Craftsman 917.271110 owner manual Mulching Mowing Tips

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When mowing large areas, start by turn- ing to the right so that clippings will dis- charge away from shrubs, fences, drive- ways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand tums until finished.

If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possi- ble fire hazard trom 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 unde- sirable 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 se- lecting a low enough gear to give the mower the best 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 at- tachment 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

mulchwithyour highestengine (blade) speed as thiswill providethe best recut- tingactionof the blades. Avoidcuttingyourlawn when it iswet. Wet grass tendsto form clumpsand interfereswith the mulchingaction.The best timeto mow yourlawn isthe early

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aftemoon.At this time the grasshas dried and the newlycut area willnot be exposedto the directsun.

For bestresults,adjustthe mowercut- ting heightsothat the mowercutsoff only the top one-thirdofthe grass blades. Forextremelyheavymulching,

reduceyourwidthofcut on each pass and mow slowly.

Certaintypes of grassand grasscondi- tionsmay requirethat an area be mulcheda secondtimeto completely hidethe clippings.When doinga sec- ond cut, mowacross or perpendicularto the first cut path.

Change yourcuttingpatternfrom week to week. Mow northto southone week then changeto east to west the next week. This willhelp preventmattingand grainingof the lawn.

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Contents Am 5 pm, Mon Sat CnnFTSn#+Limited 90 Daywarranty on Battery Limited TWO Year Warranty on Craftsman Riding EquipmentSears, Roebuckand Co., D/817 WA, HoffmanEstates,IL General OperationSlope Operation ServiceDo not ChildrenBeforerestarting Never make adjustmentsor repairswith the engine runningMaintenance Agreement MaintainyourtractorproperlyAlways. observethe Safety RulesLiltlliillllliillllillll Parts Bag contentsshownfull sizeParts packed separately in .carton Parts Bag contentsnot shownfull sizeInstallsteering Wheel Tools Required for AssemblyTo Remove Tractor from Carton Before Rolling Tractor OFF SkidHOW to SET UP Your Tractor Connect Battery Close batterybox door.Open battery box doorforInstalltwolatch hooksto mulcherplate Install Mulcher PlateCheck for Proper Position of ALL Belts Ed correctlyWasher Ga-geWheel t Please Review the Following ChecklistAssemble Gauge Wheels to Mower Deck Reverse Neutral High LOW Parking Brake Clutch Engaged N H LPosition LightSwitchThrottle/Choke Control PlungerMower Blades To Adjust Mower Cutting Height HOW to USE Your TractorTo SET Parking Brake Throttle ControlTo Transport To Operate MowerBefore Starting the Engine Check Engine OIL Level ADD GasolineAbove Warm Weather Starting 50 FTo Start Engine Cold Weather Starting 50 F BelowMulching Mowing Tips Before Each USE General Recommendations Lubrication ChartCustomer Responsibilities Battery Alwaysobservesafety ruleswhen per- formingany maintenanceTo Clean Batteryand Terminals TractorTo Service PRE-CLEANER Muffler CleaningSpark Plugs IN-LINE Fuel FilterTo Remove Mower To Install MowerRollbelt offengine pulley Anti-SwaybarFRONT-TO-BACKADJUSTMENT To Level Mower HousingSuspension Important Deck mustbe level side-toTo Adjust Brake To Adjust Steering Wheel ALIGN- MentFront Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBER To Replace Motion Drive BeltOrder To Start Engine That has a Weak BatteryTo Replace Headlight Bulb To Remove Hood and Grill AS- SemblyTo Adjust Carburetor To Adjust Throifle Control CableAcceleration Test Move throttle control lever from slow toEngine OIL =-I0CLEAN Batteryand TermiCylinders OtherSwitches Troubleshooting ChartProblem CauseExcessivevibration CorrectionPoorcut uneven Conrd Bent blade mandrel Loose/damagedpartsEngine=backfires Lossof driveTractor - Model Number Electrical KEY Part Description ElectricalTractor - Model Number Chassis and Enclosures 160392 ChassisAssemUy Tractor -- Model Number Chassis and EnclosuresGround Drive Sheftse.y Tractor -- Model Number Ground DriveTractor Model Number Steering Assembly KEY Part Description Tractor - Model Number Steering AssemblySpark Arrester Optional EquipmentTractor -- Model Number Part KEY Description Tractor --MODEL Number 917.271110 Seat AssemblyWheels Tires KEY Part DecalsTractor - Model Number Lift Assembly #5133-62 Tractor - Model Number UFT AssemblyTractor - Model Number Mower Deck UNC StltPage Keypart NO.NO Description Sprocket,STCrankcase Sprj,actuaUng Connecg RodSURingSetS Cylinder H EADNALVE/BREATHER Crankcase Keypart NO.NOIgnition / Electrical Blower Housing and Baffles AIR Intake IGNITION/ELECTRICAL Keypart NO.NO Blower Housing & BafflesAIR INTAKE/FILTRATION Keypart NO.NO Description Not IllustratedOIL PAN I Lubrication Starting System J Engine Controls19 12-032-03Seal,1P.T.Oend Kit,brush&sprjStarting System Keypart NO. no OIL PAN/LUBRICATIONCnha Exhaust KEY Part NO. noPage Suggested Guide for Sighting Slopes for Safe Operation Sears