Craftsman 917.377545 Owner's Manual page 8

DRIVE CONTROL
• Self-propelling is controlled by holding
the operator presence control bar down
to the handle and pushing the drive
control lever forward until it clicks; then
release the lever.
• Forward motion will stop when the
operator 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
contml
3"0engage drive Drive control
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
fill is clean.
• Remove engine oil cap and fill to the full
line on the dipstick.
NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into engine
for accurate dipstick reading.
• Engine holds 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 over fill.
• 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.
ADD GASOUNE
• 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
freshness.
AWARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gesohol or
using ethanol or methanol) 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. 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 permanent damage may
occur,
_LCAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler heck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
Engine oil cap
Gasoline filler 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 alread
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 presenc_
control bar.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat priming steps. In
warmer weather over priming may cause
flooding and engine will not start. If you
do flood engine, wait a few minutes
before attempting to start and do not
8 repeat priming steps.