Craftsman 917.377431 manual Mowing Tips, Before Starrngengine OIL, Gas, To Start Engine

BEFORE STAR'RNGENGINE OIL

Your lawn mower is shippedwithoutog inthe engine.

•Be sum mower is level and area around oil fill is clean.

•Remove engine oil cap and tiffto the full fine on the dipstick.

NOTE: Allow oilto settledown intoenginefor accurate dipstk_ reeding.

•Engineholds 20 ozs. of oil. Fortype and grade of oil to use, see =ENGINE" in

Maintenance sectionof this manual.

•Pour oil slowly. Do notover fill

•Check oHlevel boforeeach use. Addoilif needed. Fillto full 5ne on dipstick.

•To read proper level,tighten engineoil cap each time.

•Reinstallengine o_1cap and tighton.

•Change the oil after every 25 hoursof operationor each seeson. You may need to change the oil mere oftenunder dusty, dirty conditions.

GAS

•Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fu_l in quantities that can be

used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

_oARNING: Experienceindicatesthat blended fuels (called gasohol or

usingathanol or methanel) can attrect moisturewhich leads to separationand

formationof acids dudngstorage. Addic ges can damage the fuel system of an engine whilein storage. To avoidengine problems, the fuel system should be emptiedbefore storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the fuel tank,start the engine end let it rununtilfuel lfnseand carburatorare empty. Use frosh fuel next seeson. See Storage Instructionsfor additionalinfom_tion. Never use engine or carburetordeaner productsin fuel tank or penxenent damage may occur.

TO START ENGINE

•To start a cold engine, push primer five

(5)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.

•Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly, Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

•To stop engine, release operator presence control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps. In

warmer weather over priming may caus flooding and engine will not start. If you do flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat priming steps.

Engine oil cap

cap

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MOWING TIPS

•Under certain conditions, such as ver tall grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading th engine and leaving clumps of grass clippings. It may also be necessary to

reduce ground speed and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time.

•For extremely heavy cutting, reduce t width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

•For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast position.

•For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting in a counter-clockwise directio starting at the outside of the area to b cut, spreads grass clippings more evenly and puts less load on the engine. To keep clippings off of

walkways, flower beds, etc., make the first cuts in a clockwise direction.

•Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled with dirt and dust with

use and catchers will collect less gras To prevent this, regularly hose catche off with water and let dry before using

•Keep top of engine around starter cle and clean of grass clippings and chaf This will help engine air flow and extend engine life.

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