How To Use Your Lawn Mower; Engine Speed; Engine Zone Control; Drive Control - Craftsman 917.377061 Owner's Manual

The operationof any lawn
SAFE.GLASSES mowercan result in foreign
objects throwninto the
eyes, which can resultin
severe
eye damage. Always
wear safety glasses or eye shields while
operating your lawn mower or performing
any adjustments or repairs. We recom-
mend standard safety glasses or a wide
vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was set at the facto ry for op-
timum performance. Speed is not adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
ACAUTION: 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.
DRIVE CONTROL
• Self-propelling is controlled by hold-
ing the operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pulling the drive
control lever rearward to the handle.
The farther toward the handle the lever
is pulled, the faster the unit will travel.
• Forward motion will stop when either
the operator presence control bar or
drive control lever are released. To stop
forward motion without stopping engine,
release the drive control lever only. Hold
operator presence control bar down
against handle to continue mowing
without self-propelling.
NOTE: If after releasing the drive control the
mower will not roll backwards, push the mow-
er forward slightly to disengage drive wheels.
DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
Over time, the drive control system may be-
come "loose", resulting in decreased speed.
There is a turnbuckle on the underside of the
drive control housing to increase tension on
the drive cable. Proceed as follows:
1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug
wire from spark plug.
2. Turn nut on underside of drive control
to increase drive speed.
3. Operate mower to test drive speed.
Readjust as required.
,
If condition fails to improve after the
above steps (forward speed remains
the same), your drive belt is worn and
should be replaced.
O erator presence control bar
Drive
control
TO Ieve r
Adjustment ENGAGE DRIVE
turnbuckle DRIVE CONTROL
(on underside) CONTROL 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.
LEVER BACKWARD Plate tab
TO LOWER MOWER
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever
TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift the rear door of the lawn mower
and place the grass catcher frame side
hooks onto the door pivot pins.
2. The grass catcher is secured to the lawn
mower housing when the rear door is
lowered onto the grass catcher frame.
ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plug or approved grass
catcher in place. Never attempt to op-
erate the lawn mower with the rear door
removed or propped open.
..... Pivot ' Rear
..... _. door Grass
catcher
handle
8 Catcher frame hook