Craftsman 917.370603 Owner's Manual page 9

The operation of any lawn
SAFETY GLASSES mower can result in foreign
objectsthrowninto the eyes,
whichcanresultinsevereeye
damage.Alwayswearsafety
glasses or eye shieldswhile operatingyour
lawn mower or performingany adjustments
or repairs.Werecommenda standardsafety
glasses or wide vision safety mask worn
over spectacles.
HOW TO USE
YOUR LAWN
MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
Engine speed was set at the factory for
optimum performance, it is not adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_ILCAUTION: Federal regulations require
an engine control to be installed on this
lawn mower in order to minimize the risk
of blade contact injury. Do not under
any circumstances attempt to defeat the
function of the operator control. The blade
turns when the engine is running.
• Your lawn mower is equipped with an
operator presence control bar which
requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start
and operate the lawn mower.
TO OPERATE DRIVE SYSTEM
• To start forward motion, lift drive con-
trol bar up to handle.
• To stop forward motion, release drive
control bar.
IMPORTANT: Always keep drive control
fully engaged against handle when in use.
Driv_
control
bar
Operator
presence
control bar
DRIVE CONTROL ENGAGED
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels
for high cut, adjust cutting height to suit
your requirements. Medium position is
best for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze ad-
juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel
up or down to suit your requirements.
Be sure all wheels are in the same set-
ting.
NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned
when plate tab inserts into hole in lever.
Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positioned between the
plate tabs.
ROTATE LEVER TOWARD
ENGINE TO LOWER MOWER
Plate tab -Lever
......... \:\l---=, j-j
\JW
ROTATE LEVER AWAY FROM ENGINE
TO RAISE MOWER
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging
or discharging:
REAR BAGGING
• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and
place the grass catcher frame hooks
onto the grass bag brackets.
• To convert to mulching or discharging
operation, remove grass catcher and
close rear door.
Reardoor
Grass bag
bracket
_ Grass
""\ catcher
\\ handle
G rass
frame hook
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.
DRIVE CONTROL DISENGAGED
9