Murray 22" Front Drive - Manual (Page 14)

PREPARATION
14
F-050442L
MODELS WITH OPTIONAL MULCHER PLATE
MULCHER PLATE
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
WARNING: Before you remove
or install the mulcher kit, discon-
nect the wire to the spark plug.
On some models the mulcher kit is installed at
the factory. To convert from a mulcher to a side
discharge, remove the mulcher plate.
A side discharge mower can be converted to a
mulching mower by installing the mulcher
plate as follows:
1. Raise the chute deflector (Figure 8).
Figure 8
Chute
Deflector
Mulcher Plate
Tab
Bump
2. Align the mulcher plate with the side dis-
charge opening. Make sure that the two
alignment bumps are inside of the open-
ing.
3. Mount the tab on the top of the mulcher
plate to the inside of the mower housing.
4. Mount the tab on the bottom of the mul-
cher plate to the inside of the mower
housing (Figure 9).
Figure 9
Chute
Deflector
Mulcher Plate
Tab
Bump
5. Lower the chute deflector.
6. Attach the wire to the spark plug.
MULCHING TIPS
Mulching finely cuts the grass so that the grass
can be easily recycled. Because the nutrients
are returned to the soil, the lawn will need less
fertilizer. To correctly mulch the lawn, follow
the tips below.
S The grass must be dry. If the grass is wet,
it will be difficult to cut and cause heavy
clumps of grass.
S The grass must not be too tall. The maxi-
mum height to effectively cut is 4 1/2 in-
ches. Set the height adjusters so that only
the top third of the grass is cut.
S If the grass is more than 4 1/2 inches high,
two mowings will be necessary. For the first
mowing, set the height adjusters in the
highest position. Then, lower the height ad-
justers for the second mowing.
S Keep a sharp edge on the blade. A blade
that is not sharp will cause the ends of the
grass to become brown.
S Clean the underside of the mower housing.
Grass and other debris can keep the mow-
er from working correctly.
If the quality of cut is marginal, try the
following:
S Set the height adjusters at a higher cutting
height.
S Cut the grass more frequently.
S Operate the mower at a slower ground
speed.
S Overlap the cutting swaths instead of cut-
ting a full swath with each pass.
S Mow across the marginal areas a second
time.