Snow Joe MJ502M Mow Joe 20-Inch Manual Reel Mower with Grass Catcher Manual - Manual (Page 9)

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3. Following this rule will stimulate the turf’s root growth,
maintain its health, and encourage its natural ability to
crowd out unwanted weeds.
Tall grass requires incremental cutting
1. For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at the
mower's maximum setting for the first pass, and then
reset it to the desired height and mow a second or third
time (Fig. 12).
2. Removing too much of the turf’s height, especially in the
heat of summer, can cause root shock and weaken the
lawn; bringing down the height by successive mowing
over two or more days can avoid this damage and
maintain the health of the turf.
3. If the lawn is overgrown (to higher than 4 inches) it may be
necessary to use a brush cutter to remove the excess turf
mass before resuming mowing at normal heights.
NOTE: Do not cover the grass surface with a heavy layer
of clippings. Consider using a grass collection system and
starting a compost pile.
Care and Maintenance
1. Minimum care is required to ensure smooth operation of
your mower.
2. To avoid damage to the mower or cutting blades, keep the
area to be mowed free from debris.
3. For best results, regularly apply lubricant to the mower’s
cutting surfaces, cutting reel axle shaft, and wheels.
Sharpening the Cutting Blades
1. Spread a thin layer of lapping compound on the front edge
of the reel blades.
2. Adjust the cutting bar so that the blade has light but firm
contact across the full width of the bar.
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CAUTION!
Do not overtighten the adjusting screws, as
this could damage the cutting bar. Tighten both screws during
final adjustment.
3. Turn the reel blades until the front edge of the cutting bar
blade is polished.
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WARNING! Clean any grinding compound or debris
from the cutting bar blade, reel blade, pinions, and pawls.
NOTE: Use industrial or valve lapping compound between 100
and 240 grit.
NOTE: Lubricate the axle and pinion with a light film of wheel
bearing grease.
Cleaning and Storage
1. Clean the exterior of the machine thoroughly using a soft
brush and cloth before storing. Do not use water, solvents,
or polishes.
2. Turn the mower on its side to clean the blade area.
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WARNING! Do not place your hands inside or near the
cutting area. If grass cuttings are compacted in the blade area,
remove them using a wood or plastic cleaning tool appropriate
for blade cleaning.
3. Store the mower in a dry place. Do not place other objects
on top of the mower during storage.
Maintenance Tips
Reel mowers are relatively low maintenance. For consistent
cutting, follow the below instructions:
• Always keep the cutting bar properly adjusted. Refer to the
instruction manual for further directions.
• Regularly clean and lubricate cutting edges with light spray
oil.
IMPORTANT! Reel mowers have difficulty cutting tall weeds,
such as dandelions, and will often bend, rather than cut, such
weeds. Cut often to prevent this.
Service and Support
If your Sun Joe ® Mow Joe manual reel mower with grass
catcher requires service or maintenance, please call the
Snow Joe ® + Sun Joe ® customer service center at
1-866-SNOWJOE (1-866-766-9563).
Model and Serial Numbers
When contacting the company or reordering parts, you will
need to provide the model and serial numbers of your product.
These are found on the decal affixed to the housing of your reel
mower with grass catcher. Copy these numbers into the space
provided below.
Cut here on
first pass
Cut here on
second pass
Fig. 12
Record the following numbers from the housing or handle of your
new product:
M J 5 0 2 M
Model #:
Serial #: