Maintenance And Care; Cutting Blade - Solo 554 Gebrauchsanweisung

Information about mowing
When mowing, observe all safety instructions
at the beginning of these operating
instructions.
Mowing (554/559)
Short and dry grass is best transported through the
discharge.
Please note:
- The shorter the grass cuttings, the better the
discharge;
- Grass which is too long or too wet may lead to the
mower clogging up.
Quality of cut
Grass length, density and moisture content determine
the quality of cut. Dry and reasonably short grass
provides ideal conditions for a clean cut. Wet grass may
also be mown, but quality of cut and collection
efficiency suffer. A sharp blade is a must for a clean,
perfect cut. A blunt blade (grass blades fray when cut,
the lawn turns yellow) must be sharpened (see chapter
"Blade"). Mow at a steady pace, in as straight a line as
possible; cut strips should overlap by a few centimetres,
which results in a clean pattern.
In case of long grass, first cut with a higher setting in
one direction and then across the first pattern with the
standard cutting height (Fig. 6).
Lawn care
Note: If, on account of the growth pattern,
the full engine power is not required, you
can select the Eco position between Max and
Min on the throttle control to protect the environment
and prevent unnecessary emissions. If possible, mow
only when the lawn or ground is dry. When the ground
is damp, the wheels press into the turf and leave tracks
behind. The more frequently a lawn is mowed (ideally
every week), the better and more even its appearance.
Frequent cutting encourages growth in the blade,
making it more resistant. Short cuttings up to approx. 1
cm in length can be left on the lawn; collect longer
cuttings. In spring, make the first cut and clean the lawn
approx. 2 – 3 weeks before growth really starts. To
encourage your lawn to turn green early, cut only
approx. 1.5 cm of dormant grass. Before mowing, search
the lawn for debris (stones, shards, metal objects, etc.).
Never cut thin or young lawn too short (leave 3 – 4 cm
blade height standing). Maintain this cut for 4 – 5 weeks to
encourage the lawn to grow horizontally and to gain
density. Never cut your lawn too short in the dry and hot
season to prevent it from drying out or becoming parched.
For mulching (Type 559M), grass should neither be too wet
nor too long. For best mulching results set the central
height adjuster to a cutting height of 4cm or higher. During
maximum growth periods it is also recommended to mulch
the lawn twice per week. Your walking speed should be
adjusted to the mowing conditions. Do not walk or drive
too quickly. This will allow the mulching blade to finely
shred all grass clippings and ensure an excellent finish. As
with all mowing jobs, a sharp cutting blade is required for
mulching. The special mulching blade with 4 offset cutting
edges cuts the grass progressively. With the housing insert
obstructing the normal grass discharge, the clippings are
finely shredded and blown back into the lawn to decom-
pose completely between grass roots.

Maintenance and care

For your personal safety, always remove the
spark plug (item 11) cap before undertaking
any maintenance or cleaning work. Any
work beyond that described as maintenance
and care should be carried out by your local
authorised service workshop.
Cleaning the mower
Thoroughly clean the mower after every use;
particularly underneath the cutting deck, the blade and
the area surrounding the blade (Fig. 7).
Note: Four-stroke lawnmowers may only be tipped for a
short time onto that side, which is identified on the chassis
by a special label. Particularly observe the details in the
separate engine operating instructions. First remove the
spark plug cap and either use up all fuel or drain it. Catch
any fuel, which may escape from the carburettor, with a
rag. Dirt and grass cuttings are easiest removed straight
after mowing has been finished. Stubborn grass residues
and dirt deposits underneath the mower deck impair the
grass discharge and reduce the quality of cut. Any dirt
deposits on the blade cause imbalance and therefore
vibrations. You can clean the discharge chute with a small
stick or screwdriver. Never clean the mower with a water
hose or high pressure cleaner. The engine should always
stay dry. The outer deck components can easily be kept
clean with a cloth. Never use aggressive cleaning agents,
such as cold cleaning fluids or "thinners".

Cutting blade

For safety reasons, ask an authorised service
shop to sharpen, balance and fit your
cutting blade. The following instructions are
therefore for the service shop.
Note: For optimum mowing results, we recommend to
have your cutting blade sharpened/balanced or
replaced at least once per year.