To Convert Mower; To Empty Grass Catcher - Craftsman 917.378761 Owner's Manual

The operationof any lawn
SA_ETYGLASSES mowercan result in foreign
objectsthrown into the
eyes,which can result in
severeeye damage.Always
wear safetyglasses or eye shieldswhile
operatingyour lawn moweror performing
any adjustmentsor repairs.We recom-
menda standardsafetyglasses or wide
vision safety maskworn over spectacles.
HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGmNE ZONE CONTROL
ACAUTmON: 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.
o 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.
DRmVE CONTROL
o 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
releasing the lever.
o Forward motion will stop when the op-
erator 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 against handle to con-
tinue mowing without self-propelling.
o 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
,,
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.
o 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 BAC KVVARD
TO LOWER MOWER
Plate tab
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:
o Lift rear door of the lawn mower and
place the grass catcher frame hooks
onto the door pivot pins.
o To convert to mulching operation, re-
d, move grass catcher and close rear door.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without rear door closed, clipping deflector
or approved grass catcher in place. Never
attempt to operate the lawn mower with
the rear door removed or propped open.
Pivot pins Rear Grass
catcher
handle
Catcher frame hook
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift up on grass catcher using the
frame handle.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle.
3. Empty clippings from bag using both
frame handle and bag handle.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty-
ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.