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To stop engine, Mowing tips – Craftsman 917.388111 User Manual

Page 10

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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 product

and should be considered normal.

1. To 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 cooler weather it may be neces­

sary 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 attempt­
ing to start and do not repeat priming

steps.

MOWING TIPS

A

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.

• 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 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.

• 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. 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 grass, reduce your width of cut

by overlapping previously cut path and

mow slowly.

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 sec­

ond cut, mow across (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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2/23/2007 10:59:50 AM