Craftsman 917.376990 Owner's Manual page 10

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Open round door of discharge chute to
move starter rope out and away from
grass catcher.
\ X Front
OPEN
Round Starter
door rope
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from lawn mower using both front and
rear handles.
3. Empty clippings from grass catcher
using both rear handle and strap. The
weight of the grass will open the door.
4. Snap door shut over frame before
installing grass catcher on mower.
NOTE: Do not drag the grass catcher when
emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.
Strap
handle
Front
handle
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. For type and grade of oil to
use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
• i, CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with
oil, or it will smoke on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick from oil fill
spout.
3. You recieve a container of oil with the
unit. Slowly pour the entire container
down the oil fill spout into the engine.
4. Insert and tighten oil fill cap/dipstick.
IMPORTANT:
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil
if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
• 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. See "TO
CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.
Do not overfill. 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-
ness.
A CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
A CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha-
nol) 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. Empty 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 permanent damage may occur.
Oil fill cap /
di
Gasoline
filler cap
Upper
mark mark
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, release operator pres-
ence control bar. Wait until blade and
all moving parts have stopped and turn
fuel valve to OFF position if you do not
10 intend to restart the engine soon.