Engine Zone Control; Drive Control; Drive Control Adjusment; To Adjust Cutting Height - Craftsman 917.378960 Owner's Manual

The operation of any lawn
SA_ETYGLASSES mower can result in for-
eign objects thrown into
the eyes, which can result
in severe eye damage.
Always wear safety glasses or eye shields
whileoperatingyourlawnmoweror perform-
ing any adjustmentsor repairs.We recom-
mendstandard safetyglassesor awidevision
safety mask worn over spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGmNE SPEED
Engine speed was set at the factory for opti-
mum performance. Speed is not adjustable.
ENGmNE ZONE CONTROL
_I, CAUTmON: 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.
DRmVE CONTROL
* Self-propelling is controlled by hold-
ing the operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pulling the drive
control bar up to the handle. The closer
to the handle the bar is pulled, the faster
the unit wiii travel.
Forward motion will stop when either the
operator presence control bar or drive
control bar are released. To stop forward
motion without stopping engine, release
the drive control bar only. Hold operator
presence control bar down against
handle to continue mowing without self-
propelling.
NOTE: If after releasing the drive control
the mower will not roll backwards, push
the mower forward slightly to disengage
drive wheels.
To keep drive control engaged when
turning corners, push down on the
handle to lift the front wheels off the
ground while turning lawn mower.
erator presence control bar
Drive
control bar
DRIVE DRIVE
CONTROL CONTROL
ENGAGED DISENGAGED
DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
Over time, the drive control system may
become "loose", resulting in decreased
speed. There is a thumbscrew on the
underside of the drive control housing to
increase tension on the drive cable. Pro-
ceed as follows:
1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug
wire from spark plug.
2. Rotate thumbscrew counter-clockwbe
to tighten the drive cable.
3. Operate mower to test drive speed.
4. If condition fails to improve after the
above steps (forward speed remains
the same), your drive belt is worn and
should be replaced.
NOTE: If mower begins to "creep" forward,
the drive cable is too tight. Rotate thumb-
screw clockwise to loosen drive cable.
TO ADJUST CUTTmNG HEmGHT
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 FORVVARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever