Craftsman 917.37742 - Manual (Page 8)

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped witfiout oil in
the engine.
« Be sure mower is level and area around
oil till is dean.
® Remove engine oil cap w/dipstick and fill
to the full line on the dipstick.
® Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of
oil to use, see “ENGINP in Customer Re­
sponsibilities section of this manual.
» Pour oil slowly. 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
° Rll fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Pur­
chase fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
WARNING: Experience indicates that al­
cohol 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 en­
gine while in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be emp­
tied 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 informa­
tion. 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 tryirrg to start. Use a firm
push. This step is not usually necessary
when starting an engine which has
already run for a few minutes,
o Hold operator presence control bar down
to the handle and pull starter handle
quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap
back.
f » To stop engine, release operator pres­
' ence 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 start. If you do flood
engine, wait a few minutes before attempt­
ing 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
height of 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 and raise the rear of the lawn
mower housing one (1) wheel adjuster
setting higher than the front for better dis­
charge of grass.
° When using a rear discharge lawn mower
in moist, heavy grass, clumps 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.
o If a trail of grass clippings is left on the
right side of a rear discharge lawn mower,
mow in a clockwise direction with a small
overlap to collect the clippings on the next
pass.
® Keep top of engine around starter clear
and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air flow and extend
engine life.
» 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 catchers off
with water and let dry before using.
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