Before Starting Engine Oil; To Start Engine; Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.377292 Owner's Manual

Operator presence Drive
control bar \_\._,--
,,
jcontro!
\'_ "_ Drive control
To engage _' "_\ disengaged
drive control
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
"{our lawn mower is shipped without oil in the
engine.
o Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fill is clean.
o Remove engine oil cap w/dipstick and fill to
the ful! line on the dipstick.
° Use 27 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil
to use, see "ENGINE" in Customer
Responsibilities section of this manual.
o Pour oil slowly. Do not over fil!o
• 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 oil cap and tighten.
° 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 fuel tank start the engine
and let it run until 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 fuel tank or permanent damage
may occur.
TO START ENGINE
o To start a cold engine, push primer five (5)
times before trying to start, Use a firm push.
This step is not usually necessary when
starting an engine which has already run for
a few minutes.
o Push engine speed control lever to fast
position.
• Hold operator presence control bar down to
the handle and pull starter handle quickty.
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 warmer
weather over priming may cause flooding and
engine will not start. If you do flood engine,
walt a few minutes before attempting to start
and do not repeat priming steps.
Gasoline Engine oil cap
filler cap wldipstick
MOWING TIPS
° Under certain conditions, such as very tall
grass, it may be necessary to raise the
height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to
keep from overloading the engine and
leaving clumps of grass clippings.
° For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut and raise the rear of the lawn
mower housing one (1) wheel adjuster
setting higher than the front for better
discharge of grass_
• For better grass bagging and most cutting
conditions, the engine speed should be set
in the fast position.
• When using a rear discharge lawn mower in
moist, heavy grass, clumps of cut grass
may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce
ground speed (pushing speed) and/or run
the lawn mower over the area a second
time.
° if a trail of grass clippings is left on the right
side of a rear discharge lawn mower, mow
in a clockwise direction with a small overlap
to collect the clippings on the next pass.
° Keep top of engine around starter clear and
clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will
help engine air flow and extend engine life.
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