Craftsman EZ3 917.377271 Owner's Manual page 10

OPERATaO
TO START ENGINE
o To start a cold engine, push primer' five (5) times
before trying to start Use a firm push. This step
is not usually necessary when starting an engine
which has already run fera few minutes°
- Move engine speed control lever to fast (,@)
position.
o Hold operator presence control bar down to the
handle and pu!l starter handle quickly., Do not
allow starter rope to snap back,
• To stop engine, refease operator presence con-
trol bar.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to
repeat priming steps, In warmer weather over prim-
ing may cause flooding and engine wilt not start if
you do flood engine, wait a few minutes before at-
tempting to start and do not repeat priming sleps
GASOLINE FtLLER CAP
ENGINE OIL CAP
WtDIPSTICK
FIG. 9
MOWnNG TaPS
• Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, itmay
be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing
effort and to keep from overloading the engine and
ieaving clumps of grass clipping&
° For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut and
raise the rear of the lawn mower housing one (1) wheel
adjuster setting higher'than the front for better discharge
of gras&
. 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_n 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 grass clippings is left on the right side of a rear
discharge lawn mower, mow in a clockwise direction with
a small overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of
grass clippings and chaff, This will help engine air flow
and extend engine Iife.
o Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled with dirt
and dust with use and catchers wit] colfect less grass. To
preventthis, regularly hose catchers offwith waterand let
dry before using.
IVIULCHING MOWING TaPS
IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP
MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT=UP GRASS AND
TRASH. SEE "CLEANING" IN CUSTOMER
RESPONSIBILITIES SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.
The special mulching blade wilf recut the grass
clippings many times and reduce them in size so
that as they fall onto the lawn they wilt disperse
into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the
mulched grass wi!l biodegrade quickly to provide
nutrients for the lawn.. &lways mulch with your
highest engine (b!ade) _peed as this wi!l provide
the be_t tecutting action of the blades
o 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 and the newly cut mea will not be exposed
to the direct sun
o 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 (See Fig. 10). if the
lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the
height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep
from over!oading the engine and leaving clumps
of mulched grass_ For extremely heavy mulching,
reduce your width of cut by overlapping previ-
eL,sly cut path and mow slowly.
o 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 or perpendicular to the
first cut path
o 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 gra;ning of the lawn,,
MAX 1/3
FIG. 10
10