Craftsman 917.270962 owner manual Mulching Mowing Tips

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Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed. With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch/ brake pedal.

Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the tractor moves

approximately five (5) feet, slowly move motion control lever to reverse

position. After the tractor moves approximately five (5) feet return the motion control lever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat this procedure with the motion control lever three (3) times.

Your tractor is now purged and now ready for normal operation.

MOWING TIPS

Mower should be properly leveled for

best mowing performance. See "TO 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 been cut. Have

the cut area to the right of the tractor. This will result in a more even distribu-

tion 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 makingleft hand turns until finished.

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

possible fire hazard from dried clippings. 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 mulching, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly.

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 perpen- dicular 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.

Max 1/3"

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Contents Am 5 pm, Mon Sat Sears Craftsman Help LineLimited 90 DAY Warranty on Battery Limited TWO Year Warranty on Craftsman Riding EquipmentProduct SEARS, Roebuck and CO., D1817 WA, Hoffman ESTATES, ILSlope Operation ServiceBlades and proceed slowly straight Do notTor Maintenance Agreement Product SpecificationsCustomer Responsibilities AboveLocknut 5/16-18 AdapterTo Remove Tractor from Carton Tools Required for AssemblyBefore Removing Tractor from Skid Attach Steering Wheel Unpack CartonCheck Battery HOW to SET UP Your TractorShoulder Bolt Seat To Drive Tractor OFF SkidCheck Tire Pressure Install Mulcher PlateCheck Deck Levelness ALL BeltsWhile Learning HOW to USE Your ChecklistH L Knowyour Tractor AdjustmentFree Wheel Lift Lever Plunger Used toTo SET Parking Brake HOW to USE Your TractorTo USE Throttle Control To Move Forward and BACK- Ward To Operate on Hills To Adjust Gauge Wheels To Operate Mower To Start Engine AddgasolineTowing Carts and Other Attachments Before Starting the Enigne Check Engine OIL LevelPurge Transmission Automatic Transmission Warm UP1CAUTION Never engage or disen Position. Shut- off engine and set parking brakeMulching Mowing Tips Mowing TipsBefore Each USE Lubrication ChartGeneral Recommendations Brake Operation BatteryBlade Care Blade RemovalClean AIR Screen Sparkplugs Clean AIR INTAKE/COOLING AreasMuffler AIR FilterTo Install Mower CleaningTo Level Mower Housing Tractor To Remove MowerBottom edge LiftLink Adjustment NutBoth Front Links Should be Equal in Length Nut FTo Replace Mower Blade Drive Belt To Adjust BrakeBelt Removal ArmTo Adjust Steering Wheel Alignment Transaxle Motion Control Lever Neutral AdjustmentFront Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBER To Remove Wheel for RepairsReplacing Battery To Start Engine with a Weak BatteryTo Replace Headlight Bulb To Replace FuseTo Adjust Carburetor To Remove Hood and Grill AssemblyTo Adjust Throttle Control Cable To Adjust Choke ControlIdle Mixture Final SettingAcceleration Test Fuel System EngineWhich leads to separation and formation Engine OILCorrection Troubleshooting ChartCause Problem TroubleshootingChart Cause Troubleshooting Chart Tractor - Model Number SchematicElectrical Bolt, Hex 1/4-20 x 3/4 KEY Part NO, NO.DESCRIPTIONTractor - Model Number Chassis and Enclosures Chassis DescriptionDraVear Rod Pivot Chassis/HoodGround Drive Tractor .MODEL Number Tractor - Model Number Ground Drive Tractor - Model Number Steering Assembly Spindle Assembly, L.H FrontAxle AssemblySpindle Assembly, R.H Washer 25/32 x 1-5/8 x 16 GaugeOptional Equipment EngineSpark Arrester 3933162152 140123 Seat 3450 BIk/blk Craftsman 121246X Tractor - Model Number Seat Assembly121248X Washer 13/32 X 1 X 14 GaPart Description Decals KEY Part DescriptionWheels & Tires 2928 1112 19 j 2O20 Tractor - Model Number Lift Assembly30 150233 Trunnion, Inf. Height Pin Groove32 73540600 Nut Crewnlock 3/8-24 155097 50 110452X Nut, Push Phos. &-OilMower Deck KEY Part Description KEY PartNO. no Tractor - Model Number Hydro Gear Transaxle - Model Number Model Number Hydro Gear Transaxle1132 13= 634 552A 404 o220 332 934 859 433 386 j 258 1138 211877 Gasket SET Housing AssemblyScrew Piston307 94930 Intake 425 94823 Screw Air Cleaner869 870 262924 Seat-Valve Exhaust 432 693492 Cap-Spring 871Page Page Only Ride UP and Down HILL, not Across Hill Sighting GuideSE/ S