Craftsman 917.377631 - Manual (Page 8)

• 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. (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 starting.
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.
Gasoline filler
Engine oil cap
w/dipstick
cap
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 uslialiy^^
necessary when starting an engine
which has already run for a few minutes.
• Hold operator presence control bar
down to the handle.
• Turn 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 you do
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
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 by overlapping previously cut
path and mow slowly. ____ _____
• When using a rear dischar^ lawn rfiower 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.
• If a trail of clippings is left on the right side of
a rear discharge mower, mow in a clock­
wise 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 starterolear^ind
dean of grass dippings and chaff. This will
help engine air flow and extend engine life.
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