Craftsman 247.39775 Operator's Manual

13OPERATIONGAS AND OIL FILL-UPIMPORTANT: Refer to the separate Engine Operator’s Manual for additional engineinformation.This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to serviceengine with gasoline and oil as instructed before starting or running your lawnmower.1. Add provided oil before starting mower for the first time as instructed in theseparate Engine Operator’s Manual.2. Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the separate EngineOperator’s Manual.WARNINGUse extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremelyflammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors orwhile the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes andother sources of ignition.To Start EngineWARNINGBe sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mowerwhile starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine indoors orin enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbonmonoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and looseclothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual for instructions on starting and stopping theengine.WARNINGKeep a firm grip on the starter cord handle to prevent rapid retraction ofstarter cord (kickback). Rapid retraction can pull hand and arm towardengine faster than you can let go, and result in broken bones, fractures,bruises or sprains.To Stop Engine1. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.WARNINGWait for the blade to stop completely before performing any work on themower or to remove the grass catcher.Using Your Lawn MowerBe sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damagelawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower inany direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.1. Perform one of the following:• Bail and Single Lever Drive Controls - Once the engine is running, squeeze thedrive control against the upper handle to propel mower.• Dual Lever Drive Controls -a. Once the engine is running and while continuing to hold the bladecontrol down, squeeze either (or both) drive controls against theupper handle to propel mower. See Figure 17.b. To change speed, move speed control to the desired speed.NOTE: When selecting a drive speed, use the first speed until you arecomfortable and familiar with the operation of the mower.IMPORTANT: If you are shifting speeds while the mower is stationary it maybe difficult to shift into first speed under certain conditions. This is easilyremedied by briefly engaging the drive lever.WARNINGThe operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects beingthrown into the eyes, which can damage your eyes severely. Alwayswear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while performing anyadjustments or repairs on it.NOTE: Your mower is equipped with an advanced internal drive system for ease ofuse. When turning or pulling the unit rearward, you may notice higher than normalresistance in the rear wheels under certain conditions. This is perfectly normaland can be remedied by allowing the unit to roll forward slightly without the drivelever(s) engaged before pulling backwards.Engage the right, the left, orboth the right and left controllevers to propel the mower.Figure 17