Scheppach MS173-51 Original Bedienungsanleitung Seite 33

• Note: In cold weather, it may be neces-
sary to repeat the starting process several
times.
Turn off the engine:
• To turn off the engine, release the drive
lever (2), then the engine brake lever (3)
and wait for the blades to stop.
• Pull the spark plug boot from the spark
plug (10) boot in order to prevent the
engine from restarting.
• Before you start the engine again, check
the cord for the engine brake. Check that
the cord is correctly fitted. If the cord is
kinked or damaged, it should be replaced.
Before mowing
Important information
• Make sure that you are properly dressed
when mowing. Wear sturdy, non-slip
footwear; do not wear sandals or tennis
shoes.
• Inspect the blade. A blade that is bent
or damaged in any other way must be
immediately exchanged for a genuine
replacement blade.
• Do not fill the fuel tank indoors, but rather
out in the open. Use a filling funnel and a
measuring jug. Wipe off any spilled petrol.
• Read and follow in the instructions in
the operating manual as well as the
information regarding the engine and
accessory equipment. Store the manual in
a place where it can be readily accessed
by other users of the machine.
• Exhaust gas is dangerous. Only start the
engine out in the open.
• Make sure that all the guards are fitted and
that they are in good working order.
• The machine should only be operated by
persons who are well informed with the
way it works, and who are in reasonably
good physical condition.
• It can be dangerous to mow the grass
when it is wet. Try to ensure that you only
mow the grass when it is dry.
• Advise children and others to keep well
away from the lawn mower.
• Never mow the grass in poor visibility.
• Remove all loose objects from the lawn
before you start mowing the grass.(Like
stones, toys, sticks and wires etc.)
Tips for proper mowing
m CAUTION! Never open the chute flap
when the catch bag has been detached
(to be emptied) and the engine is still
running. The rotating blade can cause
serious injuries!
Always carefully fasten the chute flap and
grass basket. Switch off the engine before
emptying the grass basket.
Always ensure that a safe distance (pro-
vided by the length of the long handles) is
maintained between the user and the mower
housing. Be especially careful when mow-
ing and changing direction on slopes and
inclines. Maintain a solid footing and wear
sturdy, non-slip footwear and long trousers.
Always mow along the incline (not up and
down).
For safety reasons, the lawn mower may not
be used to mow inclines whose gradient ex-
ceeds 15 degrees.
Use special caution when backing up and
pulling the lawn mower. Tripping hazard!
Mulching
In the mulching mode the cuttings are
shredded in the enclosed mower housing
and then spread back onto the lawn. It is
not necessary to gather and dispose of the
grass.
m Note! Mulching is only possible if the
lawn is relatively short.
To use the mulching function, disconnect
the debris bag (16), slide the mulching adap-
tor (Fig. 10-12 / 19) into the ejector opening
and close the ejector opening (15).
Mowing
Only use a sharp blade that is in good
condition. This will prevent the grass blades
from fraying and the lawn from turning
yellow.
Try to mow in straight lines for a nice,
clean look. Insodoing, the mowing swaths
should always overlap each other by a few
centimetres in order to avoid bare strips.
Keep the underside of the mower housing
clean and remove grass build-up. Deposits
not only make it more difficult to start the
mower; they decrease the quality of the
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