To Convert Mower; Before Starting - Craftsman 917.385190 Owner's Manual

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 recom-
mend a standard safety glasses or wide
vision safety mask worn over spectacles,
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The 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 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
TO LOWER MOWER
Plate tab
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your mower is shipped ready to be used as a
mulcher. To convert tobagging ordischarging:
• Lift discharge guard and remove
mulcher plate.
• Mower can now be used for side discharge
or optional grass catcher can be attached.
• To return to mulching operation, simply
reinstall mulcher plate as shown.
ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without discharge guard, approved grass
catcher or mulcher plate in place.
Hinge rod
Discharge
g
opening
Hooks
Mulcher plate Tab
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.
A CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with
oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler
on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.
3. You receive a container of oil with the
unit. Slowly pour the entire container
down the oil fill spout into the engine.
NOTE: Initial oil fill requires only 18 oz.
due to residual oil in engine from the
manufacturers 100% quality testing. When
changing oil you may need 20 oz.
4. Insert and tighten 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. Pur-
chase fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
• i, 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-
8 nol) can attract moisture which leads to