Assembly - Craftsman 917.373981 Owner's Manual

ASSEMBLY
Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety
before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn
mower. Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the
factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled
for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper opera-
tion of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you
assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct
tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness. All parts
such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary to complete
the assembly have been placed in the parts bag.
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON
Remove loose parts included with mower.
• Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel
down flat.
• Remove all packing materials except padding between
upper and lower handle and padding holding operator
presence control bar to upper handle.
• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thor-
oughly for additional loose parts.
HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Fig. 1)
IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLE CAREFULLY SO AS
NOT TO PINCH OR DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES.
• Raise handles until lower handle section locks into
place in mowing position.
• Raise upper handle section into place on lower handle,
remove protective padding and tighten both handle
knobs.
Remove handle padding holding operator presence
control bar to upper handle.
Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your
mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the
Service and Adjustment section of this manual.
OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR
UPPER HA_
LIFT UP
LIFT UP
LOWER
HANDLE
MOWING POSITION
SIDE DISCHARGING (See Fig. 2B) -
• Mulcher plug must be installed into rear discharge
opening of mower (see above instructions).
• Unlock closed discharge guard by lifting latch and allow
guard to swing open to discharging position.
• Mower is now ready for discharging operation.
• To convert to mulching or bagging operation, dis-
charge guard must be closed and locked securely.
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER
WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER
FOR MULCHING -
• Rear mulcher plug installed.
• Side discharge guard closed and locked securely.
FOR REAR BAGGING -
• Rear mulcher plug removed.
• Grass catcher installed.
• Side discharge guard closed and locked securely,
FOR SiDE DISCHARGING -
Rear mulcher plug installed.
• Side discharge guard unlocked and open.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without rear mulcher plug in place or
approved grass catcher in place.
Never attempt to operate the lawn
mower with the rear door removed or
propped open.
MULCHER PLUG
FIG. 2A
FIG. 1
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a
mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging:
REAR BAGGING (See Fig. 2A) -
• Open rear door and remove mulcher plug. Store
mulcher plug in a safe place.
You can now install grass catcher.
• To convert to mulching or discharging operation, install
mulcher plug into rear discharge opening of mower.
DISCHARGE GUARD
CLOSED POSITION
OPEN POSITION
LIFT LATCH
TO UNLOCK
AND OPEN
6
FIG. 2B