Craftsman 917.377422 owner manual Before Starting Engine OIL, Gas, Mowing Tips

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE OIL

Your lawn mower is shipped wi_out oil in the engine.

•Be sure mower is level and area around oil fill is dean.

•Remove engine cq]cap and fill to the full line on the dipstick.

•Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil

to use, see _NGINE" in Maintenance section of this manual.

•Pour o,1slowly. Do not over fill.

•Check oil level before each use. Add oil if needed. Fill to full line on d_

•To read proper level, lighten engine oilcap each time.

•Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

•Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each season. You may need to change the oil more often under dusty, dirtyconditions.

GAS

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

used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which loads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acicr_cgas can damage the fue! system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the fuel tank, start the engine and let it run untilfuel lines and carburetor are empty.

Use flesh fuel next season. See Storage Instructionsfor additional information. Never

use engine or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent 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 pdming steps. In warmer weather over priming may cause flooding and engine will not start. I! you do flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat priming steps.

Engine oil cap--------	Gasoline filler
	cap

MOWING TIPS

•Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the 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 the 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 direction, starting at the outside of the area to be 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 grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catcher off with water and let dry before using.

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

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