Craftsman 917.272464 owner manual Mulching Mowing Tips

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MOWING TIPS

Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See 'q'O

LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the

Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

The left hand side of mower should be used for trimming.

Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has already been

cut. Have the cut area to the right of the tractor. This will result in a more

even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting.

When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished.

f

If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and

possible fire hazard from dried clip- pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height.

Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing.

Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper discharge of material. Regulate ground speed by selecting a low enough gear to give the mower cutting performance as well as the quality of cut desired.

When operating attachments, select a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the attachment being used.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. Clean 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 recutting 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 mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades. For extremely heavy grass, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly.

Max 1/3

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.

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Contents Sears Craftsman Help Line Am 5 pro, Mon Sat IcraftsmaniSafety Limited Warranty on Craftsman Riding EquipmentLimited Warranty on Battery ScheduleII. Slope Operation General OperationMow up and down slopes, not across IV. ServicePage Repair Agreement Product SpecificationsCustomer Responsibilities API-SF-SJ11/4-Locknut20 Check Battery Tools Required for AssemblyTo Remove Tractor from Carton Unpack CartonInstall Seat Check Brake System Install Mulcher PlateTo Convert to Bagging or Discharging Failure to follow instructions H L I,,IKnowyour Tractor To USE Choke Control HOW to USE Your TractorTo Operate on Hills To Adjust Gauge WheelsTo Operate Mower To TransportBefore Starting the Engine MentsCheck Engine OIL Level ADD GasolineAutomatic Transmission Warm UP Purge TransmissionMulching Mowing Tips Mowing TipsGeneral Recommendations Lubrication ChartBefore Each USE Check engine oil levelOperator Presence System Blade Center Edge Up Hole Flat Washer Mandrel AssemblyBlade Care Blade RemovalBelts BatteryTransaxle Pump Fluid Engine LubricationClean AIR INTAKE/COOLING Areas Clean AIR ScreenEngine OIL Filter AIR FilterMuffler CleaningSpark Plugs IN-LINE Fuel FilterLarge To Install MowerTo Remove Mower SIDE-TO-SIDE Adjustment To Level Mower HousingBelt Installation To Replace Mower Blade Drive BeltBrake needs to be adjusted or the pads need to be replaced To Check and Adjust BrakePulley With Parking BrakeTo Adjust Steering Wheel ALIGN- Ment Transaxle Motion Control Lever Neutral AdjustmentTransmission REMOVAL/REPLACE- Ment Front Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBERTo Replace Fuse To Replace Headlight BulbInterlocks and Relays Engine To Adjust CarburetorTo Remove Hood and Grill AS- Sembly CableFuel System EngineEngine OIL CylindersCausecorrection Troubleshooting ChartProblem Correction CausePoorcut-uneven LevelRoblem Cause Correction Troubleshooting ChartFast OFFStarter Tractor --MODELNUMBER SchematicElectrical TRACTOR-- ModelnumberKEY Part NO, NO,DESCRIPTION Tractor --MODEL Number ElectricalTRACTOR-- Modelnumber 917.272464 Chassis and Enclosures KEY Part Description Tractor --MODEL Number Chassis and EnclosuresTractor - Model Number Ground Drive TRACTOR-- Modelnumber Grounddrive Tractor - Model Number 917.272464 Steering Assembly KEY Part NO. NO. Description Tractor --MODEL Number 917.272464 Steering AssemblySpark Arrester Tractor - Model Number EngineOptional Equipment UNF TRACTOR-- Modelnumber EngineKEY Part Tractor - Model Number Seat AssemblyWheels & Tires KEY Part Tractor - Model NumberDecals Tractor --MODEL Number Liftassembly Tractor - Model Number Liftassembly TRACTOR-- Modelnumber Mowerdeck UNC Tractor --MODEL Number Mower DeckMo rrt1 Zl =Ow Spring Clip Housing Thrust Check Plug AssemblyFilter Assembly Fan Pulley Service Assembly929 t Page Oos Tractor --MODEL Number KEY Part NO. NO.DESCRIPTION Page Page Suggested Guide for Sighting Slopes for Safe Operation A. and Canada Anytime, day or night