ST F 72 FL Manuel D'utilisation page 69

Pressing the brake pedal also causes the speed
change lever to return to the «N» position (see
4.21.2).
5.4.4 Reverse
IMPORTANT Reverse must only be engaged
when the machine has stopped.
IMPORTANT To proceed in reverse gear with
the cutting means engaged, it is necessary to
press and hold the consent pedal down (see 4.8)
so as not to cause the engine to stop.
Mechanical transmission
Press the pedal until the machine stops and
then switch into reverse by shifting the le-
ver sideways and into position «R» (see
4.22.2). Gradually release the pedal to en-
gage the clutch and then begin moving in re-
verse.
Hydrostatic transmission:
When the machine is stopped, move the
speed change lever to the «R» position to
change to reverse gear (see 4.21.2).
5.4.5 Grass cutting (Fig. 5.8)
To start cutting:
– m ove the throttle to «FAST»;
– b ring the cutting-means assembly to the high-
est position;
– e ngage the cutting means (see 4.6) only on
grass lawns; avoid engaging them on stony
ground or when the grass is very high;
– s tart moving forwards on the grass very
slowly and with utmost caution, as already
described;
– r egulate the cutting height and speed (see
4.7) considering the conditions of the lawn
(the height, density and dampness of the
grass).
Mechanical transmission
– H igh and dense grass – wet lawn:
1st gear
– A verage conditions grass:
2nd 3rd gear
– L ow grass – dry lawn: 4th gear
NOTE The fifth gear is just a transfer gear
to be used on the flat.
Hydrostatic transmission
Speed can be adjusted according to lawn
conditions by gradually and continuously
pressing the speed adjustment lever accord-
ingly.
WARNING!
ground, the forward speed must be reduced
to ensure safe conditions (see 1C 7-8-9 +
5.5).
Whatever the conditions, always reduce the
speed if you notice a drop in engine speed – if
you travel too fast compared to the amount of
grass being cut, you will not be able to mow the
grass well.
Disengage the cutting means and raise the
cutting-means assembly as high as possible
whenever you need to get past an obstacle.
5.4.6 Emptying the grass catcher
(Fig. 5.8)
NOTE The emptying of the grass catcher can
only be done with the cutting means disengaged,
otherwise the engine stops.
Do not let the grass catcher become too full as
this may block the collection channel.
When the grass catcher is full you will hear a
warning sound; at this point:
– d isengage the cutting means (see 4.6) and
the warning sound will stop;
– l ower the engine speed;
– s hift into neutral (N) (see 4.21, 4.22) and stop
moving forward;
– e ngage the parking brake on slopes;
– h old onto the rear handle and tip up the grass
catcher to empty it;
NOTE At times the audible warning may be
heard at the moment of engaging the cutting
means even when the grass catcher has been
emptied. This is due to grass-cuttings left on the
sensor of the micro-switch. To stop the signal,
remove the grass debris, disengage the cutting
means and then immediately engage it again.
5.4.7 Unblocking the collector channel
Cutting very tall or wet grass, particularly at ex-
cessively high speed, can clog up the collector
channel. If this happens proceed as follows:
– s top forward movement immediately, disen-
11
When cutting on sloping