igor, if you had the speed control set halfway it should have been running at about 2,400 rpm, compared with 3,000 rpm maximum, and it will have opened its throttle wide whenever necessary. The control only changes the speed, not the maximum throttle setting. If it will do a good job at 2,400 that is excellent - I think that is about the speed most of us use when we can, and only go higher when we need the higher maximum power it can develop at maximum speed. I always feel as if the mower will last longer when I don't rev it hard.
Not so sure about mowing without a catcher. I used to do it long ago but found the cut grass formed into clumps, and soon afterward the lawn seemed to be in clumps too - it didn't grow under the clumps of grass, and they settled down and locked themselves in. It might be different in Queensland, you get the rain at a different time of year.
