Craftsman 944.369060 Manuel Du Propriétaire page 9

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. 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 cutting conditions,
the engine speed should be set in the fast position.
• For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting in a counter-
clockwise direction, starting at the outside of the area to
be cut, spreads grass clippings more evenly and puts
less load on the engine. To keep clippings off of
walkways, flower beds, etc., make the first cuts in a
clockwise direction.
• 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.
OPERATION
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER
HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. SEE
"CLEANING" IN 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.
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 top one-third of the
grass blades (See Fig. 6). 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 require
that an area be mulched a second time to completely
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.
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Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade
FIG. 6
MAX 1/3