Sears 917.38713 owner manual Before Starting Engine, OIL See Fig, GAS See Fig, Engine Zone Control

OPERATION

I	The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can
	result in severe	eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields			while operating your
	lawn mower or	performing	any adjustments	or repairs. We recommend	a wide vision safety
	mask over the	spectacles	or standard safety	glasses.

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory for optimum performance_ Speed is not adjustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

CAUTION: Federal regulations require an engine control to be installed on this

&risk of blade contact injury. Do not tinder any circumstances attempt to defeat the function of the operator con-

trol. The blade turns when the engine is running.lawn mower in order to minimize the

oYour lawn mower is equipped with an operator pres- ence control bar which requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle to start and operate the lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 5)

Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cuL

•Adjust cutting height to suit your requirements. Me- dium position is best for most lawn&

•To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever to- ward wheel Move wheel up or down to suit your

requirements Be sure all wheels are in the same setting.

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.

LOWER WHEELS	PLATE TAB
FOR HIGH CUT

LEVER

RAISE WHEELS

FOR LOW CUT

FIG. 5

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See Fig. 6)

Lift up on grass catcher using the frame handle

oRemove grass catcher with clippings from under lawn mower handle.

oEmpty clippings from bag using both frame handle and bag handle

FIG. 6

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL (See Fig. 7)

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 w/dipstick and fill to the full line on the dipstick.

°Use20ezs of oil. Fortypeandgradeofoiltouse, see "ENGINE" in Customer Responsibilities section of this manual.

°Pour oil stowly 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.

•After the first two (2) hours of mowing, change the oil,

and every 25 hours thereafter You may need to change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions..

GAS (See Fig. 7)

°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 gasohel 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 stor- age of 30 days or longer. Drain the fuel tank, start the engine and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use flesh fue_ next season See Storage _nstruc- tions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

FILLER CAP

ENGINE OIL CAP

W/DIPSTICK

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

FIG. 7

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