Suggestions For Maintaining A Nice Lawn - ST. SpA T 102 Serie Manuel D'utilisation

1. shift the throttle to the maximum speed
position ("hare"); this position is always
used when using the machine;
2. bring the cutting device assembly
to the highest position;
3. engage the cutting device (par. 5.9) only on
grass lawns; avoid engaging them on stony
ground or when the grass is very high;
4. When starting to cut grass, start off slowly
and carefully, as described above;
5. Regulate the speed and cutting height
(par. 5.11) according to the lawn conditions
(grass height, density and humidity) and
the quantity of grass to be removed;
6. The appearance of the lawn will be improved
if the grass is always cut at the same height
and in two alternating directions (fig. 27).
IMPORTANT To proceed in reverse gear
with the cutting device engaged, it is necessary
to press and hold the consent button (par.
5.10) so as not to cause the engine to stop.
Lower the speed whenever you note a drop
in engine speed, since a forward speed that
is too fast compared to the amount of grass
being cut will never mow the grass well.
Disengage the cutting device and move the
cutting device assembly to the highest position:
– When moving between work areas
– When driving on grass free surfaces
– Every time it is necessary to
overcome an obstacle.
6.5.5 Suggestions for maintaining
a nice lawn
• To keep a lawn green and soft with a good
appearance, it should be cut regularly. A
lawn can be composed 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.). The frequency of mowing
should be in relation to the rate of growth of
the grass, which should not be left to grow
too much between one cut and the next.
• The 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 cut should be carried out with
the cutting device at the maximum height, and
the second cut at the desired height (fig. 26).
• If the cutting device are positioned too
low, they will tend to rip the grass out by
its roots, resulting in a "patchy" effect.
• During hot and dry periods, the grass
should be cut a little higher to prevent
the ground from drying out.
• It is always better to cut the grass when dry.
Do not cut grass when wet; this may reduce
the effectiveness of the cutting device, due
to the grass getting stuck to it, and result in
the grass being ripped out of the ground.
• The cutting device 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.
• The 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 discharge chute.
• If the discharge chute tends to get blocked
with grass, you should reduce the forward
speed as it may be too high for the condition
of the grass. If the problem persists, the
probable causes are either badly sharpened
cutting device or deformed fins.
• Be very careful when mowing near bushes
or kerbs as these could distort the horizontal
position of the cutting device assembly and
damage its edge as well as the cutting device.
6.5.6 Emptying the grass catcher (for
rear collection models only)
NOTE The emptying of the grass catcher
can only be done with the cutting device
disengaged, otherwise the engine stops.
• Do not let the grass catcher become too full
as this may block the discharge chute.
• When the grass catcher is full you
will hear a warning sound:
1. disengage the cutting device (par.
5.9) and the audible signal will stop;
2. shift the throttle control to minimum
"tortoise" speed position
3. stop moving forward and switch
to neutral (par. 5.2; par. 5.3);
4. engage the parking brake;
• Manual command
5. extract the lever (fig. 28.A)
and tip the grass catcher bag
up in order to empty it;
6. close the grass catcher again so
that it remains coupled to the pawl
(fig. 28.B) and replace the lever.
EN - 19