Craftsman 917.371721 owner manual HOW to USE Your Lawn Mower, To Adjust Cutting Height

Theoperationof any

SAFETYGLASSESlawn mowercan result in foreignobjectsthrown into the eyes,which can result in severe eye dam-

age.Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eye shieldswhile operatingyour lawnmower or performingany adjustmentsor repairs. We recommenda standardsafetyglasses or wide visionsafetymaskworn over spectacles.

O presence control bar

Drive control bar

DRIVE

CONTROL

DISENGAGED

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

,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.

TO ADJUST,

MOVE DOWN

TO NEXT HOLE

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.

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.

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 BACKWARDPlate tab

TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever