Craftsman 917.258692 manual Mulching Mowing Tips

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OPERATION

i J,

MOWING TIPS

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

°Mower should be properly teveled 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 trLm- ming,

Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has been out. Have the cut area to the right of the machine, This wit{ resuIt in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting

When mowing large areas, stad by turning to the right so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc, After one or two rounds, mow in Ihe opposite direction making left hand turns until ffnished (See Fig, 12),

if grass _sextremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce toad and posstbfe fire hazard from tided clip- pings, Make first cut relatively high; the second to the deslredheight.

Do not mow grass when It is wet, Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesirable clumps Allow grass to

dry before mowing

Atways operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing performance end proper dis- charge of matedal Regulate ground speed by select- ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting performance as wel! as the quality of cut desired

When operating attachments, select a ground speed that witl suit tile 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 mutching blade will recur the grass clip- pings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they"will disperse into the grass

and not be noliced Also, the mulched grass will blodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for lhe lawn. Always mulch with your h_ghest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recurring action of lhe blades

= Avoidcultlngyourlawnwhenitiswet Welgrasslends to term clumps and interferes with the mulching action The best time to mow your lawn is 1ha early aflemoon. At this tlme the grass has dried and the newIy cut area wt!f not be exposed to the direct sun.,

', For best resuIls, adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cute off only the top one..thlrd of the grass bfedes (See Fig. 13) For extremely heavy mutcHng, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly

Certain types of grass and grass conditions may re- quire thal an area be mutehed a second time to com- pletely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across or perpendicular to the first cul path.

= Changeyourcuttingpatternfromweektoweek.Mew nedh to soulh one weekthen change to east to west the next week, This will help prevent malting and graining ofthelawn,

FIG. 13

FIG, 12

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Contents IRnFTXHaN Model Number 917.258692 OwnersmanualGeneral Operation Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On MowersUse onlyan approved container Limited TWO Year Warranty Oncraftsman Riding Equipment Contents Accessories and Attachments Engine MaintenancePerformance Sparkplug GAS can Engine OIL Fuelstabilizer AIR FilterContents of Hardware Pack Assembly Tools Required For AssemblySleeve Attach Steering Wheel See FigHOW to SET UP Your Tractor Connect Battery See FigInstall Seat See Fig Access DoorSee Figs Install Mower and Drive BeltCheck Mower Levelness Install Mulcher Plate See Figs, 5 Washer NUTPlate FIGoOperation Hydrostatic Free WheelOperation Know Your Tractor HOW USE Your Tractor To Adjust Mower Cutting Height To SET Parking To Transport See Fig Before Starting the EngineCheck Engine OIL Level See Fig ADD GasolineProcedures below To Start Engine See FigMove throttle conlrol to fast position Freewheel lever while the engine is runMowing Tips Mulching Mowing TipsLubrication Chart Maintenance ScheduleCustomer Responsibilities AS YOU CompleteTo Clean Battery and Terminals To Sharpen Blade See FigTires Important Blade Bolt is Grade 8 Heat TreatedTo Service Cartridge PRE-CLEANER.-.CARTRIDGEAIR Filter See Fig BeltsCleaning IN-LINEFUEL Filter See FigSpark Plugs Clamp FUELF1LTERTo Level Mower Housing To Install MowerAdjustment To Remove Mower See FigService AdjustmentsTo Adjust Attachment Clutch See See FigTransmission REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT To Adjust Steering Wheel AlignmentTo Start Engine with a Weak Battery See Fig Front WHEEl. TOE4NICAMBERTo Adjust Carburetor See Fig Preliminary SettingPositive = Negative FIG+Adjusting -, Needle DEPARTMENT, Which has Proper EquipmentIdlefuel Main FuelStorage Fuel SystemOther Important IT is Important to Prevent GUMProblem Cause Troubleshooting PointsWtlInot alert Problem Cause Correction PointsPage Tractor - Model Number 917,258692 Electricaltractor . . Model Number Tractor - Model Number Electrical Tractor - Model Number Chassis and Enclosures 14BTractor - Model Number Chassis and ENCt.OSURESTractor - Model Number Drive KEY Part Tractor - Model Number 917,258692 DriveDescription Repair Parts Tractor - Model Number Steering AssemblyTractor - Model Number Tractor - MODEl. Number EngineOptional Equipment Spark ArresterTractor - Model Number 917,258692 Engine No NO, DescriptionTractor - Model Number Seat Assembly KEY Part DescriptionTractor - Model Number Decals Part DescriptionTractor -- Model Number Tractor - Model Number Mower Lift Tractor - Model Number Mower Deck 45\850857 STD551137 36 STD5510371/4 Gr. B Pultey, IdlerHydro Transaxle Model Number 3t0-0650 7116 × 718 x LIpThrust 142937I64 AIR Intake jBAFFLES& Shroud AIR Intake KEY PartNot Illustrated Crankcase J Carburetor82-2 52-3 52-755-50 B52-03011 52-030.12 Step Stud 5/16-18 x 3/4, 3/8-16 x 5iS, 2 LungCrankshaftj Dipstick Cylinder Head Crankshaft KEY Part Exhaust KEY Partdescription NO, no2724 NO. no FlywheelNot Illustrated Kohler Engine Model Number MVIBS, Type Number PS58560 LOW OIL Pressure Switch Camshaft & ValvesOIL Filter Piston & RODService Notes Service Notes Iii Lllllll Page Toll Free Number If YOU Need Repair Service or PartsPart Number Part Description