STIHL AMK 043.1 mulch blade lawn mower Instruction Manual

: June 5, 2024
: STIHL

Table of Contents

STIHL AMK 043.1 mulch blade lawn mower
Instruction manual
For your safety
Standard equipment
Assembly
Mulch insert
Mulching instructions
- How should mulching be performed?
Maintenance
Standard spare parts
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STIHL AMK 043.1 mulch blade lawn mower

STIHL-AMK-043.1-mulch-blade-lawn-
mower-product

Instruction manual

AMK 043, AMK 048 mulching kits

With a mulching kit, a conventional lawn mower can be converted into a multi-power.
For this purpose, the mowing blade must be replaced with the multiblade. A multi-mower can be used as a grass collector (with grass catcher box), a rear discharge mower (with discharge flap closed), or as a mulching mower (with a mulching key).

For your safety

Observe the instruction manual for the lawn mower, particularly the “For your safety” and “Maintenance” sections. The instructions for blade maintenance must always be observed.
Disconnect the spark plug socket (RM), mains plug (RME) or safety plug (RMA)m before performing any work on the lawn mower.
Before each use, perform a visual check to ensure that the mulch insert, multi-blade and blade fastening are in good condition.
Only use the mulch insert in conjunction with the multi-blade.

Risk of death from suffocation: Packaging material is not a toy -danger of suffocation! Keep packaging material away from children.

Standard equipment

Item Designation

A Mulch insert 1
B Multi-blade 1
C RM/RMA blade fastening screw
D RME blade fastening screw (AMK 043 only)
E Retaining washer 1
- Instruction manual

Assembly

Installing the multi-blade

Remove the mowing blade (see illustration and instruction manual for lawn mower). Discard the blade fastening screw and if necessary the spring washer.
Clean the blade contact surface and blade bushing.
Assemble the multi-blade: Hook the upper blade (B1) into the lower blade (B2) as shown in the illustration.
Ensure that the bores in both blades are aligned.
Fit the multi-blade (B) with the curved wings pointing upwards (towards the mower) onto the blade bushing.
Use a suitable wooden block (1) to counter hold the multi-blade (B).
Apply Loctite 243 to the thread of the blade fastening screw (C) or blade fastening screw (D).
RM 443, RM 448, RMA 443, RMA 448: Screw in the blade fastening screw (C) together with the retaining washer (E) – observe convexity – and tighten to a torque of 60 – 65 Nm.
RME 443: Screw in the blade fastening screw (D) and tighten to a torque of 10 – 15 Nm.

Mulch insert

Inserting the mulch insert:

Open the discharge flap and hold it open.
Insert the mulch insert (A) in the discharge chute and press from above until both retaining lugs (1) audibly engage in the housing (see illustration).
Close the discharge flap. The lawn mower is ready for mulching.

Removing the mulch insert

Open the discharge flap and hold it open.
Lift the detent catch (2). Pull the mulch insert diagonally upwards out of the discharge chute.
For use as a rear discharge mower, close the discharge flap, for grass collecting, attach the grass catcher box.

Mulching instructions

General information

During mulching, the cut grass is chopped up several times through a special air flow guidance system in the mower blade area and then blown back into the turf. The clippings remain on the lawn. The decomposing clippings return organic nutrients to the soil, serving as a natural fertiliser. Emptying the grass catcher box and disposal of the clippings are dispensed with. Weed growth is slowed down and significant amounts of fertilizer are saved.

How should mulching be performed?

Frequency

At least twice a week in the spring (main period of growth) and at least once a week in the summer and autumn.
Cutting height: Remove approximately one third of the grass height, only use cutting heights 3 to 6.
Mulch the lawn when dry.
Work with well-sharpened blades.
Vary the mowing direction and ensure that the mowing strips overlap.
Always cut very high grass in stages.

Maintenance

Blade maintenance

Instructions on blade maintenance can be found in the instruction manual for the lawn mower and also apply for the multi-blade. Installation of the multi-blade is described in the “Assembly” section ( 3.1).
Before each use, place the machine in the cleaning position, clean the multi-blade and check it for damage (notches, cracks) and wear; replace if necessary.
Use a slide calliper to check the blade thickness (> 2 mm) of the lower and upper blades (1) at several points.
Use a ruler (2) to check the blade width (> 40 mm) of the lower and upper blades.