Craftsman 917.364250 Owner's Manual page 9

The operationof any lawn mowercan resultin foreign objects Use ear
thrown intothe eyes,which can result in severeeye damage, protec-
Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldswhileoperatingyour tots to
lawnmoweror performing anyadjustments orrepairs.Werecom- a v o i d
mendstandardsafetyglassesorawidevisionsafetymaskoverspectacles,damageto hearing.
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
AI:;LCAUTION: 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 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.
Operator presence control bar
DRIVE
CONTROL CONTROL
ENGAGED 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.
• 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,
J
ROTATE LEVER AWAY FROM ENGINE
TO RAISE MOWER
-Lever
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to
be used as a mulcher. To convert to bag-
ging or discharging:
REAR BAGGING
• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and
place the grass catcher frame hooks
onto the grass bag brackets.
• To convert to mulching or discharging
operation, remove grass catcher and
close rear door.
door
Grass bag
bracket
Grass
catcher
_ \_ handle
"\\
9
G rass
frame hook