Sears 917.38783 - Manual (Page 10)

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.
® Tostopengine, release operator presence control bar.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat
priming steps. In warmer weather over priming may cause
flooding and engine wii! not start, if you do flood engine,
wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not
repeat priming steps.
MOWING TIPS
•> 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,
• 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,
• When using a rear discharge lawn mower in moist,
heavy grass, ciumps of cut grass may not enter the
grass catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing speed)
and/or run the lawn moweroverthe area a second time,
• If a trail of grass clippi ngs is left on the right side of a rear
discharge lawn mower, mow in a clockwise direction
with a email 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 air flow
and extend engine life,
» Poresinciothgrasscatcherscanbecomefilled with dirt
and dust with use and catchers will collect less grass,
To prevent this, reguiarly hose catchers off with water
and let dry before using.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
I M P O R T A N T : 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 wili disperse into the grass
and not be noticed, Also, the mulched grass wiii
biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn.
Always rnuich with your highest engine (blade) speed
as this will provide the best recutling action of fhe
blades,
» Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet, Wet g rass tends
to form ciumps 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 wili 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 front.
» Certain types of grass and grass conditions may re­
quire that an area be mulched a second time to com-
pleteiy 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.
FIG. 8
10