Craftsman 917.377543 Owner's Manual page 9

_OWING TIPS
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 mqwer 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.
When using a rear discharge lawn
mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of
cut grass may not enter the grass
catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing
speed) and/or run the lawn mower over
the area a second time.
If a trail of'clippings is left on the right
side of a rear discharge 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 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 ll_erfo_, keep
mower housing free of built-up grass and
trash. See "Cleaning" in Maln[enanca section
of this manual.
• The special mulching blade will recut the
grass clippingsmany Umes and reduce
them in size so that as they fall onto the
lawn they w111 disperse into the grass and
not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will
blodegrade quiddy to provide nutrientsfor
the lawn. Always mulch with your highest
engine (blade) speed as this willprovide the
best recuttingaction of the blades.
• Avoid cuttingyour lawn when it is weL Wet
grass tends to form dumps and interferes
with the mulching action. T_ best lime 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 resuits, adjust the lawn mower
cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts
off only the top one-third of the grass blades.
Ifthe 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 conddJons
may require that an area be mulched a
second time to completely hide the
dippings. W hendoing a second cut,mow
across or perpendicular to the first cutpath.
• Change yourcuWng p attern from weekto
week. Mow north to south one week then
change to east to west the next week. This
will help prevent matting and greJningof the
lawn.
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