Craftsman 944.365470 Owner's Manual page 8

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN
CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER
FOR MULCHING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR REAR BAGGING -
1. Grass catcher installed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. Discharge defl ector installed.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
with out rear door closed, clipping defl ector
or ap proved grass catcher in place. Never
at tempt to op er ate the lawn mow er with
the rear door re moved or propped open.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift up on catcher using frame han dle.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower han dle.
3. Empty clippings from bag.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty-
ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. For type and grade of oil to
use, see "EN GINE" in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
CAUTION: DO NOT overfi ll engine with
oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffl er
on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fi ll spout.
Discharge
3. You receive a container of oil with the
defl ector
unit. Slowly pour the entire container
down the oil fi ll spout into the engine.
NOTE: Initial oil fi ll requires only 18 oz.
due to residual oil in engine from the
manufacturers 100% quality testing. When
changing oil you may need 20 oz.
4. Insert and tighten dipstick.
IMPORTANT:
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil
if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season. You may
need to change the oil more often
under dusty, dirty conditions. See "TO
CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank fi ller neck.
Do not overfi ll. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Pur-
chase fuel in quan ti ties that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open fl ame.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
Grass attract moisture which leads to separation
catcher
and for ma tion of acids during storage. Acidic
frame
gas can damage the fuel system of an engine
handle
while in storage. To avoid engine problems,
the fuel system should be emptied before
stor age of 30 days or longer. Empty the gas
tank, start the engine and let it run until the
fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh
fuel next season. See Storage In struc tions
for additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank
or permanent damage may occur.
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