Drive Control - Craftsman EZ3 917.377531 Owner's Manual

DRIVECONTROL
o Self-propelling is controlledby holding
the operatorpresencecontrolbar down
to the handleand_ipushing t he drivecon-
trol leverforwarduntil it clicks;then
releasethe lever°
• Forwardmotionwill stopwhen the
oper-
ator 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.
• 'To keep drive control engaged when
turning corners, push down' on handle
and lift front wheels off ground while
turning lawn mower.
Operator presence control bar
Drive
"_ trol
To engage drive Drive control
Control desengaged
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.
• Remove engine oil cap w/dipstick and fill
to the full line on the dipstick.
o Use 20 oz& of oil. For type and grade of
oil to use, see "ENGINE" in Maintenance
section of this manual.
o Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill
• Check oil level before each use. Add oi! if
needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
o To read proper level, tighten engine oil
cap each time°
• 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 fresh-
hess,
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera-
tures below 32°F'(0°C), use fresh, clean win-
ter grade gasoline to help insure good cold
weather starting°
WARNING: Experience indicates that alco-
hol 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 dam-
age 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 run until the 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 the fuel tank
or permadent damage may 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.
Gasoline filler cap Engine oll cap
TO START ENGINE
. To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before trying to start. 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
to the handle and pull starter handle
quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap
back
• To stop engine, release operator pres-
ence control bar.