Mowing Tips; Mulching Mowing Tips - Craftsman 550 Series Owner's Manual

1. To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before trying to start. Use a firm
push. This step is not usually necessary
when starting an engine which has al-
ready run for a few minutes.
2. Hold operator presence control bar down
to the han dle and pull starter handle
quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap
back.
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.

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 over load ing the en gine
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 pre vi ous ly cut
path and mow slowly.
• For side discharge operation, cut in a
coun ter clock wise di rec tion, start ing at the
outside of the area to be cut, in order to
spread grass clip pings more evenly and
to put less load on the engine. To keep
clip pings off of walkways, flower beds,
etc., make the first cuts in a clock wise
direction.
• If a trail of grass clipping is left on the
right side of the lawn mower during rear
discharge operation, 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 catch-
ers 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 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 recutting 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 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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