Craftsman 917.387402 owner manual Gas, To Start Engine, Mowing Tips

BEFORESTARTINGENGINE

OIL

Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine.

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

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

•Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in Maintenance section of this manual.

•Pour oil slowty. Do not over fill.

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

•To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap 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,

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 fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

WARNING: Experience indicates that

alcohol blended fuels (called gesohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidtc 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 fuel tank, start the engine and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor are

empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information.

"'Never usff_engine or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

Engine oil cap

Gasoline

filler cap

TO START ENGINE

•To start a cold engine, push pnmer three (3) 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 neces-

sary to repeat priming steps. In warmer

weather over priming may cause flooding and engine will not stad. If you do flood engine,

wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat priming steps.

MOWING TIPS

Under cedain conditions, such as very tail grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from ovedoading 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.

°When using a rear discharge lawn mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of

cut grass may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce ground speed (push-

ing speed) and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time.

•If a trail of clippings is left on the right side of a rear discharge mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a small

overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass.

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.

8