Craftsman 944.362200 Owner's Manual page 8

The operation of any
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 performing any ad just ments or repairs.
We recommend a standard safety glasses
or wide vision safety mask worn over
spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN
MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
Engine speed was set at the factory for
optimum performance. It is not adjustable.
THROTTLE/ENGINE CONTROL
The engine is controlled by a throttle
control located on the side of the upper
handle. CHOKE position is for starting a
cold engine; FAST position is for starting
a warm engine, normal cutting, trimming
and better grass bagging; SLOW posi-
tion is for light cutting, trimming and fuel
economy, and STOP position is for stop-
ping the engine.
FAST SLOW
STOP
CHOKE
BLADE CONTROL
CAUTION: When the blade control is
engaged, the blade turns.
• To start the blade, push the blade/brake
control lever forward (1) and hold the
operator presence control bar down
to the handle (2). To stop the blade,
release the operator presence control
bar.
Allow a cold engine to warm up in high idle
position for one minute before engaging
the blade.
NOTE: It is normal to hear the belt slip
as the blade is engaged and comes up to
speed.
• Do not start the blade in uncut grass.
Move the mower out of uncut grass
before starting the blade.
CAUTION: Federal regulations require
this blade/brake control to minimize the
risk of blade contact injury. Do not under
any circumstances attempt to defeat the
function of this control.
Blade/brake
control lever
Operator
presence
control bar
TO ENGAGE BLADE
DRIVE CONTROL
• Self-propelling is controlled by pulling
either drive control lever rearward to the
handle. The further toward the handle
a lever is pulled, the faster the unit will
travel.
• To stop forward motion without stop ping
blade, re lease a drive control lever.
NOTE: If after releasing the drive control
the mower will not roll backwards, push
the mower forward slightly to disengage
drive wheels.
Operator presence control bar
Drive
control levers
TO ENGAGE DRIVE CONTROL
8
DRIVE CONTROL DISENGAGED
25