How To Use Your Lawn Mower; Engine Speed; Engine Zone Control; Drive Control - Craftsman 917.370432 Owner's Manual

The operation of any
SAFETYOLASSES lawn mower can result
in foreign objects thrown
into the eyes, which can
result in severe eye dam-
age. Always wear safety glasses or eye
shields while operating your lawn mower
or performingany adjustments or repairs.
We recommenda standard safety glasses
or wide vision safety mask worn over
spectacles.
O _=rator presence control bar
control bar
DRIVE
CONTROL
DISENGAGED
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
,ACAUTION: 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 pulling the drive con-
trol bar up to the handle. The closer to
the handle the bar is pulled, the faster
the unit will 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 with-
out 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.
TO ADJUST,
MOVE DOWN
TO NEXT HOLE
DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
Over time, the drive control system may
become "loose", resulting in decreased
speed. There are holes in the drive
control housing to increase tension on the
drive cable. Proceed as follows:
1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug
wire from spark plug.
2. Loosen nut, move drive control hous-
ing down handle to the next hole and
retighten nut.
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.
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.
• 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 set-
ting.
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.
ROTATE LEVER TOWARD
ENGINE TO LOWER MOWER
Plate tab -Lever
",'\l ,i
ROTATE LEVER AWAY FROM ENGINE
9 TO RAISE MOWER