Craftsman 944.365990 Owner's Manual page 7

The operation of any lawn
mower can result in foreign
objects thrown into the
eyes, which can result in
severe eye damage. Always
wear safety glasses or eye shields while
operating your lawn mower or performing
any ad just ments or repairs. We recom-
mend standard safety glasses or a wide
vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory for op-
timum performance. Speed is not adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
CAUTION: Federal regulations re quire
an engine control to be installed on this
lawn mower in order to minimize the
risk of blade contact injury. Do not un der
any circumstances attempt to de feat the
func tion of the operator con trol. The blade
turns when the engine is running.
• Your lawn mower is equipped with an
operator pres ence control bar which
requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start
and operate the lawn mower.
DRIVE CONTROL
• Self-propelling is controlled by hold-
ing the operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pulling the drive
control lever rearward to the handle.
The farther toward the handle the lever
is pulled, the faster the unit will travel.
• Forward motion will stop when either
the operator presence control bar or
drive control lever are released. To stop
forward motion without stop ping engine,
re lease the drive control lever only. Hold
op er a tor presence control bar down
against handle to con tin ue mowing
without self-propelling.
NOTE: If after releasing the drive control the
mower will not roll backwards, push the mow-
er forward slightly to disengage drive wheels.
DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
Over time, the drive control system may be-
come "loose", resulting in decreased speed.
There is a turnbuckle on the un der side of the
drive control housing to increase tension on
the drive cable. Pro ceed as follows:
1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug
wire from spark plug.
2. Turn nut on underside of drive control
to increase drive speed.
3. Operate mower to test drive speed.
Readjust as required.
4. If condition fails to improve after the
above steps (forward speed remains
the same), your drive belt is worn and
should be re placed.
Operator presence control bar
TO
Adjustment ENGAGE
turnbuckle DRIVE
(on underside) CONTROL
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels
for high cut, adjust cutting height to suit
your requirements. Me di um position is
best for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze ad-
juster lever to ward wheel. Move wheel
up or down to suit your re quire ments. Be
sure all wheels are in the same setting.
NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when
plate tab inserts into hole in lever. Also, 9-
position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever
to be positioned between the plate tabs.
LEVER BACKWARD
TO LOWER MOWER
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER
TO ATTACH GRASS CATCH ER
1. Lift the rear door of the lawn mower
and place the grass catcher frame side
hooks onto the door pivot pins.
2. The grass catcher is secured to the lawn
mower housing when the rear door is
lowered onto the grass catch er frame.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
with out mulcher plug, clipping de fl ec tor or
approved grass catch er in place. Never at-
tempt to op er ate the lawn mower with the
rear door re moved or propped open.
Pivot pins
7
Catcher frame hook
Drive
control
lever
DRIVE
CONTROL
DISENGAGED
Plate tab
Lever
Rear
Grass
door
catcher
handle