How To Use Your Lawn; To Operate Drive System; To Adjust Cutting Height; To Convert Mower - Craftsman 917.376561 Owner's Manual

The operation of any lawn
SAFETY GLASSESmower can result in foreign
objects thrown into the
eyes, which can result in
severe eye damage. Always
wear safety glasses or eye shields while
operating your lawn mower or performing
any adjustments or repairs. We recom-
mend a standard safety glasses or wide
vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINESPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_,CAUTION: 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.
TO OPERATE DRIVE SYSTEM
• To start forward motion, lift drive con-
trol bar up to handle.
• To stop forward motion, release drive
control bar.
IMPORTANT: Always keep drive control
fully engaged against handle when in use.
Operator presence control bar
DRIVE DRIVE
\ CONTROL \,\ CONTROL
ENGANGED DISENGAGED
Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positioned between the
plate tabs.
LEVER BACKWARD Plate tab
TO LOWER MOWER
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:
• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and
place the grass catcher frame hooks
onto the door pivot pins.
• To convert to mulching operation, re-
move grass catcher and close rear door.
_;_CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without rear door closed, clipping deflector
or approved grass catcher in place. Never
attempt to operate the lawn mower with
the rear door removed or propped open.
Pivot pins Rear
Grass
catcher
handle
Catcher frame hook
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift up on grass catcher using the
frame handle.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle.
3. Empty clippings from bag.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty-
ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.
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 setting.
NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned
when plate tab inserts into hole in lever.