How To Use Your Lawn Mower; Engine Speed; Engine Zone Control; Drive Control - Craftsman 917.378950 Owner's Manual

The operationof any lawn
SA_ETYGLASSB mowercan 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
ENGmNESPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGmNE ZONE CONTROL
_iI,CAUTmON: 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.
DRmVE CONTROL
Self-propelling is controlled by hold-
ing the operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pulling the drive
control bar up to the handle. The closer
to the handle the bar is pulled, the faster
the unit will travel.
Forward motion will stop when either the
operator presence control bar or drive
control bar are released. To stop forward
motion without stopping engine, release
the drive control bar only. Hold operator
presence control bar down against handle
to continue mowingwithout 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.
)resence control bar
Drive
control bar
DRIVE DRIVE
CONTROL CONTROL
ENGAGED DISENGAGED
DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
Over time, the drive control system may
become "loose", resulting in decreased
speed. There is a thumbscrew on the
underside of the drive control housing to
increase tension on the drive cable. Pro-
ceed as follows:
1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug
wire from spark plug.
2. Rotate thumbscrew counter-clockwise
to tighten the drive cable.
3. Operate mower to test drive speed.
4. If condition fails to improve after the
above steps (forward speed remains
the same), your drive belt is worn and
should be replaced.
NOTE: If mower begins to "creep" forward,
the drive cable is too tight. Rotate thumb-
screw clockwise to loosen drive cable.
TO ADJUST CUTTmNG HEmGHT
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.
Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positioned between the
plate tabs.
LEVER BACKWARD
TO LOWER MOWER
Plate tab
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever