Craftsman 917.377631 owner manual To Start Engine, Gas, Mowing Tips

•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. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix,oil

with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quanti- ties that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starling. WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel 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 gas tank; start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

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 U_Jall_	-
necessary	when starting an engine

which has already run for a few minutes.

•Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle.

•Tum electric start key clockwise to crank

engine.

IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more than five continuous seconds between each time you try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds between each attempt.

•To start engine using the auxiliary starter handle, follow the steps above. Exchange the use of the start key for -_starter handle. 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 cause flooding and engine will not start. If youdo flood engine wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat priming steps.

MOWING TIPS

•	Under certain conditions, such as very tall
	grass, it may be necessary to raise the
	heightof cut to reduce pushing effort and to
	keep from overloading the engine and
	leaving clumps of grass clippings.
•	For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
	width of cut by overlapping previously cut

Engineoil cap

Gasolinefiller

path and mow slowly.

• When using a rear discha_ la_WTrnowerin

w/dipstickjcap

moist, heavy grass, dumps of cut grass

may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce

ground speed (pushing speed) and/or run

the lawn mower over the area a second

time.

• Ifa trailof clippings is lefton the rightside of

a rear discharge mower, mow in a clock-

wise directionwith a small overlap to collect

the dippings on the next pass.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can become

filledwith dirt and dust with use and

catchers willcollect less grass. To prevent

this, regularlyhose catcher off with water

and let dry before using.

• Keep top of engine around starterclearand

clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will

help engine air flow and extend engine life.

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