mowing in a straight line.
• When mowing or mulching near pavement, overlap the pavement by 50 mm (2 in.) to allow clippings to dispense over grass.
• A thick layer of mulched leaves can prevent sunlight from getting to grass and smother it. Taller grass heights allow mulched leaves to dispense easier in lawn. Mulch leaves several times if needed.
• Use a thatcher in late spring or summer to pull up dead grass and aerate ground.
• For Mulching Mower: Shorter cut heights will provide better cut quality, but may leave noticeable clippings. Higher cut heights will reduce clippings, but cut quality may decline.