Craftsman 917.377410 Owner's Manual page 6

The operation of any lawn mower
can result in foreign objects thrown
into the eyes, which can result in
severe eye damage. Always wear safety
glasses or eye shields while operating your
lawn mower or performing any adjustments
or repairs. We recommend a wide vision
safety mask over spectacles or standard
safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed 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 _awn mower.
DRIVE CONTROL
• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the
operator presence control bar down to the
handle and pushing the drive control lever
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 serf-
propelling.
• To keep drive control engaged when
tuming comers, push down on handle and
lift front wheels off ground while tuming
lawn mower.
Operator presence control Drive
bar _ control
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels
for high cut.
• Adjust cutting height to suit your require-
ments. Medium position is best for most
lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze
adjuster 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.
Lower wheels for Plate tab
high cut
Raise wheels for low
Lever
cut
NOTE: Your lawn mower has been
shipped ready for mulching operation. To
convert to discharging operation, you
must install the discharge deflector
attachment included with your mower.
TO CONVERT TO DISCHARGING
MOWER
• Lift discharge guard and remove
mulcher plate.
• Mower can now be used for side
discharging or optional grass catcher
can be attached.
• To return to mulching operation, simply
reinstall mulcher plate as shown.
Discharge
guard
To engage drive control
Drive control
disengaged
Mulcher plate
_,CAUTION: Do not operate your lawn
mower without mulcher door in closed
position, discharge deflector in place, or
6 approved grass catcher in place.