Drive Control; Gas; Before Starting Engine; To Start Engine - Craftsman 917.377593 Owner's Manual

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
release the lever.
o 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 clown to
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
\, \ A/\-\ Drive
,_'_'_, _[x_'X\_ control
To engage drive Drive control
control desengaged
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in
the engine.
o Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fill is dean.
o Remove engine oil cap and fill to the full line
on the dipstick.
o Use 27 ozs. of oil, For type and grade of oil
to use, see "ENGINE" in Maintenance
section of this manual.
o Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.
o Check oil level before each use. Add oil if
needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
o To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap
each time.
o Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.
o Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season, You may need
to change the oil more often under dusty,
dirty conditions.
GAS
o Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol
blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol
or methanol) can attract moisture which leads
to separation and formation of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage. To avoid
engine problems, the fuel system should be
emptied before storage of 30 days or longer.
Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it
run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See
Storage Instructions for additional information.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
filler cap Engine oil cap
TO START ENGINE
o To start a cold engine, push primer three (3)
times before trying to start. Use a finn push.
This step is not usually necessary when
starting an engine which has already run for
a few minutes.
o Hold operator presence control bar down to
the handle and pull starter handle quickly.
Do not allow starter rope to snap back.
o To stop engine, release operator presence
control bar.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be neces-
sary to repeat priming steps. In wanner
weather over priming may cause flooding and
engine will not start° If you do flood engine,
wait a few minutes before attempting to start
and do not repeat priming steps.
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