Craftsman 917.258692 - Manual (Page 16)

OPERATION
MOWING TIPS
• Tire chains cannoS be used when the mower housing is
attached to tractor
• Mower should be property ieveled for best mowing
performance- See 'TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-
mini,
• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut Have the cut area to the right of the
machine. This will resull in a more even dislribution of
dippings and more urrifortn cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right
so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs,
fersoes, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow
in the opposite direction making left hand turns unfll
finished {See Fig. 12)..
• if grass is extremely tali, it should be mowed iwice to
reduce toad and posslbie fire hazard from dried cilp-
plngs. Make first cut reiaiiveiy high; ths second to the
desired height
• Do not mow grass when it is wet, Wet grass will plug
mower and ieave undesirable ciumps, Allow grass to
dry before mowlng.
• Always operaie engine at futí throftle when mowing to
assura better mowing performance and proper dis­
charge of material. Regulate ground speed by select­
ing a low enough gear to give I he mower cutting
performance as well as the qualify of cut desired
• Whan oparating attachments, select a ground speed
that wii! suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
ttiPOfîTANT; FOR BEST PERFORMANCE. KEEP
MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUîLT-UP GRASS AND
TRASHi CLEAN AFTER EACH USE
• The special mulohlng blade will rscut Ihe grass clip­
pings many times and reduce them in size so that as
they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into fhe grass
arto net be noticed. Also, the mulched grass wiii
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 ths
blades,
• Avoidcuttingyouriawnwhenitlswet Weigrasstends
to form clumps and Interferes with the mulching action
The bast time to mow your lawn Is the early aflsmoon.
At ihlstime the grass has drlsd and the newly cut area
wifi not be exposed to tha direct sun.
• Forbesf results, actjustthe mower cuHing height so that
the mower cuts off oniy the fop one-third of the grass
blades {See Fig. 13) For extremely heavy mulcting,
reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly.
• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may re-
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pletely hide the dippings. When doing a second cut,
mow across or perpendicular to the first cul 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 malting and graining
of the lawn..
FiG. 13
16