Craftsman 917.38885 owner manual HOW to USE Your Lawn Mower

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The operation of any lawn

mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the

eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always

wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recom- mend a standard safety glasses or wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory for optimum performance. Speed is not adjustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

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.

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.

LEVER BACKWARD

Plate tab

TO LOWER MOWER

 

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:

Lift rear door of the lawn mower and place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins.

To convert to mulching operation, re-

move grass catcher and close rear door. CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without rear door closed, clipping defl ector or approved grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.

Pivot pins

Rear

Grass

 

door

catcher

 

 

handle

Catcher frame hook

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.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty- ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.

Grass catcher frame handle

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Contents Rotary Lawn Mower Safety Rules Table of ContentsWarranty General Operation II. Slope OperationIII. Children IV. Safe Handling of GasolineProduct Specifications General ServiceAccessories Repair Protection AgreementsTo Remove Lawn Mower from Carton Assembly / PRE-OPERATIONHOW to SET UP Your Lawn Mower Know Your Lawn Mower Meets Cpsc Safety RequirementsOperation HOW to USE Your Lawn Mower To Start Engine Before Starting EngineTo Stop Engine Mowing Tips Mulching Mowing TipsMaintenance Lubrication ChartGeneral Recommendations Before Each USELawn Mower EngineTires Blade CareCleaning AIR FilterMuffler Spark PlugService and Adjustments To Adjust HandleRear Deflector CarburetorFuel System StorageHandle Problem Cause Correction OtherEngine OIL CylinderPoor cut Get it fixed, at your home or ours