Sears 917.373981 owner manual Operation, Mulching Mowing Tips

OPERATION

MOWING TIPS

Undercertain 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.

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

For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast (,_) posi- tion.

When using a rear discharge lawn mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the

grass catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing speed) and/or runthe lawn mower ove rthe area a seco ndtime.

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.

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.

MAX 1/3

FIG. 11

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP

MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND

TRASH. SEE =CLEANING" IN CUSTOMER

RESPONSIBILITIES SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.

The special mulching blade will recut 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 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 recutting 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 and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun.

•For best results, adjust the lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the tcp one-third of the grass blades (See Fig. 11). 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 engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

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

•Changeyourcuttingpattemfromweektoweek. 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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