Craftsman 917.387101 Operator's Manual page 14

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
Read the engine manual packed with your
mower.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in
the engine.
• Be sure mower is level and area around
oil fill is clean.
• Remove engine oil filler plug (oil fill cap/
dipstick on models so equipped).
• Slowly add oil. For type and grade of oil
to use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
• Fill to the top of slot in filler hole (to
"FULL" line on dipstick on models so
equipped). Do not overfill.
• Replace plug (oil fill cap/dipstick on
models so equipped) and tighten.
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil
as needed.
• To change oil, see Maintenance section
of this manual.
FILL GASOLINE TANK
• Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean,
unleaded gasoline. DO NOT USE
PREMIUM GASOLINE. BE CAREFUL
NOT TO OVERFILL TANK.
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 fuel tank, start the engine
and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor
are empty. Use fresh fuel next season.
See Storage Instructions for additional
information. Never use engine or carburetor
cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE
_I, CAUTION: The mower blade rotates
whenever the engine is running.
• Move engine speed control to fast
position (or to choke/start position on
models equipped with choke feature).
• If your mower has a primer, to start a cold
engine, push primer as many times as
instructed in the engine manual packed
with your mower. Use a firm push. This
step is not usually necessary when
starting an engine which has already run
for a few minutes.
• Hold operator presence control bar down
against handle.
MODELS WITH RECOIL STARTER
• Pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow
starter rope to snap back.
MODELS WITH ELECTRIC STARTER
• Push the engine start button (or turn the
key on models so equipped).
IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more
than five continous seconds between each
time you try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds
between each attempt.
ALL MODELS
• For engines equipped with choke, slowly
move engine speed control lever to fast
after engine starts.
TO STOP ENGINE
• To STOP engine, release operator
presence control bar.
NOTE: For engines with a primer, it may
be necessary to repeat priming steps in
cooler weather. In warmer weather,
overpdming may cause flooding and engine
will not start. If you do flood engine, wait a
few minutes before attempting to start and
DO NOT repeat priming steps.
Operator Recoil
presence starter
control bar- handle
(center
mount
type)
Recoil /
starter handle
(side mount type)
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