Craftsman EZ3 917.271121 Owner's Manual page 18

MULCHING MOWING TIPS
mPORTAN'r'. Forbest p erformance, keep
mower housing free of bu_-up grass and
tra_-T'f. C lean after each use.
• 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 recut-
_--ting.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
aftemoon.-At-this time the grass has
dried and the newly cut area will not be
exposed to the direct sun.
• For best results, adjust the mower cut-
ting height so that the mower cuts off
only the top one-third of the grass
blades. For extremely heavy mulching,
reduce your width of cut on each pass
_n-_rm-o_v_-o. wly.
• Certain types of grass and grass condi-
tions may require that an area be
mulched a second time to completely
hide the clippings. When doing a sec-
ond cut, mow across or perpendicular to
the first cut path.
• Change your cutting pattem 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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