Craftsman 917.385125 To Stop Engine, To Start Engine, Mulching Mowing Tips, Primer

CAUTION: Alcoholblendedfuels

(calledgasoholor usingethanolor metha- nol)can attract moisturewhichleadsto separationandformationof acidsduring storage. Acidicgas can damagethe fuel

systemof an engine while in storage, To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season, See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

Engine oil cap

Primer

Gasoline filler cap

TO STOP ENGINE

•To stop engine, release operator pres- ence control bar.

TO START ENGINE

NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the engine, a small amount of smoke may be

present during the initial use of the prod- uct and should be considered normal_

1oTo start a cold engine, push primer three (3) times before trying to start. Use a firm push. This step is not usually necessary when starting an engine which has already run for a few minutes.

2.Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter

handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

NOTE: In coolerweatherit may be necessary to repeat priming steps° In warmer weather over priming may cause flooding and engine will not start, If you do flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat priming steps,

MOWING TIPS

CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher

blade attachments on your mower. Such attachments are hazardous, will damage your mower and could void your warranty.

°Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of grass clippings.

It may also be necessary to reduce

ground speed and!or run the lawn mower over the area a second time.

=For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut by overlapping previously

cut path and mow slowly.

•For better grass bagging and most cut- ting conditions, the engine speed should

be set in the FAST position.

°For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting in a counter-clockwise direction, start-

ing at the outside of the area to be cut, spreads grass clippings more evenly and puts less load on the engine. To keep clippings off of walkways, flower beds, etC.r,make the first cuts in a clock- wise direction.

°Pores in cloth grass catchers can be= come filled with dirt and dust with use

and catchers will collect less grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catcher off with water and let dry before using.

•Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will help engine air flow and extend engine life.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash_ See "CLEANING" in the Maintenance section of this manual.

°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 recut- ting 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, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight.

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