Craftsman 944.362200 Owner's Manual page 12

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 nec es sary 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 re duce
ground speed and/or run the lawn
mower over the area a sec ond time.
• For extremely heavy cutting, re duce the
width of cut by over lap ping previously
cut path and mow slowly.
• For better grass bagging and most cut-
ting conditions, the engine speed should
be set in the FAST po si tion.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers can
become fi lled with dirt and dust with use
and catchers will collect less grass. To
prevent this, reg u lar ly 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 fl ow 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 this manual.
• The special mulching blade will recut
the grass clip pings 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 bio de grade quick ly to
provide nu tri ents for the lawn. Always
mulch with your highest engine (blade)
speed as this will provide the best recut-
ting action of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet.
Wet grass tends to form clumps and
in ter feres with the mulch ing 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. If the lawn is over grown
it will be nec es sary to raise the height of
cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep
from over load ing the engine and leaving
clumps of mulched grass. For ex tremely
heavy grass, reduce your width of cut
by overlapping previously cut path and
mow slowly.
MAX 1/3
• Certain types of grass and grass
con di tions may re quire that an area be
mulched a second time to com pletely
hide the clip pings. When doing a sec-
ond cut, mow across (perpendicular) to
the fi rst 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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TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed
to a Sears Parts & Repair Center.
PROBLEM CAUSE
Excessive 1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
vibration
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
Starter rope 1. Engine fl ywheel brake is on
hard to pull when control bar is released.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
3. Blade adapter broken.
4. Blade dragging in grass.
5. Defective blade/brake clutch. 5. Replace blade/brake clutch.
Grass catcher 1. Cutting height too low.
not fi lling 2. Lift on blade worn off.
(If so equipped) 3. Catcher not venting air.
Hard to push 1. Grass is too high or wheel
height is too low.
2. Rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in grass.
3. Grass catcher too full.
4. Handle height position not
right for you.
Blade/brake 1. Defective blade control.
clutch does
not engage
Engine dies 1. Cold engine.
when starting
blade 2. Mower is in uncut grass.
Loss of drive 1. Belt wear.
or slowing of 2. Belt off of pulley.
drive speed 3. Drive cable worn or broken.
(if self-propelled) 4. "Loose" drive control system. 4. Adjust drive control.
CORRECTION
1. Replace blade. Tighten
blade bolt.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualifi ed service center.
1. Depress control bar to
upper handle before
pulling starter rope.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualifi ed service center.
3. Replace blade adapter.
4. Move lawn mower to cut
grass or to hard surface.
1. Raise cutting height.
2. Replace blade.
3. Clean grass catcher.
1. Raise cutting height.
2. Raise rear of lawn mower
housing one (1) setting
higher.
3. Empty grass catcher.
4. Adjust handle height to suit.
1. Replace blade/brake control.
1. Allow engine to warm up
for one minute.
2. Move mower to cleared area.
1. Check/replace drive belt.
2. Check/reinstall drive belt.
3. Replace drive cable.
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