Craftsman 917.377542 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
MOWINGTIPS
Under certain conditions, such as very
tall grass, it may be necessary to raise
the height of cut to reduce pushing effort
and to keep from overloading the engine
and leaving clumps of grass clippings. It
may also be necessary to reduce
ground speed and/or run the lawn
mower over the area a second time.
For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut by overlapping previously
cut path and mow slowly.
For better grass bagging and most
cutting conditions, the engine speed
should be set in the fast position.
When using a rear discharge lawn
mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of
cut grass may not enter the grass
catcher. Reduce ground speed (push-
ing speed) and/or run the lawn mower
over the area a second time.
If a trail of clippings is left on the right
side of a rear discharge mower, mow in
a clockwise direction with a small
overlap to collect the clippings on the
next pass.
Pores in cloth grass catchers can
become filled with dirt and dust with use
and catchers will collect less grass. To
prevent this, regularly hose catcher off
with water and let dry before using.
Keep top of engine around starter clear
and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air flow and extend
engine life.
MULCHING MOWING .TIPS
IMPORTANT: Forbest performance, keep
mower housingfree ofbuilt-upgrass and
trash. See "Cleaning" in Maintenance section
ofthis manual.
The spacialmulchingblade willrecutthe
grass clippingsmany limes and reduce
them in sizesothat as they fail ontothe
lawn theywilldisperse intothe grass and
not be noticed. Also, the mulched grasswill
biodegradequicldy to pro_de nutrientsfor
the lawn. Always mulch withyour highest
engine (blade)speed as this willprovidethe
best recuttingactionof the blades.
Avoid curlingyourlawn when itis wet. Wet
grass tends to form dumps and interferes
withthe mulchingaction. The best time to
mowyour lawn is the Party afternoon. At
this time the grass has dried and the newly
cut area will not be exposed to the direct
sun.
For best results, adjust the lawn mower
cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts
off only the top one-third of the grass blades.
If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary
to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing
effort and to keep from overloading the
engine and leaving clumps of mulched
grass. Forextremely heavy mulching,
reduce yourwidth ofcutby overlapping
previously cutpath and mow slewly.
Certain typas ofgrass and grass conditions
may requirethat an area be mulched a
seceed tJrnetocomplately hide the
cl'q0pings.Whan doinga secondcut, mow
across or perpendicular tothe firstcutpath.
Change your curlingpattern from week to
week. Mow north to southone week then
change to east to westthe next week. This
w_llhelp prevent matting and grainingofthe
lawn.
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