Craftsman 917.377520 Owner's Manual page 8

DRIVE CONTROL
o Self-propelling is controlled by holding
the operator presence control bar down
to the handle and pushing the drive
control [ever forward until it clicks; then
release the lever.
• Forward motion will stop when the
operator presence control bar is
released° To stop forward motion
without stopping engine, release the
operator presence control bar slightly
until the drive control disengages. Hold
operator presence control bar down to
handle to continue mowing without self-
propelling.
o To keep drive control engaged when
turning comers, push down on handle
and lift front wheels off ground while
turning lawn mower.
Operator presence control bar
Drive
To engage drive Drive control
control desengaged
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BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the
engine.
- Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fill is clean.
o Remove engine bil cap w!dipstick and fill tO
the full line on the dipstick.
o Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil
to use, see"ENGINE" in Customer
Responsibilities section of this manual.
• Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.
o Check oi! level before each use, Add oil if
needed. Fill to ful! line on dipstick.
° To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap
each time.
o Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.
° 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.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in
temperatures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh,
clean winter grade gasoline to help insure
good cold weather starting°
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol
blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol
or methanol) can attract moisture which 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 should be
emptied before storage of 30 days or longer.
Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it
nJnuntil the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fue! next season. See
Storage Instructions for additional information.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage_r_ay occur.
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler
neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled
oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use
gasoline near an open flame.
,= filler cap Entine oil cap w/
dipstick
TO START ENGINE
° To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before trying to start. Use a firm
push. This step isnot usually necessary
when starting an engine which has already
run for_afew mim,_es.
o Hold operator presence control bar down to
the handle and pull starter handle quickly.
Do not allow starter rope to snap back.
o To stop engine, release operator presence
control bar°
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat priming steps. In
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