Craftsman 917.270831 owner manual Mulching Mowing Tips

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control out slightly for a few seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly. This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the temperature.

• The attachments can be used during the engine warm-up period and may require the choke control be pulled out

slightly.°

NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may need-

to be adjusted for best engine perfor- mance. See =TO ADJUST CARBURE-

TOR _ in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

MOWING TIPS

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

Mower should be propedy leveled for best mowing performance. See "TO

LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the

Service and Adj0stments 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 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.

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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J_

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 fa onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, tt" mulched grass wi!l biodegrade quickl to provide nutdents for the lawn.

Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will

provide the best recutting action of th_ 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 th_ 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 mulchinc reduce your width of cut on each pas., and mow slowly.

Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area b 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 we_ to week, Mow north to south one we_

then change to east to west the next week, This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

Max 113"

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Image 16 Contents
RRIIFTSMIIN General OPERATleN Service Slope OperationChildren Do notChine allgrass can hide obstacles Maintenanceagreement Customer ResponsibilitiesParts Bag contents shown full size Teering HOW to SET UP Your Tractor Check Battery Tools Required for AssemblyTo Remove Tractor from Carton Before Rolling Tractor OFF Skid Attach Steering WheelInstall Seat Install Mulcher PlateTo Drive Tractor OFF Skid To Convert to Bagging or Discharging Attachment Reverse Neutral High Free Wheel Know Your Tractor HOW to USE Your Tractor StoppingTo Adjust Gauge Wheels To Operate on HillsTo Transport To Operate MowerADD Gasoline Before Starting the Enigne Check Engine OIL LevelTo Start Engine Mowing Tips Mulching Mowing TipsLubrication Chart General RecommendationsBefore Each USE AtesBrake Operation TiresOperator Presence System Blade CareTransaxle Cooling BeltsEngine Muffler Spark PlugsTo Install Mower To Level Mower HousingTractor To Remove MowerSIDE-TO-SIDE Adjustment FRONT-TO-BACK AdjustmentTo Replace Mower Blade Drive Belt Belt RemovalTo Adjust Brake Neutral AdjustmentBelt Installation To Replace Motion Drive BeltTo Adjust Steering Wheel Alignment Front Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBEREngine To Replace Headlight BulbPreliminary S EI-IING To Adjust CarburetorAcceleration Test Battery TractorFuelsystem Engine OILProblem Cause CorrectionTroubleshootingchart Problem CauseTroubleshooting Chart Problem Cause Schematic Tractor - Model NumberConnected to Will Become Their BrightestTractor Model Number Electrical Tractor Model Number KEY Part DescriptionTractor Model Number Chassis and Enclosures Tractor Model Number Chassis and Enclosures IY Part NO. noTractor Model Number Ground Drive KEY Part DescripionSteering TRACTOR- Model Number SteeringNO. NO. DES Tractor Model Number Engine Optional EquipmentTractor Mode L NUM BER Engine KEY Part NO. noSeat Assembly Tractor --MODEL NumberWheels and Tires Tractor Model NUM BER13EY Part KL=Y Part DescriptionTractor Model Number List Assembly 171e20Part NO. no Description Mower Deck TRACTOR- Modelnumber Mower Deck Part Description157 Description NO. no REF PartMST 15 .7 to INSTALL. Seerepair Instructionmanual 8i IolabelkitPump Repair KIT Carburetor KIT@ 20@ Gasket SETKEY Part NO. no KEY Part Description337 802592 Plug-Spark 822 693497 Not Across Hill Only Ride UP and Down HillSighting Guide Sears