Operating Tips; Mowing Tips - Craftsman 14HQ006 Quick Reference Manual

OPEraTiNG TiPs

MOwiNG TiPs

CautIOn: Do NoT use de-thatcher blade attachments on your
mower. Such attachments are hazardous, will damage your
mower, and could void your warranty.
• 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.
• 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 the Maintenance section of the
operator's 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 recutting 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, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• 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
(Figure A). 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 (perpendicular) to the first
cut path.
• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to
south one week, then east to west the next week. This will help
prevent matting and graining of the lawn.
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FIGURE A
MAX 1/3