Using On Slopes; Suggestions For Maintaining; Maintenance; Safety Recommendations - ST. SpA F 72FL Manuel D'utilisation

IMPORTANT The battery must be kept in a
cool and dry place. Before a long storage period
(more than 1 month), always charge the bat-
tery, and then recharge before using again (see
6.3.3).
The next time the machine is used, check that
there are no fuel leaks from the tubes, fuel stop-
cock or carburettor.
5.4.12 Circuit board protection device
The electronic circuit board has a self-resetting
protector which breaks the circuit if there is a
fault in the electrical system. This will stop the
engine and switch off the light.
The circuit automatically resets after a few sec-
onds but the cause of the fault should be ascer-
tained and dealt with to avoid reactivating the
protection device.
IMPORTANT To avoid activating the protec-
tion device:
– do not invert the leads on the battery terminals;
– do not use the machine without its battery or
damage may be caused to the charge regula-
tor;
– be careful not to cause short-circuits.
5.5 USING ON SLOPES (Fig. 5.13)
Observe the indicated limits (max 10° - 17).
WARNING! Take care when beginning
forward movement on sloping ground to
prevent the risk of tipping up. Reduce the
forward speed before going on a slope, par-
ticularly downhill.
DANGER! Never switch to reverse gear
to decrease speed when going downhill: this
could cause loss of control of the machine,
especially on slippery ground.
Move down slopes with the speed change lever
(see 4.22) in the «N» position, (to exploit the
braking effect of the hydrostatic transmission)
using the brake to reduce speed if necessary.

5.6 SUGGESTIONS FOR MAINTAINING

A NICE LAWN
1. T o keep a lawn green and soft with a good
appearance, it should be cut regularly with-
out damaging the grass. A lawn can be com-
posed of different types of grass. If the lawn
is cut frequently, grass and roots grow more
vigorously, forming a solid grassy bed. If the
lawn is cut is less frequently, higher grass
and weeds start growing (clover and daisies,
etc.).
2. I t is always better to cut the grass when dry.
3. T he cutting means must be in good condition
and well sharpened so that the grass is cut
straight without a ragged edge that leads to
yellowing at the ends.
4. T he engine must run at full speed, both to
ensure a sharp cut of the grass and to get the
necessary thrust to push the cuttings through
the collector channel.
5. T he frequency of mowing should be in rela-
tion to the rate of growth of the grass, which
should not be left to grow too much between
one cut and the next.
6. D uring hot and dry periods, the grass should
be cut a little higher to prevent the ground
from drying out.
7. T he best height of the grass on a well-kept
lawn is approx. 4-5 cm. and with one mowing,
you do not need to remove more than a third
of the total height. If the grass is very tall,
it should be cut twice in a twenty-four hour
period. The first time with the cutting means
at maximum cutting height, possibly reducing
the cutting width and the second cut at the
height desired. Fig. 5.14)
8. T he appearance of the lawn will improve if
you alternate the cutting in both directions.
Fig. 5.15)
9. I f the collector system tends to get blocked
with grass, you should reduce the forward
speed as it may be too high for the condi-
tion of the grass. If the problem persists, the
probable causes are either badly sharpened
cutting means or deformed fins.
10. Be very careful when mowing near bushes
or kerbs as these could distort the horizontal po-
sition of the cutting-means assembly and dam-
age its edge as well as the cutting means.

6. MAINTENANCE

6.1 SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

WARNING!
ized Service Centre or contact your Dealer if
the following are malfunctioning:
– the brake;
– the cutting means engage and disengage
functions,
– switching the drive to forward or reverse
gears.
6.2 ACCESSING THE ENGINE (Fig. 6.1)
Turning over the engine cover (1), you can ac-
12
You must go to a special-