Craftsman 917.37945 Owner's Manual page 10

IMPORTANT: Do
not crank engine more
than five continous seconds between
each time you try to start. Wait 5 to 10
seconds between each attempt.
1. To start engine using the auxiliary
starter handle, follow the steps above.
Exchange the use of the start key for
starter handle. Pull starter handle
quickly. Do not allow starter rope to
snap back.
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, release operator
presence control bar.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat priming steps. In
warmer weather over priming may cause
flooding and engine will not start. If you
do flood engine wait a few minutes before
attempting to start and do not repeat
priming steps.
MOWINGTIPS
• Under certain conditions, such as very
tail 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
(pushing speed) and/or run the lawn
mower over the area a second time.
• If a trail of clippings is left on the dght
side of a rear discharge mower, mow in
a clockwise direction with a small
ovedap 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: For best performance,
keep mower housing free of built-up
grass and trash. See "Cleaning" in
MAINTENANCE section of this manual.
• The special mulchingblade will reout the
grass clippings many times and reduce
them in size so that as they fall ontothe
lawn they will disperse into the grass and
not be noticed.Also, the mulched grass will
biedegrade quicklyto provk:lanutrientsfor
the lawn. Always mulch with your highest
engine (blade) speed as this will provide
the best recuttJng actionof the blades.
• Avoidcuttingyour lawn when it is wet. Wet
grass tendsto form clumps and interferes
with the mulchingaction.The best time to
mow your lawn is the early aftemcon. 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
cuttingheight so that the lawn mower cuts
off onlythe top one-thi,'d of the grass
blades. If the lawn is overgrown it will be
necessary to raisethe height of cut to
reduce pushing effortand to keep from
overloading the engine and leaving
clumps of mulched grass. For extremely
heavy mulching,reduce your width of cut
by overlappingpreviouslycut path and
mow slowly.
• Certain types of grass and grass condi-
tions may require that an area be mulched
a second time to completely hide the
clippings. When doing a second cut, mow
across or perpendicular to the first cut path.
• Change your cutting pattem from week to
week. Mow nor_ to south one week then
change to east to west the next week. This
will help prevent matting and grainingof
the lawn.
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