Craftsman 917.38841 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
Open
Mulcher Door
Discharge
deflector
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Your lawn mower isshipped without oil in the
engine.
Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fillis clean.
Remove engine oilcap and fillto the full
line on the dipstick.
NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into
engine for accurate dipstick reading.
Engine holds 20 ozs. of oil. For type and
grade of oilto use, see "ENGINE" in
Maintenance section of this manual.
Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.
Check oillevel before each use. Add oil if
needed. Fillto 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.
ADDGASOUNE
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 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 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 use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank
or permanent damage may occur.
ACAUTION: 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.
Engine oil
cap
Gasoline filler
_i_ cap
TO START ENGINE
To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before tryingto 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
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.
8