Craftsman 917.379040 Owner's Manual page 8

_)RIVE
C ONTROL
, Self-propelling is controlled by holding
the operator presence control bar down
to the handle and pushing the drive
control lever forward until it clicks; then
releasing 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 control disengages. Hold
operator presence control bar down
against handle to continue mowing
without self-propening.
• To keep drive control engaged when
turning comers, push down on handle
and lift front wheels off ground while
turning lawn mower.
Operator presence control bar
Drive Drive
control control
To engage Drive control
ddve control disengaged
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. Engine holds 20 oz. of oil.
For type and grade of oil to use, see
"ENGINE" in Maintenance section of this
manual.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level and area
around oil fill is clean.
2. Remove engine oil cap and fill to the
full line on the dipstick. Pour oil slowly.
Do not over fill.
NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into engine
for accurate dipstick reading. To read
proper level, tighten engine oil cap, then
remove it to read the dipstick.
3. Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.
• Check oil level before each use: Add
oil if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of I
operation or each season. You may
need to change the oil more often
under dusty, didy conditions.
ADD GASOUNE
NOTE: Beforefillingfuel tank, remove
and discardthe debds plug that is inside
the tank.
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleadedgasolinewith a minimumof
87 octane. Do not mix oilwith gaso-
line. Purchasefuel in quantitiesthat
can be used within30 days to assure
fuel freshness.
_WARNING: Experienceindicates that
alcoholblendedfuels (called gasoholor
usingethanol or methanol)can attract
moisturewhichleads to separationand
formation of acids dudngstorage. Acidic
gas can damage the fuel systemof an
engine whilein storage. To avoid engine
problems,the fuel system shouldbe
emptiedbefore storageof 30 days or
longer. Drainthe gas tank, start the
engine and let it run untilthe fuel lines
and carburetorare empty. Use fresh fuel
nextseason. See StorageInstructions for
additionalinformation. Never use engine
or carburetorcleaner productsin the fuel
tank or permanentdamage may occur.
A CAUTION: Fill to bottomof gastank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe offany
spilledoil or fuel. Do not store,spill or
use gasolinenear an open flame.
Gssolinefiller cap
debris
inside)
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the
engine, a small amognt of smoke may be
present dudng the initial use of the
product and should be considered
normal.
1. To start a cold engine, push pdmer
three (3) 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.
2. Move throttle control lever to fast
position.
3. Hold operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.
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