Before Starting Engine - Craftsman 917.370951 Owner's Manual

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MOWER IS NOW READY
FOR DISCHARGING
OPERATION
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN
CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER
FOR MULCHING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. Mulcher door closed and locked.
FOR REAR BAGGING -
1. Grass catcher installed.
2. Mulcher door closed and locked.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. Discharge deflector installed.
ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mow-
er without rear door closed or approved
grass catcher in place. Never attempt to
operate the lawn mower with the rear door
removed or propped open.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
Empty the grass catcher when clippings
are visible in the full bag indicator window.
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 using both
frame handle and bag handle.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty-
ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.
Grass
catcher
frame
handle
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. For type and grade of oil to
use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
,i_ CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with
oil, or it will smoke on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick from spout.
3. You recieve a container of oil with the
unit. Slowly pour the entire container
down the oil fill spout into the engine.
4. Insert and tighten oil fill cap/dipstick.
IMPORTANT:
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil
if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
• 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. See "TO
CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
Oil fill cap / Gasoline
di filler cap
Upper Lowe
mark mark
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.
Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Pur-
chase fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
A CAUTION" Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
A CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha-
nol) 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. Empty 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.
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, move throttle control
lever to STOP position. Wait until blade
and all moving parts have stopped and
turn fuel valve to OFF position if you do
10 not intend to restart the engine soon.