Craftsman 917.272281 owner manual Mulching Mowing Tips

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MOWING TIPS

Mower should be propedy leveled for

best mowing performance. See rl'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 tuming 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.

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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 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

only the top one-third of the grass cutting height so that the mower cuts off blades. For extremely heavy grass,

andreduceyourpaSSmowslowly,width of cut on each

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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 Icrrftsmrwi Limited Warranty on Craftsman Riding Equipment II. Slope Operation General OperationIII. Children IV. ServiceRemove obstacles such as recks, tree limbs, etc API-SF-SJ 3RODUCT SpecificationsRepair Agreement Customer ResponsibilitiesVideo Cassette To Remove Tractor from Carton Unpack Carton Adjust SeatCheck Battery To Convert to Bagging or Discharging Install Mulcher PlateCheck Deck Levelness Check Tire PressureCheck for Proper Position of ALL Belts Check Brake SystemO6 o @@@@@ Knowyour Tractor To USE Choke Control HOW to USE Your Tractor Engine To SET Parking BrakeMower Blades Ground DriveTo USE Cruise Control To Adjust Gauge WheelsTo Operate Mower To Operate on HillsMents To TransportBefore Starting the Engine Check Engine OIL Level ADD GasolinePurgetransmission Automatictransmission Warm UPMowing Tips Mulching Mowing TipsBefore Each USE Lubrication ChartGeneral Recommendations Tractor BatteryTransaxle Cooling To Clean Battery and TerminalsTransaxle Pump Fluid Engine LubricationAIR Filter Engine OIL FilterService or Adjustments CleaningInstall Mower To Remove GagedAlternate SIDE-TO-SIDE Adjustment Method To Level Mower HousingSIDE-TO-SIDE Adjustment with Bubble Level Belt Removal Belt InstallationBoth Front Plate Unks Must be Equal in Length To Replace Mower Blade Drive BeltTo Replace Motion Drive Belt To Adjust BrakeBelt Installation To Remove Wheel for Repairs To Adjust Steering Wheel ALIGN- MentFront Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBER Interlocks and Relays To Replace Headlight LampTo Replace Fuse To Remove Hood and Grill AS- SemblyTo Adjust Throttle Control Cable To Adjust CarburetorTo Adjust Choke Control EngineOther EngineBatiery Engine OILCorrection TroubleshootingchartCause Problem Troubleshooting ChartCorrection CauseProblem Cause Correction Tractor -- Model Number Schematic Electrical Tractor -- Model NumberKEY Part NO. NO. Description Tractor -- Model Number ElectricalTractor - Model Number 917.272281 Chassisand Enclosures KEY Part Description TRACTOR-- Model Number 917.272281 Chassis and EnclosuresTractor -- Model Number Grounddrive KEY PARr Tractor -- Model Number 917.272281 Steeringassembly Tractor - Model Number 917.272281 Steering Assembly Optional Equipment Tractor -- Model Number EngineSee Engine Breakdown KEY Part TRACTOR- Model Number SeatassemblyDecals Wheels & TiresTractor - Model Number Lift Assembly TRACTOR-- Model Number Lift Assembly Tractor -- Model Number Mower Deck Tractor -- Model Number Mowerdeck € z c Drag 878 742 =,T Gear-Governor 505 Tractor - Model NumberPage Page Suggested Guide for Sighting Slopes for Safe Operation Part