Craftsman 917.377680 Owner's Manual page 8

The operationof any lawn
mowercan result in foreign
objectsthrown into the
eyes, which can result in
severeeye damage.Always
wear safety glassesor eye shieldswhile
operatingyour lawn moweror performing
any adjustmentsor repairs.We recom-
menda standard safetyglasses or wide
vision safetymask worn overspectacles.
_rator presence control bar
Drive
control
TO lever
Adjustment ENGAGE DRIVE
button (on DRIVE CONTROL
underside) CONTROL DISENGAGED
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
_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.
DRIVE CONTROL
• Self-propelling is controlled by hold-
ing the operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pulling the drive
control lever rearward to the handle.
The farther toward the handle the lever
is pulled, the faster the unit will travel.
• Forward motion will stop when either
the operator presence control bar or
drive control lever are released. To stop
forward motion without stopping engine,
release only the drive control lever. 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.
DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
Over time, the drive control system may be-
come "loose", resulting in decreased speed.
There is a button on the underside of the drive
control housing to increase tension on the
drive cable. Proceed as follows:
1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug
wire from spark plug.
2. Pull drive control lever ALL THE WAY
BACK to the handle.
3. Push button on underside of drive
control. While holding button in, return
drive control lever to disengaged posi-
tion ALL THE WAY FORWARD.
NOTE: Do not ratchet the adjustment.
4. Release button.
5. Operate mower to test drive speed.
If condition becomes worse after
the above steps (forward speed has
become slower), your system was not
"loose". Repeating the above steps will
return your unit to the proper adjust-
ment and speed.
6. If condition fails to improve after the
above steps (forward speed remains
the same), your drive belt is worn and
should be replaced.
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
All four wheels are adjusted by a single lever.
• Pull adjuster lever toward wheel. To
raise mower, move lever forward to
desired position. To lower mower, move
the lever toward the rear.
LEVER
BACKWARD
TO LOWER
MOWER
Height adjuster lever
LEVER
FORWARD
TO RAISE
MOWER
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