Craftsman 917.386410 owner manual Mowing Tips

MOWING TIPS

•Under certain conditions, such as very tail 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.

o For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

,When using a rear discharge lawn mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce ground speed (push- ing speed) and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time

=If a trail of clippings is left on the right

side of a rear discharge mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a small

overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass.

o Pores in cloth grass catchers can become 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 Maintenance section of this maeuaJ

=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 wilt disperse into the grass and not be noticed.Also,the mulched

grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn

', Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching aclion The best time Io mow your lawn is the 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 ti_e lawn mower' cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the motor and leaving clumps of mulched grass° For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut,

mow slowly and raise the rear of the lawn mower one wheel

adjuster setting higher than the front.

,,Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings.

When doing a second cut, mow

across or perpendicular to the first cut path.

°Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south

one week then change to east to west the next week, This will help

prevent matting and graining of the lawn_

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