Sears 917.38713 owner manual To Start Engine, Mowing TiPS

OPERATION

TO START ENGINE

To start a cold engine, push primer five (5) 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.

. Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pul! starter handle quickly Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

•To stop engine, release operator presence control bar'

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps In warmer weather over priming maycause 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

•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 and raise the rear of the lawn mower housing one (1) wheel adjuster setting higher than the front for better discharge of grass.

oWhen 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 run the lawn mower over the area asecond time.

=If a trail of grass clippings is left on the rightside of a rear discharge lawn mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a small overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass

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

=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 catchers off with water and let dry before using.

MULCHING MOWING TiPS

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND

TRASH CLEAN UNDERSIDE OF MOWER HOUSING AFTER EACH USE. 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 recurring action of the blades_

oAvoid cutting your lawn when it is weL 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 top one-third of the grass blades (See Fig. 8)_ If the lawn is over- grown 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, mow slowly and raise the rear of the lawn mower one wheel adjuster setting higher than the frenL

°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.

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.

MAX 1/3

FIG. 8

10