Swisher AZ Series - Manual (Page 16)

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MULCHING MOWERS
(Models ending in “M”)
To adjust your mower for mulching, make sure your
discharge chute is closed so grass clippings cannot
escape and may be cut several times. To close the
chute, slide the chute TOWARD the mowing deck and
tighten the knob.
Your Swisher Mulching Mower has the built-in flex-
ibility to convert into a regular side discharge mower
within seconds. When grass has grown too tall for
mulching, you should use the side-discharge feature.
Change from Mulching Mower to Side
Discharge Feature:
WARNING! ALWAYS REMEMBER TO
TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE AND
BLADES BEFORE OPENING OR CLOS-
ING THE SIDE CHUTE!
• Open the quick-change chute by unscrewing the
knob located on the right side of the mower deck.
(The chute is spring loaded and will open gently.)
• After mowing with the chute open, close the chute
and make another pass over the grass clippings in
order to mulch them into fine clippings.
HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE MULCHING:
The key to effective mulching is to MOW OFTEN.
Grass which has grown abnormally long cannot be
mulched properly; attempting to mulch grass which
is too long will result with the grass clippings clump-
ing and leaving your lawn a mess.
It is important for the health of your lawn to insure
you do NOT cut your grass too short. Cutting the
grass less than one inch can weaken the grass and in-
creases the possibility of weeds and pests injuring your
lawn.
SWEEPER/COLLECTOR
MOWERS
(Models ending in “S”)
The Sweeper Mower can provide a manicured fin-
ish for your lawn if properly used. To obtain the
best results possible, you should consider the
height, type and condition of your grass and the
speed at which you mow. Remember, the sweeper
mechanism is automatically engaged any time the
blades are engaged.
MOWING HINTS
- As with all collecting sys-
tems, your Sweeper will achieve maximum effi-
ciency if you do not allow the grass to grow too
high. Mowing regularly will not only enhance the
appearance of your lawn, but will reduce the num-
ber of times you need to empty the collector.
After the initial mowing with this mower, you may
notice areas of grass that appear to be cut unevenly.
As grass undergrowth usually grows outward in-
stead of upward, the Sweeper must lift the grass
blades before cutting. A second mowing of the
uneven areas should help the appearance. Regu-
lar mowing with your Sweeper Mower will help
prevent undergrowth from reestablishing; this will
encourage a thicker and healthier lawn.
STRIPING
- You can achieve the same “strip-
ing” for your lawn with your Swisher Mower as
the professionals do on baseball fields or golf
courses. To do this, mow in a back and forth man-
ner - cutting in the opposite direction and directly
against the previously mowed path. The brushes
sweep the grass of alternate paths in opposite di-
rections.
POSITIONING AND REMOVING
COLLECTOR
- When placing the collector on
the mower, lift the deflector covering to the rear
discharge opening of the mower and place the arms
of the collector securely into the respective slots.
The collector is easily removed for storage or for
mowing without the collector; simply lift the arms
of the collector simultaneously out of the slots.
Make certain the deflector shield covers the rear
discharge opening of the mower after removing
the bag.