Craftsman 917.271061 owner manual Mulching Mowing Tips

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MOWING TIPS

Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is attached to tractor.

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 making left 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.

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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.

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Contents £RIIFTSMFIN Service Adjustments Storage Limited 90 DAY Warranty on BatteryRepair Parts Ordering Back CoverGeneral Operation Slope OperationDo not ChildrenService Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the areaRepair Agreement Customer ResponsibilitiesShoulder Tools Required for Assembly HOW to SET UP Your TractorTo Remove Tractor from Carton Before Rolling Tractor OFF SkidInstall Seat To Drive Tractor OFF SkidCheck Brake System To Convert to Bagging or DischargingCheck Tire Pressure Check Deck LevelnessR N H L Adjustment Knowyour TractorHOW to USE Your Tractor To Adjust Mower Cutting HeightTo SET Parking Brake Backward StoppingTo Adjust Gauge Wheels To Operate on HillsTo Transport Shoulder Bolt Gauge WheelBefore Starting the Engine Check Engine OIL Level To Start EngineADD Gasoline Purge Transmission Automatic Transmission Warm UPMowing Tips Mulching Mowing TipsLubrication Chart Maintenance ScheduleGeneral Recommendations Before Each USETires Operator Presence SystemBlade Care Blade RemovalBattery Transaxle CoolingTransaxle Pump Fluid BeltsClean AIR Screen Clean AIR INTAKE/COOLING AreasTo Service PRE-CLEANER AIR FilterCleaning Housing Guide LargeIN-LINE Fuel Filter To Remove MowerTo Install Mower To Level Mower HousingSIDE-TO-SIDE Adjustment Ground Line VI-ATo Adjust Brake Transaxle Motion Control Lever Neutral AdjustmentTo Replace Mower Blade Drive Belt To Replace Motion Drive BeltTo Adjust Steering Wheel Alignment Front Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBERTo Start Engine with a Weak Baiiery To Remove Wheel for RepairsInterlocks and Relays To Replace Headlight BulbTo Replace Fuse Acceleration Test To Adjust CarburetorScrew Engine Fuel SystemEngine OIL CylindersProblem Troubleshooting ChartCause Correction Correction Troubleshooting Chart ProblemcauseTighten Troubleshooting Chart Problem Cause Correction Tractor - Model Number SchematicCpdalup Electrical Tractor --MODEL Number DescriptionTractor - Model Number Chassis and Enclosures TRACTOR-- Model Number Chassis and Enclosures KEY Part DescriptionTractor - Model Number Ground Drive Tractor -- Model Number Ground Drive Tractor - Model Number Steering Assembly 19272016 Assembly, L.HShaft Optional Equipment KEY Part NO. no 162156 17720410 159420 16 STD551237 101 M73030800 105Tractor - Model Number Seat Assembly Decals Tractor --MODEL NumberWheels & Tires Tractor - Model Number Lift Assembly Inner Wire Assembly 159471Lift 130171Mower Deck Tractor - Model Number116 Tractor -- Model Number 6958 107 Hydro Gear Transaxle - Model Number @-+ Kohler ENGINE-MODEL Number CV15.5S, Type NumberBlower Housing and Baffles KEY Part NO. NO. Description AIR Intake KEY Part NO. NO. DescriptionNot Illustrated Crankshaft KEY Part NO. NO. DescriptionJ11 Fuel System KEY Part NO. NO. Description Ignition I Electrical OIL PAN / Lubrication OIL PAN / Lubrication KEY Part NO. NO. Description Kohler ENGINE-MODEL Number CV15.5S, Type NumberStarting System KEY Part NO. NO. Description Page Page Page Only Ride UP and Down Hill Not Across HillSighting IuideRev 2.17.00 TR