Sears 917.38783 - Manual (Page 9)

OPERATION
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 USE YOUR 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
lawn mower in order to minimize the
risk of blade contact injury. Do not
under any circumstances attempt to
defeat the function of the operator con­
trol. The blade turns when the engine is
running.
___
» Your 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 cut.
• Adjust cutting height to suit your requirements. Me­
dium position is best for most lawns.
■ > To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever to­
ward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your
requirements. Be sure al! 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.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See Fig. 6)
« Lift up on grass catcher using the frame handle.
•
Remove grass catcher with clippings from under lawn
mower handle,
• Empty clippings from bag using both frame handle and
bag handle.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying: it will cause
unnecessary wear
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.
® Use 20 ozs. of oil. Fortype and grade of oil to use, see
“ENGINE" in Customer Responsibilities 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.
• 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 gasoho! 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 fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instruc­
tions for additional information. Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent
FIG. 7