Craftsman 917.374821 - Lawn Mower Controls and Adjustments; Eye Protection During Operation; Engine Speed and Control Systems; Drive Control System Operation

The operationof any lawn
SAFETYGLASSESmowercan resultinforeign
objectsthrownintothe
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 recom-
mend a standard safety glasses or wide
vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_iLCAUTION: 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 control. The blade
turns when the engine is running.
• Your lawn mower is equipped with an
operator presence control bar which
requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start
and operate the lawn mower.
DRIVE CONTROL
• Self-propelling is controlled by hold-
ing the operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pulling the drive
control bar up to the handle. The closer
to the handle the bar is pulled, the faster
the unit will travel.
• Forward motion will stop when either the
operator presence control bar or drive
control bar are released. To stop forward
motion without stopping engine, release
the drive control bar only. Hold operator
presence control bar down against
handle to continue mowing without self-
propelling.
NOTE: If after releasing the drive control
the mower will not roll backwards, push
the mower forward slightly to disengage
drive wheels.
)resence control bar
Drive
control bar
DRIVE DRIVE
CONTROL CONTROL
ENGAGED DISENGAGED
DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
Over time, the drive control system may
become "loose", resulting in decreased
speed. There is a thumbscrew on the
underside of the drive control housing to
increase tension on the drive cable. Pro-
ceed as follows:
1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug
wire from spark plug.
2. Rotate thumbscrew counter-clockwise
to tighten the drive cable.
3. Operate mower to test drive speed.
4. If condition fails to improve after the
above steps (forward speed remains
the same), your drive belt is worn and
should be replaced.
NOTE: If mower begins to "creep" forward,
the drive cable is too tight. Rotate thumb-
screw clockwise to loosen drive cable.
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
All four wheels are adjusted by a single lever.
• Pull adjuster lever toward wheel. To
raise mower, move lever forward to
desired position. To lower mower, move
the lever toward the rear.
LEVER _,
BACKWARD
TO LOWER
MOWER
Height adjuster lever
LEVER
FORWARD
TO RAISE
MOWER