How To Use Your Lawn Mower; Engine Speed; Engine Zone Control; To Convert Mower - Craftsman 917.376053 Owner's Manual

The operation of any lawn
SAFETY
GLASSESmower can result in foreign
objects thrown into the eyes,
which can result in severe
eye damage. Always wear
safety glasses or eye shields while oper-
ating your lawn mower or performing any
adjustments or repairs. We recommend a
standard safety glasses or wide vision safety
mask worn over spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINESPEED
Engine speed was set at the factory for
optimum performance. It is not adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_CAUTION: Federal regulations require
an engine control to be installed on this
lawn mower in order to minimize the
risk of blade contact injury. Do not under
any circumstances attempt to defeat the
function of the operator control. The blade
turns when the engine is running.
• Your lawn mower is equipped with an
operator presence control bar which
requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start
and operate the lawn mower.
TO OPERATE DRIVE SYSTEM
• To start forward motion, lift drive con-
trol bar up to handle.
• To stop forward motion, release drive
control bar.
IMPORTANT: Always keep drive control
fully engaged against handle when in use.
Operator presence control bar
LEVER BACKWARD
TO LOWER MOWER
Plate tab
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:
• Open rear door and remove mulcher
plug. Store mulcher plug in a safe
place.
• You can now install grass catcher or
optional clipping deflector.
• To convert to mulching operation, install
mulcher plug into rear discharge open-
ing of mower.
all&CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plug or approved grass
catcher in place. Never attempt to oper-
ate the lawn mower with the rear door
removed or propped open.
Mulcher plug
DRIVE DRIV[
CONTROL CONTROL
ENGANGED DISENGAGED
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels
for high cut, adjust cutting height to suit
your requirements. Medium position is
best for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze ad-
juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel
up or down to suit your requirements. 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.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift up on grass catcher using the
frame handle.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle.
3. Empty clippings from bag.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty-
ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.