Before Starting Engine - Craftsman 917.388801 Owner's Manual

SIDE DISCHARGING
• Rear door must be closed.
• Open mulcher door and install dis-
charge deflector under door as shown.
• Mower is now ready for discharging
operation.
• To convert to mulching or bagging
operation, discharge deflector must be
removed and mulcher door must be
closed.
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN
CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER
FOR MULCHING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR REAR BAGGING -
1. Grass catcher installed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. Side discharge deflector installed.
ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn
mower without rear door closed, clipping
deflector or approved grass catcher in
place. Never attempt to operate the lawn
mower with the rear door removed or
propped open.
mulcher door
Discharge
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
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
emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.
Grass
catcher
frame
handle
Bag
handle
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
.
8
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.
A CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with
oil, or it will smoke on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level and area
around oil fill is clean.
2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.
Make sure that rim of spout is clean.
3. You receive a container of oil with the
unit. Slowly pour 3/4 (12 oz.) of the oil
from the container down the oil fill
spout into the engine.
4. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle.
Use guage on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Insert dipstick into the
tube and rest the oil fill cap on the
tube. DO NOT thread the cap into the
tube when taking reading.
Continue adding small amounts of oil
and rechecking the dipstick until it
reads full. DO NOT overfill, or engine
will smoke on startup.