Craftsman 917.370870 Owner's Manual page 11

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift up on grass catcher usingthe
frame handle.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle.
3. Emptyclippings from bag usingboth
frame handle and bag handle.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty-
ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.
Grass
catcher
frame
Bag
handle
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your lawnmower is shipped withoutoil in
the engine. For type and grade of oilto
use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
_I=CAUTION: DO NOT overfillengine with
oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler
on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.
3. You receive a container of oil with the
unit. Slowly pour the entire container
down the oil fill spout into the engine.
NOTE: Initial oil fill 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. Fillto full line on dipstick.
• Change the oil after every 25 hoursof
operation or each season. You may
need to change the oil more often
under dusty, dirtyconditions. See 'q'O
CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.
Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimumof
87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantitiesthat can be
used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh-
ness.
11
A CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or usingethanol or metha-
nol) can attract moisturewhich leads to
separation and formation of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage. To
avoid engine problems, the fuel system
shouldbe emptied before storage of 30
days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run untilthe fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage Instructionsfor
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner productsin the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
Engine
oil cap
Gasoline
filler cap
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, release operator pres-
ence control bar.
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Due to protectivecoatings on the
engine, a small amount of smoke may be
present during the initial use of the product
and should be considered normal.
NOTE: Your engine is equipped with an
automatic choke system. No primingor
choking is required before starting.
• To start engine, hold operator presence
controlbar down to the handle and turn
the start key.
IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more
than five continousseconds between each
time you tryto start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds
between each attempt.
• To start engine using the rope starter,
hold operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope
to snap back.