To Start Engine - Craftsman EZ3 917.387151 Owner's Manual

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Your lawnmower is shippedwithout oil in the
engine.
• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fill is clean.
• Remove engine oil cap w/dipstick and fillto
the full line on the dips_ck.
• Use20ozs. of oil. Fortypeandgradeofoil
to use, see =ENGINE" in Customer
Responsibilities 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.
• Reinstallengine oil cap and tighten.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation oreach season. You may need
to change the oil more often under dusty,
dirty conditions.
GAS
• 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.
WARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol 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 fuel tank, start the engine
and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor
are empty. Use fresh fuel next season.
See Storage Instructions for additional
information. Never use engine or carbure-
tor cleaner products in fuel tank or
permanent damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE
• To start a cold engine, push primer five (5)
times before tnjing to start. Use a firm push.
This step is not usually necessary when
starting an engine which has already run for
a few minutes.
• Push engine speed control lever to fast
position.
• 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,1 release operator presence
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 starL If you do flood engine, wait a few
minutes before attempting to start and do not
repeat priming steps.
MOWING TIPS
• Under certain conditions, such as very fall
grass, it may be necessary to raise the
height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to
keep from overloading the engine and
leaving clumps of grass clippings.
• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut and raise the rear of the lawn
mower housing one (1) wheel adjuster
setting higher than the front for better
discharge of grass.
• For better grass bagging and most cutting
conditions, the engine speed should be set
in the fast position.
• When using a rear discharge lawn mower in
moist, heavy grass, dumps of cut grass
may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce
ground speed (pushing speed) and/or run
the lawn mower over the area a second
time.
• If a trail of grass clippings is left on the right
side of a rear discharge lawn mower, mow
in a clockwise direction with a small overlap
to collect the clippings on the next pass.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear and
clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will
help engine air flow and extend engine life.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers can become
tilled with dirt and dust with use and
catchers will collect less grass. To prevent
this, regularly hose catchers off with water
and let dry before using.