Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.272951 Owner's Manual

This may require an engine warm-up
pedod from several seconds to several
minutes, depending on the tempera-
ture.
• The attachments can be used during
the engine warm-up pedod and may
require the choke control be putted out
slightly.
NOTE: A high altitude (above 3000 feet)
or in cold temperatures (below 32 F) the
carburetor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance.
See ,TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
MOWING TIPS
• Tire chains cannot be used when the
mower housing is attached to tractor.
• Mower should be properly leveled for
best mowing performance. See "TO
LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
• Use the runner on the right side of the
mower as a guide. The blade cuts
approximately an inch outside the •
runner.
• The left hand side of mower should be
used for trimming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged
onto the area that has been cut. Have
the cut area to the right of the tractor.
This will result in a more even distfibu- •
tion of clippings and more uniform
cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by
turning to the right so that clippings will
discharge away from shrubs, fences,
driveways, etc. After one or two
rounds, mow in the opposite direction
making left hand tums until finished.
• if grass is extremely tall, it should be
mowed twice to reduce load and
possibla fire hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make first cut relatively high; the
second to the desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet
grass will plug mower and leave
undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry
before mowing.
• Always operate englne at full throttle
when mowlng to assure better mowing
performance and proper discharge of
material. Regulate ground speed by
selecting a low enough gear to give the
mower cutting performance es well as
the quality of cut desired.
17
• When operating attachments, select a
ground speed that will suit the terrain
and give best performance of the
attachment being used.
[
j •
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keel
mower housing free of built-up grass ant
trash. Clean after each use.
• The special mulching blade will recut th_
grass clippings many times and reducq
them in size so that as they fall onto th_
lawn they will disperse into the grass an_
not be noticed. Also, the mulched gras:
will biodegrade quickly to provide nutri
entsfor thelawn. Always mulch with you_
highest engine (blade) speed as this wil
provide the best reoutting action of th_
blades.
Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet
Wet grass tends to form clumps an(
interferes with the mulching action. Th_
best time to mow your lawn is the earl_
afternoon. At this time the grass ha.,
dded and the newly cut area will not b_
exposed to the direct sun.
For best results, adjust the mower cutting.
height so that the mower cuts off only th_
top one-third of the grass blades. Fo
extremely heavy mulching, reduce you
width of cut on each pass and mov
slowly.
• Certain types of grass and grass condi
tions may require that an area be mulchec
a second time to completely hide the
clippings, When doing a second cut
mow across or perpendicular to the firsl
cut path.
• Change your cutting pattem from weeF
to week. Mow north to south one weeF
then change to east to west the ne×
week. This will help prevent matting an€
graining of the lawn.