Craftsman 917.378341 Owner's Manual page 7

The operationof any lawn
mowercan result in foreign
objectsthrown into the
eyes, which can resultin
severeeye damage.
Alwayswear safetyglassesor eye
shieldswhile operatingyour lawn mower
or performingany adjustmentsor repairs.
We recommendstandard safetyglasses
or a wide vision safetymask worn over
spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_kCAUTION: 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.
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
releasing 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
against 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
control
TO ADJUST CU'I-rlNG 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.
• To change cutting height, squeeze
adjuster lever toward wheel. Move
wheel up or down to suit your require-
ments. 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.
LOWER WHEELS FOR HIGH CUT
_ Plate tab
RAISE WHEELS FOR LOW CUT
Lever
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:
• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and place
the grass catcher frame hooks onto the
door pivot pins.
• To convert to mulching operation, remove
grass catcher and close rear door.
A, 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
/
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DRIVE
ENGAGE CONTROL
DRIVE CONTROL DISENGAGED
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