Oil/Gas; To Start Engine; Drive Control; Before Starting Engine - Craftsman 917.377553 Owner's Manual

DRIVECONTROL
• Self-propellingis controlled by holding the
operator presence controlbar down to the
handle and pushing the drive control lever
forward until it clicks;then release the drive
control lever.
• Forward motion willstop when the operator
presence controlbar is released. To stop
forward motion without stopping engine,
release the operator presence control bar
slightlyuntil the drive controldisengages.
Hold operator presence controlbar down to
handle to continue mowing without self-
propelling.
• To keep drive control engaged when turning
comers, push down on handle and lift front
wheels off ground while turning lawn
mower.
Operator presence
:ontrol bar \
Ddve _ Ddve
control control
To engage Drive control
drive control disengaged
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the
engine.
• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
flu is clean.
• Remove engine oil cap w/dip_ck and till to
the full line on the dipstick°
• Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil
to use, see "ENGINE" in Maintenance
section of this manual.
• Pour oil slowly. Do not overfill.
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if
needed. Fill to full line-on dipstick.
• 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.
GAS
• RII fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oilwith gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantitiesthat can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol
blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol
or methanol) can attractmoisture 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.
Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it
run untilthe fuel linesand carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See
Storage Instructionsfor additional information.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
productsin the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
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 presence
control bar.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary
to repeat primingsteps. In warmer weather
over priming may cause flooding and engine
willnot start. Ifyou do flood engine, wait a few
minutes before attempting to start and do not
repeat primingsteps.
Gasoline filler cap
Engine oil cap w/
dipstick
8