18 Section 3 — controlS & operation
Reconfigurable Mower
Inner Baffle
Discharge
Baffle Cutting Blades Gauge Wheels Front Roller Rear Rollers
Standard set-up Installed Installed Hi-lift Low = 3 to 5” Low = 3 to 5” Low = 3 to 5”
Stems (Dandelion, Bahia, Buckhorn, etc.) Removed Installed Hi-lift
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
Very lush &/or tall grass Removed Installed Hi-lift
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
Low cut height (1 to 2”) Installed Installed Low-lift High = 1 to 2-⁄” High = 1 to 2-⁄” High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Mulch Installed Removed Hi-lift/Mulch
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
Material collection Installed Installed Hi-lift
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
Abrasive (sandy), dry Removed Installed Low-lift
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
Wet Installed Installed Hi-lift
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
High = 1 to 2-⁄”
Low = 3 to 5”
Table Notes: This table is a general outline of suggested settings, mowing conditions may vary.
Inner Baffle: The inner baffle regulates grass discharge. Remove the inner baffle for high-volume grass and install the inner baffle for precision cutting.
Discharge Baffle: The discharge baffle enhances the grass discharge pattern. The discharge baffle reduces clumping and should be removed for mulching.
Cutting Blades: The cutting blades cut grass, create grass lift and discharge grass through the discharge chute.
Gauge Wheels: The gauge wheels reduce scalping, help with precision cutting and reduce turf defacement during turns.
Front Roller (If equipped): The front roller reduces scalping, helps with precision cutting and reduces turf defacement during turns.
Rear Rollers: The rear rollers reduce scalping and gives grass a striped appearance.
NOTE: To avoid damaging grass, no more than ⁄ of the grass height should be removed during a single cutting (i.e. if the grass is 6” tall, cut it to 4”).
Mower Cutting Blades
The blades normally factory installed on a mower 
afford the best grass cutting performance on 
the majority of grasses and mowing conditions; 
however, there will be occasions whereby the grass 
type, stage of grass growth, soil conditions and 
weather conditions will require different cutting 
blade types. Since the mower decks are designed 
so that over-lap of the cutting blades generally 
exceed 1.5”, there is no need for orientation of one 
cutting blade to an adjacent blade (i.e., the blades 
do not need to be “timed” nor synchronized).
Hi-lift — These are generally the best cutting 
blades for most grasses and mowing conditions. 
The Hi-Lift blades are the factory installed blades 
on these tractors. These blades will provide extra 
“lift” for the thinner leaf grasses, will handle lush 
grasses, and will provide maximum grass and 
debris discharge. These blades are generally 
required for material collection systems. More 
horsepower is required for these blades when 
compared to others, and they generally produce 
the highest noise levels.
Medium-lift — These blades require less 
horsepower than the hi-lift, and they generally 
work well in wider leaf grasses and some 
mulch applications.
Low-lift  — These blades require less horsepower 
than hi-lift and medium-lift blades, and they generally 
work best with wide leaf grasses, sparse grass growth, 
and sandy soil conditions. They produce the lowest 
noise levels. Low-lift blades are configured without 
offset, and with a maximum amount of sharpened 
cutting edge.
Mulch — These blades are generally designed for 
use in cutting decks equipped with mulch baffles. 
The shape of the blade generally produces higher 
turbulence in order that the grass can be repeatedly 
cut and re-cut into smaller pieces. These blades 
generally require more horsepower than other 
blades. Mulch blades work best when the grasses are 
cut at the highest levels, minimal lengths of grasses 
are removed and grass conditions are generally dry.
Note: Refer to the Attachment & Accessories 
section for a list of part numbers.