MTD 769-01445 User Manual

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
19” Electric
Lawn Mower
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
This symbol on the product’s nameplate means it is listed by UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC.
MTD PRODUCTS LTD., P.O. BOX 1386, KITCHENER, ON CANADA
769-01445
(10/04)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices................................................................... 3
Slope Gauge ................................................................................................... 6
Unpacking Instructions ...................................................................................... 7
Assembling Your Lawn Mower........................................................................... 7
Know Your Lawn Mower ....................................................................................9
Operating Your Lawn Mower ............................................................................. 10
Making Adjustments ..........................................................................................12
Maintenance ......................................................................................................12
Off-Season Storage ........................................................................................... 14
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 15
Parts List............................................................................................................ 16
Warranty ............................................................................................................18
Safety and Decorative Labels ............................................................................19
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new Lawn Mower. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an authorized dealer.
You can locate the model number by standing behind the unit and looking at the rear of the deck. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.
Model Number Numéro de modèle
XXXXXXXXXX
www.mtdcanada.com
Serial Number Numéro de série
XXXXXXXXXXX
MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED KITCHENER, ON N2G 4J1 1-800-668-1238
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.
Call 1- 800-6 68-1238 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have your unit’s model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.
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SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS!
WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions, which if not followed, could endanger the personal
safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to oper­ate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol—
HEED ITS WARNING.
DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any
type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
When using electric lawnmowers, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury. These basic precautions include the following:
GENERAL OPERATION
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual before attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay in the operator zone behind the handles and keep children and bystanders at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop motor if anyone enters the area.
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other foreign objects, which could be tripped over or thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction, which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
8. Always wear proper eye protection while operating or performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.
9. Always use a face or dust mask if operating in a dusty environment.
10. Dress Properly – Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Use of rubber gloves and footwear is recommended when working outdoors.
11. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuit(s) or outlet(s) to be used for the lawn mower. Receptacles are available having built-in GFCI protection and may be used for this measure of safety.
12. To prevent electric shock use only with a CUL listed extension cord set suitable for outdoor use, such as Type SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW-A, SJW-A, SJOW-A, SJTW-A, or SJTOW-A.
13. Extension Cord - Make sure your extension cord set is in good condition, is heavy enough to carry the current your mower will draw, and is polarized (one blade of plug is wider than the other). A 100’ length of 14 AWG should be used. A 50’ length of 16 AWG or a 150’ length of 12 AWG cord is an acceptable alternative. A longer length or undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in a loss of power and overheating.
14. To reduce the likelihood of disconnection of the lawn mower from the extension cord set, be sure to use the cord restraint provided as shown in the illustration below:
Cord Restraint
Extension Cord
15. To reduce the risk of electric shock, this lawn mower has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other) and will require the use of a polarized extension cord. The mower plug will only fit into the polarized extension cord one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the extension cord, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, obtain a correct polarized extension cord. A polarized extension cord will require the use of a polarized wall outlet. This plug will fit into the polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the wall outlet, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper wall outlet. Do not change the equipment plug, extension cord receptacle, or extension cord plug in any way.
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16. Home circuit – This mower should be operated on a 15 AMP circuit. If you experience difficulty in starting with a standard 15 AMP fuse or circuit breaker, contact your nearest authorized service facility. Do not use a higher rated fuse or breaker without consulting your power company.
17. Do not abuse the cord by pulling the mower by the cord or yanking it to disconnect it from the receptacle. Keep cord from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
18. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Never operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or lightweight (e.g. canvas) shoes. Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the handle immediately.
19. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall or obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tripping and then follow these steps:
Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.
Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way
toward you.
Repeat these steps as needed.
20. Do not use lawn mower for any job except that for which it is intended. Do not force the lawn mower – Cut grass at a rate, for which the mower is designed, which will not sacrifice the performance or safety of the machine.
21. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
22. Stay Alert – Do not operate the mower when you are tired. Watch what you are doing. Use common sense.
23. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet.
24. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while the motor is running.
25. Avoid dangerous environments – Never operate the mower in the rain or in wet or damp grass.
26. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk, never run.
27. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
28. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the motor and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
29. Stop the motor and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the motor is shut off. Never place any part of the body in the blade area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotating.
30. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade/motor control or other safety protective devices in place and working. Never operate mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
31. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
32. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer or telephone 1-800-668-1238 for assistance and the name of your nearest servicing dealer.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.
Do:
1. Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles. Remove all objects such as rocks, tree limbs, etc., which could be tripped over or thrown by the blade.
3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release the blade/motor control handle immediately, and the blade will stop rotating within 3 seconds.
Do Not:
1. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you could lose your footing or balance.
2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge.
3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.
Children
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.
Before and while moving backwards, look behind and
down for small children.
Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the mower.
2. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.
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Service
1. When servicing use only identical replacement parts listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!”
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the power cord when not in use to prevent unintended starting.
3. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories.
4. Inspect lawn mower cord and extension cords periodically and replace immediately, if damaged. Lawn mower cord should be repaired by an authorized service facility only.
5. Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease.
6. To reduce a fire hazard, keep the motor free of grass, leaves and debris build-up.
7. Check the blade and motor mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, and worn) Replace blade with the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) blade only, listed in this manual.
8. Maintain your mower with care – Keep mower blade sharp and clean for best and safest performance. Mower blades are sharp and can cut, wrap the blade or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them.
9. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.
10. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
11. After striking a foreign object, stop the motor and disconnect the power cord. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before operating the mower.
12. Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail shield are subject to wear and damage which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection, frequently check components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) parts only, listed in this manual.
13. When not in use, store lawn mower indoors in a dry area, locked-up and/or out of the reach of children.
Double Insulated Lawn Mower
Double insulation is a concept in the safety of electric lawn mowers, which eliminates the need for the usual three-wire grounded power cord and grounded power supply system. Wherever there is electric current in the mower, there are two complete sets of insulation to protect the user. All exposed metal parts are isolated from the internal metal motor components with protecting insulation.
IMPORTANT: Servicing of a lawn mower with double insulation requires extreme care and knowledge of the system and should be performed only by a qualified service technician. For repair service we suggest you return the lawn mower to your nearest authorized service dealer. Always use original factory replacement parts when servicing.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand, and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
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SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE
Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes.
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower
your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain
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A CORNER OF A BUILDING
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
A POWER POLE
WARNING
15°
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5
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OR A FENCE POST
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.
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SECTION 3: UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS
Remove Unit From Carton
NOTE: Reference to the right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position.
Remove staples, break glue on the top flaps, or cut
the tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open the carton.
Remove any loose parts included with the unit (i.e.,
operator’s manual, etc.).
Cut the corners and lay the carton down flat.
Remove packing material.
Roll or slide the unit out of carton. Check the carton thoroughly for loose parts.
REMOVE MANUAL & LOOSE PARTS
SECTION 4: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Loose Parts in Carton
Grass Catcher Assembly. Refer to Figure 2.
Owner’s Manual (not shown).
Pull up and back on the upper handle to raise the handle into the operating position. Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle mounting brackets. Refer to the steps in Figure 3.
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PUSH
Figure 1
2
Rear Frame
Front Frame
Grass Bag
Figure 2
Tools Required
A pair of pliers.
Assembling Handle
Remove any packing material which may be between the upper and lower handles for shipping purposes.
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Figure 3
WARNING: The handle insulators are not only
used to adjust handle height, but are also a safety device and should never be altered in any way. If replacement is necessary, use original equipment parts as shown in the parts list on page 17.
The upper handle may be adjusted to three different height positions. To adjust the handle at the desired position, align one of the three marks on the top of the lower handle insulators with the mark on the upper handle insulators. See Figure 4.
Tighten the hand knobs on each side of the handle. Make sure that carriage bolts are seated properly into the handle insulators.
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Hand Knob
Insulator
1. Slide front frame into rear frame
Rear Frame
2. Place frame inside bag
Upper Handle
(Align marks here)
Lower Handle
Figure 4
Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in the weld pins on the handle mounting brackets.
Using a pair of pliers, squeeze one leg of the lower handle against the handle mounting bracket. Insert the hairpin clip into the inner hole on the weld pin. Repeat on the other side. Refer to Figure 5.
Make certain all nuts and bolts are tightened securely.
Inner Hole
Hairpin Clip
Outer Hole
Lower Handle
Handle Mounting
Bracket
Figure 5
Assembling the Grass Catcher
Hook
Hook
Front Frame
3. Slip handle out of notch
Handle
4. Slip plastic channel over frame
Notch
Figure 6
Secure bag to the frame by working the plastic channels on bag over the frame on the other sides as shown in Figure 6.
NOTE: All of the plastic channels except the center top of the bag attach from the outside of the bag. The center top of the bag attaches from the inside of bag.
WARNING:
the proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade/motor control or other safety protective devices in place and working. Never operate the mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
Never operate the mower without
NOTE: Before assembling, make sure that the grass
bag is turned right side out with the warning label on the outside. Also the black plastic side is the bottom of the bag.
Insert the front frame into the rear frame as far as it will go.
Place frame assembly inside the bag.
Slip the plastic channel of the bag over the frame (adjacent to the handle of the grass catcher) as shown in Figure 6. Make sure that the handle of the grass catcher protrudes out of the notch in the plastic channel on bag.
Insert the two hooks on both sides of the frame through the openings on both sides of the bag.
Attaching The Grass Catcher
Lift the rear discharge door on the mower and remove the mulching baffle. See Figure 7.
Rear Discharge Door
Mulching Baffle
Figure 7
8
Place the hooks of the grass catcher into the slots in the handle bracket assembly on each side of the lower handle as shown in Figure 8. Release the rear discharge door.
To remove the grass catcher, lift the rear discharge door on the mower. Lift the grass catcher up, out of the slots in the handle bracket assemblies. Release the rear discharge door.
WARNING: Do not operate this mower with the chute door open, unless the complete grass catcher is properly mounted on the mower.
SECTION 5: KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
Grass Catcher Bag
Figure 8
Rear Discharge Door
Slot On
Hook
Handle
Bracket
Motor/Blade Control Assembly
Handle Insulator
Grass Catcher
Rear Discharge Door
Rear Trailing Shield
Figure 9
Read this operator’s manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 9 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.
WARNING: The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can damage your eyes severely. Always wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while performing any adjustments or repairs.
Motor/Blade Control Assembly
The motor/blade control is located on the upper handle of the mower. See Figure 9. The motor/blade control handle engages and disengages the motor and blade.
Cord Restraint
Handle Insulator
Lower Handle
Electric Motor
Height Adjustment Lever
WARNING:
is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations.
The motor/blade control assembly
Rear Trailing Shield
The rear trailing shield, attached between the rear wheels of your mower, is provided to minimize the possibility of objects being thrown at the operator from the rear of the mower. See Figure 9.
Circuit Breaker
The mower is equipped with a circuit breaker, located on the motor/blade control. Refer to Figure 10. This circuit breaker may trip when too much strain is placed on the mower. See Making Adjustments Section.
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Cord Restraint
The cord restraint is located on the back of the upper handle and when used properly, helps to protect the motor/blade control assembly and also the extension cord powering the unit.
Height Adjustment Lever
A height adjustment lever at each wheel provides cutting height adjustment. Each adjuster has nine height positions. Height of cut will be changed when the lever is moved from one position to another. Simply depress the lever towards wheel and move wheel and lever assembly to desired position. All wheels must be placed in the same relative position.
SECTION 6: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Cord Connection
Extension Cord Selection
Shown below is the length of extension cords and its corresponding acceptable cord ratings.
• 50’ Cord — use 16 AWG
• 100’ Cord — use 14 AWG
• 150’ Cord — use 12 AWG
The extension cord should be a CUL listed cord set suitable for outdoor use.
IMPORTANT: Using any other length or rating of cord will diminish the performance and possibly the life of the electric motor, and may also cause breakers to trip or fuses to blow in your home’s fuse box.
Cord Restraint
Attach the extension cord (not provided with unit) to the cord restraint as follows.
Form a small loop in the extension cord. Allow enough excess cord to make the connection to the motor/blade control (approximately 20 inches).
Slip the loop through the slot on the bottom of the cord restraint, and up over the tab, to prevent disconnection from the motor/blade control during operation.
Keep the cord restraint as close to the motor/blade control as possible. See Figure 9.
Connecting to the Motor/Blade Control Assembly
Connecting to the Electric Power Source
WARNING: This mower should be operated on a
15 AMP circuit. If you experience difficulty in starting with a standard 15 A fuse or circuit breaker, contact you nearest authorized service facility. Do not use a higher rated fuse or breaker without consulting your power company.
Plug the extension cord into any convenient 110-120 V 60 cycle AC outlet or receptacle for your source of power. This outlet may be located either outdoors or indoors. To avoid blowing fuses, pick an outlet that is not overloaded. Your mower will operate satisfactorily on a circuit that is fused for 15 amperes. Do not use oversize fuses without consulting an electrician. If an inside receptacle is used, the extension cord can be taken out either through the doorway or a window.
Starting the Motor and Blade
NOTE: The wheels on your unit are set in a low cutting position for shipping purposes. For best results, raise the cutting position until it is determined which heig ht is best for your lawn. See cutting height adjustment in the Making Adjustments section.
Motor/Blade Control Lever
Engaged Position
(Blade Turning)
Locking Button
Released Position
(Blade Stopped)
Connect the plug on the extension cord fully onto the plug on the mower. The mower is equipped with a polarized AC power plug (one blade is wider than the other), which will fit into the plug on the extension cord only one way. If unable to make a connection, try reversing the extension cord plug. Should the plugs still fail to fit, contact your service dealer for assistance. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.
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Circuit Breaker
Reset Button
AC Plug
Figure 10
Upper Handle
To engage the motor and blade, first be certain to follow the previous steps for connecting a suitable extension cord, then referring to Figure 10:
Stand behind the unit and depress the locking button.
While holding the locking button down, pull the blade/motor control lever and hold it against the upper handle.
Release the locking button.
T = Obstacles
Outlet
(Start here)
Stopping the Motor and Blade
WARNING: The blade continues to rotate for a
few seconds after the motor is shut off. If motor does not come to a stop when the motor/blade control handle is released, contact an authorized service dealer.
To stop the motor and blade from spinning:
Release the motor/blade control lever from its position against the upper handle and the blade and motor will quickly come to a stop.
NOTE: A high pitched noise may occur as the electric motor decelerates and some sparking may occur also at the same time. This is normal behavior when the motor and blade is disengaged.
Mowing Your Lawn
NOTE: A sharp blade will greatly increase the performance of the lawn mower, especially in conditions of higher grass. Be sure to check the blade and sharpen it at least once a year as outlined in the Maintenance section.
Make sure the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wires, or other objects that could damage the lawn mower or motor. Such objects could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.
To prevent electric shock, do not operate the mower in damp or wet conditions.
Always start from the point closest to the power source where the cord is connected. Never mow around the lawn in circles; travel back and forth across the lawn, starting from the point closest to the outlet and then moving away from the outlet so the cord lies in the cut portion of the lawn, out of the way. Refer to Figure 11.
Figure 11
Do not allow the extension cord to wrap around trees, shrubs or other obstacles. When picking up the extension cord, wind the cord in a series of equal loops on each side of your hand to prevent it from tangling.
When cutting heavy grass, reduce walking speed to allow more effective cut and proper discharge of the clippings. For a healthy lawn, always cut off one­third or less of the total length of the grass. The average lawn should be approximately 1-1/2 to 2 inches during the cool season, and over 2 inches during hot months. For a healthier and better looking lawn, cut more often and after moderate growth. The lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is growth.
Mulching Tips
For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the deck, preventing proper mulching of grass clippings. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. The ground speed should be adjusted to the condition of the lawn. If mowing has been delayed and the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of 4", mow twice to reduce the grass height to 3-1/4" maximum.
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the motor, and unplug from the power supply circuit. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower. Excessive vibration of the mower during operation is an indication of damage. The unit should be promptly inspected and repaired.
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