Craftsman 917.377220 Owner's Manual page 8

DRIVE CONTROl.
• Self-propelling is controlled by holding
the operator presence control bar down
to the handle and pusNng the drive
control lever forward until it clicks; then
release the lever.
• 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 controI disengages. Hold
operator presence control bar down 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 controi bar
• _ /\ Drive
\_\ _\\ I:. control
Drive oontrol
To engage
drive control disengaged
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped w'_thoutoil in the
engine.
* Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fill is clean.
, Remove engine oil cap and fill to the full
line on the dipstick.
NOTE'. Allow oil to settle down into engine
for accurate dipstick reading.
. Engine holds 20 ozs. of oil. Fortype and
grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in
Maintenance section of this manual°
o Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.
, Check oil level before each use. Add oil if
needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
* To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap
each time.
, Reinstall engine oi! 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.
8
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline w'_h a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix o;Iwith gasoline,
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be
used within 30 days to assure fuel
freshness°
&WARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasoho] or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which Ieads 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,
&CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
fiiler neck. Do not overfill Wipe off any
spilled oi! or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
Englne OHcap Gasoline filler cap
TO START ENGINE
o To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before trying to start. Use a firm
push. This step is not usually necessary
when starling an engine which has
already run for a few minutes°
, Hold operator presence control bar
down to the handle.
• Turn electric start key clockwise to
crank engine.
IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more
not crank engine more than five
continous seconds between eack time
you try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds
between each attempt,
• To start engine using the auxiliary
starter handle, follow the steps above.
Exchange the use of the start key for
starter handle. Pull starter handle
quickly. Do not allow starter rope to
snap back.