Craftsman 917.37074 manual HOW to USE Your Lawn Mower Enginespeed, Enginezonecontrol

The operationof any lawn mowercan resultin foreign objectsthrown intothe eyes,whichcan result in severeeye damage.Always

wear safetyglassesor eye shieldswhile operatingyour lawnmoweror performing any adjustmentsor repairs.We recom- mendstandardsafetyglassesor awide visionsafety maskworn over spectacles.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER ENGINESPEED

Enginespeedwas set at the factoryfor optimumperformance.It is not adjustable.

2.Loosen nut, move drive control hous- ing down handle to the next hole and retighten nut.

3.Operate mower to test drive speed.

4.If condition fails to improve after the above steps (forward speed remains the same), your drive belt is worn and should be replaced.

O 3resence control bar

DRIVEDrive

CONTROLcontrol bar

ENGAGED

ENGINEZONECONTROL

_I:_CAUTION: 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.

DRIVE CONTROL

•Self-propelling is controlled by hold- ing the operator presence control bar down to the handle and pulling the drive control bar up to the handle. The closer

to the handle the bar is pulled, the faster the unit will travel.

•Forward motion will stop when either the operator presence control bar or drive control bar are released. To stop forward motion without stopping engine, release the drive control bar only. Hold operator presence control bar down against handle to continue mowing

without self-propelling

NOTE: If after releasing the drive control the mower will not roll backwards, push the mower forward slightly to disengage drive wheels.

•To keep drive control engaged when

turning corners, push down on the handle to lift the front wheels off the

ground while turning lawn mower.

DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT

Over time, the drive control system may become "loose", resulting in decreased speed. There are holes in the drive

control housing to increase tension on the drive cable. Proceed as follows:

1.Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.

DRIVE

CONTROL

DISENGAGED

TO ADJUST,

MOVE DOWN

TO NEXT HOLE

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 setting.

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.

LEVER BACKWARD	Plate tab
TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

1.Lift the rear door of the lawn mower

and place the grass catcher frame side hooks onto the door pivot pins.

2.The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower housing when the rear door is

lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plug or approved grass

catcher in place. Never attempt to op- erate the lawn mower with the rear door

9 removed or propped open.