Craftsman 917.259561 owner manual Mulching Mowing Tips

OPERATION

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)		in the opposite direction making left hand tums until
		finished (See Fig. 10 ).
When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine
		• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move
		reduce load and possible fire hazard from dded clip-
fuel from the tank to the engine.
		dPin_lsMake. first cut relatively high; the second to the
• Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake
		eslred height.
	pedal and set parking brake.
		• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug
•	Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.
		mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
•	Move attachment clutch to =DISENGAGED" position.
		dry before mowing.
•	Move throttle control to fast position
		• Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to
•	Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt.
		assure better mowing performance and proper dis-

For a warm engine start attempt the choke control may	charge of material. Regulate ground speed by select-
not be needed.
	ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting
Note: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
	performance as well as the quality of cut desired.
procedures below.
	• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
• Insert key intoignitionand turn keyclockwise to "START"
	that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do
	the attachment being used.
not run starter continuously for more than fifteen sec-
onds per minute. If the engine does not start after
several attempts, push choke control in, wait a few
minutes and try again. If engine stilldoes not start, pull
the choke control out and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and above)

•When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a

	few seconds and then continue to push the control in							FIG. 10
	slowly.						MULCHING	MOWING TIPS
•	The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If
	the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine						IMPORTANT:	FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP
	and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
							MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND
	as described above.
							TRASH. CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and below)
							• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clip-
• When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until
							pings many times and reduce them in size so that as
	the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push
							they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass
	the choke control in small steps allowing the engine to
							and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will
	accept small changes in speed and load, until the
							biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn.
	choke control		is fully in. If	the engine	starts to run
							Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed
	roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few						as this will provide the best recutting action of the
	seconds and then continue to push the control in
							blades.
	slowly. This may require an engine warm-up period
							• Avoid cutting your lawn when it iswet. Wet grass tends
	from several seconds to several minutes, depending
							to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action.
	on the temperature.
							The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon.
• The attachments can be used during the engine warm-
							At this time the grass has dded and the newly cut area
	up period and may require the choke control be pulled
							will not be exposed to the direct sun.
	out slightly.
							• For best results, adjust the mowercutting height so that
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
							the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass
temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may
							blades (See Fig. 11). For extremely heavy mulching,
need to be adjusted			for best engine performance.			See "TO
							reduce your width of cut and mow slowly.
ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
							Certain types of grass and grass conditions may re-
section of this manual.
							quire that an area be mulched a second time to com-
MOWING		TIPS					pletely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut,
• Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is							mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path.
							• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow
	attached	to tractor.
							north to south one week then change to east to west the
•	Mower	should	be properly	leveled for	best	mowing
							next week. This will help prevent matting and graining
	performance.		See "TO LEVEL MOWER		HOUSING" in		of the lawn.

•the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

•The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-

	ming.	MAX 1/3
•	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 distribution 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 ortwo rounds, mow	FIG. 11
	14