Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.387101 Operator's Manual

MOWING TIPS
• For most cutting conditions and better
bagging performance, the engine speed
should be set in the fast position.
• Under certain conditions, such as when
mowing very tall grass, raise the mower
height on the first cut to reduce pushing
effort, to avoid overheating the engine,
and to avoid leaving clumps of grass
clippings. Make the second cut to the
desired height.
• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut.
• For side discharge lawn mowers, cut in
a counterclockwise direction, starting at
the outside of the area to be cut, in
order to spread grass clippings more
evenly and to put less load on the
engine. To keep clippings off of
walkways, flower beds, etc., make the
first cuts in a clockwise direction.
• 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 grass clipping is left on the
right side of a rear discharge lawn
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 the catcher will collect less grass.
To prevent this, regularly hose catcher
off with water and let dry before use.
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FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY-
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep
mower housing free of built-up grass and
trash. See "CLEANING" in the
Maintenance section of this manual
• The special mulching blade will recut
the grass clippings many times and
reduce them in size so that as they fall
onto the lawn they will disperse into the
grass and not be noticed. Also, the
mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to
provide nutrients for the lawn. Always
mulch with your highest engine (blade)
speed as this will provide the best
recurring action of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet.
Wet grass tends to form clumps and
interferes with the mulching action. The
best time to mow your lawn is the early
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. For extremely
heavy mulching, reduce your width of
cut by overlapping previously cut path
and mow slowly.
• Certain types of grass and grass
conditions may require that an area be
mulched a second time to completely
hide the clippings. When doing a
second cut, mow across or perpendicu-
lar to the first cut path.
• Change your cutting pattern from week
to week. Mow north to south one week
then change to east to west the next
week. This will help prevent matting
and graining of the lawn.
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