Craftsman 38872 owner manual To Stop Engine, Mulching Mowing Tips

TO_TART ENGINE

NOTE: Due to protectivecoatings on the engine, a small amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of the product and should be considered normal.

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 already run far a few minutes.

2.Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

TO STOP ENGINE

•To stop engine, release operator presence control bar,

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps. In warmer weather over pdming 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.

MOWlNGTIPS

•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 fawn mower over the area a second time.

•For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut by ovedapp'mgpreviously cut path and mow slowly.

•For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast p(_ition.

•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 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 recutUng 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 afternoon. 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 lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades. If the 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 dumps of mulched grass. For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut, mow slowly and raise the rear of the lawn mower one wheel

adjuster setting higher than the front.

•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 perpendicu- lar 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.