Craftsman 247.379550 Operator's Manual page 12

GAS AND OIL FILL-UP
IMPORTANT: Refer to the separate Engine Operator's Manual for additional engine
information.
This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service
engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in this section before starting or running
your machine.
1. Add provided oil before starting mower for the first time.
2. Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the separate Engine
Operator's Manual.
Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or
while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
other sources of ignition.
To Start Engine
Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower
while starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine indoors or
in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose
clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.
Refer to the Engine Operator's Manual for instructions on starting and stopping the
engine.
Keep a firm grip on the starter cord handle to prevent rapid retraction of
starter cord (kickback). Rapid retraction can pull hand and arm toward
engine faster than you can let go, and result in broken bones, fractures,
bruises or sprains.
To Stop Engine
1. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.
Wait for the blade to stop completely before performing any work on the
mower or to remove the grass catcher.
Using Your Lawn Mower
Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage
lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in
any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.
The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being
thrown into the eyes, which can damage your eyes severely. Always
wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while performing any
adjustments or repairs on it.
OPERATION
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
NOTE: Your mower is equipped with an advanced internal drive system for ease of
use. When turning or pulling the unit rearward, you may notice higher than normal
resistance in the rear wheels under certain conditions. This is perfectly normal
and can be remedied by allowing the unit to roll forward slightly without the drive
lever(s) engaged before pulling backwards.
Dual Lever Drive Controls
NOTE: Do not engage the dual lever drive controls while starting the engine.
NOTE: Once the engine is running and while using the mower, continue holding the
blade control against the upper handle. See Figure 14.
NOTE: Release the blade control to stop the engine.
1. Using Mower as Rear Wheel Drive Only. See Figure 15:
a. Squeeze the right lever drive control (against the upper handle to
engage the rear wheel drive.
b. Release the right lever drive control to disengage the rear wheel
drive.
12
Figure 14
a
b
Figure 15